By Dan K.
Our Journey: A Reason to Escape
A recent business trip took us to the bustling and vibrant city of Jakarta, Indonesia. Known for its rich coffee culture and as the home of the 2024 World Barista Champion, Mikael Jasin, Jakarta presented us with an exciting opportunity to explore its cafes. With a packed schedule ahead, we decided to extend our stay, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the city’s coffee scene.
Jakarta is an immense city, brimming with both well-known and hidden cafes that promise unique coffee experiences. Over the next few weeks, as we sift through our hundreds of photos and memories, we will be sharing detailed reviews of each cafe we visited, starting with one of the most prominent: Djournal Cafe.
Djournal Cafe: You Will Not Miss This Cafe
Our coffee journey began the moment we landed at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Terminal 3. Right inside the departure lounge area, we stumbled upon Djournal Coffee Bar, an inviting spot that promises a great start (or end) to any trip.
This particular Djournal Coffee Bar has garnered significant acclaim, winning the Best Asia Pacific Airport, Coffee, Tea, Non-alcoholic Beverage Shop of the Year award by FAB in June 2018. Their commitment to using 100% Indonesian beans in all their brews ensures that every cup is a genuine taste of Nusantara, showcasing the rich, diverse flavors that Indonesian coffee is known for.
As part of the ISMAYA Group, Djournal is in good company with other popular brands like Blackbyrd, Cafe Kissa in Malaysia, and The People’s Cafe. This affiliation ensures a certain level of quality and consistency across all their establishments.
Why the Name DJournal?
The name “DJournal” is derived from the popular term for Jakarta, DJakarta. This clever wordplay gives the cafe a strong local identity and connects it with the city’s vibrant culture. Patrons of Djournal are affectionately known as DJournalists, a community united by a love for great coffee.
Since its inception in 2013, Djournal Coffee has been guided by the belief that life is too short for bad coffee. This philosophy has driven them to deliver exceptional coffee experiences daily, earning them a loyal following across Indonesia, with establishments in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and Bali.
Visiting DJournal Coffee at the Prestigious Grand Indonesia Mall
During our stay in Jakarta, we were based at the Grand Hyatt, conveniently located near Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia. These two malls are a stone’s throw away from each other and house a plethora of cafes. However, most cafes in these malls open at 10 am, which presented a challenge as we needed a spot for an early 9 am meeting.
A quick Google search revealed two options: Djournal Coffee Bar, which opens at 9 am, and Powell and Hyde Café, which opens at 8 am. Having visited Powell and Hyde Café the previous day and finding no power outlets, we opted for Djournal.
Arriving early, we were pleased to find the cafe relatively empty, providing a quiet and conducive environment for our meeting. This tranquility is deceptive, though, as the cafe becomes bustling and vibrant later in the day.
Having Coffee at DJournal
Djournal’s spacious seating area, both indoor and outdoor, creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The seating is designed to facilitate natural conversations without overwhelming echoes, making it ideal for meetings and social gatherings. However, the cafe can get quite busy in the afternoon, so be patient with the service during peak times.
The menu at Djournal offers a variety of brew methods beyond the traditional espresso, including pour-overs and siphon brews. Their food selection is equally impressive, featuring a range of pastries and savory options. Popular items include peanut butter muffins, Klepton cake, chicken rendang pie, and an array of beef-based dishes such as pies and sandwiches.
One important note for visitors is that Djournal operates on a cashless payment system. This might be inconvenient for some, especially foreign visitors, but major credit cards and Gojek Gopay credits are accepted, which worked out well for us.
If you are really passionate into coffee and really like your experience there, you could also pick up some of their exclusive merchandise from the store which I notice is found in certain outlets only. You can get T-shirts, mugs, tumblers and of course, not forgetting their finely selected Indonesian Roasted Beans.
Overall Experience
Our overall experience at Djournal Coffee was very pleasant. The quality of their coffee is undeniable, thanks to their excellent produce and roasting techniques. Although we didn’t sample much of the food due to our early visit, the croissant we had was delightful. We’re already planning a return visit to try more of their offerings on our next trip to Jakarta.
Additional Review: Djournal Café at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Terminal 3
Before heading back home, we made a quick stop at Djournal Coffee Bar at the airport. The prices here are slightly higher than their city counterparts, but the quality of the coffee remains top-notch. The seating area is limited, making it a good spot for a quick coffee and snack before your flight.
If you have already entered the departure area, Djournal might just be the best choice for good coffee and some quick meals.
Conclusion and Locations of DJournal Coffee Bar and Cafe
Djournal Coffee at Grand Indonesia is an easy choice when looking for a café to visit for coffee enthusiasts. Its central location, commitment to quality, and inviting atmosphere make it a standout choice among Jakarta’s many cafes. Here’s the address for your convenience:
Djournal Coffee Grand Indonesia Grand Indonesia West Mall Ground Floor Lobby Pandawa, Jl M.H Thamrin No 1, Kebon Melati, Kb. Melati, Kecamatan Tanah Abang, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10310, Indonesia
Djournal Coffee Bar at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Terminal 3 Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Benda, RT.001/RW.010, Pajang, Banten 15126, Indonesia
Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews of Jakarta’s coffee scene as we continue to explore and share our unique experiences!