Raffles Jakarta

Raffles Jakarta calls itself a “refined haven in Jakarta” – and it truly is that and so much more. First-rate hospitality, a luxuriously appointed room, excellent dining options, and the oasis-like Raffles Spa made it hard to leave this elegant retreat and face the city outside. Our dedicated Raffles Butler was on hand throughout our stay, assisting with tourism tips and onward travel plans. Each evening, turndown service included ‘Raffles Sleep Ritual Amenities’ – a thoughtful touch. Nothing was left to chance; every detail was handled with precision, care, and kindness.

The Vegan Food

Breakfast at Arts Café by Raffles was a daily delight. The friendly and attentive team helped create a banquet of vegan options. The buffet included freshly squeezed juices, juice shots, oatmeal with berries, and a delicious rice porridge – a great vegan breakfast base. From the à la carte menu, we enjoyed freshly made vegan sushi and a Buddha bowl, before the staff went above and beyond to create bespoke vegan dishes. A clear vegetable broth with lightly steamed vegetables was a light and nutritious start, followed by a quinoa salad topped with avocado and edamame. Local flavours were represented through a smooth rice congee, served with crispy shallots, fried peanuts, and sweet kecap manis. A spicy tempeh dish was another highlight, served with steamed rice and emping crackers made from melinjo nuts. From the à la carte menu, the ‘Nasi Campur’ was a must-try: tempeh, potato balado, tahu bacem, vegetables with shredded coconut, vegan fish with tangy sauce, and vermicelli noodles made for a true food adventure. We also loved the elevated gado-gado: potatoes, tofu, tempeh, and fresh vegetables smothered in peanut sauce, with emping crackers. Can we have this for breakfast every day?

We returned to Arts Café for a specially prepared vegan lunch – and it was exceptional. A chef’s amuse-bouche of charcoal cassava with balado stuffing and shredded coconut, served with sambal and crackers, was a fantastic start. Our appetiser – elderflower-compressed watermelon and tomato salad with truffle balsamic vinaigrette and candied walnuts – was sublime. Visually stunning and a joy to eat, it left us wondering why all salads can’t be this good. For mains, we had ‘Saikyo Miso Impossible Lobster’ with corn succotash, broccolini, pickles, gochujang sauce, and puffed rice. A visual masterpiece with bold flavours and exciting textures, the sauce was heavenly. Dessert was called ‘Berry Mylk’: a spiced brown sugar vegan cake, strawberry compote, almond crumble, tangy lemon gel, and a silky vanilla soy crème anglaise. A carefully crafted dessert that hit every note – our only complaint was that it ended. Friendly and attentive service from Mr Rofi, whose unobtrusive charm added the final wow factor to a truly memorable meal.

Torrential rain moved our planned al fresco lunch at Navina Pool Bar indoors, where we continued our plant-based feast in the comfort of our room. Fresh spring rolls led the way, followed by a vegan flatbread with pillowy crust, tomato sauce, and a generous topping of vegan seafood – including plant-based fish, sea cucumber, and abalone. Crispy oyster mushrooms from a local grower in Bandung, served with coconut yoghurt and chive dip, were a sustainably sourced snack to remember. The eggplant balado, with whole mini eggplants stuffed with a fiery tomato and chilli filling, topped with crispy potato strips, was a spicy explosion for chilli lovers.

The Vegan Essentials

The main pool was attractive, but the intimate spa pool offered a quieter escape. The 14th floor wellness centre was where our stay ended, with a supremely relaxing 90-minute Raffles Signature Treatment. We also had an inspiring conversation with Raffles’ sustainability guru, Mr Indra, who spoke passionately about the future of luxury travel. There are no plastic bottles throughout the property; our room even had its own water filter system. Refillable amenities, bamboo toothbrushes and razors, and vegan snacks and drinks further reinforced Raffles’ eco credentials. The hotel is also working to increase vegetarian offerings, reduce food waste, and source locally – even providing recyclable coffee capsules and cassava shower caps. Education underpins all of these efforts, and it’s encouraging to see sustainability woven into every aspect of the guest experience.

The Vegan Food Quest Verdict

Having stayed at Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, our Raffles Jakarta experience reminded us of everything we love about the brand – with a warm Indonesian twist. For those seeking the finer things in life on their Jakarta journey, Raffles is an exceptional choice.

We were guests of Raffles Jakarta but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views.

Raffles Jakarta
3–5 Kuningan
South Jakarta City
Jakarta 12940

Telephone: +62 21 29880888
Email: jakarta@raffles.com
Cost From: £165 / $215 (April 2025)