Lara Djonggrang — Restaurant in Jakarta

I was hoping this resto would offer a pleasant nice dining for a Saturday night with my gf, instead it was turned-out to be a HORRIBLE experience, I'd never step my foot on this place again in this life! I tell you why:

Nobody greets you at the front door and with such narrow alley way down deep to get inside, you would be confuse or maybe embarrassed to ask whether which table are reserved and which aren't. You have to enter inside and 'make a fool' of yourself first to get a table. I noticed one of the waiter/staff sneered/looked down at me while I'm asking nicely to him of how to get a table and to order food. I REMEMBER HIS FACE, I won't forget it if you confront any of their staffs to me. When he came to get my order, he didn't repeat and re-mentioned of what our order are (what the f!). We ordered "Bebek Betutu" and "ice kopyor" too, waiting for it over 30 mins and they never came. And finally when I confronted the other staff, he checked on the computer, and that 1 dish and 1 beverage were not included on my order! Can you believe that?

Imagine myself bringing my gf from out of town to this resto (yes, we live on a different cities), hoping to get a decent meal on our first night together, waiting too long for it, and didn't get our complete order. I have embarrassed myself in front of my gf.

Btw, I'm an Indonesian, and this resto treated me (maybe us) unfairly and unprofessionally, I'm not a beggar, I'm not asking my meal for free! Don't bring your family / love ones here! This resto is highly overrated, and their dishes weren't that good anyway, service quality is very...

Lara Djonggrang is truly one of Jakarta’s hidden gems. The moment you step inside, you are transported into a different world filled with history, culture, and mystery. The restaurant’s interior is stunning—an eclectic mix of antique Javanese artifacts, dimly lit lanterns, and dramatic decorations that feel like walking into a living museum. Every corner tells a story, making the dining experience more than just about food, but also about atmosphere and heritage.

The menu offers a wide variety of authentic Indonesian dishes, each prepared with great attention to detail. The flavors are rich and deeply satisfying, highlighting traditional recipes from across the archipelago. Portions are generous, and the presentation of each dish is as beautiful as the setting itself.

The service is equally impressive. The staff are attentive, polite, and knowledgeable about the dishes, always ready to provide recommendations and explain the background of the cuisine. This makes the whole dining experience both warm and memorable.

Overall, Lara Djonggrang is not just a restaurant—it is an experience. Perfect for special occasions, gatherings, or even for those who want to immerse themselves in Indonesia’s cultural richness while enjoying excellent food. A visit here feels like stepping back in time, and it is definitely a must-try...

Authentic Indonesian dining experience in historical and culturally rich ornamented rooms! It was my second day back in Jakarta longing for a traditional Indonesian food and stumbled upon Lara Djonggrang in Menteng area and wasn’t disappointed.

Historical ornaments, religious sculptures and dated remains filled every corner of the room as we were seated, making the dining experience as traditional as it can get; felt almost like we were dining in a historical museum.

We had Nasi Gudeg Pesanggrahan (Rp. 98,000), Nasi Bakar Ayam Taliwang (Rp. 98,000), Rendang Padang (Rp. 118,000), Es Lemongrass Tea (Rp. 40,000).

Nasi Gudeg was immensely delicious and was my personal favourite. The ingredients tasted fresh and the Indonesian spices felt very authentic. Nasi Bakar Ayam Taliwang was alright, taste-wise pretty decent but the ratio of rice to proteins were a bit off (not sure if that’s how it was meant to be served). Rendang Padang felt different —not the same coconut-curry rendang I was used to, not bad but kicked pretty strong in the earthy taste (perhaps star anise).

A lovely dining experience. Would come back for their other food at a...