Money whispers here. The gangs still remember older Jakarta.
Why DHARMAWANGSA, why now
The Dharmawangsa area of South Jakarta is generating fresh buzz in June 2026, driven by new openings including Bartiga (an intimate music bar at The Darmawangsa Square focused on high-quality acoustic sound) and Hvala (the Singapore matcha cult-cafe's first international outpost on nearby Jl. Kyai Maja). It is a prestige South Jakarta pocket distinct from Senopati/Gunawarman.
1. Shikaku Japanese Restaurant Jakarta
- Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya The Bimasena No.23 2nd Floor, RT.1/RW.2, Pulo, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160
- 4.6 · 166 reviews · Rooftop Bar
Shikaku opens the route because you need to eat before the night stretches too far. This is a rooftop Japanese grill stop, the kind where kushiyaki and sashimi set the baseline and the rest of the menu builds from there. The timing matters: sit down while you still have appetite logic, before the drinks take over.
Crew's note
The counter asks nothing. Sit.
What visitors say
Shikaku Jakarta is one of those places that gets a lot right, especially if you’re into Japanese grill-focused dining. We tried their kushiy…
The sashimi was very delicious and tasted really fresh. Overall the food quality was good and nicely presented. The only downside was that t…
2. Bar Kotak Jakarta
- The Bimasena, Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya No.23, RT.1/RW.2, Pulo, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160
- 4.6 · 106 reviews · Skyline View
Bar Kotak closes the course because the night needs somewhere to settle after you've eaten. This is a skyline-view cocktail lounge with a Nusantara theme and a cigar-bar layout, the kind of dim-lit finish where the route stops asking and you stop deciding. It's the last stop because nothing should come after it.
Crew's note
The grape drops slower than the day did.
What visitors say
Nice interior and cozy atmosphere. Drinks are quite pricey, and while the bar looks fancy, the staff’s attitude doesn’t really match the ima…
1. Food Food was okay for most of the parts. I personally didn't order any, while friends set their eyes on curry chicken rice, udon, egg-me…
The walk between
The walk between them holds the shape of older South Jakarta, the kind of strip where the prestige stays quiet and the newer openings slot in without announcing themselves. You're moving through a pocket that knows it doesn't need to compete with Senopati.
- Start at Shikaku early enough that you can order slowly, the kushiyaki selection and sashimi take their time and the route depends on you finishing before the second stop pulls you in.
- Bar Kotak gets smoky because it doubles as a cigar lounge, so plan accordingly if that changes how long you want to stay.
FAQ
- How much should I budget for this course?
- Shikaku runs on the pricey side for Japanese dining, and Bar Kotak's cocktails sit around the 250k mark per drink. Expect upscale pricing throughout, Dharmawangsa leans expensive compared to other South Jakarta strips.
- Does Bar Kotak take reservations, or should I expect to wait?
- The reviews don't mention long waits, but the cozy layout and plush-couch setup suggest limited seating. If you're going on a weekend night, arriving earlier in the evening gives you better odds of picking your spot.
Ask Moon
Jakarta
