Time to find out where Jakarta's hip crowd prefers to spend their weekends.

Now that the pandemic-related lockdown has eased, perhaps it is the best time for Jakarta urbanites and out-of-towners to explore the glitzy urban shore known as Pantai Indah Kapuk. 

In recent years, the bay area has consistently thrived and become one of the most visited spots in the province thanks to the swelling culinary scene that exudes both heterogeneity and sophistication. That said, as the number of those cafes continues to grow, it might be difficult to pinpoint which café and eatery could be worth exploring. 

Here are a few cafés that should be on the top of the list on your next visit to Pantai Indah Kapuk.

Toby's Estate, Pantai Indah Kapuk

Enjoy a lively brunch with friends

Located on the grand floor of PIK Avenue, Toby's Estate has evolved into becoming one of the more eminent culinary staples in the area thanks to its distinctive industrial-chic interior and dishes that equally endear young adults and ladies who brunch.

The eatery is popular among the urbanites fresh off their morning jogs and staycationers who are currently spending their downtime in the Mercure Hotel and the Swissôtel Jakarta—both situated in the same compound as PIK Avenue.

While Toby's Estate fixes up dishes that are a fusion of Asian, Indonesian, Italian and Western haute cuisine, it is the café's brunch menu that diners might find the most scrumptious. The self-styled Breakfast of Champions is a must-try among patrons who are looking for extra stamina—a massive plate that consists of the diner's preferred egg fare, toasted brioche, baked beans, hash browns, sauteed mushrooms, bratwurst and smoked streaky bacon. 

For those watching their food intake, however, a platter of smashed avocados on toast, complemented with Scotch eggs, pickled ginger roots and balsamic reduction, are an ideal breakfast alternative. Come at sundown, a glass of Toby's Espresso Martini will give the kick diners need to burn the midnight oil.

Talassa Jakarta

For that nautical, summer vibe

True to the area's name, Pantai Indah Kapuk has no shortage of cafés that offer a coastal, summery ambiance for its residents and out-of-towners—cafés such as Talassa Jakarta. 

This establishment, in particular, stands out among the rest thanks to it being split into two different, separate premises: The seashore bar (known as the "Station") and the floating restaurant that is constructed akin to an old-time cruise ship (known as the "Phinisi"). 

Considering how the café is nestled in the area's promenade, dubbed the Cove at Batavia, Talassa Jakarta is considerably popular for diners who are also looking to enjoy the nautical waterscape that is the Java Sea.

Island vibes: One of Talassa Jakarta's signature drinks is the Mango Gringo mocktail. (JP/Felix Martua) (JP/Felix Martua)

Even though Talassa Jakarta prides itself on its expansive seafood delights, the café is also well-regarded for its novel beverage selections. The Black Pearl, for instance, is a copybook, Tiki-inspired thirst-quencher consisting of dark rum, spiced rum, light rum, pineapple juice, orgeat syrup and fresh lime. 

In case the Black Pearl might be too strong for certain patrons, however, the Mango Gringo mocktail could be the much preferable family-friendly delight for a hot, sunny day—a non-alcoholic concoction of fresh mango, brown sugar, ginger ale and passion fruit.

Dots Board Game Café

To eat and play

Located not too far from Scarlett's Café, Dots Board Game Café is exactly what the name implies: a family-oriented café that offers affordable food, milky drinks and a wide array of board games for the patrons to play. 

For children and teenagers, Dots Board Game Café can be the perfect place to hang out, socialize and forge a friendship. For the adults, Dots Board Game Café can be the perfect place to laugh their nostalgia away while playing maudlin games such as Monopoly and Splendor. 

To boot, the café often hosts board game and/or card tournaments and game nights in which patrons play more contemporary fixtures such as CASCADIA, Exploding Kittens, Rising Sun and Blood Rage.

Dots Board Game Café makes up for its absence of artisan cocktails and haute cuisine by offering modestly priced (and relatively age-appropriate) table d'hôte that Gen Z customers might enjoy—meals such as saikoro steak bowl, kimchi fried rice, spicy lavacinne, kung pao spaghetti and el pollo diablo chicken. 

As for beverages, milkshakes such as Korean strawberry, Milo dinosaur, Oreo frappe and Queen Bee shakes could make the patrons' Monopoly loot taste even sweeter. Who says you need to be inebriated to have some fun?

Scarlett's Café

For a sweet, sugary relish

First and foremost, do not underestimate Scarlett's Café. Despite its modest, almost cramped interior, this establishment does not suffer any shortage of customers to the point that the customers, even the most loyal regulars, will most likely end up on the waiting list in mere minutes after the café opens its doors. 

Such notoriety is credited to Scarlett's Café's toothsome sweet and savory offerings—each of them is luscious for the patron's tongue and mouthwatering for the patron's Instagram feed. The South Korea-inspired eatery has also become a hangout spot for the area's most stylish and fashionably vibrant female residents, collectively known as cewek kue (cake girls).

Menu-wise, it is not just the ambrosial poured tiramisu or the apple pie that first-time customers should get their forks into. The café's sorbet series is endearing for both those with a sweet tooth and patrons who are wary of their sugar intake—case in point, the watermelon sorbet is a frosty, organic blend of crushed watermelon, mint, lychee and strawberry sorbet. 

Cake girls: Scarlett's Cafe is popular among the bay area's fashion-forward ladies thanks to its colorful pastries and sorbets. (JP/Felix Martua) (JP/Felix Martua)

The café's signature Goyave drink—a non-alcoholic potion of guava, lavender, thyme and soda—may appease patrons who bring in small children for a family day out. 

As for the pastries, whether the customer in question enjoys sweets or not, it would be very remiss not to try a slice of the café's strawberry pistachio gateau.

Summers at the Pool

Eat, drink, chill

Nestled on the eighth floor of Swissôtel Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta, Summers at the Pool serves up a complete relaxation package for patrons who prefer to spend their weekend sipping mocktails with a good book in hand by a pristine swimming pool, all while basking in the balmy sun. 

The tropical interior design further adds to the escapist ambience that the café offers, especially for staycationers who might not have the budget to enjoy the actual island getaway.

Summers at the Pool is also recommended for urbanites who are looking for eclectic burgers such as the signature Summers Burger, which comprises ground wagyu beef, homegrown lettuce, pork or beef bacon, organic tomatoes, mushroom ala crème and raclette cheese. 

If the patrons prefer a heavier meal instead, the café's European dishes such as Portuguese-style chicken piri piri and Italian style capricciosa pizza might be the early lunch that they need. 

Pair them with a cup of espresso con panna or a chilled glass of Tuatara Bohemian Pilsner, and have yourself a pool party you never knew you needed.