Time to find out why the ‘rainy city’ is now considered the city of cafés

It is no secret that Bogor is now brimming with trendy and sophisticated cafés and eateries, each with its own distinctive appeal and characteristics. In fact, over the past couple of years, these culinary havens have captured the attention and curiosity of out-of-towners as well, including Jakartans. Now that coronavirus restrictions have eased, the timing could not be better to take a brief road trip down the Jagorawi highway to have a taste of what the “rainy city” has to offer.

Here are several cafés and eateries that should be on the top of your list for your next visit to Bogor. 

Weekend every day: WEEKEND.ERS

Located in the vibrant Pajajaran Indah area, not too far from the Jagorawi Baranangsiang Bogor toll road, WEEKEND.ERS’ imposing exterior tempts passersby to take a peek inside. The café, which opened in December 2020, has stayed true to its name; it is a go-to weekend spot for Bogor’s young people and Jakartans.

The café is also noteworthy for its tropical-inspired interior. The indoor dining area is adorned with forest decor and homespun furniture, while the outdoor dining area features large plants and pristine mini-ponds. Rumor has it that some of Indonesia's best-known public figures have spent time at the café, shooting the breeze and relishing the cool air of the city.

For first-timers, WEEKEND.ERS’ weekend drinks are not to be missed. The cafe's Aloha Weekend is a brisk concoction of lychee, lemongrass and aloe vera – a superb tonic to relieve the stress of the weekdays. Watermelon and passionfruit combine to form the cafe's signature Saturday Evening, which has a syrupy tang and is a delightful post-workout treat.

WEEKEND.ERS appeals to the sweet tooth as well. The cafe's waffles, particularly the Nutella strawberry waffle with vanilla ice cream, are a joy on one's tongue and one's Instagram feed.

Italian romance: Padre Bogor

Nestled not too far from the prominent Villa Duta residential complex, the intimate Padre Bogor ranks among the city’s most beloved hidden gems for two reasons: its authentic take on Italian cuisine and the beautiful angelic statues perched on the water fountain inside the café.

Padre Bogor's wine options include the South Australian Dragonfly Moscato and the Balinese Sababay Lambrusco – wines that are not necessarily available even in Jakarta's poshest eateries. The cafe's pizza al choccolato con marshmallow could be the best choice to end a date night on a sweet and memorable note, thanks to its quirky mix of chocolate ganache, marshmallow, strawberry slices and ice cream.

If diners are looking for a low-key date night instead, Padre Bogor is a great space for a casual chat over the cafe's signature gelato or frappé.

Post-workout pit stop: Baked & Brewed Coffee and Kitchen

Baked & Brewed Coffee and Kitchen has become popular in recent months among Bogor residents who spend their morning working out at Lapangan Sempur park or jogging along the track outside the Bogor Botanical Gardens. Occasionally, out-of-towners who have enjoyed a cycling tour around the city can be seen taking a short break at the eatery, having a power breakfast or simply taking in the fresh air of the café’s garden sitting area.

Another thing that health nuts find appealing about Baked & Brewed Coffee and Kitchen – besides the strategic location and fresh air – is the menu. The cafe's signature dishes include hazelnut s’more toast and an apple streusel toast.

The poached egg salad is recommended for gourmands who are watching their calorie intake. For caffeine lovers, Baked & Brewed Coffee and Kitchen is also noted for its take on Vietnamese drip coffee and Spanish coffee.

Indonesian banquet: Roofpark Café & Restaurant Bogor

It's not every day that you encounter a grand café on top of a factory outlet building, but such is the case with Roofpark Café & Restaurant Bogor. Perched atop RAJA Factory Outlet Bogor, the café has made a name for itself with its focus on Indonesian classics and scenery that puts the urban landscape on full display. If the name seems familiar, you may have seen the café’s other branch in the Puncak region.

Roofpark Café & Restaurant Bogor's crown jewel is perhaps its signature Paket Liwetan, which is big enough for a dining party of eight. Presented over an enormous banana leaf, this banquet consists of nasi liwet, roasted chicken, fried carp, ikan peda (a type of fish), salted squid, tempe kecombrang (tempeh and flowers), tofu, tempeh, cornbread, petai (bitter beans), jengkol, prawn crackers, lalapan (Sundanese salad) and chili paste. For solo diners, the cafe's quirky nasi goreng si gobin is a relatively rare kind of fried rice, consisting of the cafe's special sauce, lamb meat, cabbage, tomatoes and kuah tangseng.

If you’re not in the mood for Indonesian cuisine, fret not; Roofpark Café & Restaurant also serves Western-inspired dishes, such as a double patty burger and prata chicken curry. As for the drinks, a warm cup of Queen Avogato or Aceh Gayo coffee would be ideal to complement your Sunday brunch.

Campus nostalgia: Warung Kopi Nako

Not too far from Padre Bogor, the two-story loft of Warung Kopi Nako radiates a comforting nostalgia. It was designed to resemble the traditional canteen at your beloved alma mater. The impression is accentuated by how the café presents its offerings; the menu is categorized into different packages with witty titles, such as paket anak kos, paket awal bulan, paket akhir bulan, paket krisis and paket gajian.

But this does not mean that Warung Kopi Nako is just a run-of-the-mill food court. The café is also noted for its art installations, the most striking being the waxen fixture on the cafe's ground floor that depicts dozens of the cracker cans that are often found in traditional warung Tegal (Tegal-style food stalls). The name Nako itself was inspired by the kaca nako (louvre windows) on the café’s exterior.

The price range, too, evokes a university canteen. Paket Anak Kos, for instance, consists of white rice, two different kinds of vegetables, chili paste and tea and only costs Rp 19,000 (US$1.3). Paket Akhir Bulan – which is made up of white rice, a choice of protein, a choice of vegetables, a choice of a fried side dish and tea – costs Rp 23,000. Funnily enough, despite its campus-like ambiance, Warung Kopi Nako is popular among teen patrons and high schoolers.

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