F

ans of Bavarian cuisine are no doubt familiar with legendary Paulaner Bräuhaus, the German restaurant known for its homey ambience and hearty Bavarian food.

Paulaner’s headquarters ensure that all recipes are identical at all its restaurants worldwide and implemented according to Bavarian standards, including at its welcoming Jakarta outlet. Recipes for its sausages, for example, are refined in Munich in accordance with Bavarian traditions and tastes.

Some of the trademark dishes include the groaning Paulaner Platter (smoked pork chop, one Thuringer sausage, meatloaf, two Vienna Sausages, two Nuremberger sausages and crispy pork knuckle, served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes) and Paulaner Brauhaus Specialities (crispy pork knuckle served with sauerkraut, bread dumplings and gravy and also beef goulash with home-made spaetzle and sour cream).

The quality standards are assured with Executive Chef Andre Buser at the helm, Chef Martin Pfister in charge of the food and Master Butcher Patrik Quinter handling the meat.

As Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, Paulaner also provides halal food for non-pork eaters. The restaurant has designated a halal preparation area, separate kitchen utensils and fryers to ensure the strictest maintenance of halal standards.

Among halal offerings are the Bavarian Escalope Corner (Grilled sea bass fillet with spinach and parsley potatoes) and Australian Wagyu Steak. The hot and chewy pretzels are a must-try.

With its quaint and genuine décor, and servers dressed in caps and lederhosen, friendliness is one of the main charms of the restaurant. Not only is it a nostalgic home away from home for Germans wanting their beer and sausages, but it also extends a big Bavarian welcome to all-comers seeking a different cuisine of Europe.

Located at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta premises, the restaurant can be accessed from Grand Indonesia Shopping Town’s Ground Floor of East Mall, right next to Kempi Deli. The restaurant also has private rooms: the Bavarian Lounge and Zirbenstube. Each room has a capacity of 30 persons and are available for every occasion, from corporate events to private functions.

Local bands perform daily except Sunday, from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. during weekdays and from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. during weekends.