The Brooklyn
of Jakarta is
Kemang.

The case for Kemang

Kemang is where Jakarta's creative class actually lives. Tree-lined streets south of the city center, packed with galleries, late-night bars, and restaurants that swing from Turkish to Argentinian to classic Italian. Expats and young Jakartans share the sidewalks. Things don't really get going until after dark, and they don't stop until 3am.

Kemang Raya, the neighborhood's main artery, runs roughly 3 km and is lined with over 200 restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Close contenders

Other cool neighborhoods in Jakarta.

Senopati

Senopati is Jakarta's wine-and-dine strip. Upscale restaurants, craft cocktail spots, and beautiful people on Jl. Senopati every weekend. Polished but never boring.

Tebet

Tebet is the new energy in South Jakarta. Independent coffee shops on every corner, secondhand bookstores, and a genuinely local crowd. Less polished, more interesting.

Menteng

Menteng is old-money Jakarta. Wide Dutch colonial boulevards, massive trees, and a quieter pace. Great food around Cikini Raya. The neighborhood feels like it belongs to a different century.

Three sides of the neighborhood

Where to go in Kemang.

All 20 spots mapped out

Kemang, corner to corner.

Open in Maps →
Our 20 top picks

The Kemang guide.

Practical info

Good to know.

The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.

CurrencyIDR
LanguageIndonesian
Cost level $Inexpensive
Best monthsMay to September, best in June and July
Local time UTC+7
Plug type EU plug · 230V/50Hz
Emergency112
Local tip
Traffic on Kemang Raya is brutal after 5pm. Use ojek (motorcycle taxis via Grab or Gojek) or just walk.
Asia · Indonesia

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Head to head

How does Jakarta stack up?

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Common questions

Things to know about Kemang.

What is the Brooklyn of Jakarta?
The Brooklyn of Jakarta is Kemang. Kemang is where Jakarta's creative class actually lives. Kemang Raya, the neighborhood's main artery, runs roughly 3 km and is lined with over 200 restaurants, bars, and cafes.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Jakarta?
Kemang is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Jakarta. Kemang is where Jakarta's creative class actually lives. Tree-lined streets south of the city center, packed with galleries, late-night bars, and restaurants that swing from Turkish to Argentinian to classic Italian. Expats and young Jakartans share the sidewalks. Things don't really get going until after dark, and they don't stop until 3am.
What is the hippest neighborhood in Jakarta?
Kemang is the hippest neighborhood in Jakarta. Kemang is where Jakarta's creative class actually lives, drifting between Turkish dinners, Argentinian grills, and bars that don't wind down until 3am.
What is the trendiest neighborhood in Jakarta?
Kemang is Jakarta's trendiest neighborhood right now. The energy builds after dark on tree-lined streets south of the center, where galleries, late-night kitchens, and serious coffee shops feed a young expat-and-local crowd.
Where do creatives live in Jakarta?
Kemang is where Jakarta's creative class actually lives. Tree-lined streets south of the city center, with galleries, late-night bars, and restaurants. Expats and young Jakartans share the sidewalks. Its cultural life centers on contemporary galleries, art shops selling Indonesian prints, and spaces running hands-on creative workshops.
What is the most bohemian neighborhood in Jakarta?
Kemang is Jakarta's most bohemian neighborhood. Kemang Raya, its main artery, runs roughly 3 km and is lined with over 200 restaurants, bars, and cafes, swinging from Turkish to Argentinian to Italian. Things don't get going until after dark, and they don't stop until 3am.
Where should I stay in Kemang, Jakarta?
The best boutique hotels in Kemang include Sotis Hotel, Grandkemang Hotel, and Arion Suites Hotel. Sits right on Kemang Raya.
Is Kemang in Jakarta safe at night?
Kemang is a lived-in creative neighborhood, not a tourist compound. Bars and restaurants here stay busy late, which keeps streets active. Use normal city awareness.
Is Jakarta expensive?
Jakarta rates $ on a global travel scale. Very affordable for travelers.
When is the best time to visit Jakarta?
Come during the May to September dry season, with June and July the driest and slightly cooler at night, around 24-26°C. Skip January and February, when flooding routinely closes Kemang's lower streets. Even in dry months the sun is brutal, so do your outdoor plans before 11:00 or after 16:00 to dodge peak heat and UV.

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