% Arabica, Jakarta
Yayyyy I'm so excited that I finally got to try and write about % Arabica! Been waiting so long to try their coffee but unfortunately our paths never crossed. Just by the time I went back from my Singapore trip, they opened their first Singapore store on Arab Street. Now that they opened another store in Jakarta and I happened to be in town, I did not want to miss the chance.
Just a brief introduction: despite being a Japanese brand, % Arabica is actually established in Hong Kong by Kenneth Shoji in 2011 (its flagship store in Kyoto was only opened in 2014). The founder's mission is to create the best coffee possible and to grow % Arabica across unique cultures of the world, so that baristas and customers can "see the world through coffee". This world-renowned brand now has 38 outlets in 12 countries across the globe, and it finally opened its first ever Indonesian outlet at Central Park Jakarta on February 2021, which had drawn a long queue on its opening day.
You definitely cannot miss % Arabica with its luminous interior (it is located at Central Park's Lumina Lobby, no pun intended). There are a few seats near the counter and a few others in the outdoor terrace. The space keeps to % Arabica's signature minimalist style with clean white walls and simple decoration. It would definitely be perfect for Instagram shots if there were less people haha. Other than coffee drinks, you can pretty much expect drinks like matcha latte and lemonade. For coffee snobs, you can also purchase their single origin and house blend coffee beans to enjoy at the comfort of your home.
Hot Cafe Latte (8oz) - IDR49,000
Though the menu says 'cafe latte', I requested them to make it 'flat white', upon which they agreed. I found my coffee just nice, but coffee purists might find it too milky. There was deep toasty sweet notes capped with a mild bitter hint. I noticed that Greenfields milk was used to make the milk-based coffee, and given their pricing I thought they would use more premium brand, or Greenfields Jersey Milk at least haha.
Overall, the experience of ordering over the counter was pretty pleasant despite the crowded situation, so kudos to the staffs for being professional (after all, service is everything). Gotta admit the prices were exorbitant, compared to say regular Starbucks coffee (a 12oz lemonade easily costs you IDR53,000, isn't that insane?). Nevertheless, I would still have it again if I am in the J-town, and finger-crossed they could open a Surabaya outlet soon!
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Central Park (Lumina Lobby), G Floor
Jl. Letjen S. Parman 28
West Jakarta, Indonesia 11470
+622156971701
Opening hours: 8am - 10pm
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