Last weekend I went to Bali Dari Selatan, a cozy café hidden on Wijaya Street in South Jakarta, Indonesia. Located in a nice street and a quiet vibe than most parts of the city.
This place is small and usually packed. You know how it is with good cafes in big cities, if a spot has a reputation, you’re usually fighting for a table. But I visited on a heavy rainy day, so I got lucky. The place was actually quite spacious for once, which was a nice change. I could relax for a bit and just absorb the moment.
Bali Dari Selatan opened its physical location in 2024 after starting as an online business back in 2022. The owner is a chef who spent quite some time working in Bali, so the flavors here are authentic, not just Jakarta’s interpretation of Balinese food. The real deal, I might say.
The space itself can only fit around 16 guests, but they’ve made great use of the small area. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with traditional Balinese umbrellas and ornaments. There are four long wooden tables with benches, and the whole place is dimly lit with a warm glow that makes you want to stay for hours. It’s the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you’re in one of Southeast Asia’s busiest cities.
Soft Balinese instrumental music plays in the background, and the air is fragrant with the scent of dupa (Balinese incense) burning somewhere in the corner, give us that distinctive sweet, woody smell that immediately transports you to a temple or traditional space in Bali.
I grew up in Bali and have decent knowledge of how to write and read using Balinese script, so I spent a few minutes trying to decipher a sentence written on the menu, feeling a bit lost in the beautiful but unfamiliar characters. Turns out, it just says “Warung Nasi Campur Bali dari Selatan”, simple enough but it added to the authentic feel of the place. They really commit to the Balinese aesthetic here.
The Food Menu
Since it was pouring outside, we needed some comfort food. While Bali Dari Selatan is famous for their Nasi Campur Bali (around IDR 50,000), which comes loaded with sate lilit ayam, sate angkak, ayam betutu, sei sapi, cumi asin, lawar, and sambal matah, we opted for something simpler this time.
Their menu is surprisingly diverse for such a small spot, they blend the concept of a warung with a café, they also serve café-style drinks and snacks. That’s where our order came in.
I went for their signature Es Kopi dari Selatan. I really liked it. It had a proper kick to it, creamy but with that strong coffee backbone you need on a gray afternoon. At first, the coffee taste was quite strong, but then I noticed a sweet-sour note that reminded me of passion fruit syrup. And a pinch of sea salt.
My wife ordered the Ice Honey Tea. It was refreshing, but hitting the spot perfectly against the tropical humidity outside.
To snack, we shared the Banana Frites with honey or as they call it, pisang molen madu. Honestly, this was the highlight. They came out hot and crispy, drizzled with just the right amount of sweet honey. It’s basically the ultimate comfort snack to pair with coffee while watching the rain fall.
The prices here are quite reasonable, with most dishes ranging from IDR 35,000 to IDR 50,000. It’s affordable enough for regular visits but still feels special because of the quality and authenticity.
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A major question I always have when visiting cafes in Jakarta is: “Should I brave the crowds during peak hours?”
Well, there’s no perfect answer, but after multiple visits to spots around the city, I’ve learned that rainy afternoons are the sweet spot. You get the ambiance without the chaos.
Bali dari Selatan is open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, so you have plenty of opportunities to catch a quiet moment.
The fact that everything here is halal is also a big plus—you get authentic Balinese flavors without any concerns. The chef clearly knows what they’re doing, bringing that real Bali experience to Jakarta without compromising on tradition.
It was a really relaxing visit. If you’re looking for a perfect escape from Jakarta’s heat and noise, this is definitely the spot. Just maybe cross your fingers for a little rain so you can have the place to yourself.
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Bali Dari Selatan
- Location: Jl. Wijaya Timur II No. 5, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
- Hours: 07:00 - 22:00 daily
- Instagram: balidariselatan
