Jakarta

Pasar Minggu

Sunday Market

During the Dutch colonial era, this market opened only every Sunday morning, hence the name. Now, it is open every day and sells cheap fresh vegetables and fruits.

Sarinah

The first mall in Indonesia. Indonesian batik, arts and crafts for a cheaper rate, and an increasing number of eating and entertainment options.

Daily 09:00-22:00

Plaza Indonesia

locally abbreviated PI

The standard-bearer of swank, but no longer the only game in town. Well located at the very centre of Jakarta, similar options as Grand Indonesia but with a bit more class. Good food courts and a well-stocked Periplus and Aksara bookstores. One of the top places to hang out in the Jendral Sudirman & M.H. Thamrin corridor with many F&B options, cafés and bars.

Gandaria City

One of the big malls in South Jakarta near Pondok Indah vicinity, easy to get lost in there. Dining options are endless with many restaurants including "Eat & Eat food court" on the top floor and other branded establishments. The mall is so big, that it can handle two events together at two different multi-purpose stages. It has one of the IMAX theatres from the 21Cineplex chain, that broadcasts blockbuster films on the schedule, and a 1:1 scale Boeing 737-800 airplane cockpit simulator, certified by FAA, CASA, CAA, and DCA.

Plaza Senayan

locally abbreviated PS

Anchored by Sogo and Metro department stores, this is the self-proclaimed "most stylish mall in Jakarta" and they just might be right, at least if you equate style with the ilk of the Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci shops that fill up the first floor. Check out the Kinokuniya book store on the 5th floor of Sogo, the largest in Jakarta with an excellent selection of English books. The Arcadia annex, lurking in the back across a parking lot, has a cluster of high-end restaurants, ice cream bar, and health centre. Next to Senayan sports complex.

Daily 10:00-22:00

Glodok

Jakarta's Chinatown. While you may not see upscale Chinese restaurants, the locals do shop here for gadgets, from game consoles to Hi-Fi stereos. Beware that many of them have been scrutinized and can be a counterfeit hardware. Other items to look for include home appliances and hardware materials. The most trusted can generally be found at the (LTC).It is fun to explore the narrow streets of the Petak Sembilan Market which lies to the south east of Jalan Pancoran

Senayan City

locally abbreviated Senci

Right in front of Plaza Senayan, this new building is a combination between shopping arcade, office tower, apartment, and hotel. A lot of exclusive brands can be found there, including its major tenant, Debenhams, a big department store from UK, and Topshop, a unisex boutique from UK. For you gadget lovers, Best Denki, the biggest electronic store from Japan has its biggest outlet outside of Japan in this mall. An exclusive Studio XXI cinema with 4 deluxe theaters and 1 premiere theater and a variety of food stalls from all over the world is here as well, including Krispy Kreme and Burger King. Senayan City also has restaurants open up until midnight in its "Crystal Lagoon" section.

Daily 10:00-22:00

Grand Indonesia

popularly called GI

A big mall with high-end boutiques (both branded and independent) on its West mall, and a myriad of eating options at the East mall and the Skybridge. Highlights include Alun-Alun Indonesia arts and crafts, Seibu department store straight from Japan, the hourly Dancing Fountain at the 3A floor of the West mall, and Galeri Indonesia Kaya cultural performance at the 8th floor.

Daily 10:00-22:00

Mal Taman Anggrek

locally abbreviated TA

One of the most well known places to shop in Jakarta. 5 cavernous floors comprising of mostly middle class options. Highlights include the biggest ice skating rink in Southeast Asia, a Hero supermarket, Uniqlo fashion store and Metro department store. Electronic, furniture, and home appliance stores are common here. This mall is distinguishable by the 7 apartment towers on it, and its long wall of LED lights that makes a beautiful sight as you are coming.

Kota Kasablanka

locally abbreviated Kokas

A premium mall in the Tebet area. Branded middle-upper class boutiques in line with Sogo department store and many huge tenants. The Food Society on the ground and upper ground floors provide an exhilarating dining experience, one of the most favorite spots for culinary get-goers.

Pasar Baru

An open market operating since the Dutch colonial era in 1820. Famous in Jakarta for selling textiles, sporting equipments, shoes, cameras and accessories. For numismatic lovers, this is also the place to go to. Tens of sellers display their collection of old Indonesian currency and also currency from around the world. Pasar Baru is also home to the Indian community in Jakarta.

Kuningan City

locally abbreviated Kuncit

An all rounder mall, but pretty small in size, no big premium brands. A second choice for dining options.

ITC Roxy Mas

The Roxy strip is the place to look for mobile phones (but likely you won't get a new iPhone here). If you need a temporary smartphone and phone number, it is best to come here as you can hurriedly check for comparisons between shops. Haggling is the norm here, if possible get a local buddy to help with what is the best shop.

Daily 09:00-21:00

Mal Artha Gading

MAG

Huge middle class mall with more than 300 shops and many food options. A batik center filled with accessories of such motifs can be found at the 5th floor.

Mal Ciputra Jakarta

Citraland or abbreviated CL

More distinguishable by the tall Ciputra Hotel rather than by the mall itself. Middle class mall filled with students from nearby Trisakti and Tarumanegara Universities, cheap to reasonably priced clothing and cheap places to eat and drink.

Mal Kelapa Gading & La Piazza

MKG

A series of 4 malls on one single street! A place for all budgets. The best place to enjoy your meal with five food courts in different themes, and the best place to shop for fashion in the area. The adjacent La Piazza is a similar but much smaller place.

Mall of Indonesia

MOI

An upper-middle-class style mall with an indoor amusement park with a roller coaster. The best place for lounging with coffee shops and stores outside the mall.

Pondok Indah Mall

Two malls connected by a sky-bridge, the complex claims to be the biggest in Jakarta. Sogo, Metro, cafes, restaurants, and the usual suspects. The favourite mall of most ex-pats in Jakarta. Anchored by Sogo and Metro Department store.

Blok M Plaza

A middle-class mall. If you want to buy fashion & apparel, there are upscale options but much cheaper at the Blok M Square next door, but this is supposedly where you want to grab a bite or watch a movie after the shopping, as the restaurants are cleaner. Integrated with Blok M MRT station for commuting.

Plataran Dharmawangsa

A mall to go to if you don't like the crowded hype. Close to the premium hotel of the same name is a mall with premium tenants (well, most are not chain brands) and dining options.

Ancol Art Market

Pasar Seni Ancol

Wondering where to buy art in Jakarta? This is where the locals go, especially for Indonesian traditional arts. It's a collector's paradise!

Blok M Square

Accessible from the underground tunnel from Blok M Plaza, both malls can be visited depending on your purpose. This is the place where you buy cheap fashion and apparel (and cheap books), which may look hectic as Ambassador Mall or Mangga Dua. If you are in for something to eat, it's much better to get to the Blok M Plaza next door, unless you prefer a snack or light meal.

Central Park

locally abbreviated to CP

An increasingly well known shopping mall that has branded fashions (not the upscale like Hermes or Louis Vuitton though), Sogo department store and a huge Gramedia bookstore. Huge garden area with fish ponds, gardens and big stage for a night out. Do not miss the Tribeca portion separated by the park for better dining options. Unique eating options especially East Asian, including 1 special food court for a Japanese taste. Right next to Mal Taman Anggrek.

Emporium Pluit Mall

EP, Empo

The first mall you'll typically see as you enter Pluit. A small but tall mall, with premium upper-middle-class fashion. Food options are abundant, both premium and budget, the food court has cheap food on par with chain brands.

Lippo Mall Nusantara

This large, the airy mall has something for everyone, with floors devoted to fashion, IT, and even furniture. Good selection of restaurants on floor 3A. Lippo Mall Nusantara also offers a great view of Jakarta from its deck on the 10th floor (Plangi Sky Dining). Restaurants are also available on the 10th floor.

Pluit Village

PV

The first mall built in Pluit, now sleepy with middle class shops. The best place around to get a haircut, and eat at the food court with authentic Indonesian and Chinese cuisine — no chain brands. Matahari department store and Carrefour also fill up the mall.

PIK Avenue

Opulent and futuristic mall with chic fashion tenants, flagship tech shops, and a dedicated Japanese food court alongside other mid-range to splurge options.

Daily 10:00-22:00

Lotte Shopping Avenue

Ciputra World Jakarta

Inspired by the similar concept of its flagship mall in South Korea, it is catered to mainly the youth but has the best food options in the strip that everyone should not miss. The youth can have a photograph with some replicas of Korean idols. Big establishments include the Uniqlo clothing store, the 99 Ranch Market grocery store, the Toys City, the Lotte Duty-Free, and 3 premium dining options up on the highest floor. The restaurants on the 3rd floor cater to mostly East Asian delicacies, but a few serve Indonesian or other international cuisines.

Lippo Mall St Moritz

A medium-sized mall split into two wings filled with mid-range brands as well as a good selection of Japanese and Korean food. Worth noting is the outdoor seating area for the cafes, where you can enjoy various beverages with either live music or sports.

Mal Ambassador

A similar option to ITC Kuningan, both are connected by a skybridge. Get cheap fashion or moreover, fix your electronic devices here. More eating options than ITC with famous Indonesian chain brands.