Despite the island of Java being synonymous with coffee beans in many parts of the world, it was surprisingly hard to find a great cup of local kopi in Jakarta until just a few years ago, mainly due to the Starbuckification of every mall and shopping center in the city.
Thankfully, we Jakartans are finally getting turned on to quality coffee culture, with the latest trend being the proliferation of coffee shops using manual filters. Happening new establishments like 1/15 Coffee and Giyanti Coffee Roastery let customers get single-origin beans lovingly processed through syphons, cold-filters and the like.
This new trend has also given us the fantastic Common Grounds. Located in Citywalk Sudirman, an otherwise unremarkable mini-mall mainly known as a convenient lunch spot for office workers around Casablanca. It’s the sort of hidden gem you’d need somebody “in the know” to tell you about (you’re welcome!).
Home to 2014 Indonesia Barista Champion Yoshua Tanu, you would be hard pressed to find a place in Jakarta where coffee is treated with greater reverence. Offering single origin beans from Indonesia and abroad that are roasted in the cozy cafe’s own in-house facilities, you are pretty much guaranteed an impressively balanced and nuanced cup of joe no matter what filter you choose, be it V-60, Aeropress or Chemex. If you’re like us and have no idea what the difference is, the baristas will be more than happy to offer you their expertise.
(Also of special note, until September 17, some of Melbourne’s best barista’s will be taking over Common Grounds’ espresso and brew bars as part of St. Ali’s Indonesia Tour 2014)
Even if coffee is not your cup of tea, Common Grounds is still very much worth a visit for the excellent food alone. The menu consists mainly of breakfast and brunch specialties, served all day, with superlative eggs Benedict (Rp. 65k) and surprisingly delicious huevos rancheros with rendang (Rp. 60k) being our personal favorites.
The kitchen and service team are just as on point as the barista brigade out front, efficiently serving up consistently excellent dishes. The recent additions of gourmet waffles, pancakes and homemade muesli to menu broadens its breakfast appeal even more.
Common Grounds
Citywalk Sudirman, Lantai Ground, Jl. KH Mas Mansyur, Sudirman, Jakarta
T: 021 25558963
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