Toko Kopi Maru - Pasar Baru, Jakarta

Toko Kopi Maru

It was Saturday, mid-April. I was supposed to do my stuff, but there I was—somewhere lost in Central Jakarta, in a hidden café called Toko Kopi Maru. At first, I thought it was quite unique to call it 'Toko Kopi' rather than a café. But then I translated it into English, and it literally means 'Coffee Shop'. Silly me, right?

PB 1 - Sekar in Pasar Baroe <3

PB2 - the main street after the stone gate

PB3 - small alley, turn right from the main street

PB4 - This looks like Bangkok

PB5 - The famous Bakmie Gang Kelinci at Pasar Baru

PB6 - Pasar Baru

PB7 - Gramedia

We ended up taking a detour through some roads and small streets in Pasar Baru. I won’t describe every single thing, but it was refreshing to wander through unfamiliar places and figure things out on our own. I took so many pics I had to pick from the best of the best of the best...

PB8 - the alley (inside POV)

PB8 - the alley (outside POV)

I wasn’t wandering alone—I was with Dinda, a friend I met somewhere in Depok. In fact, she’s the one who added Toko Kopi Maru to our itinerary. Though the place wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to me, thanks to Kim Daniel—the so-called Kim Daniel from wave to earth. They visited this café—or should I say coffee shop—two years ago during their first tour. I still don’t know how they even found this super hidden spot. When I say hidden, I mean it. It’s tucked inside an alley between a row of crowded shophouses. A small tunnel-like alley beneath a shop house with vacant spaces and houses along the path. I can’t really describe it any better. We used Google Maps to get there and it wasn’t THAT hard… but we did miss a turn because we didn’t even recognize the alley as the actual place we were looking for. So it went.

Dinda got herself a Chai Latte while I ordered a Cappuccino and a slice of chocolate toast. The coffee was great—though I had been craving a Mocha—but the Cappuccino totally hit the spot and matched my style. The toast, however, felt a bit overpriced. That single slice with a chocolate spread cost me Rp22.000. I was really hungry at the time, so I bought it. If I weren’t, I probably wouldn’t have. But at least I was being kind to my belly, and it added a nice sweetness to balance the bitter Cappuccino.

Sekar Kim

Sekar Kim 2.0

Dinda Kim

I also took some pictures just like the so-called Daniel did. Couldn’t find the cat though—but everything else was great. Oh, and not to forget—the security staff was so friendly and warm. Such comforting people in such a comforting place. I’ll definitely come back for the great coffee and the calm, soothing atmosphere. It really felt like being in a treehouse, with sunlight seeping through every leaf and brushing against our skin. Soft and warm, more like a gentle sun-kiss than a striking sunray. Perfect for reading a book or, honestly, just nonstop yapping (which I totally did).