Overview

Most shopping malls and the shops in them are open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. With few exceptions we would advise most visitors to limit their shopping to the Shopping Malls scattered throughout the city (see below). Prices in the various shops in these malls are fixed and no bargaining takes place.


Plaza Indonesia
Address: Jl. MH Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Description: Up market shops and shoppers.
In the heart of the city bordered by the Hotel Indonesia, The President Hotel, The Mandarin Oriental and at the foot of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Plaza Indonesia was (and arguably still is) Jakarta's first truly up-market shopping centre with all the international brand name boutiques represented..

Plaza Senayan
Address: Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8
Description: Perhaps Jakarta's most popular mall.
Home to two large department stores, Metro & Sogo, fine restaurants, large international food court, cinemas, brand name boutiques etc. make this the place where Jakartans go to see and be seen while shopping.

Taman Anggrek Mall
Address: Jl. Letjen S. Parman, Slipi
Description: Large, decent mall with Jakarta's only ice skating rink !
One of the largest shopping malls in South East Asia. You will likely pass by it on your way into the city from the airport. A dizzying selection of shops to choose from. The best places to eat are, however, quite average.

Pasaraya Grande
Address: Jl. Iskandarsyah II No. 2 Next to the Blok M Bus Terminal
Description: One stop souvenir shopping
This very large, modern shopping center is the best place to go shopping in the Blok M area. It has literally everything, including kitchen sinks!

Of most interest to visitors are the 4th & 5th floors:
The 4th floor features traditional Indonesian clothing styles for men and women, batik shirts, dresses, etc. The variety of Batik is astounding and there is a demonstration of the painstaking technique of making Batik on display.

The 5th floor contains thousands of handicrafts from around the Archipelago. There are choices for every budget. Choose from wood carvings, sculptures, puppets, batik paintings, tablecloths, comforters, place mats, coasters, pillows (you name - it almost everything in batik). Other interesting items include masks, shields, antiques, sterling silver jewelry and Bangka Tin. Bangka Tin closely resembles Pewter but is far less expensive. It is mined on Bangka Island thus the name. It is not shinny but it can be polished to a nice luster. It comes fashioned as mugs, picture frames, decorative tableware, candlestick holders and so on... This is the ideal place to pick up those souvenirs for those back home.

Pasaraya Grande is also home to numerous coffee shops (for a genuine cup of Java), cafes, a cinema and an enormous food court in the basement offering local dishes and internationally recognized fast food outlets.

Pondok Indah Mall
Address: Jl. Metro Pondok Indah in South Jakarta
Description: Conveniently located mid range mall, expat favorite.
Located in Jakarta’s posh residential area this smaller shopping mall is packed on weekends and features a Metro Department store, numerous shops and eateries and a Water Park for local and expat kids alike!

Sarinah Department Store
Address: Next to Hard Rock Café on Jl. Thamrin
Description: The first store in Jakarta to have escalators - still a favourite.
Another one stop shopping place for souvenirs. The 3rd floor of this, the first of Jakarta’s department stores, is devoted to handicrafts, puppets, batiks, carvings, jewelry from all over the archipelago.

Jalan Surabaya
Address: Jl. Surabaya (where else?)
Description: Jakarta’s “Flea Market”
The old Jakarta standby is it is the place to go for unusual items. Probably one of Asia’s largest selection of LP’s (phonograph records?) can be found here. Also, old and new “antiques” of every possible description, including Delftware, Samurai swords, rare coins and watches, nautical items etc. Three words to remember “Bargain” and “Caveat Emptor”.