August

Jakarta

The Best Restaurant in Indonesia 2024

Highly original take on Indonesian cuisine in chic setting

On the Pass

Hans Christian and Budi Cahyadi

Pastry Chef

Ardika Dwitama

Labour of love: Opened in late 2021, August was the winner of the American Express One To Watch Award 2023 and now debut on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list itself. Chef Hans Christian and seasoned hotelier and F&B professional Budi Cahyadi have come together to create this labour of love that offers local Indonesian flavours showcasing the chef’s culinary journey, which includes references to his childhood memories and snacks.

What’s in the name? Christian and Cahyadi, who share the same vision of what they want in a restaurant, named August after the month they in which they were both born.

What to expect: The 50-seat dining destination, located in the metropolis of Jakarta, is warm and chic and (despite its size) still feels cosy. With a large kitchen dominating the restaurant, diners can enjoy their meal with a full view of the kitchen. For solo diners or couples who want a more intimate experience, the Chef’s Counter showcases the work of the pastry chef in particular. The excellent bar also offers an array of non-alcoholic drinks to pair with the menu including a delicious fermented black tea stout.

What makes it special: Enjoy Indonesian dishes reinvented by Chef Christian using French techniques. A delicate mini milk-bread using spent grain with generously filled seaweed butter kicks off proceedings. Small bites include the signature Ayam Pop – a delightful one-bite sandwich made from rice, cassava leaves, chicken and chilli – as well as his interpretation of the popular peanut butter sandwich renamed at August as the Foie PB&J.