The Green Room: Hutan Kota by Plataran

Comfortably ensconced inside the Gelora Bung Karno complex, Hutan Kota by Plataran is a city-forest enclave where landscaped paths meet the Sudirman skyline. Spread across 3.2 hectares of land with capacity for up to 2,000 guests, the site is divided into three main areas: Plataran Tiga Dari, the Melati Fountain Garden Glass House and Pidari Lounge with its rooftop. The project was conceived by Plataran, folding nature, culture and cuisine into one setting.

Beyond the three headline venues, the grounds include an amphitheatre deck, a totem garden, a jogging track, a pet play area and a half-court, which together allow the site to shift from daily dining to large-format events. Its position on Sudirman keeps the city present; evenings bring a ring of lights around the treetops while paths and ponds keep the ambience grounded.

Plataran Tiga Dari is the flagship cluster. On the main floor are Garuda Dining Hall, the Merah Putih private room and the Indonesia Raya dining area, with several salons upstairs for smaller groups.

Melati Fountain Garden Glass House reads differently. Billed as Jakarta’s largest glasshouse, it extends Tiga Dari to a conservatory-style dining space looking onto a fountain and gardens. Crystal fixtures and a grand piano give it a formal edge without isolating it from the park outside.

Pidari Lounge handles the casual side. The room leans into a laid-back brief, bridging Indonesian and western comfort dishes with a bar programme that continues upstairs at Langit Senayan, the in-house rooftop. Outdoor seating makes sense here; the view takes in towers along Sudirman and gives the address a clear city garden character.

The food reads Indonesian first, with a spread that travels across regions and a handful of house signatures. From the Tiga Dari Specials, Laksa Udang Sunda Kelapa brings a coconut prawn broth around shirataki noodles, chives and a prawn roll – a neat bridge between comfort and clarity. Iga Bakar Chili Ketan is the meat centrepiece, grilled ribs with a chilli-ketan sauce, leeks and pumpkin purée.

Seafood dishes carry breadth. Kepala Ikan Kakap Plataran pairs snapper head with coconut milk, turmeric, aromatics and carambola. Sate Kenus Bali literally threads squid with coconut and base genep, topped with sambal matah. Kerapu Steam Bunga Kantan layers live grouper with torch ginger, shrimp paste and sour fruit.

Vegetable sides and classics keep the balance. Kailan Dua Rasa offers garlic and chilli with anchovy, while Jamur Istana and Baby Bok Choy Tiga Telur round out the set. The list also reaches into regional plates such as Sate Padang Minang Baru and Rendang Sapi Singkong for groups that want broader variety.

The drinks list fits the setting. Low- and zero-alcohol options include Kunyit Madu with turmeric, honey and lemon, Asinan Rumbia built on sago palm and tonic, and a Javanese Sour that reads like a spice-cabinet refresher. Cocktails range from the house Plataran Negroni with pomelo gin to classics and long drinks for the rooftop.

The international-scale kitchen also caters to bespoke banquet feasts beyond the regular menus. Hutan Kota by Plataran functions because the pieces support different kinds of visits, from casual dining to MICE and weddings. A casual afternoon can start on Pidari’s terrace, before sliding to Langit Senayan for a straightforward highball and moving into Tiga Dari for a table-share of seafood and vegetables. For larger plans, Melati’s glasshouse gives ceremony scale while the surrounding gardens handle receptions and photo calls.

For everyday diners, the appeal is straightforward. The menus are recognisably Indonesian and easy to navigate, with signatures for first-timers and enough depth for repeat visits. In a city where space and pace often fight for attention, this address puts both to work in one place.

Hutan Kota by Plataran is more than a venue and a dining destination; it’s a representation and celebration of true Indonesian pride.

plataran.com
@plataran.senayan

• Article courtesy of epicureasia.com