Al-Jazeerah (Jakarta Restaurant Arabic)

 

Al-Jazeerah is among the best Arabic restaurants in Jakarta in the mid-range price category. It is located in Jalan Raden Saleh, about 200 meters South from Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), and it is a popular hangout spot for Middle Easterners in the city. Apart from the restaurant, you also have a  take-away kebab stand and a busy shisha café (called Arabian Tent Cafe, a bit weird, it seemed to me that an abnormal proportion of girls were inside).

In the restaurant, you have a large function room, to be avoided for dining, and a smaller one in the back. It doesn't look great but it is comfortable and clean. They also have a giant screen with Arabic channels. The night I visited, there was about 10 other customers, and all of them looked foreign, most likely Arab. The air-con was very strong and blowing everywhere in the room unfortunately, and it made me leave as soon as I was done eating.

For appetizer, I ordered Tabouleh (Rp26,000) and for my main course Mandi Laham (Rp70,000), a dish originally from Yemen with Basmati rice and marinated pieces of lamb. I enjoyed both a lot, especially after mixing everything together, and adding the slightly spicy sauce. It doesn't not seem like very complicated food, but all the ingredients were fresh and perfectly cooked.

Tabouleh (Rp26,000++)

Mandi Laham (Rp70,000++)

Overall: Recommended restaurant if you are looking for a good place to eat for Rp120,000 per person. Since it doesn't look beautiful or particularly authentic, do not come for the atmosphere. If you go into the "Arabian Tent Café", please let me know your impressions about it...

Opening hours:
Everyday from 11.30am to 3pm (last order 2.30pm) and from 6.30pm to 2am.
On Sunday and Holiday it opens at 8.30am.

Al Jazeerah
Jalan Raden Saleh No.58,
Jakarta 10336, Indonesia

Phone number: +62-21 3146 108 / 391 4444
Fax: +62-21 3160 182
Website: http://www.aljazeerahinjakarta.com/
Facebook: Al-Jazeerah

Note: 50 meters from Al-Jazeerah, on Jalan Raden Saleh, they are building a new Arabic restaurant with the same owner, same Chef and same management called Al Bahar-Al Ahmar restaurant. I will review it when it opens.