In the heart of Jakarta’s Old Town, once the centre of the Dutch East Indies, stands Café Batavia — a landmark that embodies both colonial history and modern restoration. Overlooking Fatahillah Square, the café occupies a building dating back to the 1830s, originally used by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) for trade and administration. Its tall windows, teak floors, and grand staircase evoke the character of Batavia when it was known as the “Queen of the East.”
By the late 20th century, the area had fallen into decline. Many colonial buildings were abandoned or in disrepair — until an Australian entrepreneur, Graham James, recognised their cultural and architectural value. In 1990, James purchased the neglected structure and began an ambitious restoration. His intention was not to erase the past but to celebrate it, bringing together Dutch, Indonesian, and international influences in a single setting.
When Café Batavia reopened in 1993, it quickly became a symbol of the revitalisation of Kota Tua. Its atmosphere — a blend of Dutch colonial elegance and Indonesian hospitality — attracted artists, diplomats, and visitors from around the world. The décor, filled with portraits of colonial Batavia and the soft hum of live jazz, gave the café a timeless quality that connected guests to the layered history of the city.
Café Batavia played a key role in renewing public appreciation for Jakarta’s colonial-era architecture. Its success encouraged other restorations around Fatahillah Square and helped establish the district as a heritage and tourism destination. Though ownership has since passed to Indonesian hands, the café remains one of Jakarta’s best-preserved reminders of the Dutch period, still reflecting the vision of the Australian who gave it new life.
The story of Café Batavia symbolises how shared heritage continues to evolve across borders. A Dutch colonial building, revived through Australian initiative, now thrives in an independent Indonesia — a living link among the three nations whose histories intersected in the region.
Pictures by Paul Budde October 2025
