Annissa Wulan
Nov 05, 2025
Spend a day wandering through Kotabaru, and you’ll quickly see why it’s a favorite among locals and travelers alike. The area’s tree-lined streets are filled with cafes, eateries, and creative hubs that blend nostalgia with contemporary design. Here’s your guide to the best hangout places for every mood.
Eastern Kopi TM Kotabaru
Eastern Kopi TM Kotabaru is a highly favored and reliable destination for those seeking a rich Peranakan and Chinese-style kopitiam experience in a cozy, modern setting. This hangout spot is renowned for its impressively diverse menu of high-quality, authentic Asian comfort food, including signature dishes such as Hainam Chicken Rice, various Dim Sum, Penang Noodles, and Laksa.
Eastern Kopi TM Kotabaru
Jl. Abu Bakar Ali No.20, Yogyakarta
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Jeeva
Jeeva Yogyakarta is an excellent and popular choice for a hangout spot in the Kotabaru area, celebrated for its aesthetic and inviting ambiance. The cafe's bright, modern interior often features pastel tones and natural elements, making it highly Instagrammable and very comfortable for long stays. Beyond the visual appeal, Jeeva offers a diverse menu, successfully blending quality coffee and sophisticated Western dishes, such as steak and pasta, with Indonesian favorites like Soto and Rawon, ensuring there is something delicious for every preference.
Jeeva
Jl. Suhartono No.2, Yogyakarta
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Kalluna Cafe & Restaurant
Kalluna Cafe & Restaurant is celebrated as a top-tier hangout spot in Kotabaru, largely thanks to its stunning and unique interior design that successfully blends bohemian-chic decor with a Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic, featuring bright white walls, arched elements, and wooden accents that evoke a Santorini-like atmosphere. This highly Instagrammable setting makes it a huge draw for casual meetups and tourists seeking a beautiful backdrop. Beyond the visual appeal, Kalluna offers a comprehensive and diverse menu, specializing in high-quality Western dishes like steaks and salads, while also proudly serving Indonesian favorites and signature desserts, such as the famous Klepon Cake.
Kalluna Cafe & Restaurant
Jl. Sajiono No.13, Yogyakarta
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London Bakery, Coffee, and Gelato
London Bakery, Coffee, and Gelato is an exceptionally popular hangout spot in Kotabaru, renowned for being a comprehensive one-stop destination for high-quality baked goods, desserts, and casual dining. What sets it apart is its strong focus on a wide array of fresh breads and intricate cakes (including custom and Korean-style cakes), which are complemented by a selection of creamy Gelato made from natural ingredients.
London Bakery, Coffee, and Gelato
Jl. Suroto No.10, Yogyakarta
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Petty Pot
Petty Pot is a distinctive and intimate hangout spot in Kotabaru, uniquely characterized by its concept as a small, aesthetic, and cozy late-night café. Setting itself apart from the daytime bustle, Petty Pot is celebrated for its extended hours, often operating until the early morning, making it the perfect destination for unwinding, late-night conversations, or finding a peaceful corner to work after all other cafes have closed. Petty Pot offers a diverse menu that goes beyond simple snacks, featuring both light bites and heavier meals alongside a selection of coffee and refreshing drinks.
Petty Pot
Jl. Sabirin No.16, Yogyakarta
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Satu Lokasi Coffee & Store
Satu Lokasi Coffee & Store is a highly recommended hangout spot in Kotabaru, standing out due to its unique blend of charming classic-style house architecture and a stylish, modern-minimalist, and homey interior.
Satu Lokasi Coffee & Store
Jl. Sareh No.5, Yogyakarta
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Simetri Coffee Roaster
Simetri Coffee Roaster stands out in Kotabaru as a premier hangout spot, blending the charm of a beautifully preserved colonial-era building with a modern, industrial-minimalist interior that creates a cozy, "like-home" atmosphere. Renowned as a top specialty coffee destination, Simetri is committed to in-house roasting high-quality Indonesian beans, ensuring an exceptional cup for serious coffee enthusiasts. Beyond its superb coffee—like their popular latte and cappuccino—the cafe offers a comprehensive menu of Western dishes (such as burgers and pasta) and Asian favorites.
Simetri Coffee Roaster
Jl. Sabirin No.20, Yogyakarta
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Teasaurus
Teasaurus, Tea and Mixology is a highly popular and distinct hangout spot in Kotabaru, uniquely focusing on offering a premium, specialty tea experience that sets it apart from the neighborhood's many coffee-centric cafes. It is celebrated for its wide array of high-quality tea-based beverages, including various Matcha, Hojicha, and creative Miruku Teas, along with custom Mixology drinks. Complementing its beverage menu is a selection of Japanese-inspired quick bites and desserts, most notably the diverse Onigiri and Bento options.
Teasaurus
Jl. Suhartono No.001, Yogyakarta
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TEMANLAMA
TEMANLAMA (which translates to "Old Friend") is one of Kotabaru's essential coffee shops, highly regarded for its perfectly casual and inviting atmosphere that encourages lingering, just like its name suggests. Located strategically on Jalan Suroto, this cafe is known for striking a balance between offering a quality coffee experience—with a focus on well-prepared espresso-based drinks and filtered coffee—and maintaining a friendly, unpretentious environment.
TEMANLAMA
Jl. Suroto No.5A, Yogyakarta
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The House of Raminten
The House of Raminten is a hugely iconic and unforgettable hangout destination in Kotabaru, celebrated for offering an authentic, yet delightfully eccentric and immersive Javanese cultural experience. It successfully transports visitors with its rich atmosphere, featuring traditional gamelan music, the scent of incense, and staff dressed in classic Javanese attire, all within an eclectic space adorned with antique carriages and unique traditional art. The restaurant is renowned for serving a vast menu of traditional Javanese and Angkringan-style comfort food (like Nasi Kucing and Ayam Koteka) at very affordable prices.
The House of Raminten
Jl. F.M. Noto No.7, Yogyakarta
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Toko Kopi TUKU
Toko Kopi TUKU stands as a remarkably popular hangout spot in Kotabaru, largely due to its reputation as the pioneer of the Es Kopi Susu Gula Aren (Iced Coffee Milk with Palm Sugar) trend in Indonesia. TUKU's atmosphere is defined by its strong sense of "neighborhood warmth" (rasa ketetanggaan) and a cozy design that often appeals to fans of old buildings and nostalgic aesthetics. The cafe's primary draw is its consistently high-quality, signature coffee blend, specifically the famous Es Kopi Susu Tetangga, which is noted for its perfectly balanced, creamy, and distinctively local flavor. Furthermore, the Kotabaru branch enhances the experience with its specialty Tukudapan menu, which focuses on modern twists to traditional Indonesian market snacks.
Toko Kopi TUKU
Jl. Sajiono No.15, Yogyakarta
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TUSEN
TUSEN is a highly popular and distinctive hangout spot in Kotabaru, celebrated for offering an immersive vintage ambiance that is strongly inspired by the American 1950s era. The cafe successfully transports visitors with its retro-themed decor and cozy, detailed styling, making it an excellent location for unique photos and a comfortable stay. Beyond the captivating aesthetic, TUSEN is renowned for its creative mocktails and signature beverages—such as the unique Emila, which features a hint of chili powder—and its interactive bar experience, where friendly bartenders encourage light conversation.
TUSEN
Jl. Sunaryo No.12, Yogyakarta
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