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Java Indonesian Restaurant

4.1 (271 reviews)
ModerateIndonesian
Open 1:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

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JAVA INDONESIAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Casual
Intimate
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - Java Indonesian Restaurant

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Steven L.

Sister wanted to eat here for her birthday. Ordered the rijsttafel as that allowed us to try tapas version of many of the dishes. Also got the lumpia, cumi goreng, udang goreng, and sage udang. Personally, I enjoyed everything. There were maybe two dishes in the rijsttafel that had too much salt but other than that everything was great and tasty. Was seated right away. And sat outside as the weather was nice. Service was fine as well. Very friendly as well. Wouldn't mind coming back and ordering the bigger versions of some of the rijsttafel

Sate Kambing
Gabriella D.

Wow. So impressed. The food tastes like your grandmother had just made it in the best way possible. So fresh. We had the Lumpia and Bakwan (corn fritters) appetizers, and Sate Kambing (lamb w/ peanut sauce) and Empal Goreng. Would recommend any and all. If you're in the area, go! Can't wait to come again soon.

Noodles

Cozy little mom-and-pop Indonesian spot in Park Slope. We tried the noodles, satay skewers, and the Gulai Kambing (lamb in coconut curry). The lamb was definitely the standout. Overall, really good food--just wish it had a bit more kick

Coconut pandan pudding
Anna L.

Java is an Indonesian restaurant that serves halal food. I went early on a Sunday evening and the place was busy. It is a pretty small restaurant so it can get full on the weekend. Service was good but a little slow since the restaurant was full. We had the tapas special which comes with 13 small taster dishes, rice, and tea. It's a good way to try many dishes if you are not familiar with Indonesian food. Everything was good but I found the corn fritter and pandan pudding a little bland. I really enjoyed the soto madura, acar salad, and the sates. The acar salad was really refreshing. Most of the food wasn't spicy with the exception of the ikan belado. If you like it spicy, there is chili paste on the side.

Terong Belado 9/2023
Sabrina S.

Always hard to find an Indo restaurant when we travel, but found this one in Brooklyn and couldn't wait. We took the subway from Manhattan and thereafter, it was just a short walk from the station. We arrived right when it opened at 4pm. The server asked if we had a reservation, which we didn't, but, no worries, she was able to seat us at a table by the window. No qualms or doubt, we wanted the rijsttafel for 2 ($70) My family is Dutch-Indo, so I've grown up eating many Indo dishes and have a high tolerance for spice. I was a little disappointed they did not have the cendol drink on the menu, she said it is very hard to get the ingredients for it. I have made it at home though with ingredients I bought at a Dutch/Indo grocery store. The soto ayam soup was nice, as well as the corn fritters and acar. In fact, those 3 were my fave out of all the dishes served. I found some of the meats in the rendang and lamb to be tough. Some of the dishes started tasting the same to me as well. I did ask for sambal oelek to add some spice and flavor to the sate etc. My friend ordered shrimp bami, which I thought was really good. The service ended with a pandan coconut dessert and jasmine tea. The dessert was ok.... Overall, ok, I have had better. Service though was awesome!

Nasi Goreng and Kare Ayam
Sarah Z.

I've never tried Indonesian food before. After reading all the great reviews on Yelp about this place and it's authenticity, I decided to give it a try. Walked in here on a Tuesday evening and there was no one inside. Place was a lot smaller than it appeared in photos and there are only about 3-4 tables inside, and one of them was occupied by the owner. It's a small family-runned restaurant and we were greeted by the owner or matriarch of the family. She seemed unprepared for business and was preoccupied. We didn't mind and sat down. We wanted to try the tapas sampler for two but didn't since we didn't feel like it would be worth it. We ordered lumpia, nasi Goreng and Kare Ayam (which is basically mammasen curry with chicken). The lumpia looked like a big patty -- I was expecting more of a thin spring roll like Filipino lumpia. Nonetheless, it was good. The nasi goreng was essentially beef fried rice and the curry chicken tasted like a home cooked meal. While I'm not an expert on Indonesian food so I'm not speaking on its authenticity, the dishes tasted pretty standard to me. Both dishes tasted like a home cooked meal I can make at home, which makes sense since this was a family-run restaurant that's been around for many years in the Park Slope neighborhood. Food is good but nothing outstanding in my opinion. However, don't let my review steer you away from this place -- my rating is solely based on my palate. This restaurant seems to be quite popular so do give it a try and support this small business. Also, note this place is cash preferred. They charge an additional fee for card payments.

Mie Goreng
Carol C.

My friend and I were exploring the neighborhood and we've never been to an authentic Indonesian restaurant- so why not explore what Java had to offer! We got some nice appetizers: lumpia and corn fritters. We very much enjoyed the corn fritters as they were crispy, filling and soft! The lumpia was very much similar to a Shepard's pie (potato like texture with minced meat and veggies) We also got some drinks to go with the food and both paired well! The creamy and fruity sweetness of the Garuda helped cool the after heat from the Mie Goreng while the subtle floral Teh botol(jasmine tea) went great with my friend chicken and rice dish! Overall a great experience!

Soto Sate Madura
Reggie M.

Java is an Indonesian family-run restaurant and serving the south Park Slope neighborhood for 30 years. The place is arguably small and it was decorated with some Indonesian artwork, they also have a few tables outdoors but we decided to stay indoors due to really hot weather. For us to try as many of their dishes, we agreed to go all out and ordered the Rijsttafel or tapas that was consisted of 15 dishes shared by 2 people: * 2 Soto Madura soup; chicken broth soup with thin rice noodles * Gado Gado salad; mixed boiled veggies * Chicken sate * Sayur tumis; sautéed assorted veggies * Sambal Goreng udang; jumbo crispy shrimps * Kambing Goreng; lamb dish * Acar salad * Bakwan; corn fritters * Beef sate * Ikan belado; crispy fish fillet * Kare Ayam; curry chicken dish * Beef rendang It was served with a big bowl of white rice. They first served the chicken soup that we truly enjoyed and it was followed by a couple of salads and the corn fritter. They then placed a metal tray on our table with a flame underneath and they then started to put small plates of dishes one by one on the tray (8 dishes in total) not only that we love the presentation, but every single dishes are all delicious and came with different flavors. We then concluded the dinner with a delicious complimentary coconut pandan pudding. There are a few dishes that stood out like the kambing Goreng (lamb) ikan belado (fish) and Gado Gado salad. Since it's hard to find a good Indonesian restaurant in New York City, I was glad to find this place and will come back whenever I crave some Indonesian dishes!

Bakwan - corn fritters
Dan B.

I went here with a friend on a Sunday evening. It was empty except for another couple of people (but it was also Labor Day Sunday). The owner (I think?) was sitting at the next table over looking through receipts and chatting with us occasionally about the food and restaurant. She said it usually is busy on weekends, so it's best to make a reservation. The space is pretty small, maybe 10 or 12 two-person tables. I was pleased to see how big the menu was and how many options there were for gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian diets. Whatever mood you are in, whether it is for soup, noodles, curry, rice, you can get it on the menu. The flavors were incredible and the prices were reasonable. Every single thing we got was better than the last. I can't stop thinking about this place I just want to try everything on the menu!!

Outside
Meng Z.

My boyfriend was telling me about those Indonesian small plates he had in Amsterdam before that was really delicious and how you get to try a variety of small Indonesian dishes in one meal. Curious if I can find those small plates in NYC, I discovered Java. We got the rijsttafel, the 15 dish tapas, for two people and it was pretty good overall. We started with the Madura soups which was a really nice start and gets you ready for the course. Then the veggie, meat, and fish dishes came out in waves, ending with dessert and jasmine tea. The dishes were all pretty good and it was a cool experience for me to be able to try different Indonesian dishes all in one setting. Will definitely return next time to try out their other entrees!

Ikan Kuning (Fish and bean curd in coconut curry)
Patricia P.

Let me start by saying they are so nice and the service is great. I always feel like I'm visiting a local family member : , ) Okay back to food! We usually do the tasting menu (and throughly enjoy that). 15 dishes shared for 2, need I say more? This time we decided to get the full sized dishes of the tasting ones we liked: Sate- The chicken was juicy and bite sized. I really enjoyed the pickles it was served with. Bakwan- These are so delicious. Served as three pieces, and are filled with corn, scallions, and carrots. Personally didn't try the paired dipping sauce because I ate them too quickly, but they look to be a sate peanut sauce and a spicy curry. Rendang (beef)- Enjoyed the curry, perfect for summer was not too heavy. Topped with crispy fried onions. Served with rice on the side. Beef pieces were a bit small, just noting, but I appreciated having it bite sized because we were doing family style. Ikan Kuning (cod fish + coconut curry) [ instead of the belado - as recommended because we were already getting a rendang - this was lighter and less spicy] I really like this one! Fish was so tender and worked well with the tofu. A well rounded dish. The veggies in the curry were a nice addition. Drinks- They have a great selection of beers, domestic and imported. They also have some fun Indonesian beverages. Be sure to check those out. I've tried a few of them but "Soda Gembira" is my fav (rose and condensed milk) could also be a dessert ;) Overall - An awesome option in the area. The food descriptions on the menu don't do the dishes justice. They really go the extra mile to make it feel like a home cooked meal - feels familiar and homey. I personally like a richer curry but in the summer I felt this was perfect for an evening out.

Shrimp fried rice topped with egg

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2 years ago

Great food! We really enjoyed trying new things. Portion size was very generous. Definitely preferred eating in rather than ordering out.

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4 years ago

Amazing food! A very cute and cozy date spot especially for the fall and winter months. The staff were also super nice!

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

I like this place! I usually order the bakwan (corn fritters) and nasi goreng. It's so good every time

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Ask the Community - Java Indonesian Restaurant

Is there a rijsttafel price for one persons alone?

Is this halal?

Yes. All Halal

Is there outdoor dining?

I went there in the winter. Maybe they do now

Is the indoor dine in available yet?

Indoor dining is available at Java at 50% capacity starting Friday March 19, 2021. Please call ahead as seating is limited inside.

Do you guys have halal option?

Yes, chicken, beef, and lamb are all Halal.

Is it the same owner as 14 years ago? Coming back for the first time since then and would be so nice to see her. She was so sweet and the food is amazing

Yes still here and still family owned. Thank you

Hello! I was wondering if the food served is Halal? Thank you!

View All 8 Questions

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Trying another Southeast Asian cuisine, you'd have to go to Queens and a specialty neighborhood for…read moreauthenticity. Indonesian food was the choice. Chose Sumatera because I just wanted a nice hole-in-the-wall homely feel. Small but personalized experience and prompt service. For the food, lots of traditional dishes on the appetizers and main course section. I ordered the Batagor drenched in peanut sauce to warm up with flavor flooding. This is a popular Indonesian street food consisting of fried fish dumplings and tofu under a splash of peanut sauce, sweet soy sauce and lime juice. Something new and this dish hits well to start the visit. Main course, chose the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng, a classic you can't beat. Since the food here is the closest authentic Indonesian spot in NYC, I had to try it here. Not one part of the dish was off. The coconut rice, spicy sambal, spiced deep fried chicken, crispy anchovies, peanuts and the fried egg complimented each other. This was a shared dish as my mom and I are tiny eaters but we cleaned the plate on this one. Secret operation was to introduce another restaurant to my mom and she was very pleased with this pick of mine. She grew up eating many forms of Southeast Asian cuisines from her childhood. It was a successful mission when you see your parent requesting to order the restaurant's sauce and extra takeout.

Wayan - Lobster Noodle (@joeynht)

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I don't care if you like Indonesian food, don't like it, have never had it, or other…read more This restaurant is a MUST TRY. Everything from the drinks, to the food, to the service was top tier. I'm from LA and had a lot of great food on this trip but the lobster noodles I will truly miss. I'm sitting here in LA dreaming of them! Also our server (I think her name was Laura but it's been a few weeks, so I might be misremembering) was a DREAM. So sweet, so accommodating, explained everything and gave amazing recommendations. Must haves: the satay trio (we did chicken, lamb and scallop at our servers recommendation) The lobster noodles (still dreaming of these) The corn fritters (like the most comforting delicious side... I could just eat a plate of these) I will say the restaurant is loud, so not a place for intimate conversations. But definitely so beautifully designed and just a great atmosphere. In a city with amazing restaurants you have a lot of choices... but this was by far the best meal I had in the city.

Just wanted to add an update to my old review for those curious about the Nusantara/Tasting Menu…read morehere, which is either $78 or $98 per person. What it is essentially, is them picking out a bunch of dishes, and adding them all up together to be whatever that amount is per person. Our menu for four was the following: Appetizers- Avocado Gado Gado Vegetable Spring Rolls Hiramasa Sashimi Escargot Rendang Mixed Satay- Lamb, chicken, and scallop Mains- Lobster Noodles Fish Sides- Nasi Goreng/Fried Rice Eggplant Balado Corn Fritter (Bakwan) Desserts- Banana Sundae Chocolate Ganache It was enough food, and for those who can't decide what they want, I would probably recommend it, as you get offerings of some of their better dishes such as the satay, lobster noodles, and rendang, while also trying a bunch of other dishes.

NY Indonesian Food Bazaar

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The monthly Indonesian food bazaar has been happening as long as I can remember. It takes place…read moreeither on a Saturday or Sunday (check their IG page) in an unlikely chapel on the edge of the cluster of Taiwanese restaurants in Elmhurst. It is a 5 star experience, if only for the variety of options on offer for a cuisine that is hard to come by around these parts. My best bite on a recent visit was the gado-gado, a sort of Indonesian chaat, with vegetables, rice cakes and crackers served with a thick peanut chutney on top.

4.5 Stars. Bring Cash! But Venmo is okay. First, this monthly Food Bazaar "in Queens" as press &…read moreinfluencers always say, is actually really easy to get to. 8 stops from Lexington/59th St. off the R. Or take the E/F express to 74 St./Jackson Heights & transfer to the R for 1 stop. Then it's a few minutes walk down (Queens') Broadway. Make sure to bring a shopping bag because this is Asian Supermarket central & Thai Pata Market - alongside Chinese Bakeries, Taste Good Malaysian Restaurant, Pho Restaurants - I digress. The organizer of this 15 year old Food Market pop-up, Fefe, is so nice & motivated (the NY Times described her as being proud of sharing Indonesian food and culture & a fan of American bureaucratic systems - only allowing vendors who have all their permits.) their social media is pretty active & hold other festivals at the Indonesian Consulate and at other spaces on Indonesian holidays. About this Vendor Market! It's low-key, family friendly & welcoming. There's bathrooms too. Think PTA Cultural Festival - BUT this is a quality culinary adventure. One Indonesian first-time customer was surprised to see some items that they've only seen when visiting Indonesia & their first impression was that the vendors didn't dumb down the flavors for the Western palette. During my visit, there were 5 vendors & a Sunnyside Reads Org table. I don't know much about Indonesian cuisine, but stews & noodle soups seem multi - ingredient & multi-textured (veggies & crispy toppings), grilled fish & meat skewers, peanut & chili sauces, cassava & sticky rice, coconut milk turmeric broths, palm sugar & pandan. Things I've tried: Taste of Suribaya vendor - Rice Plate: light turmeric rice comes with grilled chicken satay, tempeh (apparently handmade from a Philly vendor), string bean veg stir fry (peanut sauce), a battered fried hard boiled egg. Scoop of sambal chili sauce - Jackfruit Stew (vegetarian): a very mild coconut curry. The jackfruit is cut into thick triangular pieces. There's also cassava, daikon, cabbage, bamboo shoots, tofu puffs, battered fried boiled egg; potato chips & shrimp chips on top. Other Vendor: - Fish "Meatball" in steamed lotus leaf w/ peanut dipping sauce (thought this was going to be a tapioca flour & fish meat item, not what I expected. Very savory, probably good with rice.) Other Vendor: Long lines for Gado Gado (veggie in peanut stew) & Meatball Noodle Soup (& other dishes I wasn't familiar with). Lots of people eating fried fritters & empanada - like pastries. Next time would like to try $17 Beef cube skewers + thick sticky rice (peanut sauce) & the Gado Gado. The Desserts! - The Yeasted Yellow Rice Cake (turmeric, coconut, milk, lime leaf). Kind of like a big slightly tropical crumpet. Similar to the Cantonese yeasted white sugar rice cake. Delish! Had it with tea at home. - $3 Pandan Thousand Layer Tapioca Cake (SO hard to make - even layers & very pretty). Great Flavor & fun to eat. Like a jelly. - Taste of Surabaya: $5 Pandan Crepe (rice flour) filled with grated coconut & palm sugar. Not too sweet! - Lots of people drinking/eating the green pandan-flavored tapioca noodle in coconut milk & palm sugar. Kind of like bubble tea, but not really. Seating: About 5-6 table tables inside & benches lining the front of the room. There's a little patch of front lawn in front of the church, and a picnic table. People are really friendly, sharing tables & chatting about the food. This is true NYC Queens - people of all backgrounds & ages come to eat & are open & interested. BUT I should've paid more attention to the elder Aunties & what they ate (some trying to get extra shrimp chips...others getting prepared meals to-go). They always know the good stuff. Thanks to the lone grandpa near the stage with a mic, singing karaoke off of his phone. Classic. .5 stars off because unless you get there right at opening, the food is mostly lukewarm. But the Indonesian person I met mentioned that since the country is so hot, they think the food (like egg, chicken on rice) is served at a lower temperature. Or maybe things like Gado Gado's supposed to be like a mixed salad. Wouldn't mind a microwave to warm things up though.

Ma dé - Crab dip (@joeynht)

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It's restaurant week, so when I saw this spot did the banana leaf for their restaurant week menu I…read morehad to check it out! (Despite that, we opted out of their restaurant week menu and ended up just doing their normal tasting menu for $68/pp. It seemed like the regular tasting menu had a better selection of food. HOWEVER, it is not served on a banana leaf ) The restaurant has a lot of nice decor and is really narrow. But that just means it's a perfect spot for date night The staff were really friendly and nice. For the tasting menu. You get all the listed appetizers/sides, then you choose one of the listed entrees and 1 fixed dessert We ordered: Tasting Menu Padang Style: Appetizers/sides: Baked Razor Clams - sambal butter, coconut crumbs Roasted Brussels Sprouts - fried chili sauce, parmesan cheese Egg Balado - sambal, thai basil Acar - cucumber, cauliflower, pepper Yellowtail King Sashimi - coconut makrut lime broth, blood orange Mushroom Fritters - gulai curry, citrus herbs Asian Pear Salad -citrus, shiso Krupuk tapioca chips Coconut Salem Rice - mixed herbs Entree: Fried Chicken - tomato chili sambal Lamb Ribs - kecap manis, black pepper Roasted Romanesco - coconut, cherry tomatoes Dessert: EsTeler: ube ice cream, coconut, avocado, dragon fruit Although, the food was overall good, I didn't feel like any of the dishes really stood out. Maybe my disappointment of our food not being served on the banana leaf clouded my judgement. (Fyi, the tasting menu did not state it will be served on a banana leaf. I just assumed because the restaurant week menu was.)

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Java Indonesian Restaurant - indonesian - Updated May 2026

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