FoodieS Magazine and Aqua Reflections proudly announced the winners of the inaugural Jakarta’s Best Eats Awards 2018 at a gala dinner on 22 February 2018 at the ballroom of the Four Seasons Jakarta.

Inspired by the rapid pace of change in the local food and beverage scene–and the emergence of a local foodie-driven culture, The Jakarta’s Best Eats Awards were launched in December to recognize the Top 40 Restaurants in Jakarta, with an eye to informing diners about the creative talents behind Jakarta’s culinary industry and to inspire chefs and restaurateurs to develop world-class venues.

A long list of almost 300 restaurants was identified during the open and public nomination process. Judging was done objectively and ethically by an expert jury comprising food writers, established chefs, social media influencers and a local gourmet and a representative nominated by AQUA Reflections.

Restaurants competed in one of three categories–Fine Dining, Upmarket Venues and Casual Dining –and were judged on the following criteria:
50% – Cuisine, based on taste, creativity and execution
20% – Quality of service
20% – Drinks menu
10% – Interior design and character.

Jury members based their decisions on the above criteria. Each member could only vote for a restaurant if they had eaten at the restaurant in the last 12 months. All past visits to the restaurants were made without identifying themselves as part of the jury. Further, the award organizers, sponsors, short-listed restaurants and jury members kept the restaurant selection and deliberation process confidential before the awards night. They also certified that they had not been offered nor had they received any incentives as part of the judging process.

LIST OF WINNERS

Chef of the Year – Ragil Imam Wibowo, Chef/Patron of NUSA Indonesian Gastronomy

Restaurant of the Year – KAUM Jakarta

Fine Dining
Venues making an illustrious effort in their pursuit of perfection in taste, presentation, creativity, service and table arrangement.

• Akira Back
• Alto
• Amuz
• Emilie French Restaurant
• Henshin
• Li Feng
• Namaaz
• NUSA Indonesian Gastronomy
• OKU
• View Restaurant & Bar

Upscale Dining
Venues going the extra mile to provide Jakarta’s foodies with the best in smart dining, regardless of size.

• Altitude Grill
• AMKC Atelier
• Arts Café by Raffles
• Attarine
• Bistro Baron
• Caffé Milano
• Huize Van Wely
• KAUM
• Kembang Goela
• Kila Kila
• La Posta
• Le Quartier
• Meradelima
• Momozen
• Mr. Fox
• Palm Court
• Paradise Dynasty
• Tugu Kunstkring Paleis
• Turkuaz
• Up in Smoke

Casual Dining
Venues that rose above many other establishments, offering relaxed, livelier and straightforward food-and-beverage experiences.

• Beau by Talita Setyadi
• Benedict
• FŪJIN
• Gioi
• Koi Kemang
• Monolog Coffee Co.
• SevenFriday Space
• St. Ali Jakarta
• The Goods Diner
• Warung Turki by Turkuaz