Nebula - Restaurant and Bar (Mega Kuningan)

Mega Kuningan is confirming its status as the best nightlife district in Jakarta with the recent opening of a new happening venue called Nebula.

This bar and restaurant is part of a group that already operates two successful outlets in Bali, each with a unique design. The one in Kuta (Poppies Lane II) is a colorful, tiny space, serving artisan burgers, while the one in Petitenget is a popular spot for eating healthy lunches and breakfasts.

Nebula Kuningan has its own concept too, more suitable to the urban atmosphere of Jakarta. It has a very minimalist, yet cozy vibe, perfect for after-hour drinks, friends gatherings or even dating. Their menu is relatively small and features a blend of traditional Indonesian/Asian food. Just recently, they've also started offering a weekend brunch menu copied from their sister restaurant in Petitenget.

I visited Nebula on a Friday evening, when they had a live band / open mic session. Though the place is hardly noticeable from the outside, I was surprised to see that it was completely full (If you are planning to dine there, don't forget to make a reservation). For now, the crowd is mostly upper-class Indonesian-Chinese, with a few expats maybe bored with the usual Loewy/Basque routine.

As I only wanted to drink and enjoy the music, I was happy to just sit at the bar near the entrance. The barmen serve a handful of original signature cocktails, most of which are unique creations from their head mixologist. I had one called La Pinata, made from light rum, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, coconut mild and... chili/pepper syrup. Unusual mix but it tasted fantastic! Other favorite options include The Joker (white tequila, fresh lime juice, homemade syrup, blueberries, basil leafs) or the Spicy Corn (bourbon, fresh lemon, roasted corn / chili syrup, eggwhite). My understanding is that they will change the drink menu regularly as they come up with new creations.

As the night went on, people started to loosen up a bit. The most talented guests went on stage to sing a few songs (mostly top 40) while the more inebriated groups started dancing. As the tables are rather close from each other, I noticed that customers would start to talk to each other and socialize. That friendly and intimate vibe is definitely one of the strong points of Nebula.

Friday and Saturday are the best nights to visit, but I also recommend you to try their Vibin' Hours every Thursday. For IDR250,000 net, you can have a free flow of gin, whisky and vodka drinks. It's well worth it considering that for this price, you would only get two standard cocktails in other bars in Mega Kuningan.

The rest of the week, Nebula tends to be more quiet. If you are not into the nightlife and only looking for good food, then it is the ideal time to visit it. Expect to spend about IDR150,000-IDR200,000 for a meal with drinks.

Nebula Kuningan - Restaurant and Bar
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Jalan Dr. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung Lot 8.9, Kantor Taman A9, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 812-1217-3381
Email: nebula.kuningan@gmail.com

Instagram: @nebula.kuningan
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nebulakuningan
Nebula Bali: www.facebook.com/nebularestaurant