Jakarta Introduces Open Dining Bus Experience, Taking Cues from Tokyo and Seoul

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, together with Transjakarta, is introducing a new tourism service called Open Dining. This service allows the public to enjoy a fine dining experience aboard a double-decker bus while touring the city centre. The concept, which has gained popularity in major cities such as Tokyo and Seoul, is scheduled to begin trial operations in early August 2026. Its presence is expected to become a new attraction for tourists while simultaneously driving Jakarta’s economy.

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Rano Karno, stated that the launch of Open Dining is part of the development of increasingly diverse public transport-based tourism. He noted that the city has also recently added a new open-top bus tour route, bringing the total to four routes serving the public. ‘To be honest, the open dining is still in trial. We know that the roads in the Kota Tua area are not yet smooth. However, once you enter Harmoni, the experience becomes enjoyable,’ Rano said at the Sarinah Building on Thursday (23/7/2026). He added that the menu would not feature dishes like Soto Betawi, which could be messy, but rather steak, pasta, and other Dutch-influenced cuisine.

The service is designed as a tour package combining city panoramas, history, and entertainment throughout the journey. The bus will travel through iconic areas from Kota Tua to the HI Roundabout during the late afternoon and evening, allowing passengers to enjoy Jakarta’s atmosphere from a different perspective. Rano emphasised that the presence of this route demonstrates that public transport is not only a means of mobility but also part of the Jakarta tourism experience. Through the open-top tour, the public and tourists can enjoy the modern, historical, cultural, and developmental aspects of Jakarta in a single service.

Rano is optimistic that Open Dining will receive a positive response, similar to the four existing open-top bus tour routes, whose tickets are consistently sold out well before the departure date. Looking ahead, the government also plans to revitalise the Harmoni area and the Harmoni River to enhance the appeal of the route. ‘We already have four open-top routes, and up to now, tickets are sold out a week before opening. We are targeting the same for open dining, as there are only 30 seats per trip,’ he said.

Transjakarta President Director Welfizon Yuza announced that bookings for Open Dining can be made starting 25 July via the Transjakarta app, which is integrated with Klook. Each trip is priced at Rp500,000 per person, which includes a complete meal package from appetiser to main course and dessert. There will be two to three trips per day with a capacity of 30 passengers per trip, and the service can also be chartered for groups. In addition to dinner, the journey will be accompanied by a violin performance and a guide who will narrate the history of the areas passed, offering a unique experience distinct from dining at a regular restaurant.