List of Nice Cafes in Yogyakarta for a Slow Afternoon
05 Oct 2026 by Bella
Cafes in Yogyakarta
A few years ago, my parents moved back to Yogyakarta from Jakarta. They’d had enough of city life and decided it was time for something a little slower. Since then, they’ve opened a small ramen shack, Koyotake Ramen (please come visit – they loooove a chat!), which has basically become their retirement project. They only make 20 portions each day and they’re closed when they’re tired, hehe.
Anyway – since both me and my brother live elsewhere, they spend their free time doing what retired people in Yogyakarta do best: wandering around the city (it’s a walkable city btw), finding places for afternoon coffee, and having a good old chat. Slow living, as us millennials like to call it and secretly aspire to have.
So this time, it’s not the Kata Bella team doing the listing. It’s my parents! Woot woot! These places may not be fancy, viral, or what you’d call “hidden gems”. They’re simply warlok (local) regular spots they genuinely enjoy and we hope you’ll enjoy them too.
Hope you get lucky enough to snag a seat on the balcony facing Tugu Jogja here. It’s the best spot in the house. Good coffee is one thing, but having a little afternoon pause, watching people go by and daydreaming somewhere that doesn’t rush you is another. Kebon Ndalem sits right across from Tugu Jogja, one of Yogyakarta’s most iconic landmarks, so you’re right in the middle of the action without having to do much at all. Once you’ve finished your coffee and a bite to eat, take a little stroll around the area, or simply keep walking and see where you end up.
Located right in Malioboro, this is one to walk to while exploring Yogyakarta’s most iconic street. The Djoen family started the bakery business back in 1935, and it’s been passed down through generations. The cafe has a Peranakan feel, with vintage bits and pieces scattered around, like a weighing scale from the 40s, a bread slicer from the 60s, an old oven, and other kitchen treasures. Perfect for a little pit stop after wandering around Malioboro. Grab a coffee, take a breather, and watch the world go by.
Fancy a coffee or afternoon tea in a Javanese royal house? Ndalem Natan feels like a little trip back in time, with its beautiful old architecture and all the charm of a heritage home. Once a private residence, the building has been given a new life as a guesthouse, cafe, gallery and art space, while keeping plenty of its original details. There’s also a bookshop selling Indonesian and English books. Come for a cuppa in a Javanese pendopo (terrace) and feel like royalty.
This one puts a playful spin on the usual coffee menu, with fun drinks like butterscotch coffee and coffee matcha latte, plus non-coffee treats like strawberry cream and chocolate cream. Dessert lovers are spoiled too, with giant cookies in all sorts of flavours (Add a scoop of ice cream if you’re feeling naughty! hehe). But what really sets it apart is their beautiful Javanese-style terrace. There’s this Javanese word, ngelaras, which means taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. And that’s exactly what I feel like this place is made for. Ps. They also have a guesthouse with only a few rooms if you’re looking for a place to stay.
Fun fact: Indonesians drink coffee pretty much any time of day and somehow don’t seem to be affected by the caffeine, lol. So a 24-hour coffee shop makes perfect sense here. You’ll be greeted by a vintage-looking entrance of a heritage building, step inside and you’ll find a spacious place with outdoor seating. While you’re there, grab some roti sisir (a buttery pull-apart bread) by Roti Kranggan. Mornings here have a peaceful, slow vibe, while things get livelier as the day goes on.
From your usual latte and cappuccino to manual brews and the latest coffee trends like dirty lattes and Mont Blanc, they’ve got plenty to choose from. You can also grab a bag of their coffee beans to take home. They have a full dining menu too if you come hungry, but if you’re just here for a good cup of coffee, head to the lovely backyard, find a spot among the greenery, and take your time.
This place is giving storybook vibes. Cute from the outside, cute once you step in, you will like it straight away. The indoor space is not too big but there’s a nice outdoor area as well. It’s located in a nice area called Kotabaru, so once you’ve finished your coffee, you can have a wander around the neighbourhood and discover some of the other cafes, restaurants and shops nearby.
While most coffee shops these days are designed with WFC (work from cafe) in mind, Winarsih feels a little different. It has the warmth of home; an inviting space that makes you want to slow down, spend time with loved ones, or simply enjoy some time with yourself. Add to that a menu of home-style dishes, and you’ve got a place that doesn’t make you feel like you need to hurry up and leave.
And that concludes Kata Bella’s unpaid contributors, aka Mum & Dad’s unofficial coffee guide to Yogyakarta, hehe. Nothing too fancy, just places they like to return to for a good coffee, a little wander and a good old chat. Maybe that’s the best way to experience Jogja anyway: take it slow, walk around, stop somewhere when you feel like it and just…enjoy the moment. Just like a couple of retirees would, hehe. Thank you for reading and have fun in Jogja!
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