When we first landed in Yogyakarta, we set ourselves up in the southern part of the city, right near the history, temples, and local markets. It was perfect for soaking in the culture. But one morning, after breakfast with the kids, I looked at Steven and said, “We need coffee. Good coffee.”
Here’s the thing, most of the newer, modern cafes in Yogyakarta aren’t tucked down here in the south. They’re clustered up north, where the hip, design-savvy crowds seems to gather. So we hopped in a Grab, braced ourselves for Jogja traffic, and made the trek.
It was worth every minute.
Because in Yogyakarta, cafés aren’t just about caffeine, they’re experiences. Many are family friendly in ways that make them an actual outing for the day. You could be a full-blown coffee snob or just someone who appreciates a well-brewed cup. Either way, these spots will win you over. The coffee culture here? Legit. I’d put it right up there with any of our Asia travels, beans have been consistently off-the-charts good.
We’ve become those parents who will plan an entire day around coffee. In the U.S., people meet at bars at night; in Indonesia, especially here in Jogja, the late morning coffee hangout feels just as social, and you can bring your kids along. That’s what made our little coffee crawl: the realization that each café offered something completely different for us and something entertaining for the kids. It’s hard to beat sipping a special single-origin brew while your kids are busy exploring, flipping through picture books, or watching koi fish swim.
Coffee in Indonesia: A Quick Background
Indonesia has been in the coffee game for centuries, since Dutch colonial times, when Arabica was first planted on Java in the late 1600s. Today, it’s one of the largest coffee producers in the world, famous for beans from Sumatra, Sulawesi, Bali, and Java itself. In Yogyakarta, you’ll find both traditional brews, like kopi joss, where a lump of hot charcoal is dropped into the cup, and meticulous specialty coffee bars that rival anything in Melbourne or Seattle.
One specialty you’ll see here is kopi luwak, made from beans eaten and naturally processed by civets. It’s controversial, rightly so, because of animal welfare concerns, but in certain small farms the animals roam free and the process is more ethical. (We tried it in Vietnam, but in Yogyakarta, the version we tasted was smooth, rich, and unexpectedly good.)
Coffee here isn’t just a drink, it’s a slow, shared moment. Which is exactly why we started making these cafés part of our family routine.
Why We Went on a Café Crawl
Traveling with kids means pacing your days. You can’t go full tilt from sunrise to bedtime without meltdowns (theirs or yours). Cafés became our built-in breaks. A way to recharge, relax, and still keep exploring.
And here’s the best part: the cafes in Yogyakarta aren’t cookie-cutter. Each one had its own personality, from minimalist labs to sprawling gardens. The kids didn’t just tolerate the stops, they got into them. A little sip of our iced coffee here, a peek into a bookshelf there, a patch of grass to run on. It made the whole experience worth repeating.
Klinik Kopi
The name literally means “coffee clinic,” and that’s exactly the theme. This isn’t a place where you just walk in, order, and leave. When you arrive, you’re given a number, and the “coffee doctor” himself only takes about 20 customers a day. When it’s your turn, you step inside his tiny brewing space, talk about what flavors you like, and watch as he prepares your coffee right in front of you.
Then you take your cup to the “waiting room,” which, unlike any clinic you’ve been to, is outdoors with koi ponds and a shaded overhang. It’s intimate, quirky, and feels like a privilege to get in. Our kids loved watching the fish while we enjoyed what was easily one of the most thoughtful brews we’ve had in Jogja. Another great feature, there is no WiFi. The coffee doctor wants you to interact with real humans!
What to Expect at Klinik Kopi
• Arrival & Seating: No reservations. Just walk in, grab a number, and relax in the shaded outdoor area while you wait.
• Brewed-to-Order: The coffee doctor makes each cup personally, tailored to your taste preferences.
• Space & Ambiance: Small, open-air setup with koi ponds and a calm, inviting atmosphere, easy for parents to enjoy while kids explore.
• Best for Families: Kids are fascinated by the koi. The pace is slow and relaxed, so it works even with little ones.
• Tip for Visiting: Mid-morning on a weekday is ideal for fewer people and a more peaceful experience.
For location [click here]
Loewak Coffee
We stumbled onto this spot thanks to our Borobudur/Prambanan driver. We’d mentioned wanting to try local Javanese coffee, and she offered to take us to a coffee place near Prambanan. When we pulled up, we saw the sign Loewak Coffee. The ethics around lowak coffee can get complicated. But when we arrived, the owner greeted us warmly, showed us around their in-town coffee tasting area, and explained that their actual coffee plantation is up in the volcano highlands of Central Java.
This tasting space is set on a small patch of farmland near Prambanan Temple, a slower pace that feels far from the city. The owner told us the civets live on the plantation property and roam freely, eating ripe coffee cherries naturally.
I can’t tell you exactly what happens up there, but in the moment it felt open, transparent, and respectful. The coffee itself was smooth and balanced, a completely different experience from the bitter version I’d tried in Vietnam.
And the kids? They were off exploring and wandering around property while we enjoyed our cups. It turned into more of a mini-field trip than a simple coffee stop.
What to Expect at Loewak Coffee
• Arrival & Seating: No reservation needed. The tasting area is small and casual, with seating scattered around the farmland.
• Brew Options: Famous for kopi luwak sourced from their plantation in the volcano highlands of Central Java.
• Space & Ambiance: Open-air and green, with a relaxed, rural feel despite being close to the temple.
• Best for Families: Kids have space to move, explore the grounds, and see parts of the coffee process.
• Tip for Visiting: Pair it with a Borobudur or Prambanan day trip since it’s right along the route.
For location [click here]
Blanco Books and Coffee
This spot is exactly what it sounds like, part library, part café, and 100 percent a local favorite. You’ll find it buzzing with people from morning until evening. When we walked in, the first thing I noticed was how much the locals love this place. Laptops open, coffee cups in hand.
The seating isn’t huge, so if you’re going during peak hours, especially on weekends, be ready to wait or squeeze in. The upstairs area is air-conditioned, which makes it our preferred spot, but even downstairs has its own charm.
For the kids, the highlight was flipping through the children’s books. Most of them are in Indonesian, but they didn’t care, the pictures were enough to keep them entertained. I grabbed them a drink, we settled in upstairs, and I got to sip my coffee while they turned pages. It’s not a “run around” café, but it’s perfect if your kids enjoy quiet moments and you want a calm coffee break in the middle of the day.
What to Expect at Blanco Books and Coffee
• Arrival & Seating: Limited seating, especially upstairs. Go early if you want a table in the air-conditioned section.
• Brew Options: Solid coffee menu.
• Space & Ambiance: Bookstore café vibe with both quiet work zones and casual tables.
• Best for Families: Great for kids who enjoy flipping through books or sketching at a table. Not ideal for very active toddlers.
• Tip for Visiting: Bring something for the kids to do in case it’s busy, and aim for a mid-morning visit before the laptop crowd takes over.
For location [click here]
Kumpeni
Kumpeni became one of those spots we kept coming back to, mostly because it was close to our Airbnb. Sometimes convenience wins, and in this case, it also happened to serve good coffee. It’s not trying to be the trendiest café in Jogja, and that’s part of its charm.
The atmosphere is laid-back, never crowded, and easy to settle into. We’d grab our drinks, sometimes a scoop of ice cream for the kids, and linger without feeling rushed. There’s even a small art exhibit in the back, which made for a quick wander while finishing our drinks.
This isn’t the kind of café you’d necessarily travel across town for, but if you’re in the southern part of Yogyakarta, it’s a solid stop. It’s the kind of place that works for a slow morning or as a breather after visiting the nearby markets.
What to Expect at Kumpeni
• Arrival & Seating: Walk right in, plenty of open tables and a relaxed pace.
• Brew Options: Good, consistent coffee with both hot and iced choices.
• Space & Ambiance: Casual neighborhood café vibe with a small art exhibit in the back.
• Best for Families: Ice cream for the kids, easy seating, and no pressure to hurry.
• Tip for Visiting: Pair it with a trip to the southern markets or other cultural stops nearby.
For location [click here]
Tanamera Coffee
Tanamera kept popping up on my social media feed as the place to try in Yogyakarta, so we had to check it out. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear they take their coffee seriously. The design is sleek and modern, think black walls, red accents, and a polished, almost industrial feel. It’s not the warmest or coziest café in town, but the coffee? Easily some of the best we’ve had in Jogja.
We ordered both drinks and food, and everything hit the mark. The kids had snacks while Steven and I enjoyed a perfectly balanced cup that reminded us why Indonesia’s coffee scene is so highly regarded. It’s also the kind of place where you could open your laptop and get some work done while the kids are happily occupied with their treats.
It might not have the personality or quirk of some of the smaller cafés, but if you’re here for coffee quality above all else, Tanamera delivers.
What to Expect at Tanamera Coffee
• Arrival & Seating: Walk in and find a table, seating is spread across a clean, open floor plan.
• Brew Options: Specialty coffee menu with a focus on high-quality single origins and espresso-based drinks.
• Space & Ambiance: Sleek, modern design with a professional feel.
• Best for Families: Great food menu for kids, plus space for them to sit and snack while you enjoy your coffee.
• Tip for Visiting: Ideal if you want a quiet, work-friendly spot with exceptional coffee.
For location [click here]
Epic Coffee
Epic Coffee lives up to its name, and not just because of the coffee. The front half is a full café, and the back half is Epilog Furniture, an open warehouse space showcasing stylish pieces. It’s a mix you don’t expect, but somehow it works.
The vibe is spacious and airy, with high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and an industrial-chic look. We grabbed a table outside near the garden, which gave the kids room to move around without feeling like we were disturbing anyone. Inside, you’ll find big communal tables and smaller seating areas, so you can pick what works for your crew.
My iced coffee came with liquid sugar on the side (a detail I love), and the menu had enough variety that we could all find something we liked. This is the kind of spot where you can linger, drink your coffee, browse the furniture, and let the kids explore a bit.
What to Expect at Epic Coffee
• Arrival & Seating: Easy walk-in with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
• Brew Options: Wide variety, including espresso-based drinks, pour-overs, and cold brews.
• Space & Ambiance: Huge, industrial-style space with a connected furniture showroom and garden area.
• Best for Families: Kids can wander the garden or check out the furniture area while you relax.
• Tip for Visiting: Great for a leisurely stop when you have time to sit and enjoy the space.
For location [click here]
Our Top Picks for Families
• Best for a Unique Experience: Klinik Kopi, small, personal, and memorable.
• Best for Cultural Curiosity: Lowak Coffee, educational (and tasty) if you’re comfortable with kopi luwak.
• Best for Book Lovers: Blanco Books and Coffee, grab a table early and enjoy the mix of coffee and literature.
• Best for a Quick Local Stop: Kumpeni, easy, friendly, and perfect for a casual treat.
• Best Coffee Quality: Tanamera Coffee, modern setting, exceptional brew.
• Best Space for Kids to Move: Epic Coffee, sprawling layout and garden seating.
Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Yogyakarta with your family, don’t skip the café scene. It’s a chance to slow down, connect, and enjoy something local without rushing from one big attraction to the next. Whether you’re after the perfect pour-over or just a cozy spot to sit while your kids sip juice and explore, the cafes in Yogyakarta have you covered.
So go ahead, plan that coffee crawl. Your kids might just end up loving it as much as you do.
More on the Blog:
Ibarbo Park is a must with kids in Yogyakarta.
