Simply put, Jakarta is shopping heaven, especially for stuff like clothes and textiles that are way cheaper than in most other cities in Asia. Bargaining is the rule and English is the language, so have fun and load up!
Shopping for international brands? Try the mega malls like Elite Plaza Indonesia (adjacent to the Grand Hyatt), Plaza EX and Plaza Semanggi in Central Jakarta in the East, Taman Anggrek Mall in West, Kelapa Gading Mall in East, WTC Mangga Dua in North, Plaza Senayan and Pondok Indah Mall in South Jakarta.
For Traditional handcrafted arts, explore the Sarinah and Pasaraya Grande department stores, the best one-stop shopping places for Indonesian arts and crafts including textiles, weaving, carvings, paintings, silver, jewelry, and more. A couple of kilometers South of Blok M, Kemang is another hunting ground for antiques and crafts.
To comb for Antiques, head to Jalan Surabaya in Mentengm, or in the streets of Pasar Seni, Jalan Kebon Sirih Timur. The large shops in Ciputat, on the outskirt of the city, specialize in antique furniture.
If you have a Batik-fetish, there are much to explore: Sarinah and Pasaraya Grande, the Batik Keris showroom at Jalan Cokroaminoto in Menteng and in Plaza Indonesia, and the ever-popular Batik Semar in Plaza Indonesia and Blok M Plaza.
Bargains on Electronic items? Land up in Glodok area of the old city, navigating through narrow walkways and traditional shop houses.
