Italian food has long been a staple of Jakarta’s dining scene. At Gior, founders Matthew Sumapung and Johan Andrew approach the familiar cuisine from a different angle, serving familiar Italian dishes with a relaxed take inside a space designed for comfort and togetherness.
Rather than adhering strictly to tradition, Gior embraces what Matthew calls an ‘Italian Rebel’ spirit, where traditional foundations are reworked with Southeast Asian sensibilities and flavours that strongly resonate with the Jakarta palate. “Indonesians receive Italian food very well, and the twist can go in many directions,” he explains. “If you’re expecting strict tradition, Gior might not fit that idea.” The tweaks may raise an eyebrow amongst the purists, but Gior keeps its Italian dining intact, where a choreography of hands pulling slices of pizza, cutting into thick, hearty sandwiches and passing plates is felt, especially in the long tables.
To start, options like the Asian-Style Salmon Crudo reflect the ‘Italian Rebel’ approach, moving beyond the traditional pairing of fish and olive oil. Here, thinly sliced salmon is layered with a green sesame dressing of coriander, miso, cream, and green coconut, offering their own take on the classic.
Come mains, it feels right to dig into familiar and fuss-free pizza. If your tablemates find it hard to agree on the choice, settle on Gior’s crowd favourite of the half and half pizza: Quattro Formaggi and Truffle Carbonara.
The setting keeps pace with the menu, shifting from its bright daytime energy to a softer, more intimate evening atmosphere. By day, Gior’s brighter half comes alive, framed by a floating sun installation and large front-facing windows that draw in daylight. One can find mothers linger over lunch between school pick-ups, digging into their Beef Steak Focaccia Sandwich (only available from 8am to 12pm), while casual meetings settle into the sofas from brunch to afternoon tea. Come evening, attention shifts to the dimmer, more intimate half. Centred around the bar, cocktails – from the dessert-led Till I Miss U to the fruity Basil 75-set the tone as diners arrive for relaxed catch-ups and dates, accompanied by soft live instrumental music.
Though it positions itself outside traditional Italian, Gior stays true to what matters most: food meant to be enjoyed easily, in a space built for friends, families, and moments that make it an easy place to return to.
