The Wolf Espresso sits on the fourth-floor roof of a parking building at Gelora Bung Karno, the sports complex in central Jakarta's Senayan area. A covered coffee counter opens onto tables facing the high-rises, with Sentosa Senayan restaurant alongside. Follow the signs for Sentosa's elevated parking and take the lift up; the counter is above the sports grounds. This review focuses on GBK; the other branch is in Bintaro, southwest of central Jakarta in South Tangerang.
Coffee
The Wolf roasts in Jakarta, with separate espresso and filter roasts. Start with a flat white or piccolo, or ask which beans are available for a hand brew. The filter selection changes, so choose from the day's coffees rather than arriving for a particular origin. For a flavoured drink, the Earl Grey cappuccino combines espresso and milk with the aroma of tea. Chai and matcha give non-coffee drinkers a choice, and retail bags let you take the coffee home.
Food
Croissants and lamingtons make this a coffee-and-something-sweet stop. Check the counter before settling in for breakfast; the drinks are the reason to come, and the adjoining seafood restaurant is a separate dining option.
Service & Room
Come after a morning walk around GBK or near sunset, when you can stay to watch the office towers light up. Choose a shaded table during the day; the exposed seats get hot, and nearby smoking can be a drawback.