Bukit Peninsula
Fishing boats dot the beach in front of this long-running favourite. The seafood marinates from the early morning and grills smoke all evening. The menu…
Must-see restaurants in Indonesia
Kerobokan
Sarong is an elegant affair. The cuisine spans Asia, and its small plates are popular with those wishing to pace an evening and enjoy the commodious bar…
East Bali
Popular traditional eatery in the village of Pesinggahan, two kilometres southeast of Kusamba. The set menu comprises juicy fish satay, fragrant fish soup…
Nusa Lembongan
The dining part of the Baruna empire boasts some of the best food on the island. Look for excellent Balinese dishes as well as a range of fine curries…
Lovina
This authentic Japanese place has a skilled sushi chef and a solid list of fresh nigiri and sashimi choices. The dining room is suitably spare and…
Borobudur
About 5km west from Borobudur Temple is this enchanting cafe set inside a restored 200-year-old Javanese house with rustic-chic furniture in keeping with…
Jakarta
One of several similar places around Taman Fatahillah, this restaurant is housed in a cute old Dutch building with green shutters. You can eat inside…
Jakarta
You'll see cooks preparing fried and steamed Chinese pork dumplings out the front of this ramshackle but highly popular little place in Glodok, dating…
North Sumatra
A good place to sample local Karo cuisine is this shack restaurant with wood-crate-panelled walls decorated in murals. The speciality here is BPK (babi…
Sumatra
Tucked down a residential side street on the ground floor of an apartment building, this local haunt is a favourite for pempek (deep-fried fish cake made…
Jakarta
This 200-year-old building overlooking Kota's old Dutch quarter pulls crowds. It certainly looks the part, with its classy bistro styled with colonial…
Labuan Bajo
This open-air, double-decker restaurant is a fantastic place to watch the sunset, especially if you nab the table that juts out to the harbour. While both…
East Bali
Junkungs (outrigger canoes used for fishing) lined up on the sand provide a picturesque backdrop when enjoying a casual meal or drink at this beachside…
Sumba
Owned by the people behind luxurious glamping resort, Watukaka, this casual club is the only place to eat, grab a beer and even dance for miles around…
Medan
If you haven't tried durian, then stop by this 'aromatic' open-air eating establishment dedicated to the world's smelliest fruit. It's not just some…
Aceh
Sharing space with Bubble Addict is this lively hang-out in Gapang Beach where divers gather in the evenings to socialise over cold beers, bagel burgers,…
Papua
It looks like a run-of-the-mill Chinese and seafood joint, but when the heaping plate of ayam masak Lombok (a spicy duck dish) arrives, you might just…
Medan
No more food envy from vegetarians who miss out on those famous Padang dishes – here you'll get the full array of delicious mock beef rendang, satay…
Yogyakarta
Offering a surprise haven from the traffic, this secret garden of a restaurant is part of a project centre for street youth. It focuses on meat-free…
Aceh
A part of the Spanish-run Monster Divers dive shop, this relaxed beachside cafe does Catalonian-influenced dishes such as yellowfin-tuna burgers with…
Bukit Lawang
This stylish restaurant sits directly on a dramatic bend of the river and features a mishmash of designer furniture and industrial light fittings. While…
East Java
Attached to the Cafe Lava Hostel, this is about the best place to eat around the volcano, though that's not saying much. It has a menu of Indonesian…
Surabaya
This cafe is adjacent to the House of Sampoerna museum and occupies a gorgeous colonial structure complete with stained-glass windows and brash and…
Sumatra
With its birdcage lights, outdoor terrace and Shanghai glamour posters, this offshoot of the Jakarta-based empire conjures up an old-world vibe. The menu…
Medan
At this colonial-era relic, perfect for nostalgia buffs, only the prices have changed. Medan's oldest restaurant dates to 1934 and is great for a taste of…
Sumba
This cool, bamboo restaurant serves up wood-fired pizzas, pasta and burgers alongside the usual Indo suspects.
Yogyakarta
Traditional Javanese dishes including eyem penggeng (chicken simmered in spiced coconut cream) are served in this tasteful interior space with wood…
South Lombok
Perched on a mountaintop 2km west of town on the road to Mawan, this breezy, Mediterranean-themed lounge-restaurant has spectacular vistas of pristine…
Solo
Most notable for the setting in a restored Dutch colonial compound (with some puzzling modern touches such as a ceiling of umbrellas), this enormous…
Kuta & Legian
If you haven't tried Masakan Padang food yet, you haven't eaten proper Indonesian. Saleko is a great place to sample this simple, delicious and cheap…
Flores
On the main road beneath an unmarked white canvas gazebo, between the tourist office and Cinnamon Guesthouse, is a smiling lady selling traditional sweets…
Sumatra
A change-up from your typical Indonesia cuisine is this local institution famous for its martabak (fried roti stuffed with egg). Opened by an Indian owner…
Yogyakarta
Located in the Kota Gede area, this is considered by locals to be one of Yogya’s best restaurants, with a lavish setting in a 150-year-old colonial…
Solo
A classic backpackers' hangout, the Baru is also a good spot to try local Solonese specialities such as nasi liwet (coconut-milk rice with chicken and egg…
West Timor
The first place in Timor to serve se'i babi (smoked pork) in a rumah makan, and not just to families on special occasions. If you want to see the process,…
Sumatra
This is Jambi’s essential evening destination for promenading along the attractive, curved pedestrian bridge across the river that lights up at night…
Yogyakarta
Foodies seeking out Yogya's most prized dish, gudeg – a slow-cooked, caramelised jackfruit curry – won't want to miss out on this much-celebrated…
Ubud
Known for its theatrical decor and crowd-pleasing menu, Clear is one of Ubud's most popular eateries. The relentlessly healthy dishes feature local…
Sumatra
The foil to Tanjung Setia’s warungs, this stylish joint is run by a Hawaiian-Californian expat who serves all the comfort food you’ve been craving after a…
Sumbawa
A beached Sumbawanese boat, its prow pointing to Lakey's famous breaks, has been turned into a breezy, open-sided restaurant that does surprisingly good …
