Things to do in Bandung
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Warung Nasi Mang Udju
Just south of the alun-alun, this Spartan place is a good spot to sample some traditional Sundanese food.
reviewed
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Kartika Sari
Next door to the Cupu Manik puppet factory; has an incredible array of sweets and a steady flow of customers.
reviewed
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Taman Hutan Raya Ir H Juanda
On the main road, 100m past the teahouse turn-off, a path leads down to Curug Dago (Dago Waterfall). From here you can walk along the river to Taman Hutan Raya Ir H Juanda, which is a pleasant forest park with another waterfall, 'caves' and walking paths. By road, the park entrance is 2km past the Dago bemo terminal.
Gua Pakar is in fact an ammunition store hacked out by the Japanese during the war. Further north is Gua Belanda, which is the same deal but built by the Dutch. A tunnel leads right through the mountain to the start of the trail that leads all the way to Maribay along Sungai Cikapundung.
reviewed
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Jeans Street
Advertising is one thing, but a 20ft-high plaster statue of Rambo? Bandung's celebrated 'Jeans' Street, Jl Cihampelas, is the place where seeing is believing. Traditionally the home of the city's thriving textile industry, this congested drag, in the affluent northern suburbs of Bandung, is now a menagerie of kitsch plaster giants, looming over shops competing with one another for the top spot in the city's booming denim trade.
The jeans are definitely cheap; just don't expect to look like a Dean or a Monroe when you slip them on.
reviewed
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Museum Geologi
About 3km north of the centre, the Museum Geologi is housed in the massive old headquarters of the Dutch Geological Service. It’s a good place to get to grips with all matters geological and volcanic in Indonesia, though there’s almost no information in English. Nevertheless it’s worth an hour or so poking around the lava stones, crystals and bones that include a model of Tyrannosaurus rex and a mammoth.
reviewed
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Kiosk
This great little mini-food court on the ground floor of the Braga City Walk is ideal for sampling some unusual snacks such as pempek (fish or egg fried with sago in a rich, dark sauce) from Sumatra and noodle dishes. Drinks include milky teh tarik (cardamom chai) and loads of yummy juices, from blueberry to sirsak (soursop).
reviewed
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Museum Konperensi
The Museum Konperensi inside the Gedung Merdeka (Freedom Building) is dedicated to the Asia-Africa conference of 1955. The scanty exhibits are pretty disappointing, but there are a few interesting photos of Sukarno, Nehru, Ho Chi Minh, Nasser and other developing world leaders of the 1950s.
reviewed
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New Braga Café
An excellent, friendly Sundanese restaurant in an elegant building that dates back to colonial days. All the food is laid out on covered plates and bowls for you to choose from; bakar ayam seuhah (spicy roast chicken) is the house speciality, and there are plenty of vegetarian dishes.
reviewed
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Zoo
The Bandung Zoo has spacious, beautifully landscaped gardens, which are very attractive, but there are few animals and most are housed in typically cramped conditions. The zoo is a few minutes' walk from the ITB - the entrance is down the steps past the toy stalls opposite Jl Ganeca.
reviewed
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Rumentang Siang
Bandung’s premier performing arts centre, where wayang golek, Jaipongan (West Javanese dance), pencak silat (the art of self-defence), Sandiwara (traditional Javanese theatre) and ketoprak (popular Javanese folk theatre) performances are held.
reviewed
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Museum Prangko
While you’re in the neighbourhood, dip into the Museum Prangko in the northeastern corner of the Gedung Sate complex. As well as thousands of stamps from around the world, the museum has everything from postboxes to pushcarts used since colonial times.
reviewed
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Saung Angklung
Saung Angklung Angklung (bamboo musical instrument) performances take place at Pak Ujo's Saung Angklung, east of the city on the way to the Cicaheum bus terminal. You can also see the instruments being made here. Performances are held most afternoons at 15:30.
reviewed
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Bandung Institute of Technology
North of Gedung Sate is the Bandung Institute of Technology, set in spacious grounds and gardens with some bizarre hybrid Indo-European architecture. It also has an excellent fine arts school, and its art gallery can be visited.
reviewed
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Classic Rock Café
For those about to rock – don your denim ’n’ leather and head here. The whole place reeks of 1970s nostalgia, but try telling the regulars that the world has moved on. There’s a live rock band nightly at 10pm and a modest (or no) entrance fee.
reviewed
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Dago Thee Huis
The famous, but now very faded, Dago Thee Huis offers city views through a tangle of power lines and a forest of radio towers. The complex has a cafe-restaurant, outdoor and indoor theatres and a small children’s playground.
reviewed
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Rumah Makan Sari Sunda
Sari Sunda is a more salubrious eatery, with rattan décor, a not-so-tasteful artificial waterfall, and huts in the garden for dining on mats. The Sundanese food, however, is of the same standard as Nasi Mang Udju - delicious.
reviewed
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Utami
This is a very clean, attractive little eatery where a great deal of care is taken over the food – you’ll find plenty of fresh greens, tasty ayam goreng and two feisty sambals to add a little extra spice to your plate.
reviewed
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Warung Nasi Ampera
Just south of the alun-alun, this clean place is the best of several traditional Sundanese places here. Serves up delicious fresh tempeh (cake made from fermented soybeans) and curries around the clock.
reviewed
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London Bakery
Stylish little cafe with coffee, cakes, snacks and light meals including pasta and sandwiches. You’ll find a few magazines and copies of the Jakarta Post to read here, though traffic noise is intense.
reviewed
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Prefere 72
A library, cafe and restaurant rolled into one hip modernist building, this is one of the most happening places in fashionable north Bandung. You’ll find pasta, snacks and rice and noodle dishes on the menu.
reviewed
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Momiji
Momiji is a traditional Japanese restaurant with a relaxed, civilised ambience. Prices are surprisingly moderate given the surroundings and quality of the sushi, noodle, teriyaki and teppanyaki dishes here.
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Royal Siam
This top-notch Thai restaurant has formal service, authentic wooden décor and huge dishes of gai pad pid (red curry). Sit at tables or sprawl out Asian style and soak up the atmosphere.
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Braga Disco
Like anywhere in the world, Bandung's youth love to get out on the dance floor and shake it up. Just off Jl Braga, Braga Disco is a safe bet for loud music, dark corners and people-watching.
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Fame Station
Like anywhere in the world, Bandung's youth love to get out on the dance floor and shake it up. Fame Station is a busy dance club on the 11th floor of the Lippo Centre Building.
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Museum Mandala Wangsit
Not far north of Gedung Merdeka is the Museum Mandala Wangsit, which devotes itself to the history and exploits of the West Java Siliwangi Division (based in Bandung).
reviewed
