Yogyakarta
Yogya's fanciest place to dine is this renovated restaurant that offers a grand first impression with its palatial-like entrance, opulent baroque…
Must-see restaurants in Java
East Java
With an elegant colonial ambience, the in-house restaurant of the Tugu Sri Lestari is a fine place to delight in well-presented, upmarket versions of such…
South Jakarta
Mamma Rosy is often in the kitchen at this very authentic (and popular) Italian trattoria. With her son Daniel, Mamma has brought a taste of the old world…
South Jakarta
Seminyak meets Islington in this popular lounge-pub that combines Balinese style with hip geometric design and a modern take on British pub fare. Fish and…
Jalan Jaksa Area
Jakarta has joined the poké revolution. This cool little local chain serves 10 varieties of the Hawaiian protein bowls. The 'torched' bowl comes with…
Semarang
Occupying a sensitively restored building (Semarang’s former courthouse), this character-filled restaurant with its yellow roof tiles sports art deco…
West Java
Run by welcoming owners Asep and Rini, this popular, unassuming warung has been cooking great local dishes since 1997. Try the delicious batagor (crispy…
South Jakarta
The hipster haven of Pasar Santa has a charming little independent market on the top floor. Here, stalls sell food that stems from the culinary dreams of…
Semarang
Housed in a converted old general store (circa 1895) and once patronised by Dutch colonists, Spiegel has become a pivotal point of the old quarter. The…
South Jakarta
Inside this industrial-chic cafe choose from several handmade super-thin-crust (or thick-crust if you prefer) pizza varieties, or craft your own. You can…
Jakarta
This re-imagined warung (food stall) attempts a modern and healthy take on classic dishes. Expect delectable Sundanese and Chinese Indonesian dishes,…
Solo
This stylish Indonesian and fusion restaurant is part of the Danar Hadi complex, next to the batik museum and showroom. Mains include meat and pasta…
Jalan Jaksa Area
Dine like you've time travelled to 1920s Shanghai in an atmospheric room loaded with tapestries, wood carvings, red lanterns and flamboyant furnishings …
Surabaya
With simple tiled walls, plastic-coated menus and chipped tables piled with plates of food, it's not the looks that bring crowds of noisy locals to eat at…
Yogyakarta
This Dutch-owned cafe is a cool little hang-out, with awesome coffee, cold beers (happy 'hour' is from noon to 7pm) and an interesting menu of vegetarian…
Jakarta
With modern, Scandi-esque design incorporating pastel tones and plants in terrariums, this cute spot around the corner from Barack Obama's old school…
South Jakarta
Find this hip little poke joint next to the dia.lo.gue artspace. It serves 10 varieties of the popular Hawaiian-style rice bowls heaped with a choice of…
Bandung
A classy restaurant serving modern, well-presented Sundanese food, including fresh fish and karedok (salad of long beans and bean sprouts in a spicy sauce…
Jakarta
An excellent low-key local chain restaurant just a short walk from glitzy malls and hotels. Classic Indonesian dishes from satay to beef rendang are…
Central Java
This attractive teahouse is set in an authentic joglo (traditional Javanese house), with over a dozen wood tables shaded by parasols edging tea terraces…
Karimunjawa Islands
Occupying a lovely spot among reconstructed wooden joglo fronting the marina, this atmospheric restaurant, with its palm-tree garden and mowed lawns, is a…
South Jakarta
Modern dining room and bar with a futuristic tunnel entrance and gaudy geometric mirrored ceilings. The stunning patio has magnificent views across the…
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…
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…
Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih
Jalan Jaksa Area
Named after the alley that this much-loved food stall occupies, this Jakarta institution has been cooking up its unique take on Indonesia's national dish,…
Jalan Jaksa Area
Air-conditioned Indonesian chain restaurant known for its decent sate (skewers of chicken, beef and lamb), plus Indonesian favourites like ayam goreng…
Merdeka Square & Central Jakarta
Éclairs, cupcakes, croissants and other irresistible goodies are baked on site at this cute mint-green stand-alone cafe. Cakes are beautifully presented…
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…
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…
Yogyakarta
Traditional Javanese dishes including eyem penggeng (chicken simmered in spiced coconut cream) are served in this tasteful interior space with wood…
Jalan Jaksa Area
A smoky, no-frills, fluorescent-lit, all-day, all-night depot of locally loved Padang food goodness. It's sometimes throbbing with Bollywood tunes or Indo…
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…
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…
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…
Solo
Solo street dining at its best, this evening-only stall, run by an ibu (mother; older woman) clothed in traditional batik, specialises in nasi liwet:…
Central Java
Occupying a Dutch colonial building, this restaurant comes into its own at lunchtime, when busloads of tourists pile in for the buffet-style lunch on…
