Things to do in Gili Islands
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A
Ya Ya Warung
Ramshackle warung-on-the-beach that serves up Indonesian faves, curries, pancakes and plenty of pasta.
reviewed
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Warung Indonesia
Tucked away at the rear of the village, this authentic Indo warung scores high marks for cheap local grub in no-nonsense surrounds. No alcohol served.
reviewed
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C
Turtle Sanctuary
Meno's turtle sanctuary consists of an assortment of little pools and bathtubs on the beach, bubbling with filters and teeming with baby turtles. Turtles are nurtured until they're around eight months old before being released. It's maintained by Boulong, a villager whose costs are considerable, so donations are very welcome.
reviewed
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D
Trawangan Dive
Genuine Mexican food (the chef is from Veracruz) is served beneath casuarina trees right on the beach. There are lots of delicious dishes to choose from − the tostadas are street- authentic and topped with chopped salad and fresh coriander. Lush margaritas and hotel delivery complete the picture. ¡Olé!
reviewed
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E
Tir na Nog
Known simply as 'The Irish', this barn-like place has a sports-bar interior with big screens ideal for the footy. Its shoreside bar is the probably the busiest meeting spot in the island, though you'll have to endure sounds from one of the worst DJs on planet earth.
reviewed
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F
Taman Burung
Taman Burung is home to over 200 exotic birds from Asia and Australia, and some Indonesian wildlife. After years of neglect the whole place is steadily being renovated and conditions improved.
reviewed
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Scallywags
Scallywags enjoys a prime beachfront location, with tables under Arabian-style canvas and an attractive shabby-chic interior. A lot of effort is made to source organic produce, and tempting specials are chalked up daily on blackboards. The menu covers everything from freshly grilled fish, through pasta, panini and wraps, to 'Full Monty' breakfasts.
reviewed
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Sama Sama
A premier-league reggae bar with a top-end sound system and a killer live band at least six nights a week. Good food is also served here.
reviewed
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I
Ryoshi
Japanese eatery renowned for its consistently good sushi and teriyaki dishes. Eat right by the waves.
reviewed
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Rust Warung
The only 'proper' restaurant on Meno, this place has a large wooden deck by the harbour and beruga right by the water. It's renowned for its grilled fish (with garlic or sweet-and-sour sauce) served with corn, salad and potato.
reviewed
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K
Rumah Makan Kikinovi
Run by a formidable ibu, this is Indonesian food at its tastiest. It's very inexpensive − a big feed is around 15,000Rp.
reviewed
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L
Rudy's Pub
Rudy's hosts arguably the best party on the island, with a good mix of locals and visitors and legendary drinks specials. The huge dance floor at the rear is verging on meat-market terrain on party nights, rammed with young Gili Islanders chasing blondes.
reviewed
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M
Mallia's Child
Popular place with well-priced Western nosh (including tasty spaghetti and pizza from a wood-fired oven) and reliably good Indo food (try the gado gado), or they even knock up a decent Thai curry. Service is pretty organised.
reviewed
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Kokomo
Unquestionably top dog on the Gilis, Kokomo has really raised the bar in the culinary stakes and is the only genuine fine-dining restaurant in town. Standards are very high indeed, using hyper-fresh local seafood and select imported meats. Lots of fresh salads, wonderful steaks and pasta, but for the ultimate treat opt for a seafood or sashimi (with Atlantic salmon and yellowfin tuna) platter. Eat on the beachside terrace or in the air-conditioned dining room.
reviewed
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O
Kelapa Villas
Offers yoga classes nightly at 7pm in an air-conditioned studio, and also has a good tennis court and gym.
reviewed
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Karma Kayak
Terrific tapas (including sardines, house-cured olives and tempura), sandwiches and salads are served up on a blissfully tranquil beach location. Wash it all down with a jug of sangria or a bottle of chilled wine. It's magical at sunset here, with the volcanoes of Bali filling the horizon.
reviewed
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Karma Kayak
Karma Kayak offers professional guides for sea-kayaking trips and courses. The company is run by Astrid, a former champion stunt kayaker (she took silver at the 1991 world championships).
reviewed
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P
Jungle Bar
On busy nights this place can be a blast, especially when the traditional Gili band Badjang Kapung are playing.
reviewed
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Q
Horizontal
Lounge-bar-restaurant replete with luxe scarlet seating, sculptured white pods and a delicious menu of Western and Eastern grub, presented with elan.
reviewed
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Good Heart
A Balinese-owned restaurant, so if you're bored of those standard-issue Indo dishes the flavours have a slight twist here. Excellent for fresh seafood: barbecued or steamed fish, prawns or squid (choose from six different accompanying sauces including lemon grass, ginger or chilli). Also perfect for a sunset cocktail (40,000Rp) or fresh juice (10,000Rp).
reviewed
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Gili Yoga
A superb new yoga centre that runs twice-daily group classes (90,000Rp per session). Yoga styles practised include Prana Flow, Vinyasa and Ashtanga, and there are also meditation sessions.
reviewed
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Diana Café
If by any remote chance you find the pace of life on Meno too busy, head to this amazing little tropical shack par excellence. Diana couldn't be simpler: a wobbly-looking bamboo-and-thatch bar, a few tables on the sand, a hammock or two, reggae on the stereo and a chill-out zone that makes the most of the zillion-rupiah views. Like it so much you want to stay? Check out their bungalows.
reviewed
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T
Coco's
Coco's is a stylish cafe ideal for a hit of Western-style city tucker. Great for breakfast (muesli, or try the English breakfast with Earl Grey tea) or a baguette, and the smoothies are heavenly.
reviewed
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Café Wayan
At the Alam Gili hotel, this fine place offers authentic Balinese and Indonesian dishes (try the steamed prawns) plus some good Western options (sandwiches with very fresh bread). Great service and a beachside garden location make it worth the trip up north.
reviewed
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Blue Marlin
Of all the party bars, this upper-level venue has the largest dance floor and the meanest sound system – it pumps out trance and tribal sounds on Monday.
reviewed
