Yogyakarta
More TexMex than authentic Mexican, Papricano's tasty burritos, hard-shell beef tacos and nachos may make a welcome break from rice and noodle dishes. The…
Must-see restaurants in Indonesia
Medan
A local institution that's been around for some 60 years, this hole-in-the-wall joint is always busy with folk digging into soto kesawan – coconut milk…
Kuta & Legian
Serving the food of Indonesia, this large restaurant is a metaphor for the islands themselves, with various thatched dining pavilions set amid ponds and…
Surabaya
For an air-conditioned setting, Tunjungan Plaza has a colossal selection of squeaky-clean Asian and Western restaurants and cafes; the food court is on…
West Sumatra
At this busy Padang restaurant you'll be presented with scores of small, spicy dishes, such as the earthy rendang (beef coconut curry) and ayam (chicken)…
Canggu
Otherwise known as 'Warung Vietnam', this place serves bowls of pho that are simply superb. Lots of rich beefy goodness contrasting with perfect noodles…
Baliem Valley
Cafe Pilamo is clean and pleasant, and even has three pool tables upstairs, but beware the karaoke, which may start up at any time. It has a long menu of…
Denpasar
Open to the street, this spotless cafe serves up Javanese treats such as nasi uduk (sweetly scented coconut rice with fresh peanut sauce) and lalapan (a…
Maluku
Reliable and tasty Padang-style rumah makan (eating house) where you can pick and choose from slices of spicy omelette, chilli-stewed aubergine, grilled…
Semarang
A fun tiled coffee house in a restored old relic, this cafe brews up espresso coffee, pots of tea and sandwiches. Pastas and nasi goreng (fried rice) are…
Gili Trawangan
Who needs Bangkok when you have Gili T? The most authentic Thai food this side of Phuket is served up in a cute little garden. The flavours are spot on…
Tana Toraja
Oodles of fried noodles and reliable, freshly prepared Indonesian-style Chinese food is served at this hopping restaurant on the main drag. The bright and…
Central Sulawesi
A large, well-organised restaurant on the main strip with tables on the riverbank. Pick a fish from the pools, choose a sauce, order a beer, and you're…
Medan
Among the sari shops and tailors, Cahaya Baru is one of the better eating choices in Medan's gritty Little India. Choose from masala dosas, thalis, North…
East Java
This bamboo-walled restaurant with unusual tree-trunk furnishings and pictures of past clients on the walls, is the best-known place in Batu for fried…
Kalimantan
As night falls, basic seafood tents with bright banners set up opposite the Palmy Hotel in Tanjung Redeb. Depending on the day's catch you should be able…
Banda Islands
A friendly main street spot for ikan bakar (grilled fish), soto ayam (chicken soup), and rice and noodle dishes. Decent juice, coffee and cold Bintang (50…
Seminyak
This classic warung may look simple from the street but the comfy tables are – like the many fresh and spicy dishes on offer – a cut above the norm. There…
Denpasar
One taste of the soup assembled to order out of the steaming vats at this small stall and you'll agree that the name (translated: Meatball Super Dynasty)…
Jalan Jaksa Area
Surrounded by old-school shops (want a photocopied book? ribbons? plastic toys?), this retro bakery has long display cases filled with tempting baked…
Kuta & Legian
This simple stall with shady tables is right on Kuta Beach. It dishes up some of the freshest local fare you'll find, with views of the surf. Enter the…
Merdeka Square & Central Jakarta
The veteran waiters at this Padang-style eatery have been serving diners since 1968. It's cafeteria style with faded red chairs and fluorescent lighting,…
Kuta & Legian
Let the beach breezes waft across your cheeks at this upscale sushi outlet with views of the surf. The menu is long on sushi and quality is high. Watch…
Seminyak
Always busy, this large supermarket is the grocery favourite among expats, who appreciate its good prices and broad range of food, including good fruit…
Lovina
Despite the vaguely Catalan name, this family-run restaurant has an ambitious and good Balinese menu. Choose a table on the open-air terrace and order…
Papua
Offers cold Guinness and Bintang as well as plenty of good-quality Chinese and Indonesian dishes, including braised frog and stirred papaya flowers. It’s…
West Sumatra
Carnivores shouldn't leave town without trying the regional specialty dendeng batokok (thinly sliced beef strips barbecued on charcoal), which is grilled…
Tana Toraja
You may think you know how delicious fried ubi (cassava) soup could be, but you ain't tried Ma'Uni's sop ubi yet. Come here when you're ready to dive…
Malang
A dressed-up warung dangling with lovely rattan lanterns and lined with bamboo wallpaper, serving fried chicken and duck meals to the Malang masses…
Sumbawa
Clean and popular, this Chinese seafood house plates tender fish fillets, prawns, squid, crab and scallops in oyster, Szechuan or sweet-and-sour sauce…
Jakarta
Arabian themed with pretty floor tiles, this Middle Eastern restaurant has a large menu of more than 100 dishes – everything from kebabs and felafel to…
Seminyak
The woks roar almost from dawn to dusk amid the constant hubbub on this busy corner of Jl Raya Seminyak, where several stalls cook food fresh under the…
Sanur
A nice place with wicker chairs on a large terrace and cool air-con inside. The menu has a healthy range of fresh detox juices and salads, plus comfort…
Senggigi
An ideal family choice, this place spans the culinary globe from tuna carpaccio to burgers to Lombok’s own Sate pusut (minced-meat or fish sate). It also…
Denpasar
The name here says it all: fried chicken (ayam goreng) named for a Javanese temple (Kalasan) in a region renowned for its fiery, crispy chicken. Note the…
Kuta & Legian
An attractive oasis just off the madness of Jl Legian, this sweet little open-fronted cafe serves excellent coffee drinks, smoothies and casual fare such…
Ubud
Gelato made from local fruits and spices (dragonfruit cinnamon or cashew black sesame) are on offer at this outlet of the popular gelato chain. There's…
West Sumatra
This old-school Bukittinggi traveller haunt offers a smattering of Western dishes with the odd inclusion of mie goreng (fried noodles), beef rendang,…
Sulawesi
Enjoy your fish while the rest of its family swim beneath your feet at this breezy open-sided restaurant on stilts over the water. As ocean views go, this…
Canggu
Beautiful French-style baked goods (the almond croissant, wow!) are the speciality at this small Bali chain of cafes. Enjoy pastries, sandwiches on…
