Things to do in Medan
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A
Maimoon Palace
Having recently received a much-needed lick of paint, the Maimoon Palace stands as grand as ever. Built by the sultan of Deli in 1888, the 30-room palace features Malay, Mogul and Italian influences. Only the main room is open to the public; it features the lavish inauguration throne. The back wing of the palace is occupied by members of the sultan’s family. The current sultan, Aria Mahmud Lamanjiji, was only eight years old when he was installed as the 14th Sultan of Deli in 2005, replacing his father, who died in a plane crash. He is the youngest sultan in Deli history. He currently resides in Sulawesi, and his role is purely ceremonial.
reviewed
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B
Tjong A Fie Mansion
Tjong A Fie Mansion is the former residence of a famous Chinese merchant; his home, which mixes Victorian and Chinese styles, is intentionally similar to his cousin's (Cheong Fatt Tze) home in Penang. Across the street is Tip Top Restaurant, a historic spot for sipping colonial nostalgia. Further north is Lapangan Merdeka, a former parade ground surrounded by handsome Art Deco buildings, such as the Bank Indonesia, Balai Kota (Town Hall) and the post office.
reviewed
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Grand Mosque
Just around the corner from the palace is the unusual black-domed Grand Mosque, which was commissioned by the sultan in 1906. The Moroccan-style building has ornate carvings, Italian marble and stained glass from China.
Dress modestly when visiting the mosque - women are asked to cover their heads with the scarves provided.
reviewed
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C
Rumah Makan Famili
A well-known Padang spot, on the ground floor of Ibunda Hotel, for beef rendang with duck egg. The restaurant is a refreshing space drowning out traffic with an indoor waterfall and lots of high-flying businessmen meeting over lunch. You can also get the wacky meats: bowel, brain or heart simmered in coconut milk.
reviewed
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Colonial Medan
Ghosts of Medan's colonial mercantile past are still visible along Jl Ahmad Yani from JI Palang Merah north to Lapangan Merdeka. Some are still stately relics, while others have been gutted and turned into parking garages, demonstrating the enduring friendship between Indonesia and its former coloniser.
reviewed
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Pasar Malam
For Chinese food, let your tummy do a tour of Medan's night market, east of the railway line, off Jl Pandu. Lots of simple warungs occupy the front courtyards of the houses in the little lanes around Mesjid Raya; the menu is on display with a few pre-made curries, coffee, tea and sometimes juices.
reviewed
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Gramedia Bookshop
Finding English reading material in Sumatra is a hassle and Medan's slim pickings is a bumper crop compared to other stops on the road. Gramedia bookshop, Medan Mall; is good for maps and paperbacks. There is another branch in the Sun Plaza.
reviewed
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D
Taman Rekreasi Seri Deli
For basic Malay food, this venue, opposite the Mesjid Raya, is a slightly upmarket approach to stall dining. But the keropok (cracker) sellers, blind beggars and spoon players might find you more of an oddity than vice versa.
reviewed
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E
Corner Café Raya
A Western expat and his Indonesian wife run this home-away-from-home café, complete with breakfast fry-ups, cold beer, international TV and travellers' advice. There's talk of opening up some of the upstairs rooms for rent.
reviewed
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Jl Ahmad Yani Crafts Shops
Medan has a number of interesting arts and crafts shops, particularly along Jl Ahmad Yani. Toko Asli (No 62), Toko Rufino (No 56) and Toko Bali Arts (No 68) all have selections of antique weaving, Dutch pottery and carvings.
reviewed
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F
Tip Top Restaurant
Only the prices have changed at this old colonial relic, great for a drink of bygone imperialism. The menu, with typewriter font and 1950s dishes, should be enshrined in a museum rather than used to sate hunger.
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G
Bukit Barisan Military Museum
Bukit Barisan Military Museum, near the Hotel Danau Toba International, has a small collection of weapons, photos and memorabilia from WWII, the War of Independence and the Sumatran rebellion of 1958.
reviewed
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H
Merdeka Walk
Inspired by Singapore's alfresco dining, this collection of outdoor cafés occupies Lapangan Merdeka and is anchored by one of the shiniest McDonald's you'll see outside the Soviet bloc.
reviewed
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I
Sun Plaza
The whole city have flipped their wristwatches over this shiny new shopping centre, where there's a pan-Asian food court, European-style restaurants and a startling amount of affluence.
reviewed
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Museum of North Sumatra
The Museum of North Sumatra has an extensive collection of dog-eared artefacts covering North Sumatran history and culture and some fine stone carvings from Nias.
reviewed
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J
Pasar Ramai
The main fruit market, next to Thamrin Plaza, is a profusion of colour and smells, and has an impressive selection of local and imported tropical fruit.
reviewed
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K
Rumah Makan Sibolga
Near the travellers haunt, Sibolga can take good care of timid foreigners who pull up a chair.
reviewed
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L
Sumatera Vegetarian Restaurant
For vegetarians, this is the place to go when you just can't face another gado gado.
reviewed
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M
Majestik Bakery & Cafe
Keep the munchies at bay during a long bus ride with sweets from this super-sized bakery.
reviewed
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N
Pasar Buah Berastagi
An upmarket, air-con shop more conveniently located to fruit lovers.
reviewed
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O
Pasar Ramai
The main fruit market, next to Thamrin Plaza, is a profusion of colour and smells, and has an impressive selection of local and imported tropical fruit.
reviewed
-
P
Maimoon Palace
Having recently received a much-needed lick of paint, the Maimoon Palace stands as grand as ever. Built by the sultan of Deli in 1888, the 30-room palace features Malay, Mogul and Italian influences. Only the main room is open to the public; it features the lavish inauguration throne. The back wing of the palace is occupied by members of the sultan’s family. The current sultan, Aria Mahmud Lamanjiji, was only eight years old when he was installed as the 14th Sultan of Deli in 2005, replacing his father, who died in a plane crash. He is the youngest sultan in Deli history. He currently resides in Sulawesi, and his role is purely ceremonial.
reviewed
-
Grand Mosque
Just around the corner from the palace is the unusual black-domed Grand Mosque, which was commissioned by the sultan in 1906. The Moroccan-style building has ornate carvings, Italian marble and stained glass from China.
Dress modestly when visiting the mosque - women are asked to cover their heads with the scarves provided.
reviewed
-
Q
Bollywood Food Centre
Lip-smacking Indian-style curries are a family affair at this blindingly bright restaurant in Little India (Kampung Keling). It also serves cold Bintang. Malay-Indian roti shops are located nearby.
reviewed
