Must-see restaurants in Sumatra

  • Bixio Cafe

    Aceh

    Who would have thought Sumatra’s best Italian food was hiding in a remote corner of Pulau Weh? Sit by the lapping waves and dig into Luca and Eva’s…

  • Korintji Heritage

    West Sumatra

    Set up as a social enterprise to empower locals, this fantastic new cafe in Sungai Penuh is set inside an atmospheric bamboo building overlooking the town…

  • Waterfront Zalino

    West Sumatra

    This restaurant with a great lakeside location showcases some local seafood specialities, such as udang (freshwater lake shrimp), freshwater lobster and…

  • Maruba

    Danau Toba

    Overlooking the lake, Maruba is well worth seeking out for its peerless Batak dishes cooked by the talented proprietor. Barbecue fish, freshwater lobster,…

  • Rapi Seafood

    Sumatra

    This nondescript place in central Gunung Sitoli is responsible for some of the best and freshest seafood we’ve ever had in Sumatra. Choose your dinner,…

  • Jenny’s Restaurant

    Danau Toba

    Jenny’s has long been a standout on the northern edge of Tuk Tuk, with all kinds of breakfasts, noodles, curries and rice dishes. But the one dish that…

  • Marola

    Sumatra

    At this classic, locally famous seafood joint by the beach, near central Bengkulu, you can choose from ultra-fresh giant prawns, squid and fish, then pay…

  • Sari Raso

    Padang

    Pick from a multitude of spicy dishes at this classic Padang chain, housed within a classy art deco colonial building. Do not miss the beef rendang; it's…

  • Country Steakhouse

    Banda Aceh

    Well hidden down an alley out of view is this cosy, wood-panelled restaurant that has a speakeasy feel, and specialises in Western food and cold beers…

  • Dee Dee’s Kitchen

    Aceh

    A popular fixture along Iboih Beach, Dee Dee cooks up an eclectic selection of dishes, from excellent homemade chapatti with guacamole to pasta dishes,…

  • RM Selamat

    West Sumatra

    Padang food in West Sumatra rarely disappoints, and this cafeteria-style restaurant is famous for its authentic smoky beef rendang, among its assortment…

  • Ice Cream Gunung Salju

    Banda Aceh

    This downtown place is a local institution notable for its delicious homemade ice cream. It has a heap of flavours, including local offerings such as…

  • BPK Rumah Gerga

    North Sumatra

    A good place to sample local Karo cuisine is this shack restaurant with wood-crate-panelled walls decorated in murals. The speciality here is BPK (babi…

  • Pempek 123

    Sumatra

    Tucked down a residential side street on the ground floor of an apartment building, this local haunt is a favourite for pempek (deep-fried fish cake made…

  • Sibolang Durian

    Medan

    If you haven't tried durian, then stop by this 'aromatic' open-air eating establishment dedicated to the world's smelliest fruit. It's not just some…

  • Tipsy Toby Cafe

    Aceh

    Sharing space with Bubble Addict is this lively hang-out in Gapang Beach where divers gather in the evenings to socialise over cold beers, bagel burgers,…

  • Medan Vegetarian

    Medan

    No more food envy from vegetarians who miss out on those famous Padang dishes – here you'll get the full array of delicious mock beef rendang, satay…

  • Monster

    Aceh

    A part of the Spanish-run Monster Divers dive shop, this relaxed beachside cafe does Catalonian-influenced dishes such as yellowfin-tuna burgers with…

  • Waterstones

    Bukit Lawang

    This stylish restaurant sits directly on a dramatic bend of the river and features a mishmash of designer furniture and industrial light fittings. While…

  • Kopi Oey

    Sumatra

    With its birdcage lights, outdoor terrace and Shanghai glamour posters, this offshoot of the Jakarta-based empire conjures up an old-world vibe. The menu…

  • Tip Top Restaurant

    Medan

    At this colonial-era relic, perfect for nostalgia buffs, only the prices have changed. Medan's oldest restaurant dates to 1934 and is great for a taste of…

  • Martabak Har Sudirman

    Sumatra

    A change-up from your typical Indonesia cuisine is this local institution famous for its martabak (fried roti stuffed with egg). Opened by an Indian owner…

  • Taman Tanggo Rajo

    Sumatra

    This is Jambi’s essential evening destination for promenading along the attractive, curved pedestrian bridge across the river that lights up at night…

  • Lani’s Resto

    Sumatra

    The foil to Tanjung Setia’s warungs, this stylish joint is run by a Hawaiian-Californian expat who serves all the comfort food you’ve been craving after a…

  • The Thirty Six

    Medan

    With its polished concrete floors, low-hanging light bulbs and vertical garden, this is one of Medan's more stylish hang-outs. It does the likes of white…

  • Nasaka Coffee

    Aceh

    Bringing a taste of contemporary cafe style to the beach is this classy waterfront joint that does the best coffee on Pulau Weh. Choose from manual brews…

  • Safari Garden

    Padang

    This modern, convivial steakhouse with exposed-brick walls and rustic log-lined booths is a fine place for a splurge. The speciality is the steaks (from…

  • Today’s Cafe

    Danau Toba

    This little wooden shack has a laid-back vibe that's in keeping with Tuk Tuk life. It’s run by a couple of friendly ladies who whip up some fabulous and…

  • BPK Tesalonika

    Medan

    If you haven't had the chance to sample babi panggang Karo then head here to try this Karo Batak specialty. Comprising barbecue pork and an assortment of…

  • Pempek Mei Hwa Cinde

    Sumatra

    Sneakily hidden away down a narrow side street, next to the lively produce market, is this pastel-pink warung that's always busy with locals stocking up…

  • Weekend

    Padang

    A sure sign of gentrification occurring in Padang's crumbling old quarter is this glossy bistro in an attractive old colonial building. Inside is a…

  • Pondok Kelapa

    Sumatra

    Fish and seafood are the stars of the show at this appealing restaurant in a tranquil garden gazebo setting. It’s a great place to try giant grilled…

  • Merdeka Walk

    Medan

    Inspired by Singapore’s al fresco dining, this contemporary collection of outdoor eating establishments in Lapangan Merdeka offers everything from…

  • Pasar Malam

    West Sumatra

    The centrally located pasar malam (night market) is a terrific place to try local specialties, such as martabak (sweet pancake filled with coconut or…

  • Borobudur House

    Danau Toba

    The Buddhist shrines scattered about set the mood at this waterfront cafe that specialises in vegan cuisine. Expect the likes of potato rendang, tofu…

  • Ikan Bakar Pak Tri’s

    Padang

    Here the fish and squid are sold by weight or portion and flame-grilled to perfection with a sweet, spicy sambal sauce. The selection includes shoals of…

  • Kopi Tiam Oey Jambi

    Sumatra

    Opposite Jambi's magnificent mosque is this reliable cafe that ticks all the boxes for excellent single-origin coffee, air-conditioning and wi-fi. It also…

  • Bencoolen Coffee House

    Sumatra

    Just across from the British Cemetery is this German-owned cafe that's the go-to place if you're hankering for Western comfort food. Decide between stone…

  • Ni Er

    West Sumatra

    To sample Bukittinggi's famed nasi Kapau, head to Pasar Lereng where Ni Er, among other food stalls, offers an assortment of ready-cooked dishes such as…

  • Indo Rasa

    Riau

    This lively food precinct in a building on the main thoroughfare across from Nagoya Hill is a good spot for local hawker-style food. There's a bunch of…

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