West Sumatra
At the traveller favourite Beach Guest House, Bagoes combines backpacker staples with local dishes such as vegetable gado gado, mie goreng and lake fish…
Must-see restaurants in Sumatra
Banda Aceh
For a taste of Acehenese cuisine head to the city's most famous warung, where local workers and bigwigs (Joko Widowi included) come at lunchtime to feast…
Riau
Worth the cab ride south of the airport along the southern extension of Jl Sudirman, this seafood restaurant has earned a loyal contingent of local fans…
Bukit Lawang
Lawang Inn is located in the heart of the Bukit Lawang village, with a menu that comprises large portions of curries and sambal dishes, including good…
West Sumatra
This shack restaurant is a good spot to sample the delicious regional speciality itiak lado mudo (duck in green chilli). It's got some kick, but heat…
Rumah Makan Pindang Musi Rawas
Sumatra
A short ride northwest of the centre, this nondescript-looking restaurant is locally famous for its pindang patin, a spicy, sour, clear soup with patin…
West Sumatra
Despite being only a five-minute walk from the original, De Kock has opened its second cafe – point of difference being this one opens in the morning for…
Medan
Plush Traders is very much an old fashioned, smoky, high-society kind of place. It’s the perfect spot to blow your dining budget on lobster dishes or…
Danau Toba
An old-school traveller hang-out, Poppy's has fantastic lake views that make it the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer. It has a classic Toba menu of…
Medan
On a little street packed with night-time food stalls, this bustling canteen is locally (and justifiably) famous for its mie tiong sim (soft, handmade…
North Sumatra
Next to Losmen Sibayak Guesthouse, this bright, modern, open-fronted place is where a youthful crowd meets for pizza and smoothies or ice-cold Bintangs…
Aceh
This French-run beachside cafe is most known for its authentic Normandy-style crêpes, home-made bread for croque monsieur and madame, as well as more…
Padang
Unassuming Pagi Sore is one of Padang's classic nasi Padang houses, a simple place where you choose from an array of spicy dishes, take a plate of rice…
Sumatra
Come here for classic Padang dishes: choose from the likes of udang sambal (prawns in spicy sauce), wilted sweet potato leaves, fish curry and beef…
Aceh
The lime-green furniture and decking will draw your eye to this breezy alfresco restaurant in the middle of Gapang Beach, but it's the Acehnese seafood…
Padang
Renowned across Sumatra, Simpang Raya is probably the most famous name serving fiery signature Padang dishes. Come for the classics: beef rendang, ayam…
West Sumatra
Simpang Raya is a very reliable choice for sampling famous Padang cuisine (and there are several branches in town). The usual array of spicy, flavourful…
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)…
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…
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…
West Sumatra
Carnivores shouldn't leave town without trying the regional specialty dendeng batokok (thinly sliced beef strips barbecued on charcoal), which is grilled…
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,…
Sumatra
On the road to the airport, 4km from Jambi's city centre, this industrial-chic cafe run by motorcycle enthusiasts is worthy of a pit stop if you're in the…
Aceh
Mama Donut has been a local institution for at least a couple of decades, walking the sand selling delicious vegetable samosas, doughnuts and fried…
Sumatra
Just across from the beach is this Australian-owned place that does primarily Western pub food, along with seafood dishes and Indonesian staples. They…
Riau
In a city known for its quality Padang food, this longstanding, humble restaurant is a standout in Pekanbaru. The beef rendang and ayam goreng (fried…
Banda Aceh
The square at the junction of Jl Ahmad Yani and Jl Khairil Anwar is the setting for the Pasar Malam Rek, Banda Aceh’s lively night food market, featuring…
Banda Aceh
The best place in Banda Aceh to sample mie aceh, Acehnese spicy noodles served with chicken or seafood. Razali gets busy in the evenings so you may have…
Danau Toba
This cosy lakefront family restaurant and garden does Batak and other Indonesian dishes extremely well. It also holds cooking classes here.
North Sumatra
Feast on pork-belly soup, pork with green chilli, sweet and sour fish, fresh vegetables or a host of noodle and rice dishes at this welcoming Chinese…
Banda Aceh
An excellent introduction to Acehnese cuisine, with such delights as asam keeng (hot and sour soup), udang goreng kunyit (turmeric shrimp) and curried…
West Sumatra
This humble little cafe is most notable for its roti martubuk (fried-egg-filled bread) and fresh juices, making it a great pit stop for breakfast or a…
Banda Aceh
Come evening, swing by this local institution for Achenese-style beef sate. It gets packed with diners who tuck into plates of tasty charcoal barbecue…
Aceh
Cheap as chips and friendly to boot, this simple warung on the main street lets you load up on gargantuan portions of rice with fried chicken and fish…
West Sumatra
This fairly humble street-side Chinese restaurant gets good reviews for its chicken wonton soup and stir-fry dishes, which go well with cold beer.
Pulau Bintan
Come sunset, stroll to this lively strip of food stalls that cook up fresh seafood, noodles and all kinds of streetside snacks.
Medan
This casual but classy bistro does an interesting menu of meatless, dairy- and gluten-free dishes. Expect the likes of nori beancurd with green chilli,…
West Sumatra
During the month of Ramadan, this car park turns into a whirlwind of culinary activity as dozens of stalls press sugar-cane juice, cook up rendang,…
West Sumatra
At this charming little restaurant in the backstreets of Sungai Penuh you can build your own meal from a choice of protein, vegetable and side; or…
Sumatra
Palembang cuisine not your bag? Then your taste buds will thank you for this reliable Padang chain standby, where you will be presented with dish upon…
