Eat
MadeInItaly
Bajo's best Italian is known for superb thin-crust pizza and fresh pasta. Sit in a stylish, semi-open dining room or air-conditioned cellar with river…
Getty Images
Labuan Bajo
This enchanting harbor town is perpetually being upgraded to cope with more travelers. It's the jumping-off point to see prehistoric dragons at Komodo National Park and be awed by world-class diving, and those who stay a little longer fall in love with "Bajo."
Everything you need is located on one-way Jl Soekarno Hatta, which is crammed with restaurants, local rumah makans and plenty of accommodation, travel agents and dive shops. The waterfront bustles with daily life, and connections to other parts of Indonesia are effortless.
A sparkly new marina and five-star AYANA resort opened in 2018; with more luxury accommodation confirmed by 2021, Labuan Bajo, the capital of Manggarai Barat regency, is officially no longer a low-key fishing town. As one local said when referring to a popular bar, 'It's getting busy in Paradise.'
Explore Labuan Bajo
0
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Labuan Bajo.
Eat
Happy Banana
This inviting spot has something for everyone, including vegans. Staff are trained in the art of sushi, with everything from udon noodles to gyoza made…
Eat
Blue Corner
If you have a predilection for local food, seek out this family-run warung with pink and blue walls. There's no English menu, but pictures on posters help…
Eat
Rumah Makan Garuda
There are plenty of Padang restaurants at the southern end of Jl Soekarno Hatta, but Garuda is our pick. Point-and-order from the stacked window display:…
Eat
Pasar Malam
Bajo town's most atmospheric dinner spot. Waterfront stalls with hand-painted names are fronted by tables of fresh seafood, with others specialising in…
Eat
Tree Top
This open-air, double-decker restaurant is a fantastic place to watch the sunset, especially if you nab the table that juts out to the harbour. While both…
Eat
Warung Mama
Set above Bajo's main drag, this wooden restaurant is ideal for those who wish to dip their toe into local food. Vegetables are cheap, but paying by piece…
Eat
Bajo Taco
Sharing a sea-view rooftop terrace with Bajo Bakery is the town's only Tex-Mex restaurant. Tortillas are homemade and the fish tacos are some of the…
Eat
Bamboo Cafe
Sit in white cane chairs and admire the hand-painted wall map while enjoying all-day breakfast made with vibrant ingredients from local farms. Booster…
Guidebooks
Learn more about Labuan Bajo
Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.