Gili Islands restaurants and dining guide
You never have to leave the beach on the Gilis
Wherever you chose to eat, you are virtually guaranteed cool breezes and lovely ocean views with many places offering tables right by the water’s edge. Most restaurants fire up the barbecue each night for fresh grilled seafood; everything from snapper, lobster, calamari and huge king prawns. Prices throughout the islands are all inexpensive to moderate and meals, even at the most salubrious places, rarely cost more than rp100,000.
The variety is excellent, especially on Gili Trawangan. There are Spanish tapas bars, sushi, an Indian restaurant, Mexican, Thai and much more. On each of the islands there is a wealth of street stalls selling cheap local dishes through the night for no more than rp10,000 – rp15,000.
The Gili Islands are Muslim but even during the fasting month of Ramadan all tourist restaurants remain open through the day serving full meals and alcohol. Similarly the bars of the islands stay open just as they would do otherwise with no discernable difference.
For the same reason pork dishes are very few and far between in Gili islands’ restaurants and tend to be quite expensive. For a flavour of what to expect dining out in the Gili Islands, see our recommended list below of the best restaurants and cafes.
Gili Meno restaurants
Banana Pancakes make the best hangover cure!
Good Heart
An unassuming rustic beach bar and cafe that serves up a wide array of tasty local curries and grilled seafood. Situated a little off the radar in the quiet northwest, it is the perfect spot for lunch in between snorkeling with turtles at nearby Meno Wall. It offers fantastic views across to Gili Trawangan. Well presented dishes at very affordable prices. Northwest beach, Gili Meno, Tel: +62 (0)813 5350913, open daily 10:00 to 22:00. $
Rust
Deservedly the most popular eatery on the island, this smart beach cafe has lots of local character and an imaginative menu heavily reliant on fresh seafood. A lively spot for Gili Meno standards for either lunch or dinner, it offers casual fine dining at value for money prices. There is a decent choice for vegetarians too. Harbour, Gili Meno, Tel: +62 (0)370642324, open daily 10.00 to 22.30. $$
Gili Air restaurants
Coconut Cottage restaurant
A lovely garden restaurant offering an extensive local and Western menu with refined dining in candlelit cabanas. Special ‘ristaffel’ Indonesian banquets are a specialty for groups of five or more (reserve one day before) and this is the place to go for Gili Air’s finest pizzas.
There is a fairly decent wine list and lots of exotic cocktails to try. Northeast inland, Gili Air, Tel: +62 (0)370 635365, open daily 10:00 to 23:00. $$
Pondok Gili Air
This breezy beach cafe is a popular spot for lunch or dinner and features the island’s best choice of veggie meals. Live acoustic music and cheap happy hours ensure a lively atmosphere most of the time. They also have several budget bungalows for rent at the rear. Jetty, Gili Air, Tel: +62 (0)370 641014, open daily 08:00 to 23:00. $$
Gili Trawangan restaurants
Vila Ombak
This is the Gili islands’ most refined dining experience with poolside or beachfront restaurants offering sumptuous seafood buffets, modern Asian fusion cuisine and a range of delectable desserts. Many dishes are surprisingly well priced and there is also a small cafe open 24 hours a day. The wine list is the most extensive in the Gilis. Sentral, Gili Trawangan, Tel: +62 (0)370 642336, info@hotelombak.com, open daily 07:00 – 23:00. $$$
Terminal Restaurant
Attached to the Gili T Resort by the jetty, Terminal offers an interesting choice of sizzling hot plates, Balinese specialties, Mexican bites and filling sandwiches and soups. It benefits from wonderful sea breezes and has a casual laid back atmosphere perfect for families. Shows sports action on the TV most nights. Jetty, Gili Trawangan, Tel: +62 (0)370 638513, open daily 08:00 to 23:00. $$
Price guide
$ dishes rp15,000 – rp30,000; quart of beer rp25,000; whiskey shot rp25,000; cocktails rp30,000
$$ dishes rp30,000 – rp75,000; quart of beer rp35,000; whiskey shot rp40,000; cocktails rp45,000
$$$ dishes rp75,000 – rp100,000; quart of beer rp40,000; whiskey shot rp50,000 cocktails rp50,000
$$$$ dishes rp100,000+ quart of beer rp50,000; whiskey rp60,000; cocktails rp70,000
Coco
This is a haven for homesick expats who crave delicacies such as roast beef, smoked salmon or Danish blue cheese. It is a continental style cafe that makes the ideal place for a long lazy lunch out of the hot sunshine. The menu is quite extensive with lots of delicious home baked sandwiches and cakes, albeit at Western prices. An excellent choice of gourmet breakfasts. Jetty, Gili Trawangan, Tel: +63 (0)813 5353553, open 07:00 to 17:00. $$$
Juku
Elegantly draped cabanas afford a refined and romantic dining experience here complimented by mariachi style live Latin music. There is a fabulous selection of grilled seafood, Mexican tapas, pizza and steaks. Service is efficient and friendly and prices are excellent value compared to most other eateries in the vicinity. Located close to Gili Trawangan harbour. Harbour, Gili Trawangan, Tel: +62 (0)818 05762803, open daily 11:00 to 23:00. $$$
Recchi Living Room
Comfort food in abundance at this very busy restaurant with hearty cottage pie, lasagna and quite possibly the finest moussaka in Indonesia. Service is a little slow but hang in there because the food is well worth the wait. Prices are very cheap for Gili Trawangan standards and this place ranks among the most popular on the island. It is difficult to get a seat after 20.00 so reserve ahead. Harbour, Gili Trawangan, Tel: +62 (0)370 621161, open daily 10:00 to 23:00. $
