The food scene on the Gili Islands is genuinely excellent, with options ranging from fiery local Sasak dishes at budget warungs to world-class international cuisine at beachfront restaurants. Whatever your budget or dietary preference, you will eat well here.
Indonesian classics you must try
Nasi goreng
Indonesia's national dish. Fried rice cooked with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), garlic, shallot, chilli, and whatever vegetables and proteins are available. Usually topped with a fried egg and served with prawn crackers and pickles on the side. Every warung has their own version. Start your Indonesian food journey here.
Mie goreng
The noodle version of nasi goreng. Fried egg noodles with similar seasonings, often with chicken, prawn, or vegetables. Comfort food at its finest.
Nasi campur
"Mixed rice." A plate of rice surrounded by small portions of various dishes: curries, grilled meats, vegetables, sambal, and crispy accompaniments. You can usually choose what goes on your plate, making it perfect for sampling different flavours.
Gado-gado
A warm salad of steamed or blanched vegetables (cabbage, beans, spinach, bean sprouts), boiled eggs, tempeh, and tofu, covered in a rich peanut sauce. Vegetarian-friendly and one of the healthiest things you can order.
Satay (Sate)
Skewers of marinated meat grilled over charcoal, served with a thick peanut sauce and rice cakes. Chicken satay (sate ayam) is most common, but you'll also find beef, mutton, and seafood versions. Best eaten at warungs where you can watch them cooking over the open fire.
Rendang
Slow-cooked beef simmered for hours in coconut milk and a paste of chillies, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and other spices until the liquid reduces and the meat is tender and rich. Originally from West Sumatra, it is eaten across Indonesia. Often voted one of the best dishes in the world.
Soto ayam
Aromatic chicken soup with turmeric broth, noodles, shredded chicken, hard-boiled egg, fried shallots, and lime. Breakfast fuel across Indonesia.
Bakso
Indonesian meatball soup. Street food comfort at its purest.
Sasak specialties (the Lombok heat)
Lombok is known as the "island of chilli" for good reason. Sasak cuisine is distinctly spicier than most Indonesian food, and if you love chilli, you're in for a treat.
Ayam taliwang
The king of Lombok cuisine. Young chicken grilled with a marinade of chilli, garlic, shallots, tomato, and shrimp paste, then basted with more spicy sauce during cooking. Usually served with plecing kangkung and rice. If it doesn't make your forehead sweat, it's not authentic.
Plecing kangkung
Water spinach blanched and served with a spicy tomato-chilli sauce. The traditional accompaniment to ayam taliwang and a vegetarian delight in its own right.
Sate bulayak
A Lombok speciality: grilled chicken or beef satay served with bulayak (pressed rice cakes wrapped in palm leaves) and a rich peanut sauce. Different from standard Indonesian satay.
Beberuk terong
A raw eggplant salad with chillies, shallots, tomato, and lime juice. Fresh, spicy, and refreshing.
Seafood
The Gili Islands are surrounded by ocean, and the seafood is fantastic. Most restaurants display the day's catch on ice at the front and cook it to order.
What to order:
- Ikan bakar — grilled fish, the classic
- Udang bakar — grilled prawns with garlic butter or sambal
- Cumi — squid, grilled, fried, or in coconut curry
- Lobster — often surprisingly affordable grilled with lime butter
- Red snapper — popular local fish, firm and mild
- Tuna — served as steaks, sashimi, or ceviche in more upscale places
The night market on Trawangan is legendary for seafood. You pick your fish by weight, choose your sides, and watch it grilled over charcoal. It is one of the most memorable meals you will have in Indonesia.
International cuisine
The Gilis have a surprisingly diverse international food scene:
- Italian — several excellent pizzerias and pasta restaurants, many run by Italian expats. Regina Pizzeria on Trawangan, Gusto Italiano on Air
- Mediterranean — tapas-style restaurants and upscale beachfront dining (Jali Kitchen, Nest)
- Mexican — Tao Kombo on Meno has excellent tacos and burritos
- French — bakeries and bistros serving croissants, quiche, and classic bistro dishes
- Indian — Pesona Resort on Trawangan has the best Indian food in the Gilis
- Thai — Santay on Gili Air does excellent authentic Thai curries
- Japanese — a few sushi and ramen options, varying quality
- Burgers and Western comfort food — widely available, especially at beach bars
Vegetarian and vegan
The Gili Islands are surprisingly friendly to plant-based eaters, especially Gili Air with its strong yoga community.
- Pachamama (Gili Air) — fully vegan/vegetarian, the best plant-based restaurant in the Gilis
- Pituq Cafe (Gili Air) — vegan and vegetarian healthy menu
- Pituq Waroeng (Gili Trawangan) — vegetarian warung with Indonesian and raw food
- Most standard warungs have vegetarian options like gado-gado, nasi campur sayur, and tahu/tempeh dishes
Tell your server "saya vegetarian" (I'm vegetarian) or "saya tidak makan daging" (I don't eat meat). Be specific: "tidak makan daging, tidak makan ikan, tidak makan ayam" (no meat, no fish, no chicken) if you want all animal products excluded. Note that shrimp paste (terasi) and fish sauce are used in many Indonesian dishes — mention this if you are strict.
Drinks
Non-alcoholic
- Fresh coconut water — straight from the shell, ubiquitous on the beach, the best hydration you can get
- Fresh juices — watermelon, mango, pineapple, papaya, dragon fruit, banana, orange, and combinations
- Smoothies and smoothie bowls — the wellness cafes on Gili Air and Trawangan do particularly good ones
- Kopi Luwak — the famous (controversial) civet coffee, available at some cafes
- Indonesian coffee — strong, traditional kopi tubruk (ground coffee and hot water, no filter)
- Teh jeruk — iced tea with lime, refreshing
- Jamu — traditional herbal tonics, earthy and healing
Alcoholic
- Bintang — Indonesia's main beer, a light lager. Cold Bintang on the beach is a Gili tradition
- Arak — local rice wine/spirit. Traditionally strong. Be cautious of cheap versions (counterfeit alcohol is a risk in Indonesia)
- Cocktails — beach bars make excellent tropical cocktails with fresh ingredients
- Imported spirits and wine — available at upscale restaurants and resorts but expensive due to heavy Indonesian import taxes
Warning: Counterfeit and methanol-contaminated alcohol has caused serious illness and deaths in Indonesia. Stick to beer and known branded spirits from reputable bars. Be cautious of suspiciously cheap cocktails at tiny stands.
Where to eat
Warungs (local eateries)
Small, family-run restaurants serving traditional Indonesian and Sasak food at local prices. The best-value eating on the islands. Look for places busy with locals — that's where the food is freshest. Typical meal cost: Rp 25,000-50,000 ($1.75-3.50).
Tourist restaurants
Mid-range places serving a mix of Indonesian and international dishes with English menus and table service. More expensive than warungs but still affordable. Typical meal cost: Rp 80,000-200,000 ($5-14).
Upscale and fine dining
Beachfront restaurants at resorts like Pearl Beach Lounge, Mahamaya, BASK, and Casa Vintage offer fine dining with creative menus, imported wines, and stunning settings. Typical meal cost: Rp 250,000-500,000 ($17-35).
Night markets
The Trawangan night market (Pasar Seni) is the iconic evening dining experience: pick your fresh seafood by weight, watch it grilled over charcoal, and eat at communal tables. Gili Meno also has smaller night food options. This is a must-do for every visitor.
Restaurant tips
- Menus often take longer than expected — be patient, the food is worth it
- Bali belly is real — stick to busy places with high turnover
- Avoid ice at very small warungs if you're cautious (purified ice is standard at bigger places)
- Check the bill carefully — mistakes happen
- Service charge is sometimes included (10%), sometimes not
- Tipping 5-10% at nicer restaurants is appreciated but not required
- Many restaurants are cash-only, especially local warungs
- Reservations recommended for upscale places during peak season and sunset timings
Food safety
Indonesian food safety on the Gilis is generally good, but some precautions help:
- Eat at places with high turnover — fresh food = safer food
- Drink only bottled or filtered water
- Be careful with raw salads at smaller places (washed in tap water)
- Street food is generally safe if freshly cooked in front of you
- Seafood should be fresh and properly cooked
Final tip: try everything
The variety of food on the Gili Islands is one of its greatest pleasures. Don't stick to one type of restaurant — alternate between local warungs and international restaurants, between cheap eats and special meals, between rice dishes and seafood grills. Your taste buds and your travel budget will both thank you.