Best Restaurants in Indonesia 2026

Nasi Goreng

Indonesia's national dish of wok-fried rice with kecap manis sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic, and chili, typically topped with a fried egg and prawn crackers. Available everywhere from street carts to five-star hotels.

Where to try: Any warung or restaurant throughout Indonesia

Price: $1-8

Rendang

Slow-cooked dry beef curry from Padang, West Sumatra, simmered for hours in coconut milk with galangal, turmeric, kaffir lime, and lemongrass until the sauce caramelizes. Voted world's most delicious food by CNN readers.

Where to try: Any Rumah Makan Padang restaurant

Price: $3-12

Babi Guling

Balinese roasted suckling pig stuffed with a paste of turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, and Balinese spices (base genep), slow-roasted over coconut husks — a ceremonial dish now served daily at dedicated warungs.

Where to try: Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka, Ubud; specialty warungs across Bali

Price: $5-15

Satay (Sate)

Skewered and grilled meat — chicken, lamb, beef or pork — marinated in peanut or sweet soy sauce, served with lontong rice cake and peanut sauce. Indonesia's most versatile street food with regional variations nationwide.

Where to try: Street carts everywhere, especially evening markets

Price: $2-8

Gado-Gado

Indonesia's beloved vegetable salad of boiled egg, tempeh, tofu, blanched vegetables, and lontong rice cake smothered in a rich peanut sauce dressing. One of Indonesia's few naturally vegetarian complete meals.

Where to try: Traditional warungs and restaurants throughout Java and Bali

Price: $2-8

Bakso (Meatball Soup)

Springy beef meatballs in a clear bone broth with noodles, tofu, and fried shallots — Indonesia's favorite street food comfort meal, found from pushcart vendors throughout all cities.

Find it at: Street carts everywhere, especially evenings

Martabak

Thick sweet pancake filled with condensed milk, Nutella, cheese, or bananas (sweet version) or a savory meat and egg-stuffed roti version. The best vendors draw queues from their carts.

Find it at: Night market stalls and street carts after 6PM

Nasi Kuning / Nasi Uduk

Yellow turmeric rice or coconut milk rice served at breakfast with fried chicken, tempeh, and sambal — the quintessential Indonesian morning meal sold from banana-leaf-wrapped cones.

Find it at: Morning market stalls and traditional warungs 6-10AM

Es Cendol / Es Dawet

Refreshing iced dessert of pandan-flavored green rice flour noodles, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup over crushed ice — the perfect tropical heat remedy from street vendors.

Find it at: Market stalls and traditional dessert shops throughout Indonesia

Mie Ayam (Chicken Noodle)

Indonesian-Chinese wheat noodles served with braised chicken, mushrooms, dumpling, and a savory broth — a quick, affordable, and satisfying meal from cart vendors found on every major street.

Find it at: Street carts and small warungs, especially lunch hour

Pasar Gede Hardjonagoro

Solo's premier traditional market dating from 1927 with the finest selection of traditional Javanese snacks, selat Solo (Javanese pot-au-feu), timlo soup, and traditional jamu herbal drinks in Java.

Hours: 5AM-3PM daily

Pasar Badung Denpasar

Bali's largest traditional market on four floors selling fresh produce, spices, temple offerings, and prepared foods — where Balinese cooks shop for ceremonial ingredients and fresh tropical produce.

Hours: 24 hours, freshest 5-9AM

Pasar Santa Jakarta

Jakarta's most hipster market in Kebayoran Baru combining traditional wet market stalls with artisan coffee roasters, specialty food vendors, vintage clothing, and independent music stalls in a retro-cool atmosphere.

Hours: 10AM-9PM daily

Pasar Beringharjo Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta's oldest market with an excellent upper floor food section selling traditional Javanese snacks, gudeg preparations, tempeh, and fresh spice pastes at prices locals pay.

Hours: 8AM-4PM daily