Gili Air Restaurants: the Best Spots for Authentic Indonesian Cuisine

While there are plenty of spots on Gili Air that cater to Western palates, it’s hard to capture the full spirit of Indonesia without delving into its local dishes. When searching for the best Gili Air restaurants, we encourage you to skip the Western food and embrace the local warungs. (Warung is Indonesian for “food stall,” but the term typically refers to any casual restaurant).

The following list includes our favorite Gili Air restaurants for authentic regional specialties, as well as a few places that cater to the healthy living crowd. Because love it or hate it, the wellness culture now feels as embedded into the island as anything else. However, along with the yoga retreats come cafes serving up the freshest local fruits and other produce, for a healthy taste of the tropics.

Jump to:

• What is Indonesian Food Known For?
• Indonesian Foods to Know
• Best Gili Air Restaurants for Authentic Indonesian Cuisine
• Best Gili Air Restaurants for Wellness Food

What is Indonesian Food Known For?

Indonesian cuisine is not fancy, but rather is the epitome of comfort food. Simple meats, vegetables and tofu are stir-fried or stewed, before adding healthy dose of local spices and served with rice or noodles.

Flavors frequently include a combination of either coconut, lemongrass, or curry, along with regional spices like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, clove, and black pepper.

Indonesian Foods to Know

You’ll see the following Indonesian dishes on the menu regularly around Gili Air:

• Nasi Goreng: literally, “fried rice” and one of the five national dishes of Indonesia. It’s particularly popular for breakfast, and usually comes with a fried egg, along with shrimp or chicken and mixed vegetables. Garlic, shallot, sambal, and other condiments are then added to provide an extra kick of flavor.
• Mie Goreng: literally, “fried noodles.” The noodles carry a slight sweetness from the accompanying soy sauce, fried shallots, and dash of sambal. You can choose from various add-ins, including either veggies, meats, or fried eggs.
• Rendang: another national dish, and one of our favorites from the region. Meat (usually beef) is slow-cooked over several hours and braised in coconut milk, before being seasoned with a host of herbs and spices.
• Satay: essentially grilled kebabs, these skewers are usually served with peanut dipping sauce. While chicken satay are particularly popular, you can usually also find a choice of other meats or tofu.  

Best Gili Air Restaurants for Authentic Indonesian Cuisine

Optimiz Prime

Optimiz Prime is hands down our favorite Gili Air spot for regional cuisine. In fact, the first time we ever went (for lunch), we enjoyed it so much we returned for dinner the same day. This cozy, open-air thatched hut serves flavorful, authentic dishes. The rendang is particularly good. Directions.

zZz Warung

zZz Warung is a family-run restaurant that serves up bona fide local specialties. The setting is no-frills, with plastic tables and chairs scattered throughout the front patio, while the comfort food is sure to satisfy. The menu includes three pages’ worth of local dishes, and they’re also open for breakfast. Directions.

Warung Sunny

Warung Sunny often frequents the lists of “best warungs” and for good reason. The menu boasts a series of regional plates, all of which are extremely flavorful thanks to a healthy dose of Indonesian spices. They also offer a signature “Lombok burrito.” Directions.

Orange’s Warung

Orange’s Warung is heavy on the chicken and tofu dishes, which are served any which Indonesian way: either via fried rice (nasi goreng), fried noodles (mie goreng), satay, rendang, or other plates. You’ll find Orange’s just inland from the host of beach bars along the southwestern coast. Directions.

Ruby’s Café

Ruby’s Cafe is often described as a nicer “date night” spot. While you shouldn’t expect fine tablecloths and candles (it’s all relative on Gili Air), it’s still a pleasant sit-down restaurant. You can choose from a menu of beef rendang, betutu (Balinese chicken), various curries, and more. They also have a few non-Indonesian dishes (burger, chicken parmigiana, penne), if you’re craving a taste of the West. Directions.

Best Gili Air Restaurants for Wellness Food

Gili Coffee Roasters

Gili Roasters is a truly first-rate coffee shop. Despite its somewhat hidden location (tucked along a secluded dirt road in the interior of the island), the spot has an expansive, open-air thatched storefront. Beyond the standard coffee and tea offerings, you can also try gula aren, a traditional iced drink with organic palm sugar syrup, milk, and cinnamon. Directions.

Kopi Sisu

Kopi Susu is a very Instagrammable spot, located along the main road in the heart of town. The menu includes build-your-own boards of fresh fruits, breads, proteins and sweets, in addition to pastries, juices, smoothies, coffee, and tea. The outdoor seating, under an expansive pergola dripping with tropical vines, is a pleasant spot to post up for a while and watch the town go by.  Directions.

Pachamama

Situated on a sleepy dirt road towards the northeastern side of the island, Pachamama specializes in fresh, organic cuisine that leans heavily towards vegetarian and vegan options (although omnivores will find tasty meat dishes as well). Beyond an expansive menu of coffees, teas, smoothies, and juices, Pachamama also offers all-day breakfast, tapas, bowls, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and other plates. The boho setting is also a treat in itself. Directions.

Aura Bowls

A local classic, Aura Bowls is a smaller open-air stand that is quintessential Gili. Don’t let the name fool you though, as the menu reaches far beyond just smoothie bowls. In addition to numerous breakfast foods, Aura serves up a host of local specialties, including curries, mie goreng, nasi goreng, satay skewers, and more. Directions.

Looking for more ideas of what to do on Gili Air? Check out our 3 day Gili Air itinerary as well as the best beaches on Gili Air, ranked by activity.