Over the last ten years we’ve tried and tested most of the delicacies on offer in Bukit Lawang and have come up with a comprehensive list of the best places to eat and drink, along with what to sample. Read on to find our favourite:
1. Local Warung
2. Ice cream
3. Bakery
4. Fusion food
5. Vegetarian food
6. Restaurant view
7. Cocktails
1. Best Local Warung (café): Warung Ramadan brought to you by Ibu Jun (Mrs. June)
Found at the tourist bus/becak lower station, Ibu Jun’s warung offers the widest and tastiest range of warung food. Every morning she and her team cook up a plethora of vegetarian and meat dishes (vegetable taucho, fish/chicken/jackfruit curry, spicy fern, jawanese salad, boiled tapioca leaf, glass noodles, fried tempe/tofu/chicken and usually at least 2 variety of fish and egg dishes, plus her signature sambal!) all of which can be eaten in her family restaurant or as ‘bungkus’ (takeaway). Her restaurant is a self-service buffet so you’re free to sample as many or as little dishes as you like!
Although her food never lacks in flavour, Ibu June often omits the ‘ikan teri’ (the tiny sardine like fish, cooked whole and added to dishes to add a salty umami flavour) making her traditional Indonesian cooking more palatable for foreign tastebuds.
If you don’t have time to check out her place for lunch or dinner, definitely try and eat your final breakfast at her warung; she serves up the best ‘lontong’, a spicy egg and sticky rice breakfast dish, in the whole of North Sumatra!
2. Best Ice-cream: Garden Grove
A pretty new addition to the Bukit Lawang culinary scene is ‘Garden Groves’, full dairy and absolutely delicious scoop ice cream. Served in a traditional cone, chocolate cone or pot the wide array of flavours (such as vanilla, coconut, durian, avocado, and corn) can be sprinkled with a selection of toppings to give you that extra sweet kick! Located near the camping ground (arguably the best place to swim in Bukit Lawang) we love to head down there on a lazy afternoon to enjoy their ice cream on the river banks. You never know, you might get lucky and spot an Orangutan! (p.s. they also serve a mean cup of coffee!)
3. Best Bakery: Mammo’s Home bakery
Another relatively new culinary contender is Mammo’s Home Bakery, brought to you by husband and wife duo Patrice and Fitria. You will find their beautiful home and café situated just 10 mins (by becak) from Bukit Lawang tourist centre, in the village of Gotong Royong. Their daily rotating menu offers freshly made delights such as lemon cake, donuts, coffee cake, brownies, brioche, apple pie cake, along with a whole host of homemade jams and spreads. If you more into savory treats make sure to ask Patrice for some of his legendary sourdough bread; with a thick spread of salty butter, it is heaven!
4. Best fusion food: Jungle Inn
Our favourite place to explore a wider range of the worlds culinary options has got to be Jungle Inn. One of the oldest guesthouses in Bukit Lawang, Jungle Inn has been pleasing customers with its bold dishes since 1986! Not only is their location stunning, and their coffee just perfectly foamed, they offer exotic peruvian and thai dishes along with several western favourites (such as their chicken club sandwich, and famous flatbreads). Just be aware, you cannot order or drink alcohol on the Jungle Inn premises; but this just means you’ll remember your delicious meal with more clarity!
5. Best vegetarian food
Vegetarians and vegans will be pleased to know that most traditional Indonesian dishes lend themselves very well to vegetarianism/veganism. What with the plentiful options of vegetarian produce (think tempe, tofu along with a whole host of delicious vegetables) and the use of non-dairy coconut milk, many of the curries, soups and dishes available are suitable to vegetarians/vegans. One of our favourite vegan Indonesian dishes is Gado Gado, a colourful selection of freshly boiled vegetables with a delicious peanut sauce. Our favourite is found at Sam’s Bungalows, located right at the top of the Bukit Lawang river, with breath-taking views over the jungle.
6. Restaurant with the best view
Now, no-one likes a show-off, but, which guesthouse CAN boast views of shimmering fish ponds, lush rice padi fields, undulating mountainous jungle skyline PLUS an active volcano smoking on the horizon? You guessed it, our restaurant here at Sumatra Expedition Lodge! With two different seating areas (and with more to come) our restaurant offers you the richest Sumatran skyline on offer in Bukit Lawang. Serving predominantly traditional Sumatran food, allow us to take you on a sensory adventure into the quintessentially Sumatran culture. And remember, to keep your eyes peeled for the swooping Eagle our eagles nest room is affectionately named after.
7. Best cocktails
Considering it’s strong Muslim culture, you may have thought cocktails would be hard to find in Bukit Lawang, but how wonderfully wrong you would be! In the last couple of years, there have been some seriously cool additions to Bukit Lawang’s night scene, all of which offer their own spread of jungle cock and mocktails. The majority of these establishments are located in Bukit Lawang’s ‘Kampung Tengah’ or Middle Town, known for it’s hip, relaxed and colourful vibes. First up is Jack’s Bar, a large, riverside restaurant and bar offering it’s clientele acoustic music, fresh food, and a generous selection of mixed drinks and cocktails; arguably the place to be on a Saturday night! If you’re more into the sports bar snooker vibe, look no further than the newly opened Kayana pool bar. Located just a short walk up the river from Jack’s bar (next door to Garden Grove), Kayana has three pool tables, along with a nightly acoustic music set, usually performed by the legendary Middle Town Band. With a rotating cocktail menu and nightly drink specials, there is always something new and exciting to enjoy at Kayana!
So there you have it, our round up of the best restaurants and culinary establishments in Bukit Lawang. If you happen to visit any of the above, make sure to say hi from us here at Sumatra Expedition lodge and to leave us a comment of your thoughts below!
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