Where to eat in Gili Air: best restaurants and what to order

Gili Air is one of the three Gili islands located in Northwest Lombok, Indonesia. It is the most chill and authentic of the three. It is also my favourite in the Gili islands to find delicious local food! Discover where to eat in Gili Air in this post. I will guide you through my favourite restaurants and warungs in the island and share with you what to order. Let’s dig in!

If you’re visiting Gili Air, you’ll probably find this post useful:

Quick Gili Air guide: the chill Gili

Delicious fresh shrimps @ Warung Sunny

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Top recommendations on where to eat in Gili Air

Indonesian food

Let’s begin with my absolute favourite spot to eat in Gili Air: Warung Sunny. Chef Hero is very skilled at cooking Indonesian food. That includes Balinese, Sumatran and Javanese dishes. He’s also a fabulous teacher! We joined one of his classes and we learned a lot, all while indulging in delicious food. The menu changes depending on the day, but if they have them, check out: the snacky bala-bala (vegetable fritters served with spicy sambal), the juicy shrimps and the comforting tempeh curry. And don’t miss out on Sumatran dishes, such as balado or rendang, as Chef Here is original from Sumatra (I think).

Warung Sunny Cooking Class review: our experience in an Indonesian cooking class in Gili Air

Of course, if you’re in Gili Air during the high season (July to September), you can’t miss the Night Market. At night, several stalls gather there to sell their foods. It’s a perfect place to meet with friends and taste several local dishes. For a tiny warung with tasty local food (and a few Western options), check out the homey zZz Warung. For seafood lovers, you should go to Scallywags. This grill resto puts emphasis on fresh and organic ingredients, especially seafood. Try their delicious grilled mahi-mahi with lime and chili dressing. Ruby’s Café is a local gem that captures the essence of Indonesian cuisine. Check out their signature Nasi Campur, a fragrant plate of rice accompanied by an assortment of delectable dishes such as sambal, grilled chicken, and sweet&sour tempeh. It’s a true feast for your taste buds!

International food

If Indonesian food is not up your alley (what’s wrong with you!) or you just need a break from spicy sambal, here are a few recommendations on places to quench your cravings. Lockdown Kitchen Gili Air offers not only delicious burgers and many other options such as dumplings, wraps or pancakes, but it has a lot of vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Speaking of vegan, if you follow a vegan diet, you should visit Mama’s Garden, a small warung offering creative vegan dishes such as wraps, casseroles and soups.

If what you crave is Italian food, there is no better choice in Gili Air than Allora, a restaurant with a main focus on pasta but offering much more, including carpaccios, salads, steaks and delicious desserts! For Mexican food, head to Warung Mexicana, a tiny establishment with an assortment of burritos, wraps and smoothies with a local touch.

If you want to enjoy the beach while dining but avoid crowds and loud music, your best choice is Chili Bar & Segar, a nice restaurant on the Eastern coast of the island that offers a wide variety of tasty and creative dishes served in bamboo huts overlooking the beach.  There is chill out music and it is not as crowded as the Western side of the island. For a similar experience and delicious plant-based organic food inspired by dishes from all over the world, go to Pituq Café. This restaurant has a beautiful terrace with view over the Eastern beach and Lombok.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a nice cup of coffee, there’s no better place in the island than Gili Coffee Roasters. They also have tasty breakfasts and desserts and a really cool decor.

Drinks and socializing

If you prefer a social vibe with a more vibrant atmosphere and a gorgeous sunset view, visit PinkCoco Gili Air Sunset Bar & Resto, a hotel and restaurant located directly at the beach on the Western coast. Another great option for sunset is Gili Lumbung Bungalows & Bar. Grab one of the beanbags and enjoy the sunset while sipping on a cocktail. Both offer a diverse menu with local and international food as well as inventive cocktails, but the true star is the view at sunset!

If you’re looking for more of a party vibe, Gili Air still delivers. Get the groove on in Legend Bar Gili Air on the Northern part of the island. Even though due to its location the sunset happens a bit on the side, it is still a great place to chill in the evening on their beanny bags and enjoy a nice cocktail near the bonfire. They sometimes feature live bands and DJs. Another option which mixes chill or party vibes depending on the day is Lucky’s Bar, with a resident DJ mixing trendy tracks and long happy hours!

Closing statement

Indulging in the vibrant culinary scene is an essential part of any trip to Gili Air, and this charming island offers a surprisingly wide array of dining options for its size. Use this list when visiting the island and want to know where to eat in Gili Air. And let us know your favourite spots in the comments!

If you’ll be visiting Gili Air, I suggest that you have a look at these posts:

Quick Gili Air guide: the chill Gili

Quick Gili islands guide: a starters kit for paradise seekers in Indonesia

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