13 Best Restaurants On Gili Trawangan: Options For Every Budget
The BEST Place To Eat On Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan has some insanely good places to eat. In this post, I will tell you all about the best restaurants on Gili Trawangan.
While the island has tasty traditional Indonesian food, there are also great Indian, Italian, budget-friendly, and fine-dining options to try when you visit.
I spent three weeks on the island and had some amazing dishes, and I promise you the island is worth visiting for the food alone.
If you have a trip lined up, make sure you read about where to stay on Gili T and discover the best activities on the island so you can maximise your time in this little tropical paradise.
Let’s dive in!
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Gili Trawangan Night Market
Let’s get to one of the best places to eat in all of Gili Trawangan, and that is the night market.
When we visited Gili T, the night market was packed from about 06.00 PM until 10.00 PM or even later.
The reason is simple. The seafood here is terrific. The cost is reasonable and there is even live music from one reggae guy and his guitar.
We saw him playing most nights, and the people loved his vibe.
There are likely over 100 seats and maybe 30 merchants where you can buy anything from fresh seafood to BBQ vegetables.
It was fun to watch the fresh food cook right before my eyes.
Once you place your order, you can rush to find a seat, and the staff will bring it over to your table.
We were able to add as much vegetables and rice as we wanted. You can even go back for more.
Along with Peanut sauce and spicy sambal, the food was authentic and tasty.
I recommend you visit before 8.00 PM or after 09.30 PM to avoid the busiest period.
Additionally, when we visited in August, it was peak time to visit the island, along with July and September.
Once you finish your meal, I recommend walking along the beach (Gili Trawnagan has many amazing beaches) and having your first cocktail at Sama-Sama Reggae Bar.
They have rooms, too. This was where we stayed for three weeks on Gili T.
You can expect good live music and pub crawls almost every night!
Wajan Sister Cafe
Another great option that won’t break the bank is Wajan Sister Cafe.
We must have eaten here 5 or 6 times, and not just because it was reasonably priced. The food was very good and there were plenty of options.
We ate traditional Indonesian food, club sandwiches when we needed a change, and pasta too.
I recommend you try the Yellow CHicken curry with rice. The taste is sublime. Guada also recommended.
The Banyan Tree
Another great option to eat at Gili Trawangan is the Banyan Tree.
When we visited, we were able to sit out on the beach with sand between our toes and eat some amazing food and fruit shakes.
Interestingly, we were sheltered from any breeze or sand by the surrounding trees. There were barely any other people around us, which created a romantic and peaceful retreat.
The staff provided excellent service, and diners could enjoy their meals accompanied only by the peaceful sounds of the ocean and the breeze.
This is one of the most popular restaurants on Gili Trawangan, from my experience.
I recommend the mixed fruit smoothie for a fresh drink after a long day out in the sun.
Juku Marlin
Another great restaurant on Gili Trawangan is Juku Marlin.
The beauty of this place is that you can sit out on the sand with a nice atmosphere and eat some amazing meals.
You can see the open kitchen along the beach where they cook meat and seafood on the BBQ, it’s a treat for both your nose and eyes.
The one thing I found a little annoying was the karaoke bar right beside it.
We spent about 10 minutes giggling at some of the performances, which were all part of the island’s fun.
So, while I really didn’t mind this too much, it may be annoying for others who want a peaceful meal and calm conversation.
Warung Jaman Now
One of the best restaurants on Gili Trawangn is Warung Jaman Now.
Warungs are usually cheaper, family-run businesses. So you can expect fresh and tasty meals.
I usually ordered the Indonesian-style chicken curry, while Guada preferred a simple sandwich with french fries and ketchup.
Something I loved about this place was the fact that some phrases in Indonesian were translated into English.
This can help people communicate when ordering food and make the process a lot more fun and friendly.
Seriously tasty food and cheap compared to some of the restaurants on the west side of the island.
Totally recommend eating here if you’re on more of a budget.
Coco Cafe & Ice Cream
Located directly opposite the pier is Coco Cafe & Ice Cream.
This place has amazing buns, cakes and treats.
We enjoyed many coffees upstairs, overlooking the pristine Gili Islands waters. My go-to was a vanilla cappuccino.
It was delicious, and I suggest you try it too!
Apart from great coffee and treats, the food is amazing, too. I ate a filling falafel salad bowl and burrito bowl.
Each time we ate there, the food tasted fresh and looked like quality products.
Additionally, there are amazing gluten-free brownies, so a celiac like myself was in chocolate heaven!
If you’ve just arrived on the island or are waiting for the ferry to take you home, I suggest having lunch or coffee here.
Lalapan
This place has one of the best sunset views for dinner. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Located on the west side of the island, halfway up Sunset Beach, you will find Lalapan.
When we visited, we sat out on the beach maybe 4 or 5 times during our three-week stay and had such tasty food.
I suggest you get the basic Nasi Goreng for a strong and tasty dish.
The smoothies were very special too and as fresh as you would like.
One night, we were treated to a live reggae performance from the small bar right beside the restaurant.
It was amazing to sit there and watch five or six guys with dreadlocks playing so skillfully and melodically for about an hour.
One person beside our table even joined them for a song.
This is as Gili Trawangan as it gets!
Dapoer Twins
When I was a digital nomad on Gili Trawangan, I spent a lot of time in Gili Rocks Creative Studios.
A short walk around the corner led us to Dapoer Twins.
What I loved about this place was the fact that it was family-run. The chef’s daughter would come out to greet us every time we frequented this restaurant.
How cute she was!
Also, the food was great. Again, a warung will not have fine dining standards. But it was perfect, reasonably priced and freshly made.
I don’t know about you, but when I travel, if a restaurant ticks these three boxes, it’s a winner for me.
I recommend you try some of the milkshakes too, to top off a decent lunch!
Vacayy Gili
I LOVED my meal at Vacayy Gili.
Chicken Katsu curry is undeniably tasty.
Additionally, I loved that we were seated outside in the open area. People were walking by, and the warm weather made for a really pleasant dining experience.
The staff were very helpful too. While the restaurant is rather small, you can have some privacy, which I found to be nice for a change.
Vacayy Gili is located close to the eastern side of the island, so it’s a short walk from the party area.
I suggest visiting the night market for a sweet dessert after your meal, as it’s only around the corner, a short walk away.
Oh Warung Gili
This place offers excellent food at surprisingly affordable prices.
If you’re backpacking through the Gili Islands, I recommend visiting Oh Warung Gili.
The staff were warm and welcoming when we visited. The food was delicious, and as mentioned, the prices were very reasonable.
During our visit, we witnessed something interesting: a family returned asking for their 20-cent change that the staff couldn’t provide earlier—and the staff happily refunded them.
Like Vacayy Gili just around the corner, you’re less than a minute away from the main party area on the east side of the island.
I suggest grabbing a drink and enjoying some live music—many bars along the pier feature live performances every night!
The tiny amount the family asked for was quite surprising.
I’d encourage visitors to be more understanding about such small amounts—it’s part of the laid-back island experience.
B’LEAF
B’LEAF has some stunning curry!
Located close to Gili Rocks Creative Studio, we ate here often while working remotely during the day.
Although the food took a while to arrive at our table, at the best of times, it was the best warung experience we had on Gili Trawangan.
The staff were friendly and accommodating.
Unfortunately, one day when we went to visit, it was closed without explanation. We easily found another warung nearby, but we were disappointed since we had been craving that curry!
The food was fresh and could be cooked to your preferences. Love spicy? They can adapt it. Hate spice? Request it mild.
I still dream of the yellow curry!
Casa Vintage Beach
If you’re looking for good Caribbean food, then Casa Vintage Beach is for you.
Its ratings are through the roof—it scored 4.5 stars out of 5 from over 1,000 reviews.
Its location right on the beach makes it especially attractive for couples looking for a romantic evening meal at sunset.
One guest said:
Wow, what a unique and delicious experience! This was my first time trying Caribbean fusion, and it definitely won’t be the last. The flavors were incredible—so bold, fresh, and exciting! The place has a cozy, romantic vibe, perfect for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The service was super friendly, and everything felt warm and welcoming. And the best part? Amazing food at a great price! Definitely a spot worth coming back to.
We often cycled past this place and thought about visiting. However, we never made it. Next time, though, I will be visiting for sure.
The views, the food, and the cost make it a great option for all budgets.
Tiki Grove
Tiki Grove is a taco restaurant with a really good reputation.
Located centrally in the island, you can expect a more peaceful meal and tasty Mexican food.
What I liked about this place was the fact it has a thatched roof and you can have a nice cocktail with your evening meal.
Once again, the reviews speak for themselves—4.5 stars from over 1,000 ratings.
This place is easily accessible from either side of the island. Bike along the island’s central road, and you’ll stumble upon Tiki Grove.
While I did not visit the restaurant during my stay, I had a friend speak very highly about it.
When I revisit Gili T, it will be first on my list!
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
So, as you can see, Gili Trawangan has some fantastic places to eat. These are the top restaurants on Gili Trawangan from my three-week stay on the island.
The good news is that every budget is catered for. You can experience fine dining and cheaper options and witness amazing views while filling your belly.
Let me know in the comments if you think I have visited Gili Trawanagn before!
If you enjoyed this post, you can also find out more about the amazing Komodo Islands, which are close to Gili T and are worth exploring.
Thanks for reading,
James
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