Culinary tourism has increased significantly in Indonesia. Restaurants and small business owners are adapting to this trend by creating innovative dishes combined with a delectable restaurant ambience to enhance customers’ overall dining experience. Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke, is rich in culture and each region has its own special culinary dishes, including Bintan.
Bintan is not only home to magnificent, exotic beaches and high-end resorts, but also has various culinary dishes that will ignite your appetite. The island’s history and significance as a tourist destination leads to the creation of a vibrant food scene, ranging from seafood dishes to casual Indonesian cuisines.
Here, we have several restaurant recommendations that you can check out if you are planning to take a culinary trip to Bintan.
Kelong Seafood Restaurant
No vacation to Bintan is complete without tucking into the various seafood dishes that the island has to offer. And where better to indulge in the freshest seafood than at Kelong Seafood Restaurant?
Located on the Western Coast of Nirwana Gardens, the Kelong Seafood Restaurant is a floating restaurant that was named after the local fishermen’s stilt houses typical to the Riau Archipelago. The restaurant serves a fine combination of Chinese and Indonesian-style dishes and has a plethora of seafood caught fresh from the local waters that you may select from. One of the must-tries on the menu is none other than Bintan’s most famous dish, gonggong (sea snail). At Kelong Seafood restaurant, this particular dish is boiled, seasoned and best eaten when dipped into the sauce that comes with them. The black pepper crab is another dish that visitors have to try! Freshly caught and wok-fried in black pepper, this dish is full-flavoured, peppery and absolutely delicious.
Aside from the wonderful delicacies that the Kelong Seafood Restaurant has on its menu, the establishment also offers patrons a stunning 360-degree panoramic sea view, perfect for dinners with the family or a romantic dinner with your significant other.
Kelong Seafood Restaurant: Nirwana Gardens Resorts, Jalan Panglima Pantar, Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, Kabupaten Bintan, Kepulauan Riau 29152, Indonesia | Opening Hours: 11am – 10.30pm (Daily) | Tel: +62 770 692597
Pujasera Food Centre
This is a local food centre located only about a 10-minute drive from the main ferry terminal or a 5-minute drive from The ANMON Resort Bintan. Here, you will find authentic local and Indonesian dishes that are both delicious and unbelievably friendly on the pocket! There are a variety of dishes to choose from but a favourite amongst locals is the nasi padang from Lamak Basamo. This stall serves nasi padang (steamed rice served with pre-cooked dishes), in the traditional Hidang style, where a dozen dishes will be served and customers need only pay for what they have consumed.
If you are planning on having a feast with friends or family that promises a bang for your buck, visit the Pujasera Food Centre where you can enjoy tons of other local fare like mie goreng (stir-fried noodles) or nasi campur (mixed rice) that are loaded with tempe (fermented soybeans), veggies and rendang (meat dish).
Pujasera Food Centre: 582J+7GP, Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands 29152, Indonesia | Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Sat), 7.30am – 10pm (Sun) | Tel: +62 812-6131-9820
Warung Yeah!
Warung Yeah! is located near Plaza Lagoi and Lagoi Beach. It offers classic Indonesian comfort food, such as the famous nasi goreng (fried rice) and the country’s legendary instant noodle, Indomie. As one of the island’s most highly rated restaurants, Warung Yeah! is the go-to eatery for tourists after a day of exploring the sights on Bintan Island.
Their signature ayam bakar (grilled chicken) or tahu telor, an Indonesian tofu egg omelette, are some other must-try dishes at the restaurant. To slake your thirst after a day packed with activities and chomping on the delicacies at Warung Yeah!, gulp down their special Bintan Coco, a refreshing drink that comprises of coconut water, creamy slices of coconut flesh, basil seeds and lots of brown sugar syrup.
Warung Yeah!: Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia | Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat), 10am – 9pm (Sun) | Tel: +62 812-6625-0132
Casa Italia Pizzeria
This place is run by an Italian family that fell in love with the exotic charm of Bintan. Casa Italia Pizzeria serves up authentic, wood-fire Italian pizza with locally inspired flavours such as Pizza Telur (eggs), Pizza Cabe (chilli) and Pizza Sarden (sardines). The best thing about this eatery is that the pizzas are all freshly baked upon order so they are guaranteed to be steaming hot when served.
Being situated along the Trikora Coast, this restaurant also offers guests a one-of-a-kind dining experience by the beach with unparalleled views of the South China Sea.
Casa Italia Pizzeria: 4JF2+RG3, Malang Rapat, Gunung Kijang, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia | Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Tues – Sun), 10pm – 12am (Mon) | Tel: +62 812-2832-8711
The Compass Rose
Complete your culinary trip to Bintan by visiting The Compass Rose. Located inside Bintan’s most famous glamping resort, The ANMON Resort Bintan, The Compass Rose serves a feast of local and fusion Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
All menu items at The Compass Rose restaurant have been curated by experienced chefs so it is no wonder that they are exquisitely flavourful. The place offers a warm yet exclusive ambience, perfect for those who yearn for a more intimate dining experience with their loved ones. When visiting Bintan, make sure to visit The Compass Rose!
The Compass Rose: Kawasan Pariwisata Jalan Raja Haji Fisabililah No.88, Sebong Lagoi, Tlk. Sebong, Kabupaten Bintan, Kepulauan Riau 29155, Indonesia | Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 12pm – 12am (Fri – Sat) | Tel: +62 770 691266
With Bintan’s fresh beachy air and warm sun, you will be having the time of your life vacationing and digging into all of the delicious eats that Bintan has to offer.