As an island home to a melting pot of cultures, Bintan’s culinary scene puts everything from traditional Indonesian seafood to authentic Chinese dishes on the table.
Bintan Island is not only a resort paradise with magnificent beaches. The island’s history and significance as a tourist destination begets a colourful food scene, ranging from exotic seafood dishes to casual Indonesian fare and even authentic Italian. Culinary ventures have become one of the must-do activities on Bintan Island, and these are the 10 best restaurants to try.
Warung Yeah! offers classic Indonesian comfort food, from nasi goreng to novelty takes on the country’s legendary instant noodle, Indomie (pro tip: try the delicious Indomie rendang). Located on the main strip of touristy Lagoi Bay, this restaurant is the go-to place to hang out after a quick stroll on the beach.
Seafood is a must when visiting Bintan Island, best served on this floating cottage with sweeping ocean views. Nirwana serves up some of the most exotic, offbeat island dishes, from scrumptious black pepper crab to Bintan’s famous sea snail (gonggong). Offering al fresco dining with a sea view and ocean breeze, this restaurant is especially popular during sunset hours.
The appearance of this humble shack on the coastline of Trikora Beach doesn’t do justice to its stellar reputation among tourists. It’s not often you find authentic pizza in a random nook on a tropical island, brought to you by a passionate Italian family with generations-old recipes. This restaurant is praised for its tasty thin crust pies and fresh, generous toppings.
Thai food always goes down well on a tropical island, and this beachfront restaurant does it the best – using fresh homegrown spices and produce to create classic Thai delicacies. The scrumptious food, extensive wine list and a warm, intimate setting make this restaurant a perfect spot for romantic dinners. The outdoor seating area is set on a charming deck surrounded by greenery, with the beach just a stone’s throw away.
Located in the charming fishing village of Sungai Enam Kijang, this restaurant makes the best of the delightful view. They learned what they know from the local community, as local fishermen shared their best, generations-old seafood recipes. Combine that with the waterfront setting and you’ve got an unforgettable dining experience on Bintan Island.
This humble seafood place gained popularity with tourists for its affordability, alongside impressive taste and quality. It may not look like one of those lavish resort restaurants, but the ocean view, freshness and flavour is on par. Diners choose their own fresh-caught fish, crab and clams straight from the aquarium before asking the chef to prepare the meal according to their preferences.
Part of the renowned Mayang Sari Beach Resort of Nirwana Gardens, this restaurant brings Indian cuisine to one of Bintan Island’s most prime seaside locations. Tourists can expect to taste India’s most flavoursome and spicy meals such as seafood biryani and tandoori. The restaurant also has an extended menu of Asian and Western dishes. The design boasts a lavish interior with a relaxed, island-style wooden deck above the sea.
This seaside cabin serves some of the most popular seafood dinners in Bintan. From fresh, large crabs to delicate honeyed squid, everything is freshly caught from the platform in the middle of the restaurant (as opposed to tanks). Even though it’s located off the main touristy neighbourhoods in Bintan, the restaurant gets packed during sunset and dinner time, thanks to its rave reviews and loyal customers.
On an island where seafood is abundant, this Japanese restaurant is famous for its delicious sushi. It has other Japanese favourites such as ramen and curry, as well as some Korean food. The place has a modern setting with a relaxed ambience, wooden interior and a beautiful Japanese garden outside.
Chop Chop is a culinary district that aims to present the best of Chinese food on Bintan Island. Adorned with festive Chinese decorations, its many food stalls offer everything from Peking duck to Taiwanese street snacks. Aside from the mouthwatering food, tourists also flock here to enjoy the lights and go home with Instagram-worthy pictures.
