The 10 Best Restaurants in Surabaya

This restaurant has several seating areas, but the ultimate favourite is the semi-open homey space at the back. The vintage decoration gets even more cosy and beautiful with greeneries crawling through the sides of the walls. From pretty little nooks where you can enjoy your coffee to large tables to eat dinner while swapping life stories with friends, this restaurant hosts you well with sweet ambiance and a wide selection of cuisine.

The ethnic and homey space will make you feel as though you’re dining in a local friend’s home. Whether you settle for the classy indoor area or the charming patio surrounded by verdant garden, it’s easy to get comfortable here. Just like the diverse city where it sits, this restaurant neatly merges the Javanese and Chinese cultures in its concept and design. Be sure to order one of their Indonesian meal specialties, such as fish head curry, grilled beef ribs, or simply go for the classic nasi goreng.

Domicile’s simple but elegant interior has a bistro feel to it. You can immediately see yourself enjoying a European meal at one of the stylish seats, maybe getting a drink or two. And the impression of sophistication doesn’t stop with the interior. No matter what you order, the food’s presentation lives up to the overall elegance of the place, and that’s not to mention the palatable taste. Pair your food with one of its famed drinks, smores or a cotton candy martini.

Surabaya has a large population of Chinese descendants. So when a Chinese restaurant is widely popular, it speaks volumes of its taste and authenticity. Moi Garden has a wide selection of food, including those you may not find in other Chinese restaurants, such as the elusive eel, pig’s liver or fish lips soup. The big round tables are suitable for having family dinners, while the room is adorned with oriental elements that add to the authentic dining experience.

Aside from being a bustling metropolis, Surabaya is also a coastal town, where fresh seafood is abundant and therefore a must-try. And there’s no better place to get your seafood fix than a passionate and dedicated restaurant where everything is prepared to the highest standard. Instead of sifting through the menu, diners can directly select their own fish from the tanks at the entryway, then specify how they like their fish. Layar Seafood also has crabs, shrimps, lobsters, and more fresh seafood prepared in various ways according to your taste.

This restaurant serves a familiar steak menu, with an intriguing and tasty local touch. If you ever wish your steak to be more savoury, sweet, or spicy, you’ll love their unique take on this meal. Even if you don’t, try it anyway, it’s delicious. Boncafé also serves pasta, dessert, and hearty kids’ meals. All of these can be enjoyed inside a gorgeous space with classic and light ambience. Boncafé has five restaurants across the city, so feel free to choose the most convenient to visit.

Located in Bumi Surabaya city resort, this restaurant carries on the establishment’s lush and luxurious space that is different from the rest of the busy city. The all-you-can-eat concept allows you to sample everything that looks appealing from the impressive buffet selection. From hearty main courses to colourful traditional desserts, feel free to indulge and be curious. Aside from Indonesian cuisine, Arumanis also serves Western, Chinese, and Japanese food.

This restaurant serves Javanese and Indonesian food in a straightforward and unpretentious manner, focusing on taste and quality instead. As the name suggests, the specialty menu is grilled chicken ayam bakar, but the chicken satay and various seafood dishes are also top notch. As a local favourite, all five branches in Surabaya are popular.

The traditional Javanese ambiance reverberates strongly within this restaurant’s wooden interior, adorned with ethnic statues and artworks. The atmosphere intensifies as soon as the delectable and authentic food enters the scene. From the appetising aroma to appealing presentation, it culminates with the nostalgic taste of traditional Javanese meals. If you’re confident about your spice tolerance, try their delicious penyetan menu. Otherwise, settle on the succulent goat or oxtail soup, or any of the seafood dishes.

Libreria’s tagline: “Good food, good book, good music” is everything we need to hear to give this restaurant a try. And you’ll not be disappointed. From the food department, Libreria delivers delicious Asian and European meals, from starter to dessert. They also have a selection of remarkable books to enjoy with coffee, while relaxing music plays in the background. A lush and homey interior makes this a hard place to leave.