Top 11 places to eat on Gili Trawangan

I don't know about you, but when I am traveling or on holiday food is a big part of my day! And as divers, we are either talking about where we are diving or where we are eating! 

Gili Trawangan, as much as it surprises my Mum, has a huge variety of really good food, so much that you would need to spend more then a couple of weeks here to experience everything!

Living here for a year, I have done many days research into all of the restaurants, a hard job I have to say! So,here I will give you my top 11 places to eat on the island, hopefully helping you to narrow it down slightly when you are deciding what to feast upon. 

These restaurants are not in a particular order. They are all my favorite for different reasons, but they are all a must visit whilst you are here.

diy bbq, who doesn't love that!

Le Pirate Beach Club
This is my favorite place on the island and a massive bonus is that the food is absolutely fan-bloomin-tastic! I have spent many a day off here sampling most of the menu throughout the day! You can literally spend your whole day here, have a healthy but substantial breakfast whist you look out over the beautiful ocean; lunch on sumptuous salads (Hint Hint; Cinderella salad is AMAZING!) in between frolicking in the infinity pool. For dinner watch the sunset over Bali and rack your brains to choose from the menu (all amazing!) or order the Thai BBQ; a huge hot pot of do-it-yourself BBQ-ing with perfectly seasoned chicken, bacon, calamari and tuna. Warning: Food envy is a big problem here! 

Gili Teak
A stunning little spot on the beach, a little further round from the Southern tip of the island. Overlooking sunset, make sure you grab a comfy beanbag and gorge on the most scrumptious spaghetti bolognaise (hard to get here on the island!), chicken pate, juicy burgers, but most importantly the most delectable, lip-smackingly good desserts. Go as a group as then you can order all that they have to offer and share. It is impossible to choose! Warm and chewy chocolate brownie with coconut ice-cream; creamy, luscious baileys cheesecake to name just two will have you planning a jog around the island the following morning!

any topping you can think of is available at regina!

Bale Sampan's Baguettes
With so many options for fillings you will be spoilt for choice. Wholemeal and white baguettes are available and my personal favorite is the Greek Salad baguette. Crammed full of salad, basil leaves, mint, balsamic vinegar and loads of feta it is great if you skipped breakfast and need a hearty sandwich for brunch. The salmon and egg baguette is also a winner, especially after a big night out! You can also try their fresh juices, smoothies and the muesli! Delicious!!

Regina Pizza
Now, if I could and if I wasn't a chubby person, I would eat this pizza every day! Cooked by the Italian owner, the crusts are perfectly crispy and chewy, the base is thin and well cooked, and the toppings, well...stringy, oozing mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, juicy mushrooms, peppers in all colors, spinach and more can be added to your pizza pie. One pizza is more than enough to share, but why would you when you can order one to yourself and finish it off as a midnight snack?! Possibly the best pizza I have ever eaten; all of the instructors at Dive Central Gili agree!

fresh, healthy and great value for your money

Pituq
If you find that you need to treat yourself (and your body) to some veggies and fresh juices Pituq is the new place in town to get it. With hummus, guacamole and peanut dips, the 7 veggie dip is a great way to start your evening. Huge wraps and salads will keep you more than satisfied at lunch or dinner time. They are a vegan restaurant, but meat eaters please do not despair! I love a good burger as much as the next person, but I still really enjoy this place as it is filling, fresh and won't make you feel guilty afterwards! Try the delicious jack fruit yellow curry, which comes in a huge bowl full of ingredients. The white bean hummus wrap is my favorite, and I can mostly only manage half (box ticked for breakfast the next day!) Order a fresh juice or smoothie, deliciously simple and un-messed with. Great value for money in a small, intimate setting. They also have desserts if you are still peckish afterwards! The banana coconut rice is amazing!

Pesona Resort Indian restaurant and sheesha lounge
Cocktails, ice cold beers, fresh juices and smoothies, sheesha and Indian food. What more could you want?! The beauty of this place is that everything is cooked to order. Like the taste of a Vindaloo but not the fire it sets off in your mouth? No problem, let the chefs know and they will make it to your personal pain threshold! Lamb, chicken, and veggie curries are available as well as all the little added extras including the biggest poppadoms you have ever seen (bigger than your head!), crispy fried onion pakora, soft, floury naan breads with a choice of different fillings and the all important tongue tingling chutneys to dip it all into. Finish your meal with more sheesha and cocktails whilst gazing out over the ocean towards Gili Meno.  

pesona resort has the best sheesha on the island. relax wiht a cocktail or two after your meal

The night market's food is quick,  cheap and delicious!

The Night Market
A hustle and bustle of local foods, bartering, fresh seafood, meat kebabs and the most amazingly colorful selection of cakes await you at the night market. There are many stalls here serving Bakso, Mie Goreng, Nasi Goreng, martabak, sweet and savoury pancakes and Nasi Campur. My favorite stall is Kiki Novi (also open in the daytime) as they have the best tuna kebabs, EVER! For Rp30,000 you get a choice of meat or fish kebab, a large helping of steaming, fluffy white rice and a choice of three different selections including vegetables, deep fried tempe, flavored tofu and saucy boiled eggs. Quick, chheap, easy and has to be done when you are here on the island. Beers and soft drinks available too, perfect way to line your stomach before a night out partying. 

Scallywags - Breakfast Buffet
If you are not staying at Scallywags during your time on GGili Trawangan, then make sure you pay them a visit between 7am and 10am for their breakfast buffet. For just Rp90,000 you can fill yourself to the brim with cereals, fruits, toast, proper Lurpak butter (a luxury here!) eggs any style cooked fresh to order by the onsite chef, heinz baked beans (HEINZ!!) sausages, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms and much more. Juices, all types of tea, Lombok and Nescafe coffee are also limitlessly available. Worth thinking about skipping dinner the night before so that you can squeeze more in!

Greens and Beans/ The Roast House
I am all up for trying the local cuisine, however sometimes you just want some good ol' home comforts. Greens and Beans has the biggest plates and they load them up with your choice of meal. Bangers and mash (with veggies and proper gravy!) cottage pie with a thick cheesy topping, chicken cordon bleu smothered in creamy mushroom sauce are the winners for me! Loads of other options are available such as pasta, salads and local foods, both fo rthe meat eaters and for the veggie eaters. The roast house serves the juiciest roast chicken with roast 'tatoes, veggies and gravy. 

chocolate fondant cake, full of oozing chocolate

Ko-Ko-Mo
A very special place that most islanders only visit for a big treat. A beautiful setting just past the main strip in the quieter part right on the beachfront, rather romantic  A bit higher in price range, but the service is impeccable as well as the food. Loads to choose from including starters (scallops all the way!) main courses with fresh fish, juicy steaks and satisfyingly filling pastas, plus desserts that will finish your evening's dining off nicely (the cheese board is a firm fave of mine!) Ko-Ko-Mo also has an amazing wine list. 

So there you go, a quick idea of all the best places to feast whilst you are here on the island. Selamat Makan everybody!

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