Danau Toba
Overlooking the lake, Maruba is well worth seeking out for its peerless Batak dishes cooked by the talented proprietor. Barbecue fish, freshwater lobster,…
Must-see restaurants in North Sumatra
Danau Toba
Jenny’s has long been a standout on the northern edge of Tuk Tuk, with all kinds of breakfasts, noodles, curries and rice dishes. But the one dish that…
North Sumatra
A good place to sample local Karo cuisine is this shack restaurant with wood-crate-panelled walls decorated in murals. The speciality here is BPK (babi…
Medan
If you haven't tried durian, then stop by this 'aromatic' open-air eating establishment dedicated to the world's smelliest fruit. It's not just some…
Medan
No more food envy from vegetarians who miss out on those famous Padang dishes – here you'll get the full array of delicious mock beef rendang, satay…
Bukit Lawang
This stylish restaurant sits directly on a dramatic bend of the river and features a mishmash of designer furniture and industrial light fittings. While…
Medan
At this colonial-era relic, perfect for nostalgia buffs, only the prices have changed. Medan's oldest restaurant dates to 1934 and is great for a taste of…
Medan
With its polished concrete floors, low-hanging light bulbs and vertical garden, this is one of Medan's more stylish hang-outs. It does the likes of white…
Danau Toba
This little wooden shack has a laid-back vibe that's in keeping with Tuk Tuk life. It’s run by a couple of friendly ladies who whip up some fabulous and…
Medan
If you haven't had the chance to sample babi panggang Karo then head here to try this Karo Batak specialty. Comprising barbecue pork and an assortment of…
Medan
Inspired by Singapore’s al fresco dining, this contemporary collection of outdoor eating establishments in Lapangan Merdeka offers everything from…
Danau Toba
The Buddhist shrines scattered about set the mood at this waterfront cafe that specialises in vegan cuisine. Expect the likes of potato rendang, tofu…
Bukit Lawang
Lawang Inn is located in the heart of the Bukit Lawang village, with a menu that comprises large portions of curries and sambal dishes, including good…
Medan
Plush Traders is very much an old fashioned, smoky, high-society kind of place. It’s the perfect spot to blow your dining budget on lobster dishes or…
Danau Toba
An old-school traveller hang-out, Poppy's has fantastic lake views that make it the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer. It has a classic Toba menu of…
Medan
On a little street packed with night-time food stalls, this bustling canteen is locally (and justifiably) famous for its mie tiong sim (soft, handmade…
North Sumatra
Next to Losmen Sibayak Guesthouse, this bright, modern, open-fronted place is where a youthful crowd meets for pizza and smoothies or ice-cold Bintangs…
Medan
A local institution that's been around for some 60 years, this hole-in-the-wall joint is always busy with folk digging into soto kesawan – coconut milk…
Medan
Among the sari shops and tailors, Cahaya Baru is one of the better eating choices in Medan's gritty Little India. Choose from masala dosas, thalis, North…
Danau Toba
This cosy lakefront family restaurant and garden does Batak and other Indonesian dishes extremely well. It also holds cooking classes here.
North Sumatra
Feast on pork-belly soup, pork with green chilli, sweet and sour fish, fresh vegetables or a host of noodle and rice dishes at this welcoming Chinese…
Medan
This casual but classy bistro does an interesting menu of meatless, dairy- and gluten-free dishes. Expect the likes of nori beancurd with green chilli,…
North Sumatra
Berastagi's tourist-oriented fruit and veg market features souvenir stalls and horse rides along with the produce stalls. Passionfruit is a local…
Danau Toba
Run by friendly owner Anna, this humble street-side-shack restaurant specialises in local lobster from Danau Toba. It's pricey, but you get three lobster,…
Medan
The saving grace at the Pondok Wisata Angel guesthouse, this bamboo-lined cafe on one of Medan's busiest streets is worth popping into for a plate of gado…
North Sumatra
Berastagi’s local bohemians hang out at tiny Café Raymond, which serves fruit juices, beer and a mix of Indonesian and Western food (including steaks),…
Medan
This boutique little cafe with mosaic flooring and colourful booth seating has Melbourne-style breakfast items of avocado on toast and poached eggs to go…
Medan
A venerable Medan institution for nearly 40 years, Restoran Garuda specialises in West Sumatran Padang food, so you'll get to sample a variety of small,…
Danau Toba
Rumba is still holding on as the best of the pizza restaurants in Tuk Tuk, with the option of the pick-your-own-ingredients pizza (start at the margherita…
Bukit Lawang
This chilled-out, family-run spot overlooking the river is good for chowing down on curry, rendang and sambal dishes, as well as pizza and other Western…
Medan
Medan's main fruit market is a profusion of colours and smells, and has an impressive selection of local and imported tropical fruit. It’s next to Thamrin…
North Sumatra
At night this semi-pedestrianised street fills with food hawkers and tempting aromas from the dozens of different stalls.
Bukit Lawang
Located in town, this is a good place to chill out away from Bukit Lawang's tourist hub. The menu runs from coconut curry to tacos and cold Bintang. There…
Medan
This celebrated chain serves some of Medan’s best sushi as well as an extensive array of tonkatsu, tempura, yakitori, sashimi platters and bowls of udon.
Medan
More like someone’s front room, with a family atmosphere to match, this restaurant serves authentic North Indian cuisine.
