Kuta Lombok restaurant guide: 12 best restaurants

If you’re a foodie like me and heading to Lombok, you’re probably looking for the best cafés and restaurants in Kuta.

Southern Lombok’s majestic coastline consisting of cliffs and bays framed by massive headlands, is still mostly untouched and undeniably beautiful. I bet this is what Bali’s Bukit Peninsula looked like some 30 years ago.

The area is sparsely populated, with limited roads and almost non-existent public transport. And that’s probably why major development hasn’t taken off in these parts, until now.

These days new villas, hotels and restaurants are popping up all over the South. And Kuta is at the center of it all, a laid-back surfer town reminding me a lot of Canggu a decade ago.

Having traveled in Lombok for almost 10 years now, and recently lived in Kuta, I have tried most of the restaurants and local warungs in the area. So let’s take a closer look at the best restaurants in Kuta Lombok.

1. Kenza

A healthy café by day, and a wine bar and restaurant after dark, Kenza is all about wholesome dishes and plates. It is one of the best cafés and restaurants in Kuta Lombok and has been for many years.

Highlighting locally sourced ingredients, Kenza offers dishes perfect for sharing. My favorites are the Yellowfin Tuna Otoro, croquettes with bacon and chorizo served with harissa dip, and the French potato salad dip. You can basically treat it as a tapas place.

Their beverage menu impresses with signature cocktails like the “Kenza Loves You” and an extensive selection of coffees, juices, and smoothies.

For breakfast and lunch, the menu is a little lighter with the obligatory Aussie avo toast, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, salads and my favorite, the tuna poké bowl.

Not just a feast for the palate, Kenza captivates with its aesthetic appeal, drawing attention as one of Lombok’s most Instagrammable spots. Set right across from another popular spot, Bush Radio, its inviting indoor and outdoor spaces set the stage for memorable dining experiences.

Where: Jl Raya Kuta No. 5B, Kuta, Lombok (right at the main intersection).

When: Open daily 7:00 am – 11:00 pm.

2. Knalpot Restaurant & Bar

Right on the main strip in Kuta Lombok, Knalpot offers a unique blend of sophistication and casual charm, redefining upscale dining in relaxed attire. Set around a pool Knalpot is one of the largest and most inviting venues in town.

Their menu, rooted in the Asian kitchen, showcases many dishes crafted with produce from an organic farm just minutes away, emphasizing the rich flavors of the region.

Standout offerings include a breakfast sandwich featuring homemade goat cheese and a seafood curry that artfully marries French culinary techniques with local ingredients. They even make their own bacon from swordfish belly.

Knalpot is also the only restaurant in Kuta offering beers on tap. Collaborating with renowned breweries like Island Brewing and Balcksand Brewery in Bali, they curate food pairings for an ever-evolving selection of craft brews.

Where: Jl. Raya Kuta, Lombok (on the right side when coming from the main intersection).

When: Open daily from 07:30 am – 12:00 am

3. KRNK Bar & Restaurant

Pumping tunes, juicy burgers, flavorful pizzas and dirty cocktails, no wonder KRNK is celebrated as one of the top restaurants in Kuta. Many a fun night out started here while I was living in Lombok.

With the intoxicating aroma of burgers grilling outdoors on a large grill, you can’t help but be drawn in. The restaurant’s ambiance is as inviting as its menu, with many communal tables, a loft-style interior and a door that spans the width of the restaurant.

Whether you are looking to unwind with a few beers, savor a hearty meal, or groove to the music, KRNK promises a welcoming atmosphere.

Where: Jl Raya Kuta No. 5A, Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

4. Tomato Cafe

Head about 10 minutes out of Kuta on Jl. Mawun to Tomato Cafe, one of my favorite warungs in Kuta Lombok. I eat here several times a week when I’m in town. You are always met with a smile from the super nice owner who loves to chat when it’s not too busy.

Don’t be fooled by the simple exterior, the food is delicious and very reasonably priced. The thin-crust pizzas are cooked right next to the tables, in a wood-fired oven made by the owner and his family. My favorite is the one called Divo. And don’t forget to also try the Mie Goreng, curry, iced tea and juices. Yum!

Where: Jl. Mawun No. 3, Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 09:00 am – 10:00 pm

5. Milk Espresso

Milk Espresso, located right across from Knalpot, is another one of the OG’s on the Kuta restaurant scene. I remember when it opened, finally a place that could compete with the hip eateries in Bali.

In typical Aussie fashion, you can expect a sleek, modern interior and beautifully presented Instagram-worthy food. Think colorful smoothie bowls, fluffy pancakes, avo on toast, fresh juices and healthy salads. And the food tastes pretty good too haha.

Coffee is also their thing, so expect a perfectly balanced caffeine kick in every cup, thanks to the premium beans from Expat Roasters. And don’t forget to pick up a few island accessories from their little boutique before you go.

Where: Jl. Raya Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 7:00 am – 6:00 pm (rooftop 5:00 pm – 12:00 am).

6. SeaSalt

SeaSalt, a charming blue and white bistro set on Kuta Beach, brings a little slice of Greece to Lombok. It is the place to go when you’re in the mood for fresh seafood. All dishes are made on-site from locally sourced, organic, fair trade and free-range produce.

Bring your friends and order one of each tapas-style entrée to share. I also recommend the fish and chips, fried fish tacos and for the vegans, the fried tempeh with watermelon feta salad. And don’t forget to taste their brownies and homemade ice cream too!

Where: Jalan Raya Pantai Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

7. El Bazar Cafe & Restaurant

Yet another OG on the Kuta Lombok restaurant scene, the newly renovated El Bazar Restaurant and Bar has a heavy focus on wine and Mediterranean-style shared dining. You have to see the restaurant located on the main strip close to the intersection, it’s an Instagrammer’s dream.

I love that they have so many healthy options, like the sharing plates of Ash-baked beetroot, Bonito crudo and Baba Ghanoush. The Wagyu Tokusen skirt steak is also a must, it literally melts in your mouth. And they also make their own iced tea, which makes El Bazar an automatic winner in my book.

The photo above is from before the recent upgrade. But it was still so good back then.

Where: Jl. Raya Kuta No. 5, Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm (sometimes later).

8. Jiang Nan Lombok

In the mood for mouthwatering dumplings, bao buns, dan dan noodles, potstickers and lemon chicken? Then Jiang Nan, a Chinese eatery located on the road down to Kuta Beach, is the place for you.

The ambiance here is great with dimmed lighting and the restaurant almost looks like it belongs somewhere in the Pacific. This is yet another place perfect for sharing, trust me you’ll want to try everything on the menu. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Kuta.

And the entrance, a white arch covered by Bougainvillea, makes for the perfect photoshoot backdrop.

Where: Jl. Raya Kuta No.1, Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm

9. The Mexican in Town

Who doesn’t love a good Mexican feast!? I know I do! And this one is run by an actual Mexican, so you know it’ll be good.

The Mexican in Town is where I’ve gotten my Mexican fix in Kuta for years and years. I always get the chips and salsa, the tuna tostada and the Raja fish tacos, with a frozen watermelon margarita.

The seating is simple with wooden tables and stools, but the ambiance is always great with good music and twinkle lights.

Psst. There’s another Mexican in Kuta now, Cantina Mexicana. And I have to admit that it is even better than The Mexican in Town. So just to be sure, you should try both!

Where: Jl. Pariwisata Pantai Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm (12 on Thursdays).

10. Umibozu Ramen Bar

Umibozu Ramen Bar is a tiny little Japanese eatery with only 6-7 seats close to Kuta Beach. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in flavor. This place packs a punch!

I have to be honest, I’m not big on ramen, but the sushi here is to die for. Exactly the thing I always crave after weeks of Mie Goreng and Nasi Campur. My favorite on the menu is the tuna Inari sushi, which is tuna tartare and rice in fried tofu pockets.

Remember to book your seats through the link in their Instagram bio, or else you might have to make do with takeout.

Where: Jalan Raya Pantai, Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

11. Terra – Plant based food

Terra is a unique culinary destination in Kuta Lombok, with a philosophy of eating for holistic well-being.

Specializing in colorful raw, vegan, and vegetarian dishes, over 20% of the vegetables come from Terra’s
organic garden. Not only do they make their own coconut milk, but they also “activate” the seeds, nuts and rice to increase its nutrient value.

Choose from the menu created by Chef Mamiko, a former teacher at the Japanese, Macrobiotic School, or put together your own plate of goodness. Enjoy your meal at the rooftop terrace, adorned with lush greenery, on days with a breeze. Or bring your computer to work in their AC area.

Where: Jl. Pariwisata Pantai Kuta, Lombok.

When: Open daily 8:00 am – 9:00 pm

12. My favorite local warungs

To save money on food, eat where the locals do, always. The traditional Sasak and Indonesian food served at roadside stalls and beach warungs isn’t just cheap but incredibly flavorful and delicious.

So when I’m in Indonesia I try to eat local at least once a day. The picture above is from a lunch at Mawun, one of the best beaches in Kuta. I think we only paid 50k / $4 for this lemon iced tea and Nasi Goreng.

My favorite warung in Kuta is Warung Bude where you get rice as a base and then choose your own toppings from the counter. It’s called Nasi Campur and it is the best.

I also love Warung Turtle over at Tanjung Aan Beach, one of the first warungs I visited almost 10 years ago. Their seasonal fruit platter is always the bomb, and so are their coconut-crusted spring rolls.

I also have to mention Warung Chef Satar just west of central Kuta. And don’t forget to finish your day with a fluffy soufflé pancake from Cozy House. I always have mine with Nutella, they are so yummy.

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