Information Restaurant

Those dining out on the island of Lombok are strongly advised to at least sample some of the sumptuous Indonesian fare on offer here. Plenty of traditional Indonesian restaurants (warungs) and similar eateries are dotted around the main resorts and provide visitors with the chance to enjoy some delicious, tropical food.

In the many beach resorts of Lombok, restaurants often enjoy impressive ocean views and outdoor terrace areas, with alfresco dining being especially popular in fine weather. The cuisine of Lombok is quite similar to that on the islands of Bali and Java, with common ingredients being rice, lemon grass, peanut sauce, soy sauce, spices, mangoes and hot chillis.

What to Eat
Literally translated, Lombok actually means 'chilli pepper', although don't be too alarmed by this - the food isn't overly spicy and there is a lot of choice. A condiment known as 'Sambal' regularly accompanies most meals, although this really is hot and should be used very sparingly. Popular restaurant dishes include:

• Ayam Taliwang - chicken with a rich tomato and turmeric sauce
• Kangkung Pelecing - spicy vegetables with a sauce of tomato, chilli, lime and fish paste
• Nasi Campur - mixed rice, served with either chicken or beef
• Sate Ikan Tanjung - grilled tuna or snapper, flavoured with lemon grass and coconut milk
• Sate Pusut - minced fish and shrimps, with coconut, citrus and chilli
• Urap Urup - mixed vegetables with coconut

Where to Eat
As you would rightly expect, the best selection of dining establishments on Lombok reside within the main tourist cities, towns and resorts. The capital city of Mataram has plenty of Indonesian restaurants to choose between, as well as a multitude of Western-style fast-food eateries. In particular, the Mataram Mall is home to both a McDonald's outlet and KFC.

In the centre of Senggigi, on the western coast of Lombok, a wealth of restaurants await holidaymakers, a number of which even lay on complimentary transport for those dining out during the evening. Indonesian street food is also incredibly popular in Senggigi, with noodles and satay chicken galore. At Kuta Beach, warungs and rustic dining venues line the esplanade and overlook the beachfront, while on the Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan boasts everything from Japanese-style sushi, to a hearty Irish stew.

Do note than since Lombok is a mainly Muslim island, some restaurants do not serve alcoholic drinks. If you are able to order wine or beer with your meal, it will likely be extremely expensive, due to heavy taxes