Lombok's best surf spots

Indonesia produces some of the world’s best coffee. With its mix of local and international expats and tourists, Lombok is a destination that loves its coffee!  Lombok itself is a major producer of coffee in Indonesia, both for domestic and export usage. Many of the coffee shops around town use locally produced or barley-produced coffee beans, and they are divine.
If you have some spare time while in Lombok, we highly recommend you go up north near the volcano and visit some of the plantations and try for yourself some of the freshly roasted beans.

Check out the Lombok Guide

Here are a few of our favorite spots for good coffee and good times.

Kopi Local!
If you really want the true Indonesian experience and that racy robusta kick in the morning, then you’ll have to seek out the coffee lady, who moves around town roasting beans for all who crave them.

An intense flavor that is very smoky and definitely unique, this coffee is usually drank black or with condensed milk and is a favorite of the local laborers, fishermen, and truck drivers. Your best chances of finding local coffee makers are along the beachfront or at local markets early in the morning.

Milk Espresso
It’s been closed for awhile during the pandemic but is about to reopen, and if anything like before, it will be excellent. The owners have a long history of running cafes in Australia, and this venue is spectacular—great coffee, great food, and a real central meeting point for the whole town.
https://www.instagram.com/milk.lombok

Bush Radio
A favorite of ours for the morning, the team at Bush Radio knows their stuff when it comes to coffee and has a fantastic snack-style menu to enjoy while you have your coffee.  It’s a popular hangout for people working online and getting together before or after a surf.

https://www.instagram.com/bush.radio

The Breakery
The Breakery not only delivers spectacular French baking but also a well priced and good range of coffee, again this is one of the very popular meeting places in the morning and opens around 6 am.

https://www.instagram.com/thebreakerylombok

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Indonesia is well known for its wide diversity of culture, customs, and people, and this is wholesomely represented in its food and dining culture.

Lombok is no exception, and we have put together a list of the best local foods in Lombok that you must try.

1. Plecing Kangkung
One of the most appetizing Lombok specialties you must taste is Plecing Kangkung, and it is definitely recommended for all vegetable and seafood lovers. This spicy water spinach salad has a limp look but a crunchy texture. The blanched veggies are topped with a chili and shrimp paste dressing, grated coconut, garlic, deep-fried peanuts, and lime juice.
Taliwang H. Moerad’s House
Address: Jl. Pelikan, Pejanggik, Kec. Mataram, Kota Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Barat
Opening Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2. Ayam Taliwang

Ayam Taliwang is a traditional Indonesian grilled chicken dish.Yet, what makes it unlike other Indonesian grilled chicken is the main ingredient, or “ayam kampung,” meaning chicken from the village—it usually tends to be smaller, juicier, and more organic than the rest. The fowl is covered in “taliwang” sauce, made of shrimp paste, garlic, lime juice, chilies, salt, and candlenuts. Gobble it up while it’s still hot.
Rumah Makan Taliwang
Address: Jl. A. A. Gede Ngurah No. 26, Cakranegara Timur, Cakranegara, Kota Mataram
Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

3. Sate Bulayak
What distinguishes this beef satay from other skewered dishes is its companion, known as Bulayak.It’s a type of compressed rice cake wrapped in palm leaves with an elongated shape. This special dish is served with a spicy coconut milk sauce. There are plenty of vendors selling this food; however, the one in Taman Suranadi is highly recommended.
Sate Bulayak Suranadi
Address: Suranadi, Narmada, West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4. State Rembiga
Sate Rembiga has been popular since the Pejanggik royal family, in Rembiga Village, introduced it to the public. This typical dish is made of marinated diced beef, skewered, and then grilled over hot charcoal. The blend of spicy and sweet flavors whets everyone’s appetite. Enjoy it with either steamed rice or compressed rice cake.
Warung Sate Rembiga Utama
Address: Jl. Wahidin Sudirohusodo No. 5, Rembiga, Selaparang, Kota Mataram
Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

5. Ares
It might sound bizarre to hear that banana stems can be turned into a delicious meal—but that’s how Ares is made. This dish is commonly found in wedding ceremonies and religious festivals, and it is a type of curry in which beef, chicken, and fish are all included. The meat is simmered together with coconut milk and some aromatic herbs, such as galangal, ginger, and turmeric.
Lombok Waroeng Ares
Address: Jl. Raya Senggigi No. 18, Meninting, Batu Layar, Kabupaten Lombok Barat
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

6. Sate Ikan Tanjung
Sate Ikan Tanjung is so named because it originates from Tanjung, a district of North Lombok. Ground fish, mostly tuna, is mixed with galangal, coconut milk, lemongrass, chilies, garlic, and kaffir lime leaves, then pressed onto a bamboo stick and grilled over smoldering coal. You should go in the afternoon or evening to find vendors selling this seafood dish.
Sate Ikan Khas Tanjung
Address: Jalan Raya Tanjung, Sokong, Tanjung, Sokong, Tanjung, Kabupaten Lombok Utara
Opening Hours: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Nasi Puyung Lombok

7. Nasi Puyung
Nasi Puyung is basically steamed rice; it’s usually accompanied by several traditional dishes, such as Ayam Suwir (shredded chicken cooked with lemongrass, chilies, and shrimp paste), Kering Kentang (crispy fried potato slices), Tumis Kacang (sauteed string beans), and sambal (spicy hot sauce). Add some fried soy beans for the garnish, and you have the perfect meal.
Inaq Esun Nasi Balap Puyung
Address: Jl. Raya Puyung, Puyung, Jonggat, Kabupaten Lombok Tengah
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

8. Bebalung
“Bebalung” means “animal bone,” and this dish is made from either goat or cow ribs. This soupy meal is available during cultural festivals and always overshadows other Lombok specialties. The ribs are stewed with tamarind leaves, garlic, shallots, ginger, galangal, salt, and pepper. It is served hot with steamed rice, lime juice, and spicy hot sauce (sambal).
Warung Bebalung Sapi
Address: JL Surenadi Narmada, RT. 01, Narmada, Lembuak, Mataram, Lombok Barat
Contact numbers: +62 879-1796-3331

9. Ikan Bakar Pantai Nipah
One of the greatest ways to enjoy an exotic Lombok beach is by having a bite of Ikan Bakar Pantai Nipah, which is a special grilled fish found on Nipah Beach. The fish is marinated in varied seasonings, such as lime juice, garlic, chilies, ginger, and sweet soy sauce, then grilled over hot coals. Other variations include squid and shrimp, and you shouldn’t miss out on any of these fine meals.
Ikan Bakar Pantai Nipah
Address: Pemenang, Kabupaten Lombok Utara
Opening Hours: 24 hours

10. Beberuk Terong
Are you an eggplant lover? If so, try Beberuk Terong, a tasty dish that comes in two types: raw and cooked. The raw version is normally devoured with spicy tomato sauce and chopped string beans, while the cooked version is usually roasted, shredded, and topped with spicy sambal. It’s good to eat it with steamed rice, Plecing Kangkung, and Ayam Taliwang.
Kerandangan: Ikan Bakar, Sate Bulayak, and Pelecing Kangkung
Address: Jl. Raya Senggigi No.16, Senggigi, Batu Layar, Kabupaten Lombok Barat
Opening Hours: 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Lombok foods are indeed worth trying.

If you are about to visit Lombok, be sure to include a culinary trip in your main itinerary. Try an assortment of delicious cuisine, from the fresh Lombok salad called Plecing Kangkung and Beberuk Terong to the tender, grilled, organic chicken known as Ayam Taliwang.

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Are you looking for the best villa in Lombok to enjoy your stay on the beautiful tropical island of Lombok? Then look no further! Lombok Island is only a twenty-minute flight from Bali and boasts awe-inspiring natural scenery, rich cultural diversity, and some of the best beaches, mountains, and surf in the world.

Interested in wellness in Lombok?  Click here for more information.

For many years, Lombok has been known for the five-star resort hotels and independent villas found along its north-eastern coast, namely in Senggigi as well as the three Gili Islands to its north.  

In the last five years, Lombok has developed, and a more independent, boutique style of accommodation can be found along the south coast, in and around Kuta and Selong Belanak.

South Lombok
The south of Lombok offers a more natural and unscripted experience, with arguably far nicer beaches and a less developed and more natural feeling to the area. South Lombok also attracts a younger European clientele, and because of this, it is host to many wonderful international restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops for tourists and locals to enjoy. When searching for the best villa in Lombok, there are many options and many locations worth considering; however, it is our opinion that Kuta in south Lombok is both strategically and conveniently the best location to enjoy your holiday. Since the airport moved from the north of the island to the south, Kuta is only a short drive from the International Praya Airport. The close proximity to the airport and ferry ports makes the south of Lombok very easily accessible and convenient, especially now that international flights are flying directly to the airport.

Surfing in Lombok has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to key factors like crystal-clear water, excellent swells, and uncrowded breaks catering to surfers of all levels.

While it’s not possible to list every location in Lombok, the majority of waves can be found on the island’s southern and southwestern shores.

Some fantastic waves are also present in the north around Sengiggi and Gili Trawangan, though their availability depends on conditions and swells. The southern region, especially near the town of Kuta, boasts numerous beaches such as Air Guling, Seger, Tanjung Ann, Mawi, and Gerupuk. Progressing along the coastline, you’ll encounter countless waves of varying difficulty levels, culminating in the world-class wave at Dessert Point. While accessing Dessert Point often requires a boat, other waves in Lombok are easily reachable by car or bike. Although some spots necessitate a bit of a drive, the reward is often the presence of uncrowded conditions.

Click here to see our Lombok Guide.

Lombok’s Optimal Surfing Season

Lombok offers year-round surfing opportunities, with diverse options including beach breaks and point breaks suitable for all conditions. We suggest consulting magic seaweed before heading out.

For intermediate to expert surfers, the wet or rainy season (October to April) is generally ideal, although favorable conditions persist throughout the year, requiring a bit of exploration.

The dry season provides its own attractions; this is when spots like Mawi and Dessert Point shine brightest. These locations benefit from offshore winds and larger swells during the dry season, creating splendid hollow barrels. If you’re not chasing barrels, you can enjoy the more sheltered spots in Ekas, Gerupuk, and Tanjung Aan during the less windy days.

Learning to Surf

Numerous surf camps and instructors are available around Kuta and the broader area. The Villa Amani team is more than willing to help you connect with various operators, providing options that often include board rental, transport, and additional fees.

We will soon update our list of surf camps and instructors to ensure a comprehensive surfing experience. Here are a few operators who have garnered positive feedback from our previous guests:

– Xanadu Surf Camp
– Visit Lombok
– Lombok’s Kura Kura

Interested in wellness in Lombok?  Click here for more information.