Best Food, Restaurants & Transport in Indonesia: Homejourney Guide

Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding destinations for food lovers, with rich regional cuisines, bustling street food scenes, and world‑class restaurants – all connected by an improving but still complex transport network of domestic flights, ferries and ride‑hailing. This Homejourney guide to the Best Food and Restaurants in Indonesia and Transport gives you practical, safety‑first advice to plan your trip – and shows how frequent travellers between Indonesia and Singapore can also think ahead about lifestyle and property investment.

As a Singapore‑based traveller who hops regularly between Jakarta, Bali and cities like Surabaya and Medan, I’ve learnt that knowing where to eat – and how to move around safely by Indonesia transport, including domestic flights, ferry Indonesia routes and Grab Indonesia – makes all the difference. Homejourney applies the same focus on safety, verification and transparency in travel content that it brings to helping users find and finance homes in Singapore.

Why Visit Indonesia: Overview for Singapore Travellers

Indonesia offers an incredible range of experiences within 1–3 hours’ flight from Singapore: street‑food‑heavy megacities like Jakarta, resort islands like Bali and Bintan, and quieter cultural hubs like Yogyakarta and Lombok. Many Singapore residents treat Indonesia as a weekend playground, a remote‑work base, or a test‑bed before considering a more permanent move in Asia.

Best time to visit: For most popular areas (Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Bintan), the dry season from May to September offers the most reliable weather. Bali can be crowded in July–August and over year‑end holidays, so shoulder months like May–June and September often mean lower hotel rates and shorter queues at popular restaurants.

Getting there from Singapore: Changi Airport offers frequent direct flights to Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta and more, typically 1.5–3 hours. Budget carriers often run early‑morning and late‑night flights – convenient for long weekends but be cautious about tight same‑day connections back to Singapore in case of delays.

Currency tips: Indonesia’s currency is the rupiah (IDR), with large denominations (e.g. IDR 100,000 is roughly around a few Singapore dollars – always verify latest rates before travel). In major cities, cards and mobile payments are widely accepted, but for warungs (small family eateries), traditional markets and some taxis, cash is still essential. Homejourney supports multi‑currency thinking when you later compare Indonesia trip costs with potential Singapore property costs, making it easier to think in both IDR and SGD when browsing listings or finance options.

Top Food Experiences in Indonesia

Indonesia’s food culture is deeply regional. Jakarta’s glossy malls hide excellent padang rice counters, while Bali’s cafes serve some of the region’s best brunches alongside traditional babi guling (roast pork). Here are the most reliable and rewarding experiences if you’re short on time.

Must‑Try Dishes

Nasi Padang (Sumatra style) – Rice with multiple side dishes like rendang, gulai and sambal. In Jakarta, try well‑known chains near office areas at lunchtime when turnover is high for food safety and freshness.
Bakso – Meatball soup sold from street carts and in small shops. As a safety‑first tip, choose stalls that are busy with local office workers and families, and where ingredients are stored chilled rather than left out in the heat.
Nasi Goreng & Mie Goreng – Fried rice and noodles; simple but a good indicator of the cook’s skill. Hotel and mall food courts are safer bets if you have a sensitive stomach.
Sate (Satay) – Skewered meats with peanut sauce; often grilled roadside in the evenings. Look for vendors grilling to order rather than pre‑cooking in bulk.
Regional specialties – Bali’s babi guling and bebek betutu (slow‑cooked duck), Yogyakarta’s gudeg (jackfruit stew), Makassar’s coto Makassar (spiced beef soup).

Best Food and Restaurants in Key Indonesian Cities

Specific venues change quickly, but these patterns and neighbourhoods are consistently reliable and convenient for Singapore travellers.

Jakarta

SCBD & Senopati – Upscale dining and modern Indonesian cuisine, popular with young professionals and expats. Expect pricing closer to mid‑range Singapore restaurants but with generous portions. These areas are also relatively safe to walk in early evenings, though traffic can be intense.
Kemang – Casual cafes, international comfort food and late‑night spots. Many venues here have clear hygiene practices, visible kitchens and digital menus – good signs for cautious diners.
Mall dining – In Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia and Pacific Place, look for well‑known chains and locally loved brands. For families or first‑time visitors, malls provide air‑conditioning, security and clean restrooms – helpful if you’re coming from Singapore’s more regulated food environment.

Bali (South Bali Focus)

Seminyak & Canggu – Cafe culture, vegan options and creative Indonesian fusion. Many restaurants publish detailed menus, ingredient lists and even sustainability practices, which will feel familiar if you’re used to Singapore’s transparent labelling environment.
Ubud – Farm‑to‑table experiences, traditional Balinese feasts and fine dining with rice‑field views. For safety, check recent reviews about water quality and whether ice is filtered; higher‑end places generally follow stricter standards.
Jimbaran – Famous beachside seafood. Always pick stalls with high table turnover and live seafood tanks; avoid shellfish if you have a sensitive stomach or allergy.

Batam & Bintan (Popular from Singapore)

For Singapore residents, Batam and Bintan are easy weekend food escapes reachable by ferry Indonesia services from HarbourFront or Tanah Merah. Waterfront seafood kelongs and large zi‑char‑style restaurants are the main draw, with prices often lower than Singapore’s East Coast seafood spots.

Insider tip: For both Batam and Bintan, try to eat lunch and dinner slightly earlier than local peak hours (e.g. 11.30am–12.30pm and 6pm–7pm). This not only avoids crowds but often means faster service and just‑cooked dishes, which is better for food safety.

Indonesia Transport: How to Move Around Safely

Indonesia is vast. Understanding how Indonesia transport works – from domestic flights to ferry Indonesia routes and Grab Indonesia ride‑hailing – is essential for building a realistic itinerary.

Domestic Flights

For journeys over 300–400 km (e.g. Jakarta–Bali, Jakarta–Medan), flying is almost always the most time‑efficient option. Major airlines operate frequent domestic flights between key hubs, with Jakarta (CGK and HLP) and Bali (DPS) as the main gateways.

Booking tips: Morning flights are less likely to be delayed by cascading weather or congestion issues. Allow at least 3 hours between an international connection and any domestic flight.
Airport transfers: Use official taxis or ride‑hailing apps from signed pickup points. Avoid unmarked touts in arrival halls; this is the most common minor safety risk for new visitors.
Luggage safety: Just as you would flying from Singapore, keep electronics and valuables in cabin bags. Use cable locks for checked luggage on longer domestic connections.

Ferry Indonesia: Short Hops from Singapore

For Batam and Bintan, ferries are the primary link from Singapore. Multiple operators run daily services from HarbourFront Centre and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, with crossings of roughly 45–70 minutes depending on route and sea conditions.

Ticket booking: For weekends and public holidays, buy tickets in advance. Opt for established operators with clear safety briefings, modern vessels and responsive customer service channels.
Onboard safety: Pay attention to lifejacket locations and emergency exits during safety announcements, even if you’re a frequent traveller – a habit I picked up commuting between Singapore and Batam for meetings.
Immigration timing: Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before departure to clear Singapore exit and Indonesia entry formalities smoothly.

Grab Indonesia and Local Transport

Grab Indonesia and other ride‑hailing apps (such as Gojek) dominate urban transport in Jakarta, Bali and other major cities. For Singapore travellers used to Grab’s ecosystem, this makes door‑to‑door movement more predictable.