If you are planning a trip to Flores Indonesia for Komodo dragons and Kelimutu, the best food and restaurants are concentrated around Labuan Bajo on the west and Moni–Ende on the east, with excellent fresh seafood, spicy local Flores cuisine, and a growing café scene that is very approachable for Singapore travellers.
This guide focuses specifically on the Best Food and Restaurants in Flores: Komodo Dragons and Kelimutu, and fits within Homejourney’s wider Flores travel pillar – see the full overview here: Flores Travel Guide: Komodo, Kelimutu & East Indonesia | Homejourney .
Why Flores Food Is Worth a Trip (Especially from Singapore)
Flores sits between Bali and Timor in East Indonesia and is famous for two icons: the Komodo National Park near Labuan Bajo and the tri-coloured lakes of Kelimutu near Moni.[1][2] From a food perspective, that geography means one thing – incredibly fresh seafood from the Flores Sea and hearty mountain dishes in the highlands.
From Singapore, Flores works well as an add-on to Bali: most travellers fly Singapore–Denpasar, then connect to Labuan Bajo for Komodo or Ende for Kelimutu.[2][5] In my own trips from Singapore, I usually plan 2–3 nights in Labuan Bajo for island-hopping and seafood dinners, then 1–2 nights in Moni for Kelimutu and simple village-style meals.
Key Food Areas: Labuan Bajo vs Kelimutu / Moni
For this specific subtopic (Komodo and Kelimutu), you can think of Flores food in two main zones that you will almost certainly pass through:
- Labuan Bajo (Komodo gateway) – main restaurant hub, wide range of cuisines, best for café culture, bars, and seafood grills along the waterfront.
- Moni & Ende (Kelimutu area) – homestay-style warungs, very local Lio and Flores dishes, simple but authentic village food with views of rice terraces and cool mountain air.[3][5]
Most Singapore-based travellers I speak with start in Labuan Bajo for island-hopping and bigger restaurant options, then continue east for Kelimutu, traditional villages and quieter food experiences.
Best Food & Restaurants in Labuan Bajo (Komodo Area)
Labuan Bajo is where you will have the greatest variety. The town has transformed from a rustic fishing pier into a small but lively strip of cafés, bakeries, dive bars and seafood restaurants serving visitors heading to Komodo National Park.
1. Waterfront Seafood Grills
Most evenings, the stretch near the main harbour turns into an informal seafood market and grill area. You choose your fish, prawns or squid by weight; staff will grill it with sambal and serve it with rice and vegetables. Coming from Singapore, prices are noticeably lower – a whole grilled fish that might cost S$35 in Singapore typically comes in under S$15 equivalent here (prices fluctuate with season and size, so always confirm weight and price upfront).
Insider tip: Go a bit earlier (around 6–7 pm) to see the sunset over the harbour and avoid the later crowds, especially in June–August high season. I typically carry smaller notes in rupiah so I can pay quickly without waiting for change.
2. Western-Friendly Cafés & Brunch Spots
As Labuan Bajo has grown with dive tourism, a handful of cafés now serve good espresso, smoothie bowls and light brunch plates – a comfort if you are arriving from Singapore on an early flight. Many are on the main hill with partial sea views; most open from around 7.30–8 am and close by 9–10 pm. Expect prices closer to Bali café standards rather than village warung levels, but still below typical Singapore café prices.
Singapore traveller tip: If you are working remotely between dives, choose cafés with visible power outlets and ask about Wi‑Fi speeds before ordering. Connection in Labuan Bajo has improved, but speeds are still below Singapore standards.
3. Local Warungs for Flores & East Indonesia Flavours
For more authentic East Indonesia tastes, step one or two streets inland from the waterfront. You will find warungs selling simple nasi campur (mixed rice), grilled fish, ayam rica-rica (spicy chicken) and vegetable dishes made with local greens and coconut. A filling meal here can be as low as S$3–5 equivalent, making it ideal for budget-conscious travellers or families.
Food safety tip from a Singapore mindset: Choose warungs that are busy with locals, where food turnover is high. I usually skip raw salads and ice in very small stalls and stick to cooked dishes and bottled drinks for extra caution.
Best Food & Restaurants Around Kelimutu: Moni & Ende
Kelimutu National Park sits in eastern Flores, with Moni village as the usual base for sunrise or sunset visits.[2][5] Compared with Labuan Bajo, food here is simpler, cheaper and more home-style – but this is where you feel the heart of Flores hospitality.
1. Homestay Dinners in Moni
Many travellers stay in small guesthouses or homestays in Moni, and the best meals are often in-house set dinners. Typical spreads include grilled fish or chicken, sautéed leafy vegetables, tempeh, sambal and rice, sometimes served family-style around a long table. Prices are commonly quoted per person (for example, around S$6–10 equivalent), and you usually confirm at check-in if you plan to eat in.
Insider tip: Because you may be leaving for Kelimutu at 4 am, ask your homestay to prepare a light early breakfast (banana pancakes, coffee and fruit are common). Many hosts are used to the sunrise routine and can accommodate with some advance notice.
2. Roadside Warungs Between Moni and Ende
The drive between Ende and Moni takes about two hours through rice terraces and small villages.[5] It is worth planning one or two meal stops along the way – small warungs with basic signage often serve surprisingly good grilled fish, mie goreng and kopi Flores (local coffee). I usually ask my driver where he would eat himself; this tends to lead to clean, good-value local spots.
Practical tip: Card acceptance is rare here, so carry enough rupiah for your meals along the journey. As a benchmark, a plate of fried noodles and a coffee can easily be under S$3–4 equivalent in these roadside stops.
3. Village Food & Traditional Lio Dishes
In the hills around Kelimutu you will still find traditional villages where Lio culture is strong. If you join a guided visit, some tours include a home-cooked lunch of corn-based dishes, grilled meat, local vegetables and sometimes palm wine (please drink moderately, especially before mountain drives). Food here is less about presentation and more about community; it pairs well with the cultural context of sacred Kelimutu lakes where local people believe souls rest in the three craters.[4][5]
Must-Try Flores & East Indonesia Dishes
Across Labuan Bajo, Moni, Ende and traditional villages, look out for these staples of Flores and broader East Indonesia cuisine:
- Fresh grilled fish & squid – Simply prepared with lime, salt and sambal; the quality of the catch is the highlight.
- Ikan bakar rica-rica – Grilled fish with a spicy chilli and herb paste; can be quite hot compared to typical Singapore hawker spice levels.
- Nasi campur Flores style – Rice with an assortment of meats, vegetables and sambal; portions are usually generous.
- Kopi Flores – Locally grown coffee from the highlands; often medium-bodied with chocolate notes.
- Corn-based dishes – In the Kelimutu highlands, corn is as important as rice; expect boiled, grilled or mashed corn served alongside vegetables.
Singapore palate tip: If you are not used to very spicy food, mention "tidak pedas" (not spicy) when ordering; most cooks will tone down the chilli or serve sambal on the side.
Safety & Hygiene: Eating Well in Flores with a Singapore Standard
Homejourney’s core value is safety and trust, and that extends to travel advice. Flores is welcoming, but food and water standards are different from Singapore. Based on repeat trips, these practices have worked well for me and other Singapore-based travellers:
- Prefer freshly cooked, hot dishes over food sitting at room temperature for long periods.
- Drink only bottled or filtered water; avoid tap water for brushing teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Use hand sanitiser before meals in more remote traditional villages, especially after handling cash.
- If you have allergies (e.g., shellfish or peanuts), write them down in Bahasa Indonesia to show staff.
