2 Best Restaurants in Bintan Island, Indonesia

Traditional kelongs (floating platforms built on stilts used for fishing) were once off limits to women but those that remain have mostly discarded the superstition. This one at Nirwana Gardens was transformed into a seafood restaurant and now serves fresh catches in a rustic setting overlooking the ocean. Order the black-pepper crab, sea snails (otherwise known as gong gong), butter prawns, or whatever the fresh catch of the day is. Take note that many dishes are sold by weight.

For a taste of authentic Indonesian cuisine in a casual, café setting, this local favorite situated beachfront of Lagoi Bay is popular for traditional Javanese dishes such as smoke-kissed ayam bakar (grilled chicken) and signature nasi goreng Yeah (Indonesian-style fried rice).