10 Indonesian Restaurants in Sydney: Find Out Where to Eat!
Indonesian cuisine is a vibrant and flavorful fusion of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients that have gained popularity in Sydney’s food scene. With so many Indonesian restaurants to choose from, it can be challenging to decide where to go for an authentic and satisfying meal.
Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice with Egg). Credit: canva
Are you a fan of nasi goreng or satay? Be sure to check out our list to find your new favorite Indonesian restaurant in Sydney.
Satay Ayam (Chicken Satay with peanut sauce). Credit: canva
The Sambal is an Indonesian casual, rustic-chic restaurant that offers halal Indonesian dishes, beer, wine & packaged snacks. It is in the CBA area, about 400 meters from Darling Harbour and just 1 block from the Queen Victoria Building.
Address: shop a/432 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
“Went to the Sambal for lunch and had a great feed. Fast service and a very friendly team. Only let down was the online ordering system was confusing and frustrating…”
“Delish!
We ate in for lunch.
We ordered:
Sate sapi – Grilled beef skewers with tomato & sweet soy sauce, served with pickles;
Iga Bakar Sambal Matah – Grilled beef short ribs with Bali style sambal;
Gulai Ayam – chicken curry Padang style;
Cumi Baki – Grilled calamari with special turmeric paste.”
#2 Medan Ciak
Nasi Rendang (Nasi Kapau). Credit: canva
Medan Ciak is a casual restaurant for traditional Indonesian food, including nasi kapau & nasi goreng, plus specials. It is located in the CBD area, between Darling Harbour and Chinatown.
“My go-to place for street style Indonesian cheap eats in the CBD. Their nasi lemak and noodles goreng are must-try dishes. You won’t forget the mouthwatering and authentic feelings after eating them. Friendly service and delicious food…”
“Lovely food, reasonably priced, quick service and the staff were super friendly.
Unfortunately the restaurant was lacking a bit in atmosphere; however, it has a bit of a food court feel.
#3 Lestari Resto
Fried Noodle (Mie Goreng). Credit: canva
Lestari Resto is an Indonesian located near Haymarket and UTS’s main campus. It is a non-halal restaurant.
Address: 96/732 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
“Hands down best indo fried rice in Sydney. Great service. Simple decor, but food makes up for everything. If you get a chance, head there for lunch. You won’t be disappointed. Recommend the pork belly sweet fried rice medium temp. add your sambal and ketchup manis to adjust heat levels.”
“This place can be hard to find as it’s tucked away right at the back of an alley.
I’ve been coming here for a few years, and the food has always been good. Can be slightly greasy at times however the flavours is still there! “
#5 Pondok Buyung Kensington
Rendang. Credit: canva
Pondok Buyung is a halal Indonesian restaurant that specializes in nasi campur (mixed rice).
Address: 140 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033, Australia
“Always great Indonesian food. A favorite for taxi and Uber drivers. One plate is never enough.”
“My favorite Indonesian Padang restaurant in Sydney. I have been coming here for 25 years, and not much has changed. The place was extremely busy, and hard to get a table at lunchtime. People say the food is spicy, but it is also very sweet. Pricing and portion sizes are amazing”
#6 My Delight Traditional Indonesian Kitchen
Beef Noodle Soup. Credit: canva
My Delight is an Indonesian restaurant specializing in beef bowl soup and noodles (Bakmie). The restaurant is located not so far from Sydney airport.
Ayam Goreng 99 is a simple glass-fronted restaurant with an easygoing vibe, dishing up typical Indonesian cuisine. They provide halal food and specialize in ayam goreng or fried chicken. But they also offer other Indonesian cuisines.
Address: 464 Anzac Parade, Kingsford NSW 2032, Australia
Recommended menu: A variety of fried chicken and grilled chicken
Google rating: 4.5/5
Google Reviews:
“Great place, very good takeaway portions, and the dishes are quite tasty. I would recommend their half chicken fried, the sticky sauce it comes with is delicious!”
“Yes i rate this place. The food is consistently good. Read TASTY!
It’s been around literally forever. I’ll be back again soon after lockdown lifts”
#8 Mie Kocok Bandung
Mie kocok Bandung. Credit: canva
Mie Kocong Bandung is a long-running Indonesian restaurant with a down-to-earth atmosphere, serving rice and noodle dishes. They specialize in Mie Kocok (Noodle with beef flavored soup).
Address: Shop 1/104-112 Maroubra Rd, Maroubra NSW 2035, Australia
“Great Indonesian cuisine with a focus on noodles.
Service is fast and friendly, but beware that the place gets busy during the weekends for lunch and dinner.
Affordable, and comes with decent portion sizes.”
Great place, good food, and excellent customer service. Located just 2mins away from Pacific Square Maroubra. Of you’re a noodle lover, definitely worth a try.”
#9 Salt & Palm
Gado Gado. Credit: canva
Salt & Palm is one of the more upscale Indonesian restaurants in Sydney. It is located near Victoria Park and only 1,7 km from Darling Harbour.
This restaurant has a Bali vibe with a relaxing environment. It is a non-halal restaurant.
Address: 22 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia
Price range: $$-$$$
Opening hours: Monday-Tuesday (closed), Wednesday-Sunday (12-30 m, 5-9 pm)
“Good ambiance and friendly staffs. It was my first try at Indonesian food, and I felt very yummy and tasty. I tried grilled squid with sweet soy sauce and fried rice.”
“Ordered the mi goreng and the Balinese chicken with some rice. Both of them were amazing. Great service and nice space.”
#10 Java
Nasi goreng (fried rice). Credit: canva
Java is an Indonesian restaurant that offers Indonesian dishes, including Balinese grills, in a laid-back dining room with maroon-colored walls. The restaurant is not so big, but the reviews were great.
Address: 151 Avoca St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia
“Fantastic service, very attentive and efficient. Very accommodating with menu requests (suggest adding durian pieces to the assorted iced dessert ????). And the rendang was easily the best I’ve had in Sydney!”
“We love the food here.
My favorite would be the sate ayam. The flavor is as I would expect.”
Indonesian Food: What You Need to Know
Indonesian spices. Credit: canva
What is Indonesian food?
Indonesian cuisine is one of the most vibrant and colorful cuisines globally. It is a melting pot of Chinese, Indian, Arabic, and European influences.
If you are looking for an exotic dining experience, Indonesian food is the way to go!
What are the characteristics of Indonesian food?
The food is often spicy and fragrant, focusing on fresh herbs and spices. Rice is a staple in Indonesian cuisine: noodles, meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruits.
What is the internationally most popular Indonesian food?
Some popular Indonesian dishes include nasi goreng (fried rice), satay (grilled meats on skewers), rendang (spicy beef stew), and Gado-Gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce).
