For a tiny island, I was pleasantly surprised by the food options and quality on Gili T! Below, I will leave my favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner spots on the island as well as a certain extra gem you won’t be expecting (read to the end to find out what it is!)
Breakfast
Taking first spot is Hello Capitano. Hands down. The view and vibes here alone are incredible, never mind their vast selection of delicious food! The smoothie bowl is served in a coconut and is equally delicious as it is aesthetic.
The pancakes and crepes are surprisingly filling and relatively affordable. These were our go to most mornings! Save on the $ while having delicious food that will keep you going for hours! A win win.
It can be pricey here, depending on what you order. But my God the view! (see a photo below that doesn’t even do it full justice!)
Coffee and Thyme is another favourite. The food and the coffee are great. Like HelloCapitano, it’s on the pricier end of the scale but it also has an amazing view from upstairs and the staff are extremely friendly!
Mango Dive is my favourite budget- friendly breakfast spot. This place is both a hotel and dive centre, but you can walk in, even if you’re not staying there, and order from their breakfast menu! The options are basic- think scrambled eggs, fruit and pancakes. The quality is great though so it really is the perfect cheap and cheerful option for a cash strapped traveller with a bucket list as long as the Empire State!
Lunch
My favouritre lunch spot on the island has to be Manta dive. This restaurant and dive centre is located really near to where the boats pull in. The food is great quality, very affordable, and there is always a great atmosphere around here! It’s an ideal place to people watch and there’s a happy hour for a few casual beers if you fancy!
Melati cottage– this place is right on the beach! We had lunch here once and were really impressed by the quality!, but the best thing about this place is the free cabanas and picnic tables you can use if you order food or a drink! We ate here and left our stuff on a cabana while we went in off the beach in front of it to snorkel! (And saw so many turtles!)
There is no Go Jek service on the Gili Islands, but another thing I really wish I knew sooner was that you can order on WhatsApp from most restaurants and they will deliver to your hotel for a miniscule price! If you are staying somewhere with a nice pool, why not what’s app your lunch to the poolside!
Dinner
Anyone who has really experienced Gili T will know exactly why Jali Kitchen is the absolute BEST place to eat on the whole island. In fact, it has been my favourite place to eat in Indonesia so far! I live in Canggu where you can get all kinds of amazing food, but Jali still takes the lead! The menu here is as diverse as it is affordable. You can get anything from bugers to Indian dishes, and the quality is beyond comparison. My personal favourites are pepes ikan and the butter chicken dish. or desert, carrot cake. This carrot cake is like no other I had ever tasted. And I have eaten A LOT of carrot cake in my life. Get it and thank me later.
Regina Pizzaria – if you’re a pizza lover, this place will not disappoint! The pizza is so fresh and the choices are endless! One of the best pizzas I’ve had in Indonesia! Tip – WhatsApp your order to the beach for lunch – you’re welcome.
CAKE!
Who knew that Gili is home to some of the best cakes ever made?? Hit up Jali for the best carrot cake of your life (as well as many other types) and also Kayu cafe- which has a great selection and is so good!
Service!
If you ever enounter slow service, which you will, remember that you have all the time in the world because while you are on Gili, you are on “island time”! I can definitely confirm for you that this is a real thing and recommend slowing down and appreciating the slower pace of life as it won’t last for ever! Oh and remember to bring lots of cash with you to bring your stress levels right down to zero! Relax, now you’re in Paradise!
