11 Best Restaurants in Bintan that Prove It’s More Than Just a Seafood Paradise

Just a short boat ride away from Singapore, the beach paradise of Bintan is famous for its beautiful resorts, white sandy beaches, water sport activities and, of course, amazingly fresh seafood.

You’ve got two options for getting to Bintan from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal: getting dropped off at either the Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal in Lagoi, or the Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal in Tanjung Pinang. Lagoi is situated closer to the Bintan Resorts cluster, while the main town of Tanjung Pinang puts you in the island’s main hub of activity.

Whether you’re starting in Lagoi or Tanjung Pinang, we’ve got you covered with Bintan food spots for every price point and palate. Think surprisingly affordable restaurants hidden within resorts, romantic sunset dinners with a view, super cheap street food and more! Plus, it’s super easy to get around with a Bintan Island Car Charter, so distance will never be an issue.

We have an exclusive summer special for your holiday getaway too – read to the end to find out more.

Situated near Plaza Lagoi and Lagoi Beach, Warung Yeah! is one of the island’s best rated eateries, for its line up of traditional and updated Indonesian delights.

Get an order of the Ayam Bakar, which is charcoal grilled till the chicken’s kecap manis-glazed exterior is smokey and caramelized. Meat-free doesn’t mean flavor-free – Warung Yeah’s Tahu Telor, or Indoensian tofu egg omelette, is all kinds of crispy and is served drenched in a sauce that’s sweet, sour and spicy. Other popular dishes include Beef Rendang, Ayam Penyet, and their spins on the always-addictive Fried Indomie.

Quench your thirst with a freshly cracked coconut, or opt for their special Bintan Coco drink that comprises of fresh coconut water, creamy slices of coconut flesh, basil seeds and a dusky layer of gula melaka syrup!

Warung Yeah!

Address: Jl. Gurindam Duabelas, Teluk Sebong Lagoi Bintan Utara, 29155, Kepulauan Riau

Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 9pm

When in Bintan, at least one seafood feast is essential. Floating above the water on stilts, The Kelong Seafood Restaurant in Nirwana Gardens is perfect for all kinds of fresh, locally-caught seafood and panoramic views of the sea!

Their super fresh crabs are a must-try. Pick from classic flavors like Black Pepper, or try the more out-there Salted Egg and Honey Crab, which comes slathered in an addictive sweet-and-savory golden sauce and aromatic curry leaves.

For carbs, the Indonesian-style Nasi Goreng packs a punch – extra flavorful with the dark-brown rice grains shiny and al dente, all topped with that quintessential runny-yolked fried egg.

Address: Nirwana Gardens, Jl. Panglima Pantar, Lagoi, Bintan Resorts, Tj. Uban Sel., Bintan Utara, Kabupaten Bintan, Kepulauan Riau 29152, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 10.30pm

For cheap Indonesian eats at hawker centre prices, head out to Pujasera Food Centre close to the Lagoi resort cluster. This local eating spot is rather reminiscent of our food centres back home – with the food being quite a bit cheaper too!

From crispy egg-topped Mie Goreng to Nasi Campur loaded with tempeh, veggies and rendang, you’ll definitely find something to fill you up without putting much of a dent in your wallet.

4. Treetops

If you have a bit more cash to splurge on a dining spot with a stunning view, Treetops at Banyan Tree Bintan is the place for you. Take your seats at the patio before sunset, and watch the blue skies transform in shades of gold and red as you savor your dinner and drinks.

Serving classic Indonesian dishes using premium ingredients, Treetops lets diners choose from Degustation and family-style “Rice Table” menus, or to order a la carte dishes instead. With a whole coriander-marinated duck deep fried and served on a bed of aromatic lemongrass rice, the signature Bebek Goreng Ketumbar is a must-try. You can’t go wrong with Sate Campur either. As a bonus, the juicy skewers of chicken and beef are served smoking-hot at the table atop a mini grill!

Address: Jalan Teluk Berembang Laguna Bintan Resorts, Lagoi 29155

Opening Hours: Daily, 7am – 11pm

Dining in Lagoi resorts doesn’t have to cost a bomb, as Haskell’s Cafe in Bintan Lagoon proves. Tucked right beside the Bintan Lagoon’s golf course, the vibe at Haskell’s is super chill and relaxed, with a great view of the greens.

Their menu has a range of Western and Southeast Asian dishes, from Classic Burgers to Ikan Goreng, for between SGD $12-$20. Try the Nasi Liwet ala Sunda for a sampling plate of tempeh, fish and chicken, accompanied by fragrant coconut rice cooked with anchovies.

Address: Jl. Indera Segara Site A12 Lagoi, Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands 29155, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

For a meal accompanied by sea breeze and a view, Nelayan at Bintan Lagoon checks all the boxes. If you’re staying in the resort, head down in time to catch the breakfast service, and grab the patio seats right by the sands!

In the evenings, head here to catch the sunset over a spread of local and international signatures, from Seafood Risotto to the Catch of the Day that’s cooked in a banana leaf with a side of polenta.

Nelayan’s bar opens right out to the beach – the perfect ambience for a round (or three) of drinks. With classic Whiskey Sours and Margaritas, as well as Nelayan signatures like the tropical Beach Coconut, it’s the perfect spot for a nightcap.

Nelayan Restaurant

Address: Jl. Indera Segara Site A12 Lagoi, Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands 29155, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

If you’re staying out in Treasure Bay at The Canopi, save a dinner for their DIY BBQ to complete your glamping experience. The staff will set up a barbeque pit on your tent’s private patio, and deliver the ingredients right to your doorstep! You’ll order per pax and portions are fairly generous – just the way to wind down a full day of activities.

While you’re in Treasure Bay, take a water park adventure out to Chill Cove @ Treasure Bay Bintan with water slides, lagoon rides and much more!

Address: Treasure Bay Bintan, Jl. Raya Haji No.Km 1, Sebong Lagoi, Tlk. Sebong, Bintan Island, Kepulauan Riau 29152, Indonesia

When in Indonesia, you’ve have to get martabak manis at least once. In Bintan, one of the best places for this popular Indonesian street snack is the Martabak Bangka 1889 food stand in Tanjung Pinang.

For the uninitiated, martabak manis starts with a sweet leavened batter that’s cooked on a huge griddle, forming a pancake that’s so thick and fluffy it’s nearly cake-like. Once one side has gotten crispy and golden, dollops of Dutch butter are swiped across the still-hot pancake, before the toppings are piled on top. Salty shaved cheese, chocolate sprinkles, crushed peanuts coconut jam, whatever your heart desires.

And if that doesn’t sound indulgent enough, the pancake is then lashed with drizzles of condensed milk, before being folded, sliced, and served.

Heart-stopping, but oh so good.

Address: Jalan Raja Ali Haji, Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia

For an upscale al fresco meal that’s still pretty affordable, head to The Manabu in Sedaap Bintan Resort. The Manabu is quite a hot spot for the locals as well – that’s when you know the place has got to be good.

This elegant yet cosy restaurant has a menu featuring both Indonesian staples and international favorites not unlike what you’d find in a resort-style restaurant – except at lower prices! Starters and appetisers are priced under SGD $6, with mains like Cantonese-style Steamed Fish, Spanish Paella, Bebek Goreng and all sorts of meat stews for under SGD $12 – you can even get Handmade Pizzas!

Cap off your meal with a huge Ice Cream Sundae, piled high with tropical fruit and served in a creamy-fleshed fresh coconut!

Address: Jl. Hang Tuang No.17 Hotel Sadaap (Atas) Tepi Laut, Tanjung Pinang Kota, Tanjungpinang City, Tanjung Pinang City, Riau Islands, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm – 1am

For an Indonesian nasi padang experience quite unlike the ones you’ll typically experience back home, head to the Tanjung Pinang outpost of Restoran Sederhana Masakan Padang. This popular Padang cuisine franchise serves their cooked dishes hidang-style, with the restaurant’s bounty brought right to your table – practically a mini-buffet!

You pay for the amount of what you eat, so take small portions of everything to try first, before diving in for seconds. The Beef Rendang, Telong Balado (spicy eggplant) and Minang-style Ayam Pop go great with rice. Don’t forget to pile on the sambal.

Address: Tepi Laut Jl. Hang Tuah No. 11 (Tepi Laut) Kep. Riau

Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 9pm

Tucked away on Trikora Beach in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, Pizza Casa Italia brings a taste of Italy to the shores of Bintan. This hidden gem is run by an Italian family, who makes their hand-stretched thin crust pizzas to order and bakes them off in a wood-fired oven that was flown over from Italy!

Aside from the traditional Margherita, Pizza Casa Italia also has an interesting range of local-inspired pizza flavors well-loved by locals and tourists alike. The sweet corn-speckled Pizza Jagung and fiery chilli Pizza Cabe are surprising favorites!

Pizza Casa Italia

Address: Malang Rapat, Gunung Kijang, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm. Closed Mondays.