Inggil 

Often thought to be a museum at first, as it displays old Javanese artifacts at the entrance, Inggil is actually a restaurant and gallery that serves Indonesian cuisine. Located not far from Malang open town square (Alun-alun), the building is divided into several rooms with different décor. The first room near the entrance, for instance, has its walls plastered with old cassette tapes.

A room at Inggil in Malang, East Java, that has old cassette tapes on its walls. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

It also has a semi-outdoor area at the back that is separated by a small fountain. Covered in bamboo trusses as the roof, this area has a stage with live performances of Javanese karawitan (music ensemble) and gamelan on Friday and Saturday nights.

Chicken satay, grilled gourami and 'sambal terasi' (chili sauce made out of shrimp paste) at Inggil. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

Among the most-recommended dishes to try there are the grilled gourami and chicken satay with prices starting from Rp 16,000 per ounce for the gourami. It also provides different types of sambal (chili sauce). 

Address: Jl. Gajahmada No. 4, Malang, East Java.

Operational hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Madam Wang Secret Garden

Nestled in a residential area, Madam Wang Secret Garden is the place for people to hang out. Serving Indonesian and Western cuisine, the restaurant is divided into several areas with different concepts, starting from a gypsy-like quarter to a glass house and a semi-outdoor area in the back. The place is also in the same building with a boutique.

One of the rooms at Madam Wang Secret Garden restaurant in Malang, East Java. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

They have savory and heavy meals, but their desserts are too delicious to resist, especially Malang’s iconic apple strudel that comes with apple sauce and vanilla ice cream. It is priced at Rp 25,000. The restaurant also comes with a gelato bar.  

Apple strudel with apple sauce and vanilla ice cream. The strudel is tender, but it still has the crunchiness and small bits of apple flesh. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

Address: Jl. Telomoyo No. 12, Malang, East Java.

Operational hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Monday – Thursday), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Friday), 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Saturday) and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sunday).

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Depot Widari

Depot Widari is considered one of the most popular breakfast joints in Malang, especially for families. Situated near the Mall Olympic Garden, the restaurant provides Chinese cuisines and some of them contain pork. Among recommended menus to try are their noodles, along with fried chicken served with different sauces and fried rice. A portion of pangsit mie bakso (noodle with dumplings and meatballs) costs Rp 28,000, while a plate of nasi mawut (fried rice mixed with vegetables, meat and noodle) is priced at Rp 32,000. Vegetarian dishes are also available.  

Depot Widari's generous portion of 'pangsit mie bakso' with rich broth, tender meatballs and noodles to warm your belly in the morning. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

Address: Jl. Kawi Atas 33, Malang, East Java.

Operational hours: 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

RM Kerta Sari 

The legendary RM (Rumah Makan or restaurant) Kerta Sari was built in 1972 and it has outlets in Malang and East Java city of Batu. Their Malang outlet still maintains the atmosphere from the past, but they keep it humble and comfortable. Kerta Sari provides fried chicken menu, along with various types of satay, seafood, pepes (steamed seafood wrapped in banana leaves) and sambals. Vegetarians won’t miss out here. Kerta Sari fried rice dishes start from Rp 22,500 for a quarter chicken.

Chicken satay at Kerta Sari. Served while hot, the satay is covered with the right amount of peanut sauce. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

Address: Jl. Letjen Sutoyo 78 – 80, Malang, East Java.

Operational hours: 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (wng)