Best Authentic Indonesian Restaurants in Yogyakarta

When the scent of spices and the sound of sizzling charcoal fill the air, you know you’ve arrived in Yogyakarta. This cultural heart of Java is a haven for food lovers, offering a depth of Indonesian flavors unmatched elsewhere. Forget the tourist traps—this guide is your passport to the best authentic Indonesian restaurants in Yogyakarta that are cherished by locals.

Bale Raos-The Sultan's Dishes

Bale Raos - The Sultan's Dishes offers a unique and authentic Indonesian dining experience in Yogyakarta by exclusively serving dishes inspired by the culinary heritage of the Yogyakarta Sultanate (Keraton). Located right next to the palace, the restaurant's beautiful Javanese Joglo architecture and serene atmosphere transport guests, allowing them to literally dine like royalty. The menu features authentic, meticulously prepared recipes—favorites of Sultans from Hamengku Buwono VIII to X—with signature items like Bestik Jawa (Javanese Beef Steak), Bebek Suwar-Suwir (Shredded Duck in Kedondong sauce), and the non-alcoholic, spiced health drink Beer Jawa.

Bale Raos-The Sultan's Dishes
Jl. Magangan Kulon No.1, Yogyakarta
Instagram

Kalluna

Kalluna is a contemporary and aesthetically driven restaurant in Yogyakarta that offers a creative fusion of Western-style steaks and trendy Indonesian cuisine within a beautifully designed, modern setting often described as boho-chic or reminiscent of Santorini. While it is highly popular for its 'Instagrammable' white and wooden minimalist interior and Western-style menu items, it is also noted for its diverse Indonesian offerings, which include elevated classics like Nasi Goreng Nusantara, Crispy Duck Rice, and specialized items such as Lontong Rendang.

Kalluna
Jl. Sajiono No.13, Yogyakarta
Instagram

KESUMA Restaurant

KESUMA Restaurant is often described as a hidden culinary gem in Yogyakarta, celebrated for offering an intimate, authentic, and elevated Javanese dining experience within a beautifully warm, traditional house setting. The restaurant focuses on preparing traditional Indonesian home-cooked dishes (masakan rumahan) using historical recipes with a refined touch and modern presentation, all made without MSG. Signature dishes often highlighted by visitors include their Ayam Bumbu Areh (chicken in a rich, thick coconut gravy with complex Javanese spices) and other local specialties.

KESUMA Restaurant
Gg. Demarkasi No.58, Yogyakarta

Landhuis Resto

Landhuis Resto provides a distinctly nostalgic and authentic Indonesian dining experience in Yogyakarta, set within a beautifully preserved colonial-style Dutch house (Landhuis). The restaurant's vintage decor and antique furnishings successfully create an evocative atmosphere that transports diners back to an earlier era, specifically the 1980s or even the pre-independence time. The menu is devoted to classic, comforting Indonesian home-cooked dishes (masakan rumahan) and Javanese specialties, such as Ayam Goreng Setan (Spicy Fried Chicken), Mangut Lele (Smoked Catfish in spicy coconut broth), and affordable Nasi Rames (rice with assorted sides).

Landhuis Resto
Jl. Ipda Tut Harsono No.28, Yogyakarta
Instagram

Madam Tan

Madam Tan is a well-regarded Indonesian restaurant group in Yogyakarta, offering a wide and diverse menu focused on Indonesian comfort food and dishes inspired by the country's Nusantara (archipelago) and Peranakan culinary traditions. Known for its appealing and often classic ambiance—such as the colonial-style setting of the "Madam Tan Classic" outlet—the restaurant aims to provide an affordable yet high-quality dining experience. Patrons favor their Rice Platters, which beautifully showcase diverse flavors, including the signature Madam Rijstafel (a Dutch-influenced sampler with yellow rice and various sides) and regional specialties like Nasi Campur Dewata (Balinese mixed rice).

Madam Tan
Jl. C. Simanjuntak No.78A, Yogyakarta
Instagram

Ndalem Poenakawan

Ndalem Poenakawan offers a historically rich and authentic Javanese dining experience, set within a preserved heritage building that once served as the first Mayor's Office for the city of Yogyakarta. Co-founded by GKR Mangkubumi, the restaurant's primary mission is to preserve traditional architecture and heritage cuisine, serving a menu that features classic, comforting Javanese dishes like Brongkos Koyor (a spicy coconut milk stew favored by the Sultan) and Keraton-style Sayur Lodeh, alongside traditional beverages such as Bir Jawa and Wedang Setup.

Ndalem Poenakawan
Jl. KH. Ahmad Dahlan No.71, Yogyakarta
Instagram

SELARASA

The name SELARASA (meaning "harmonious taste") appears to be used by several small eateries in Yogyakarta, often under the name "Rumah Makan Selaras" or "Lesehan Selaras," suggesting a focus on affordable and authentic Indonesian comfort food for a local audience. These establishments typically specialize in popular everyday dishes such as Ayam Bakar (Grilled Chicken), various Soto (traditional Indonesian soups like Soto Betawi), Nasi Goreng, and Lesehan (floor seating) style meals with options like fried fish, crispy toppings (kremesan), and a variety of spicy sambals.

SELARASA
Jl. Reksobayan 1, Gang Makmur No.436, Yogyakarta
Instagram

The House of Raminten

The House of Raminten is a widely popular, iconic establishment in Yogyakarta that offers a truly unique and memorable dining experience, blending authentic Javanese cuisine with eccentric and traditional performance art elements. Set in a sprawling building with a distinct royal Javanese palace ambiance, complete with unique lighting, incense, and classical gamelan music, the restaurant is known for its quirky and highly affordable menu. Signature offerings include the traditional Nasi Kucing (small portions of rice with side dishes), various traditional herb drinks (Jamu), and their famous Sego Gudeg.

The House of Raminten
Jl. F.M. Noto No.7, Yogyakarta
Instagram

Warung Bu Ageng

Warung Bu Ageng stands out as a beloved, authentic Indonesian restaurant in Yogyakarta, known for its commitment to preserving and serving traditional Javanese home-cooked dishes (masakan rumahan). Co-founded by renowned Indonesian actor Butet Kartaredjasa, the restaurant offers a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere reminiscent of a classic Javanese house. The menu specializes in comforting, savory dishes that are often hard to find elsewhere, such as Nasi Campur Ayam Bu Ageng (rice with assorted side dishes and chicken), Lodeh Krecek (vegetable curry with crispy cow skin crackers), and their signature Gudeg Manggar (young coconut flower gudeg, a rarer and smoother variation of the famous Jogja dish).

Warung Bu Ageng
Jl. Tirtodipuran No.13, Yogyakarta
Instagram