While there are a lot of decent restaurants in Senggigi and Lombok in general, the best restaurant in Senggigi is probably Lotus Bayview by my estimation.
Why is this? It’s pretty much a combination of location, price, service, and of course very good food.
What the Senggigi?
Senggigi is essentially the original tourist area of Lombok. Before the gentrification of Kuta (Lombok), or the emergence of Gili Trawangan as the Aussie party island of choice, Senggigi was where the tourists came. Think Bali before Instagram and influencer types turned everything into a goddamn photo op. It is laid back, has beaches, a bit of a nightlife scene, and most importantly for me, a decent street food area right by the Senggigi Art Market.
Lombok itself sits just east of Bali and has long been dubbed “The next Bali,” although it’s been next for about 20 years now. It is predominantly Muslim, which makes it more chill than people expect. The food is a mix of Indonesian staples like nasi campur and soto, but with some excellent local twists like Ayam Taliwang and spicy grilled fish that will blow your face off in the best possible way.
The food scene in Senggigi is a mix of mid-range tourist restaurants, local warungs, and the odd beach shack doing grilled seafood and beers. There are some upscale joints too, mostly attached to hotels, but Lotus Bayview is the best of both worlds — high quality and still local in feel.
What the Lotus Bayview?
Lotus Bayview is part of the Lotus Group, a restaurant chain that has locations throughout Bali and Lombok. This particular branch has been operating since 2009 and has quietly become an institution among regulars to Senggigi. The vibe is chill beach club meets Italian trattoria with a big fat chunk of Southeast Asia thrown in for good measure.
Decor is breezy and coastal without being over-the-top. No beach beds or beanbags, just solid tables and chairs both indoors and literally right on the sand. You can rock up in board shorts and no one will blink. There’s also a great breeze most nights, meaning you get to escape the humid Lombok heat while sipping cocktails and watching the waves. It ticks all the boxes without trying too hard.
Lotus Bayview Location
Lotus Bayview is located quite literally on Senggigi Beach and just walking distance from the main Senggigi street food area. It sits at the back of the Senggigi “Art” market, as well as near the nightlife of the area. Has tables inside, as well as quite literally on the beach. This makes it ground zero for people watching, but also dickheads trying to sell you weed, seemingly unaware that it is haram.
Judging by what I saw at least, the beachside seems to be popular with drinkers, as well as eaters.
Lotus Bayview Address
Lotus Bayview Restaurant
Jl. Raya Senggigi, Senggigi Beach
West Lombok, NTB 83355, Indonesia
Phone: +62 370 693847
Website
Google Maps Location.
And the Food Menu
The crowning glory of the place though is of course its menu, something that managed to draw me back three times. Officially the place is Italian and this is evidenced by a fine array of pizzas and pastas, with me personally doing the Gnocchi in mozzarella which was fairly epic.
There is also a decent amount of fusion with the appetizers though too, with there being beef and tuna carpaccio, as well as caesars available. I have to say the Tuna Carpaccio was one of the best tasting and authentic I have had in years, being more Italian and less what people think is Italian than you usually get.
They also have a decent amount of Indonesian, Lombok, and seafood options. Here I had the Ayam Taliwang (spicy local chicken), Ikan Bakar Lombok Style (local spicy fish), Plecing Kangkung (a spinach salad I should have avoided), and seafood satay which came out on its own grill. I also did the seafood medley-type thing with the squid being as good as any that I have had in Cambodia, or even Thailand.
And of course there is also the usual shit of Indonesian cuisine like nasi goreng (fried rice), and mie goreng (fried noodles). These are decent enough, but if you really want that shit go get it for cheaper at a street food stall.
Prices are extremely reasonable with these dishes rarely getting above $6 and even the steak (which I did not have) coming in under $10.
Drinks at the Lotus Bayview
Thankfully, despite being a Muslim island, Lombok seems to have avoided the yoke of Javanese Imperialism and is more relaxed to drinking than even West Timor, or West Papua.
Therefore the Lotus Bayview has all the usual beer favorites, but also some baller international, as well as locally made cocktails for around the $5 or so mark. Alas I did not get their names, but I can confirm that the house specialities, of which there are three, are as tasty as they are strong. Soft-drink-wise, Lotus Bayview is fully equipped to a level that also includes a good old fresh coconut.
The Service
Service at the Lotus Bayview was actually extremely good, with the staff being pretty helpful while not being overbearing at all. This evidenced itself to me in that they tried to engage me as I was alone, but also appreciated when they realized I was quite OK by myself. And when I was with my travel guests they adapted accordingly.
I’m also happy to say that they take cards, meaning I could put it on the platinum Amex and simply worry about it later.
So yeah, while I did not go to every restaurant I am still confident enough to name the Lotus Bayview as the best restaurant in Senggigi, if not Lombok itself.
Click to check out my Indonesia Tours with Young Pioneer Tours (we do not currently visit Lombok).