In actuality Soundana Restorant in Rantepao is the kind of place tour guides take you because it is “safe” and they perhaps get a commission. This though does not mean it is all bad.
The food is actually pretty decent, the location among paddy fields is breathtaking and it scores 4.5 on TripAdvisor. It is also where I managed to get a million views on TikTok (see below).
@thestreetfoodguys #ankar #totaja #rantepao #indonesia #indonesiatiktok🇮🇩 @Paul’s beer and random videos @Young Pioneer Tours ♬ original sound – TheStreetFoodGuy
Table of Contents
What the Soundana Restorant?
Soundana Restorant, also listed as Soundana Resto & Cafe, is located in Buntu Barana in the Tikala area of North Toraja, just outside central Rantepao. It is a relatively modern restaurant with a traditional Torajan feel, sitting alongside the rice paddies. The restaurant serves Indonesian, Torajan and more international-style food and is clearly geared towards both local customers and tourists.
There is not much publicly available information about its founding or ownership, so I shall not dwell on it greatly. What is clear though is that it is a well known and well run tourist friendly restaurant. The end!
The Menu at Soundana Restorant
So people come here for seafood I am told. I was also acutely aware just how far from the sea we were. Therefore our group went for safe local options. I for one had the fried noodles with sambal, as well as some fried rice, also with sambal. Not rocking the earth, nor getting it wrong.
They also got some beers, with me as you have seen doing Anker. Decent, but no Bintang either.
Soundana Restorant Menu
- Nasi Goreng – IDR 30,000–40,000 (US$1.80–2.40)
- Mie Goreng – IDR 30,000–40,000 (US$1.80–2.40)
- Ayam Goreng – IDR 40,000–50,000 (US$2.40–3.00)
- Ikan Goreng – IDR 45,000–60,000 (US$2.70–3.60)
- Seafood dishes – IDR 50,000–75,000 (US$3.00–4.50)
- Torajan dishes – IDR 40,000–75,000 (US$2.40–4.50)
- Anker Beer – IDR 40,000–50,000 (US$2.40–3.00)
Location of Soundana Restorant
Soundana Restorant
Jl. Poros Barana
Buntu Barana, Kec. Tikala
Kabupaten Toraja Utara
Sulawesi Selatan 91833
Indonesia
Phone: +62 852-9971-4707
If you want REAL local food go to Warung Pong Buri, but if you need an easy meal while touring Rantepao then Soundana Restorant does the job.