While far from being Bangkok, Phnom Penh, or even Datong the Street Food Dili scene is actually pretty diverse and overall of a fairly good standard. And while it is unlikely to be winning awards any time soon, you will far from go hungry here.
And the good news too is that if you come during a big celebration, such as Timor-Leste National Day then the Dili Street Food scene really comes alive.
You can check out my piece on Timor-Leste cuisine here.
Table of Contents
What the Dili
Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, is one of the youngest and least visited countries in Asia. Gaining independence in 2002 after a long and bloody struggle, the country is now finding its feet, and tourism is slowly beginning to take root. Dili is the capital and by far the largest city, although that still only amounts to around 200,000 people. Located on the coast and surrounded by mountains, it’s got a low-key charm, not unlike a sleepy tropical town with a traumatic past.
Dili serves as the political, cultural and economic centre of Timor-Leste. While the infrastructure can feel rough around the edges, there’s a real energy to the place and a genuine warmth from the people. Add to this beach vibes, jungle views, and a growing number of restaurants and bars and you’ve got a place that’s just waiting to be explored.
Street Food Dili
While street food in Dili is not exactly eclectic there are at least a few things that they do really well. On the top of this list is fish and beach BBQ which pretty much dominates the waterfront of the capital. This also seems to be quite the growth industry as restaurants with tables on the beach, as well as more simple joints seem to be popping up literally everywhere. These places are a great night out with many also serving cocktails for $5, as well as draft Bintang.
Next on the list here is for want of a better word Indonesian food. Sadly (at least in my eyes) Timorese cuisine is still heavily influenced by that of Indonesia. This means a whole heap of Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Mi Goreng (fried noodles) 10 points for whoever guessed that Goreng must mean fried. Now as I have previously written I am not the greatest fan of Indonesian fare, but in fairness Timor do a decent enough job of it.
And then there is raw local style Dili street food, with this particular genre being dominated by BBQ corn on the cob. This is so rampant to almost be confused as a national obsession. You will see this everywhere with it being served with hot sauce and then eaten as god intended by hand.
Drinks wise fresh coconut also seems to be a bit of an obsession with guys selling it almost everywhere, and at just a dollar leaves you wishing frankly that they also sold rum. This is further complemented by ice-cream being everywhere, as well as fruit guys selling fruit over their shoulders. Yep Dili Street Food is simple, but hey it sure does have some island beach sass to it.
Where can I get Dili Street Food?
The good thing about Dili is that despite it being small, the street food is spread out nicely and easy to find if you know where to look. Here’s where to go.
Cristo Rei Beach (Below the Jesus Statue)
This spot is legendary. Locals flock here for swimming, sunset views and naturally a bit of BBQ. You’ll find grilled corn, fish, chicken legs and a whole load of local snacks. It’s also a great place to people watch and relax with a coconut.
Dili Waterfront
This is ground zero for fish BBQ. Many of the restaurants here are set up with plastic chairs right on the sand and it’s here where you’ll get fresh grilled fish straight off the boat. Prices vary, but the seafood is top quality and the beach backdrop doesn’t hurt either.
Harbour Area (During Events)
During big events like Independence Day or National Day this whole area transforms into a carnival of sorts. Expect hawkers, food trucks and pop-up cocktail stands. You can eat and drink the night away here and still get change from a twenty.
The All-Night Fruit Market (Colmera Area)
Not exactly a secret but an essential part of the Dili experience. This is where the city’s night owls, taxi drivers and party crowd all end up at some point. Great for fruit, grilled snacks and chatting to locals. Open all night and one of the more underrated Dili experiences.
Street Food Dili on National Day
During National Day the whole Dili harbour area is converted into party central with hawkers and food trucks selling quite literally everything. This includes a real heavy influence from Indonesia, but thankfully at least the better stuff that they tend to offer, such as satay, boiled BBQ and the like.
They also introduce some street drinking to Dili with pop-up bars serving super cool and strong cocktails, such as caipirinhas and mojitos. These at $5 a pop are great value for Dili, a city notoriously expensive to drink in. This is all hightailed in with what can only be described as a truly awesome party atmosphere within the city. If you want street food in Dili, National Day is the time to get it.
Conclusion on the Street Food Dili Scene
You will not go hungry when you visit Dili, particularly if you like beach BBQ washed down with dodgy Asian beer. Yes a lot of the food is dominated by not so great Indonesian stuff, but you have to look at how far the country has come over these 23 years too.
After all had they not gained independence then they would have the food and nightlife of Kupang and aint nobody got time for that……
Click to check out my Timor-Leste Tours with Young Pioneer Tours.