Unlike Yogyakarta and Badung, food options in the amusingly named Banyuwangi are a wee bit limited. There are, though, a few gems within the city, such as the beachside Watu Dodol.
This is particularly important to know if you are visiting the blue flames of Mount Ijen, as the countryside food options are pretty sparse, to say the least. Also, it overlooks Bali, is on the way to the ferry, has cold beer and the scran is decent.
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What the Watu Dodol?
Watu Dodol Hotel and Restaurant is a 16-room hotel and restaurant on the coast north of Banyuwangi, right beside the main road between Banyuwangi and Situbondo. The property has an outdoor swimming pool, direct beach access, a spa and a restaurant, with views across the Bali Strait towards Bali. It has long been a convenient stop for travellers heading to or from Ketapang Harbour, particularly those who want a meal or an overnight stay before catching the ferry.
One of the more unusual features is the helicopter displayed at the restaurant. Before you get too excited, though, it’s a BO-105 helicopter monument, not a service for flying guests to Bali. Oh and they got seafood.
Click to see my take on the best street food in SEA.
The Menu at Watu Dodol
There’s a few Western bits on the menu, but for the most part this is a proper Indonesian restaurant. This means fried rice and noodles with super spicy sambal, but also fried banana with cheese, to name but a few dishes.
The menu includes Indonesian and Asian dishes, with seafood also available. Exact current menu prices are difficult to verify, so the following are indicative estimates rather than a confirmed price list.
- Nasi goreng: IDR 30,000 to 50,000 ($1.85 to $3.10).
- Mie goreng: IDR 30,000 to 50,000 ($1.85 to $3.10).
- Nasi campur: IDR 35,000 to 60,000 ($2.15 to $3.70).
- Fried chicken: IDR 35,000 to 60,000 ($2.15 to $3.70).
- Ayam kremes: IDR 35,000 to 60,000 ($2.15 to $3.70).
- Cap cay: IDR 30,000 to 50,000 ($1.85 to $3.10).
- Tom yum soup: IDR 45,000 to 80,000 ($2.80 to $4.95).
- Fried banana with cheese: IDR 20,000 to 35,000 ($1.25 to $2.15).
- Fresh fruit juice: IDR 15,000 to 30,000 ($0.95 to $1.85).
The Resort
I know nothing of the resort, so am just relying on Google for this part. I will say, though, that aside from the beach element it looked pretty boring, save the fact they have a chopper, which I assume is to take people to Bali, thus skipping the ferry.
The hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and access to the beach. Its location on the coastal road makes it a practical option for travellers heading to Ketapang Harbour or exploring the area around Watu Dodol.
Accommodation listings advertise rooms from approximately $34 per night. At an exchange rate of roughly IDR 16,000 to the dollar, that works out at around IDR 544,000.
Where the Watu Dodol Restaurant and Resort Is?
Watu Dodol Hotel and Restaurant
- Jl. Raya Situbondo Km. 14, Ketapang, Kecamatan Kalipuro, Kabupaten Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur 68455, Indonesia.
- Telephone: +62 333 510125
- Additional contact number: +62 853 6334 8934
- Hotel telephone: +62 822 2933 1516
- Email: watudodolhotel@yahoo.com
- Website: www.watudodol.com
Restaurant opening hours: 07:00 to 21:00 daily, according to the restaurant listing.
Overall worth a stop for lunch if you hanging the area!
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