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Best Food in Samarinda (2026)
Start with the iconic Soto Banjar, a fragrant chicken soup with rice cakes and a hint of cinnamon, best enjoyed at Soto Banjar Bang Haji Udin on Jalan Pangeran Antasari. Anotherβ¦ π Must-Try Dishes
Start with the iconic Soto Banjar, a fragrant chicken soup with rice cakes and a hint of cinnamon, best enjoyed at Soto Banjar Bang Haji Udin on Jalan Pangeran Antasari. Another local favorite is Gence Ruan, a spicy catfish dish, which you can find at Rumah Makan Gence Ruan H. Syamsuddin on Jalan Pahlawan. For a sweet treat, try the traditional kue lumpur, a soft cake made with coconut milk, sold at Pasar Pagi.
πͺ Street Food Hotspots
Head to Jalan Yos Sudarso in the evening, where street vendors set up stalls selling sate, martabak, and fried bananas, with most items priced between Rp 10,000 and Rp 25,000. Another lively spot is the area around Mesjid Raya Darussalam, where you can find grilled corn and soto ayam after sunset. Be sure to try the pisang goreng from a vendor named Pak Joko, known for its crispy batter and sweet caramelized coating.
π½οΈ Top Restaurants
For a sit-down meal, visit Rumah Makan Padang Sederhana on Jalan Ahmad Yani, where a full nasi padang plate costs around Rp 30,000. If you crave seafood, try Kepiting Soka Cak Man on Jalan Gatot Subroto, famous for its soft-shell crab in black pepper sauce, with mains from Rp 50,000. For a modern twist on local cuisine, check out Kaltara Bistro on Jalan Mulawarman, which serves fusion dishes like soto with quinoa, priced between Rp 40,000 and Rp 80,000.
π’ Night Market Finds
The Pasar Malam on Jalan Rajawali operates from 5 PM to midnight and offers a variety of grilled skewers, fried tofu, and sweet iced drinks. Try the sate ayam from stall number 12, which is marinated in a rich peanut sauce and costs Rp 15,000 per skewer. For a refreshing drink, order es campur, a mix of shaved ice, coconut, and jackfruit, available for Rp 10,000.
π° Budget Dining Tips
Most street food meals cost between Rp 10,000 and Rp 25,000, while a meal at a casual restaurant ranges from Rp 30,000 to Rp 60,000. To save money, eat at food courts in malls like Samarinda Central Plaza, where a hearty nasi campur is only Rp 20,000. Avoid tourist-heavy areas near hotels, as prices can be 20% higher.
π Getting Around for Food
Use ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab to reach food spots, as fares within the city center are typically Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000. Alternatively, rent a scooter for around Rp 70,000 per day from shops near the airport, which gives you flexibility to explore. Traffic can be heavy during rush hours (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM), so plan your food trips accordingly.
π° Dessert and Coffee
For dessert, visit Kue Kering Bu Haji on Jalan Diponegoro, which sells traditional cookies and cakes, with a box of assorted kue starting at Rp 50,000. Coffee lovers should stop by Kopi Kaltim on Jalan Antasari, a cozy cafΓ© serving robusta brews from local farms, with a cup costing Rp 15,000. Pair your coffee with a slice of lapis legit, a spiced layered cake, available at the cafΓ© for Rp 12,000.
the soto banjar tip is solid, bang haji udin gets packed around lunch so go before 11 if u want a seat. gence ruan is great but honestly the one at jalan pahlawan is a bit touristy now, i prefer the smaller warung on jalan sekip, same price but they give u more catfish. also if ur into sweets, skip the pasar pagi kue lumpur and grab the ones from the old lady near the samarinda square entrance, she's there till 10am and her batch is always fresh, the pasar pagi ones sit out too long. for night market, the es campur at rajawali is fine but the guy two stalls down does a better one with more coconut, costs 12k but worth it. oh and if u rent a scooter, watch out for the potholes on jalan yos sudarso after rain, they fill up with water and u can't see em
honestly the guide got it right with kepiting soka cak man, that black pepper crab is worth every rupiah but go on a weekday night, weekends they rush the order and the sauce gets thinner. also if ur already on jalan gatot subroto, swing by the pempek stall across the street, it's not in any guide but their kapal selam with that dark cuko sauce is legit, 15k and fills u up. for the night market, skip the sate ayam and try the sate telur puyuh from the old dude at the far end, he's there after 8pm and grills em over charcoal, super smoky
ngl the soto banjar at bang haji udin is the real deal, but if u go on a sunday the lines are insane, i waited almost an hour last time. one thing the guide missed is the otak-otak near mesjid raya, this old guy grills them on a tiny cart around 6pm, it's like 8k each and they're smoky as hell, best i've had in the city. also the kopi kaltim place is good but the lapis legit there runs out fast, go before 3pm or
3 Days in Samarinda: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the Mahakam River waterfront, where you can watch the floating market activity from the Esplanade. Visit the Islamic Center Samarinda, oneβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Riverfront and Old Town
Start your first day at the Mahakam River waterfront, where you can watch the floating market activity from the Esplanade. Visit the Islamic Center Samarinda, one of Southeast Asia's largest mosques, open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. In the afternoon, explore the historic Kampung Tenun area to see traditional weaving, then catch the sunset from the riverbank.
π€ Day 2: River Islands and Nature
Take a speedboat from the central dock to the nearby islands like Pulau Kumala, a 30-minute ride costing around 50,000 IDR per person. Spend the morning walking the island's nature trails and visiting the local deer park. Return to the city for lunch at the Pasar Pagi market, then head to the Bukit Bangkirai canopy bridge for an afternoon among the treetops, about 45 minutes from downtown.
ποΈ Day 3: Culture and Local Life
Begin with a visit to the Museum Negeri Mulawarman, which houses Dayak artifacts and is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed on Mondays. Stroll through the Sempaja traditional market to sample local snacks like amplang and kerupuk. End your trip at the Samarinda Botanical Garden, where you can relax among native plants and enjoy a peaceful evening.
π Getting Around Efficiently
Samarinda's traffic can be heavy, so plan for 15-20 minutes extra for any cross-town trip. Use the city's angkot (shared minivans) for short hops, costing about 5,000 IDR per ride, but for comfort, book a ride-hailing app like Gojek or Grab. To minimize transit, group your activities by neighborhood: the riverfront, the central market area, and the northern hills.
π Where to Eat
For authentic local flavors, head to the Pasar Pagi food court, where you can try soto Banjar and nasi kuning for under 30,000 IDR. For a riverside dining experience, visit the floating restaurants near the Mahakam bridge, which serve fresh fish dishes. Don't miss the durian stalls along Jalan Pangeran Antasari if you're adventurous.
π‘ Practical Tips
Carry small bills and coins, as many street vendors and markets don't accept cards. The weather is hot and humid year-round, so pack light clothing and a rain jacket for sudden showers. English is not widely spoken, so learning a few Indonesian phrases like 'terima kasih' (thank you) will go a long way.
π Evening Activities
Evenings are best spent along the Mahakam River esplanade, where locals gather for street food and live music. For a panoramic view of the city lights, visit the top floor of the Samarinda Central Plaza mall, open until 10:00 PM. If you're there on a weekend, check for cultural performances at the GOR Segiri sports complex.
The guide's spot on about the traffic, it really can eat your day if you're not careful. I'd add that the Bukit Bangkirai trip is worth it but give yourself more than 45 minutes each way, the road getting there is rough and the last stretch is a real bumpy ride. The canopy bridge itself is a bit wobbly but the view over the jungle is something else.
For the botanical garden, go in the late afternoon instead of the evening. The place closes earlier than you'd think and the light is way better for photos then, plus the mosquitoes come out in force once the sun drops. Also, if you see a stall selling pisang goreng with that sweet chili dip near the entrance, grab it, it's a local favorite that tourists usually miss.
solid itinerary, pretty much hits the big spots. one thing i'd add: skip the central dock for Pulau Kumala and go from the small jetty near the Islamic Center instead, it's cheaper and the locals use it, like 35k. also, the deer park is cute but don't expect a safari, it's more of a petting zoo vibe.
for food, you gotta try the es kelapa muda at the Pasar Pagi, it's the perfect break from the heat and they load it with coconut meat. and if you're into coffee, there's a little warung on Jalan KH Ahmad Dahlan that roasts their own beans, way better than the chains. opens around 7am.
one thing the guide missed: the angkot routes are confusing af, so if you're not fluent in Indonesian, just use Grab. it's not much more expensive and saves you a headache. also, bring a sarong if you wanna go inside the mosque, they have some to borrow but they're often wet from the rain.
honestly the islamic center tip from the other comment is gold, i did the same thing and saved a bit. but one thing i'd add: the floating market action is best around dawn, like 5:30 to 7am. by the time you roll out of bed at 9, most of the boats are gone and it's just a regular riverbank. set an alarm, grab a coffee from that warung on Ahmad Dahlan, and watch the boats come in, it's a totally different vibe.
also, if you're into street food, skip the durian stalls on Antasari if you're not used to it. the smell can be overwhelming and the sellers are pushy. instead, hit the night market near the GOR Segiri on fridays, there's this one guy who does sate ayam with a peanut sauce that's got a hint of lemongrass, best i've had in kalimantan. he's there around 7pm, look for the cart with the red umbrella.
for the museum, don't skip the upstairs. everyone rushes to the dayak stuff on the ground floor but the second floor has a collection of old photos from the dutch era, gives you way more context on the city. and yeah, closed mondays, i learned that the hard way.