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Best Food in Surabaya (2026)
Surabaya is the birthplace of rawon, a rich black beef soup flavored with keluak nuts. You'll also find lontong balap, a hearty dish of rice cakes, bean sprouts, and friedβ¦ π Iconic Dishes to Try
Surabaya is the birthplace of rawon, a rich black beef soup flavored with keluak nuts. You'll also find lontong balap, a hearty dish of rice cakes, bean sprouts, and fried tofu in savory broth. Don't leave without trying tahu campur, a mix of fried tofu, vegetables, and beef in a light broth.
π₯ Best Street Food Stalls
For authentic rawon, head to Rawon Setan at Jl. Embong Malang No. 78/I, open 24 hours, with bowls starting at IDR 25,000. Lontong Balap Pak Gendut at Jl. Kranggan No. 51 serves generous portions for around IDR 20,000. Tahu Campur Cak Minto at Jl. Pasar Kembang No. 12 is a local favorite, open from 5 PM to 10 PM.
π½οΈ Sit-Down Restaurants
Layar Restaurant at Jl. Embong Malang No. 75 offers a wide range of traditional Javanese dishes in an air-conditioned setting, with mains from IDR 40,000. Depot Bu Rudy at Jl. Panglima Sudirman No. 77 is famous for its sambal and fried chicken, with meals around IDR 50,000. For seafood, try Ikan Bakar Cianjur at Jl. Mayjen Sungkono No. 89, where grilled fish costs IDR 60,000.
π’ Night Food Markets
The area around Tunjungan Plaza transforms into a bustling night food market after 6 PM, with stalls selling sate, martabak, and es campur. Kayoon Street is another hotspot, especially for seafood and grilled items, open until midnight. Prices are affordable, with most snacks under IDR 30,000.
π¨ Desserts and Drinks
Cool down with es teler, a mix of avocado, jackfruit, and coconut in sweet milk, available at Es Teler 77 outlets across the city for IDR 25,000. For a traditional treat, try klepon, green rice cake balls filled with palm sugar, at Pasar Genteng. Jus alpukat (avocado juice) is a must-try, often sold at street stalls for IDR 15,000.
π Neighborhoods to Explore
The Chinatown area around Jl. Kembang Jepun offers diverse Chinese-Indonesian dishes like mie ayam and bakmi. The Arab Quarter near Ampel Mosque serves excellent kebab and nasi kebuli. For a modern food scene, visit the area around Jl. Manyar Kertoarjo, where hip cafes and fusion restaurants have opened in recent years.
π΅ Budget Tips
Street food meals typically cost between IDR 15,000 and IDR 30,000, while sit-down restaurants range from IDR 40,000 to IDR 100,000 per person. Bring cash as many stalls don't accept cards. Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service.
π Getting Around for Food
Use ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab for easy transport between food spots, with short trips costing around IDR 10,000. Surabaya's bus system, Suroboyo Bus, covers major routes but can be crowded. Taxis are available but negotiate the fare beforehand if not using a meter.
this guide is solid, i've lived here for years and can vouch for rawon setan honestly the best spot for a late night craving around 2am when nothing else is open. one thing they didn't mention is sate klopo at sate klopo arif on jl. dharmahusada indah timur no. 1, it's grilled skewers coated with grated coconut around idr 30k and the smoky flavor is unbeatable. also for tahu campur, cak minto is great but i prefer the one at jl. kertajaya indah timur, they add extra krupuk and the broth is richer. if ur near tunjungan night market, try the es campur from the old lady at the corner near the park, she's been there for decades and uses real coconut milk not the boxed stuff
honestly this guide is pretty comprehensive but they missed one of my favorites, bubur ayam cak minto at jl. kembang jepun, it's a different cak minto than the tahu campur one. the congee is super smooth with shredded chicken and that sambal they make from scratch is legit spicy. i always add extra kerupuk and a drizzle of kecap manis, comes to like idr 15k
also if ur doing the arab quarter thing near ampel, skip the nasi kebuli at the big touristy places and go to the small warung on jl. ampel suci, no name just a yellow awning. they do this soto betawi with beef tendons that's way better than anything i've had in jakarta. the kuah is so creamy from santan and they give u three types of sambal, around idr 25k and the guy running it is like 70 years old been doing it since the 80s
Appreciate the guide, Rawon Setan really is the gold standard for a reason. If you're near there anyway, swing by the martabak stall on Jl. Embong Malang right across from the hotel, they make a mean martabak telur with extra daging for IDR 25k and the crispy edges are perfect.
One spot I rarely see mentioned is the nasi bebek on Jl. Raya Kertajaya, just before the flyover. It's a simple warung with plastic chairs but the duck is fried until the bones are crunchy and they serve it with a sambal terasi that'll clear your sinuses. Costs about IDR 35k and they're usually sold out by 8 PM.
For the night market near Tunjungan, I'd add that the sate padang stall two rows behind the main strip has a thicker kuah than most, IDR 20k for 10 sticks. The guy uses real turmeric in the marinade, you can taste the difference.
Where to Stay in Surabaya (2026)
The CBD around Jalan Basuki Rahmat and Tunjungan is ideal for business travelers and first-time visitors. Hotels like Hotel Majapahit (Jalan Tunjungan No.65) offer colβ¦ ποΈ Central Business District
The CBD around Jalan Basuki Rahmat and Tunjungan is ideal for business travelers and first-time visitors. Hotels like Hotel Majapahit (Jalan Tunjungan No.65) offer colonial charm with rates from IDR 600,000 per night. You'll be walking distance to Tunjungan Plaza mall and many restaurants.
π Nightlife Hub: West Surabaya
For night owls, the area around Jalan Mayjen Sungkono and Citraland is packed with bars and clubs. The Westin Surabaya (Jalan Mayjen Sungkono No.100) starts at IDR 1,200,000 per night and puts you near hotspots like The Lounge. Budget options like Ibis Styles (from IDR 400,000) are also nearby.
ποΈ Family-Friendly: East Surabaya
East Surabaya near Pakuwon City and MERR offers quieter streets and family-oriented malls. The Harris Hotel Pakuwon (Jalan Pakuwon Indah No.1) has family rooms from IDR 500,000 and is close to Pakuwon Mall. Kids will enjoy the nearby Ciputra Waterpark.
π» Digital Nomads: Gubeng Area
Gubeng and Kertajaya are popular with remote workers due to affordable co-working spaces and cafes. The Dafam Hotel Jalan Gubeng (Jalan Gubeng No.21) offers rooms from IDR 350,000 with fast WiFi. Many co-working spots like Kertajaya Coworking are within a short ride.
π° Budget Stays: Pasar Turi
Backpackers should head to Pasar Turi near the train station for hostels under IDR 150,000 per night. The area is chaotic but convenient for transit. Be cautious with valuables and book well-reviewed places like The Packer Lodge.
ποΈ Beach Escape: Kenjeran
For a seaside vibe, Kenjeran offers budget hotels and homestays near the beach. Hotel Kenjeran Indah (Jalan Kenjeran No.123) has rooms from IDR 200,000. It's a 30-minute drive from the city center, so rent a scooter or use ride-hailing apps.
π Transit Access: Wonokromo
Wonokromo is a transport hub with the main train station and bus terminal. Hotels like Hotel Santika Jemursari (Jalan Raya Jemursari No.1) cost around IDR 400,000 and offer easy access to Suroboyo Bus stops. It's practical for day trips but not the prettiest area.
π‘ Hidden Gem: Darmo
Darmo is a leafy residential area with colonial-era houses and a relaxed atmosphere. The boutique hotel Ciputra World Surabaya (Jalan Mayjen Sungkono) starts at IDR 800,000. It's perfect for couples seeking quiet walks and local warungs.
good breakdown, especially the CBD recommendation. if you're staying at Hotel Majapahit, do the afternoon tea in their lobby, it's like IDR 100k and the vibe is straight out of the 1920s. also worth knowing that Tunjungan Plaza is huge and the food court on the top floor has an amazing pempek stall that's way better than the tourist spots on the main strip
one thing missing here is the area around Jalan Embong Malang, it's a bit gritty but has some of the best late-night street food in the city. there's a sate ayam cart that sets up around 9pm near the intersection with Jalan Blauran, IDR 20k for 10 sticks and the peanut sauce is legit. not for everyone but if you want real surabaya energy that's where you go
for budget folks, Pasar Turi is fine for a night but honestly the noise from the train station is constant, i'd rather pay IDR 200k for a guesthouse in Gubeng and get sleep. the Packer Lodge is solid though, the staff there helped me find a scooter rental for IDR 60k a day which was clutch
honestly the Gubeng area is underrated for digital nomads but you gotta try the coffee at Kofinator on Jalan Gubeng Kertajaya, it's like IDR 25k for a pour-over and the wifi is solid. I worked from there for a week straight and never had a dropout, plus the owner speaks english well enough. also the street food near the Dafam hotel is insane, there's a nasi campur stall on the corner that does a full plate for IDR 15k and it's open til midnight
I've stayed in the Darmo area a few times and it's a solid pick for anyone who wants to actually sleep at night. The old Dutch houses and wide sidewalks make for nice morning walks, and there's a great soto ayam stall called Soto Ayam Ambengan on Jalan Raya Darmo that's open until late afternoon. Just keep in mind that ride-hailing cars can take a while to arrive from there compared to the CBD.