Ambon, the vibrant capital of Maluku Province in eastern Indonesia, is a hidden gem for food lovers. Known for its warm hospitality and rich culinary heritage, the city serves up flavours that reflect its island culture — fresh seafood, tropical spices, and a fusion of Indonesian, Dutch, and Portuguese influences.
In this guide, we highlight 10 must-try dining spots in Ambon that capture the island’s spirit. Whether you’re craving grilled tuna by the sea, traditional comfort dishes, or a cozy café experience, Ambon has something for every palate.
| Restaurant | Location | Open hours | Price range | Distance from Ambon city center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dapor Kole Kole | Jl. Dana Kopra No. 16, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97124, Indonesia | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | IDR 50,000 – 150,000 | 5–10 minutes drive |
| Istana Berkat | Jl. Diponegoro, Kel. Ahusen, Kec. Sirimau, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | IDR 60,000 – 200,000 | 3–5 minutes drive, central location |
| Lateri Beach Resto | Jl. Raya Lateri, Kec. Baguala, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97234, Indonesia | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM | IDR 80,000 – 250,000 | 20–30 minutes drive, east side of Ambon Bay |
| Wailela Café and Resto | Jl. Raya Wailela No. 12, Teluk Ambon, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97118, Indonesia | 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM | IDR 40,000 – 120,000 | 15–25 minutes drive, coastal area |
| Rumah Makan Seafood Apong Ambon | Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 27, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | IDR 80,000 – 300,000 | 5–10 minutes drive |
| 88 Seafood Restaurant | Jl. Diponegoro No. 88, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | IDR 100,000 – 350,000 | 3–5 minutes drive, central area |
| Imperial Restaurant | Jl. Cenderawasih No. 5, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | IDR 120,000 – 400,000 | 5 minutes drive |
| Restaurant Sari Gurih Beach | Jl. Leimena Beach, Latuhalat, Nusaniwe, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97118, Indonesia | 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM | IDR 50,000 – 180,000 | 20–30 minutes drive, beachside area |
| Dua Ikan | Jl. Wolter Monginsidi No. 1, Lateri, Baguala, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97211, Indonesia | Monday–Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Sunday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM | IDR 35,000 – 90,000 | 20–30 minutes drive, Lateri area |
| Cili Padi Restaurant | Said Perintah No. 52, Kel. Honipopu, Kec. Sirimau, Kota Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | IDR 20,000 – 90,000 | Central location, easy to reach from downtown Ambon |
1. Dapor Kole Kole
- Location: Jl. Dana Kopra No. 16, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97124, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 5–10 minutes drive
- Price Range: IDR 50,000 – 150,000
- Signature Dishes: Grilled tuna, asam bening soup, nasi bakar cakalang
- Best for: Authentic local dishes & relaxed lunch/dinner near the center
Dapor Kole Kole is where authentic Ambonese comfort food meets warm island hospitality. The open-air setting and sea breeze make it a perfect spot for lunch or sunset dining. Locals love the grilled tuna, seasoned simply with lime and chilli, and the silky papeda – a traditional sago porridge paired with tangy yellow fish soup. The service is friendly and unhurried, giving you time to savour the moment like a true islander.
2. Istana Berkat
- Location: Jl. Diponegoro, Kel. Ahusen, Kec. Sirimau, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 3–5 minutes drive, central location
- Price Range: IDR 60,000 – 200,000
- Signature Dishes: Udang Telur Asin, Grilled Fish and Crab with yellow curry and salty eggs dressing
- Best for: Quick, hearty local seafood in a central location
One of Ambon’s local legends, Istana Berkat, serves traditional Maluku-style seafood in hearty portions. The highlight here is the fried mackerel — crispy outside, tender inside — paired with house-made sambal rich in chilli and calamansi. The décor is simple, but the flavours speak volumes. Many visitors stop here after exploring Ambon city for a satisfying, authentic meal that feels like home.
3. Lateri Beach Resto
- Location: Jl. Raya Lateri, Kec. Baguala, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97234, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 20–30 minutes drive, east side of Ambon Bay
- Price Range: IDR 80,000 – 250,000
- Signature Dishes: Dada Tuna Bakar Rica, Ikan Kuah Kuning, Cumi Telur Asin
- Best for: Sunset dining & beachfront seafood (worth the drive)
Lateri Beach Resto offers one of the best seaside dining views in Ambon. Set right by the waves, this open-deck restaurant is known for its fresh seafood grill. Try the grilled snapper served with sambal dabu-dabu and coconut rice – a flavour combination that embodies the coastal soul of Maluku. The sunset view here makes it an unmissable dinner spot.
4. Wailela Café and Resto
- Location: Jl. Raya Wailela No. 12, Teluk Ambon, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97118, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 15–25 minutes drive, coastal area
- Price Range: IDR 40,000 – 120,000
- Signature Dishes: Ikan bubara bakar kecap (grilled trevally fish with soy sauce), sop kerapu (grouper fish soup), ikan bakar sambal matah
- Best for: Café vibe, coffee breaks & casual meals with a coastal view
Located near the coast, Wailela Café blends Ambonese flavors with a modern café vibe. It’s popular among young travelers and digital nomads looking for great coffee with a view. Their banana fritters drizzled with palm sugar syrup are a crowd favorite — sweet, crunchy, and perfectly paired with a local-style cappuccino.
5. Rumah Makan Seafood Apong Ambon
- Location: Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 27, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 5–10 minutes drive
- Price Range: IDR 80,000 – 300,000
- Signature Dishes: Ikan Kuah Kuning (Yellow fish soup/curry), often paired with papeda, Grilled Fish (various preparations)
- Best for: Family meals & fresh seafood in a spacious setting
A long-time local favourite, Apong Ambon is known for its fresh catch of the day. The chefs prepare seafood simply, allowing the natural sweetness of the ocean to shine. Try their butter prawns — perfectly sautéed with garlic and spices. With its spacious setup, it’s ideal for families or group travellers.
6. 88 Seafood Restaurant
- Location: Jl. Diponegoro No. 88, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 3–5 minutes drive, central area
- Price Range: IDR 100,000 – 350,000
- Signature Dishes: fresh local seafood dishes with various preparations like grilling, sweet and sour, or in a yellow curry
Best for: Fast service seafood & group dining in the city center
88 Seafood Restaurant combines modern dining comfort with the authenticity of Ambon’s seafood tradition. Their speciality — crab in Padang-style chilli sauce — is both fiery and flavorful. Service is fast, and the ingredients are locally sourced. It’s a must-visit for those who want to explore Ambon’s spicy seafood culture.
7. Imperial Restaurant
- Location: Jl. Cenderawasih No. 5, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97127, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 5 minutes drive
- Price Range: IDR 120,000 – 400,000
- Signature Dishes: Chinese-Indonesian Cuisine, Dim Sum
- Best for: Group dinners & Chinese-Indonesian cuisine variety
For travellers seeking variety beyond seafood, Imperial Restaurant offers refined Chinese-Indonesian dining. The elegant setting, attentive service, and wide menu from dim sum to sizzling seafood clay pots — make it perfect for group dinners. Their fried noodles and spicy crab are among the most recommended dishes by repeat visitors.
8. Restaurant Sari Gurih Beach
- Location: Jl. Leimena Beach, Latuhalat, Nusaniwe, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97118, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 20–30 minutes drive, beachside area
- Price Range: IDR 50,000 – 180,000
- Signature Dishes: Ikan kuah kuning (yellow fish soup/curry), kepiting saos padang (crab in padang sauce), and kepiting asap (smoked crab),
- Best for: Laid-back beach meals & local dishes by the sea
Sari Gurih Beach captures the essence of Ambonese hospitality — simple, heartfelt, and full of flavour. The menu features home-style dishes like ikan kuah asam (sour fish soup) that balance spice and tang beautifully. With tables right on the sand, it’s a perfect spot for an easygoing beach meal.
9. Dua Ikan
- Location: Jl. Wolter Monginsidi No. 1, Lateri, Baguala, Kota Ambon, Maluku 97211, Indonesia
- Open Hours: Monday–Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: 20–30 minutes drive, Lateri area
- Price Range: IDR 35,000 – 90,000
- Signature Dishes: Ikan Bakar, ikan kuah kuning, grilled fish, barbecue squid, cakalang noodle
- Best for: Fresh seafood by the water, local Ambonese flavours & relaxed group meals
Dua Ikan is a strong addition to this list if you want to keep the seafood focus while adding a spot with a more distinctly local feel. Located in Lateri by the water, the restaurant is known for fresh seafood and Ambonese staples like papeda and ikan kuah kuning, making it a great choice for travellers who want a scenic meal outside the busiest part of the city.
10. Cili Padi Restaurant
- Location: Said Perintah No. 52, Kel. Honipopu, Kec. Sirimau, Kota Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia
- Open Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Distance from Ambon city center: Central location, easy to reach from downtown Ambo
- Price Range: IDR 20,000 – 90,000
- Signature Dishes: Papeda, ikan kuah kuning, crab and shrimp dishes
- Best for: Central dining, mixed Chinese-Indonesian seafood & groups with varied tastes
Cili Padi Restaurant is a long-running favourite in central Ambon for travellers who want a convenient meal without giving up local flavour. The menu mixes Chinese-Indonesian seafood dishes with Ambon staples like papeda and ikan kuah kuning, so it’s a practical choice if you’re dining with a group and everyone wants something different. The upstairs seating and city location also make it an easy option for lunch or dinner after sightseeing around Ambon.
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Tips for Choosing a Restaurant in Ambon
Before choosing where to eat in Ambon, it helps to look at a few simple details. The right restaurant depends on your budget, location, timing, and the kind of food or atmosphere you want.
- Check the location: Choose a beachside restaurant for sea views and sunset dining, or a city restaurant for easier access after sightseeing.
- Look at the opening hours: Some places are better for lunch, while others suit dinner or a later meal. Always make sure the timing fits your plan.
- Match your budget: Price ranges in this guide vary from affordable local spots to more premium seafood restaurants, so it helps to decide your budget first.
- Choose by signature dishes: If you want authentic Ambon flavours, look for specialties like grilled tuna, ikan kuah kuning, papeda, or crab dishes.
- Think about the atmosphere: Some restaurants are best for a relaxed beach meal, while others are better for casual dining, coffee, or group dinners.
- Pick what fits your travel style: Couples may prefer scenic and cozy places, while families or groups may want more spacious restaurants with broader menus.
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