5 Best Restaurants in Indonesia

Creeping shrubbery shields this discreet bastion of the finest French food in Jakarta. Elegant and light-filled, two-story Emilie draws a cross-section of diners—European expats, business and political hotshots, plus those who simply love good Gallic grub. The kitchen focuses on meticulously prepared basic French food, accompanied by attentive, never haughty service. The à la carte menu includes recommended crab-and-bulgur salad with tomato gazpacho and succulent porc de Iberico. For a tour de France à la Emilie, splurge for the eight-course Discovery Menu, available with wine pairings.

Savor beach breezes and superbly cooked international cuisine at Ma Joly. On the edge of a broad swathe of sand, open air pavilions decorated with Balinese art and crafts provide spectacular sea views, especially at dusk. Elegant platform tents on the beach are reserved for indulging in the romantic set dinners. The lunch menu combines Indonesian and Western choices, including pastas and sandwiches. Dinner is focused on seafood, and the selections change regularly. Complimenting first-rate preparation and presentation, Ma Jolly finds little ways to charm its guests, from the signature tropical sangria to the olive tapenade for its homemade breads.

After strolling through the antique and jewelry galleries, head to the refined dining room of this celebrated French restaurant overlooking expansive lotus ponds. The straightforward menu leans toward grilled meats and fish: rack of lamb served with baked garlic cloves, tomato, and olives elevates the glories of the flesh. Conversely, the so-called "legendary" hot foie gras masks the subtle flavor with fruity accompaniments. The soufflés are extraordinarily fluffy but, like the homemade frozen desserts, excessively sugary. Quibbles aside, everything is perfectly cooked, presented, and served, supported by a Bali-to-Bordeaux wine list.

Unique in Bali's burgeoning fine-dining scene, Sarong spotlights authentic Asian food. Indian, Thai, and Indonesia cooking anchor the menu, and Chef Will Meyrick regularly introduces new tastes from his travels across the region. It's not fusion, but flavors from Asia's streets, exquisitely cooked and served with cool original cocktails and well-chosen wine selections in an elegant, open-air setting. Romantics should request garden seating. A favorite starter is the grilled scallops with green mango, peanuts, and Indonesian salty fish. Nearby, the cheekier, loungier, air-conditioned sister, Mama San—at Jalan Raya Kerobokan 135—focuses on China and Indochina, is slightly cheaper, and serves from lunch till late.

Overlooking Lovina, this boutique resort serves remarkably tasty food around its stunning pool. Lunch focuses on burgers, sandwiches, and salads. At dinner, Damai shifts into high gear: showstoppers include exquisitely marinated and seared tuna tetaki and broiled jackfruit steak, the latter a must for vegans and vegeterians. Damai raises much of what it serves, from produce to pigeons, so the menus follow what's in season. Most dishes have local touches among the imaginative accompaniments, such as chili tapenade. If no tables are available, drink in mountain air and a cocktail by the campfire at sunset.