The ultimate tips for the Gili Islands near Lombok

Sometimes I dream of white bounty beaches with sunbeds, a fresh coconut in your hand, a cocktail on the side, and absolutely nothing to do. Well, when you get to Bali, those beaches are not there at all. Nothing wrong with Bali, because I love that island, but the beaches are not exactly super. Well, a person always needs something to complain about. But good, those beaches can be found close to Bali. The Gili Islands are where you need to go, and Jesus, those islands are just lovely. Officially, they are part of Lombok (they are really just a stone's throw away), but they are easily reachable by boat from Bali. You also get a nice view. The three most famous islands are Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. Where to stay, eat, and drink? Check here for the ultimate tips for the Gili Islands.

Hotspots Gili Air: Eating & drinking

Musa Cookery: As far as food goes, Gili Air is the best place, in my opinion. All three islands are really super small, but for such a small area, they still have quite a few good spots, including this one. Healthy food, super fun place (nice instagrammable — not that it has to be a requirement but it's always nice) and open all day. In the low season, it's not so busy, but in the high season, it is.

Mowies: In my opinion, this is the best place for sunset on Gili Air. And delicious cocktails, by the way. And also tasty food. They have bean bags, high tables, and ‘regular’ tables. I found the jackfruit tacos a recommendation here, but the pizzas are also top. Don't expect round pizzas, but more elongated flammkuchen-like pizzas. Every day from four to seven is wine o'clock, which means you get an extra one with every glass of wine. Quite nice, since wine in Asia is quite pricey.

Mama Pizza: And if you do want those round pizzas, then this is the place to be. It's about twenty meters away from Mowies, so that works out well. Even in the low season, you can occasionally shoot a cannon here, but generally, it's a popular place to eat and has a nice atmosphere. And in the end, you come for the pizzas, right? They are really amazing.

Ruby’s Cafe: Yes, of course, there has to be an Indonesian spot among the tips for Gili Air. Ruby’s Cafe doesn't have the standard look of a warung (which, to be fair, are usually not very atmospheric), but it does have the authentic flavors. Win-win, then. One downside: it's not on the beach, but that's the only downside.

Classico Italiano: Yaaa, who says you have to go to Italy for the very best pizza? Well okay, whether they are the very best, I'm not sure, but they are good. I don't know what it is with those elongated pizzas on Gili Air, but they are also not round here. Again, it doesn't take away from the taste, you understand.

Warung Alam Damai: An authentic warung cannot be missed in these tips for Gili Air. Cosiness is not exactly what you find here, but oh man... That food. You can wake me up at any moment for a good nasi goreng. Or soto ayam. Or satay. Rendang. Love Indonesian food.

Pink Coco: See Gili Trawangan

Hotspots Gili Meno

Little Bali: To be honest, I only spent one afternoon on Gili Meno and therefore didn't visit all the hotspots on the island, but I must honestly say that this island has quite a few hotspots. It's called the ‘honeymoon island’ and that's also the only thing you find here... Couples. So if you're coming for the coziness, this might not be the ideal place. But here you just eat really well. Indo food and very reasonably priced with similar portions. But also burgers, by the way. I call that nice fusion.

Seri Resort: This resort also has a restaurant where they serve vegetarian food. In any case, the Gili Islands are great if you're a vegetarian because they have an incredible amount of choice here. I didn't find the resort worth staying at (from what I've seen), so here mainly enjoy good food with a drink.

Hotspots Gili Trawangan

Kayu Cafe: Yes vegans, you are also in the right place here. This hotspot on Gili Trawangan closes at 9:00 PM, so it's mainly recommended for breakfast and lunch. You can have breakfast here nice and early because the doors open at 7:00 AM. Early birds gather here.

The Banyan Tree: Super cute little place by the sea, where you can get healthy juices and more — especially healthy — things. Now I must say that I've never eaten so healthily during a vacation as in Bali and Lombok, but that's also because the healthy options here are genuinely tasty. Makes the choice easier. Anyway, this is one of my favorites on Gili Trawangan. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Pituq Cafe: Yes, indeed, vegans are also welcome at the hotspots on Gili Trawangan. Pituq Cafe is vegan and I used to have an aversion to it (‘ugh, vegan’), but even I have come around and know that vegan can be really tasty. Do keep in mind: you can't hang out here and it's not on the beach. Something to consider.

Le Pirate: The huts here are not big, but super cute (you can stay in them). During the day, it's just a nice beach tent where you can hang out, eat, and drink. You might recognize the name from Nusa Ceningan — that's where the other location is. Fun: they often have an open-air movie night. Just make sure to spray yourself with mosquito repellent.

Pink Coco: You also have this on Gili Air, by the way. Everything is hysterically pink. Furthermore, at both locations, you are very relaxed on the beach. The pools are officially only for hotel guests, but if you ask nicely, they will often let you in.

Sleeping

It really depends on what you are looking for. Gili Meno was immediately off the list for me because there is just really too little to do there (especially in the evening). I have been to Gili Trawangan before and also stayed overnight, but that's more for the partying backpack tourists. Totally fine, of course (I thought it was great then), but sometimes it can get a bit of a Lloret vibe. That's why I chose Gili Air this time. Because the food on Gili Air is so delicious and you can hang out on the beach late without beer pong being set up (nothing against beer pong, by the way). So make your decision based on that.

I stayed at Akasia Villas on Gili Air and thought that place was amazing. In any case, prices in Asia are so much lower than we are used to, so for a pittance, you have a hut with a private pool. And apparently, I am a bit of a diva because that pool: I don't want to be without it now. And your breakfast is brought to your hut. It doesn't get better than this, right?