Location: Medan
Top Restaurants in Medan
Top Things to do in Medan
Medan Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Medan
Medan (Jawi: ميدن, Batak: ᯔᯮᯑ᯲, Chinese: 棉蘭, Tamil: மேடான், Indonesian pronunciation: [meˈdan]); is the capital of North Sumatra province in Indonesia. Located along the northeastern coast of Sumatra island, Medan is the fourth biggest city by population in Indonesia, behind Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung. With 2,097,610 inhabitants at the 2010 census, Medan remains the largest settlement outside Java island and enjoys a diversity of multicultural peoples. Bordered by the Strait of Malacca, Medan is a busy trading city around the island as located near the strait which is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Medan is the gateway to the western part of Indonesia, accessible via the Port of Belawan and Kuala Namu International Airport, stated the city as the third largest city in the country by economy after Jakarta and Surabaya, this city economy is linked well with Malaysian cities (especially Penang and Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore by trade, service and natural resource exchanges. Both the seaport and the airport are connected to the city center via toll road and railway. Medan also became the first city in Indonesia to have an airport supported with train service.
Things to do in Medan
1. Restaurant Garuda
Overall Ratings
4 based on 236 reviews
Reviewed By Philip L - New York
Good choice for a reliable Nasi Padang experience. In that style, a multitude of dishes is brought to the table, and the guests pick what they desire. Anything left untouched is taken back, and not charged for. The food is tasty, showcasing a good array of Sumatra's specialties. Open 24 hours.
2. Merdeka Walk
Overall Ratings
4 based on 281 reviews
Reviewed By Bart Jan S
We stayed at the aryaduta hotel and were recommended to go to the Merdeka foodmarket. Not a very special place but a street with different style restaurants. Good food for a relatively high price. But nice to see, except of the mc donalds at the end!
3. Prime Steak House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Enjoy an authentic Chicago-style steakhouse experience at one of the most exceptional restaurants in Medan, Indonesia. Its contemporary décor & comfortable Seating make this restaurant the perfect place to meet and chat with friends or family.
Reviewed By Matvl
I can't speak to the relative quality of this restaurant when compared to others in Medan. However, this is a pricey steakhouse located in an international hotel chain and we came as international customers. We expected good steaks. And unfortunately we didn't get them.
Service was excellent and formal yet unobtrusive. We had a tasty amuse bouche and good bread with a delicious tomato butter.
On steaks our striploin was at least 40% fat and overcooked. Rib eye was a great cut but not well coloured and was undercooked. Sides and condiments were fine. Sauces were pretty average.
For such a hype the end result was a serious let down.
On a practical level, it is extremely pretentious to not serve large bottles of local water - only imported varieties. Just crazy!
4. Mie Tiong Sim Selat Panjang
Overall Ratings
4 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By Terentius86 - Singapore, Singapore
My friend and I arrived at around 9.15pm or so, and we both had their 'signature' Mie Tiong Sim - essentially, thin noodles tossed in an oil-based sauce, topped with dumplings, shredded chicken, char siew (sweetened roast pork) bits, and fried scallions. At Rp 38,000 a bowl, I would say it is reasonably priced.
There was still a sizeable crowd when we arrived, a testament to its popularity, though we managed to get seats, and our food served to us, fairly quickly.
As an extra tip, Mie Tiong Sim, as well as several other stalls along Selat Panjang, were still in operation at around 10pm or so when we left Mie Tiong Sim.
5. Bihun Bebek Kumango
Overall Ratings
4 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By CarolinaHisman - Jakarta Barat
We arrived around 8 am in morning, the place was very crowded. Luckily we got there early, coz around 9 am, all the beehon already sold out. Because we saw the size of the meal is big, we order 2 big complete duck beehon and 2 beehon only (we are 5 people). They are very delicious. The broth is thick and tasty. You should eat with the broth and special chili sauce. It is quite pricy for a bowl but worth it. My advise : go there early so you can taste the beehon duck
6. Marriott Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
This all-day Medan restaurant's theater-style open buffet stations feature a wide range of fare cooked in front of the guests. To enhance your Medan fine dining experience at this restaurant, allow yourself to enjoy a fabulous selection of desserts.
Reviewed By Lee S - -
Had breakfast at the JW Marriott Cafe and was wowed by the excellent service. The staff are friendly and went the extra mile to make you satisfied. Special mention to Marthin and Andika for their fine service. The morning coffee served is smooth and one of the best I have tasted at numerous hotel's breakfast. The latte art done by the barista highlights the high level of service of this cafe.
Food was delicious and top notch quality in this part of the world. Presentation is also well done.
Furnishing is certainly luxurious and cutlery were clean.
7. Jade Chinese Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Enjoy Medan dining featuring authentic Cantonese cuisine from the south of China with contemporary presentation. Enjoy a large variety of signature items and the largest selection of premium tea from Mainland China at the Jade Chinese Restaurant.
Reviewed By Novita J
It was my first visit, and it was really good experience dining in this restaurant, the food tasted so good, delicious, and the service was excellent! Especially Mr Mahadi, Ms. Elfrida, Ms. Silvia, Mr. Paskah who served us in a good manner! Please give a try to this restaurant, you wont regret it
8. Mi Aceh Titi Bobrok
Overall Ratings
4 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By Shahul Hameed S - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
After hearing a lot of fuss about Mie Aceh (Some say it is better than Aceh itself... hurm?) we decided to give it a try. Titi bobrok Restaurant was the most famous among all. It has 2 floors and huge. There were many people and most go at night. It is just a normal fried mee. To me it was a little dry. They have wet version of that too, But it just the same noodle with same sauce. I was very disappointed with it.
9. Rumah Makan Tabona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Rumah Makan Tabona specialises in serving authentic Medanese Curry since 1983. Only served free-range chickens and only the best beef with carefully selected spices/herbs, cooked daily to ensure every single bowl served is the best curry you ever tasted. Come and enjoy a bowl of hearty curry with a choice of chicken or beef, served with rice/rice noodles/egg noodles. Complete with a glass of signature iced calamansi drink (kietna) or if you are a fan of coffee, don't miss out on the ice coffee.
Reviewed By si_masbro - St. Petersburg, Russia
Cow curry served here is DIFFERENT than indian curry (if you had it in mind), spices are rich but less smelly spice such as coriander, cumin, masala, and ginger i guess, in fact it was sweet and spicy hot.
I used to sweet and spicy-hot, so I liked it. The thicknes of the curry, the meat tenderness, also the softness of the rice-noodle (bihun) were great experience while in town.
They open 6am to 11.30am, gladly I came when it was raining, when its not, usually there'll be quite long queue.
Price is high.. I paid IDR 40k for a bowl of cow-curry with rice-noodle. But its worth the experience. I definitely can have 2 bowls, but I know it'll ruin my diet and plans for workin' out after it, so I must had enough with a portion.
Definitely will come back another day..
10. Sushi Tei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Airynsh - Jakarta, Indonesia
Because of the location in the Sun Plaza Mall make the place always crowded especially in the weekend....waiting list always become the regular activity but the staff serve us so well, as the time we get our sit , the staff will come right away for the sushi tray and let us pick our fav sushi. The menu book will come and we order and ot come very fast. For the menu just regular like other sushi tei resto, nothing special. Recommended resto in Sun Plaza for the fast serving and their staff.
