Where to Eat in North Sumatra: The Best Restaurants and Bars

July 14, 2017 Russell Mellin

North Sumatra (Indonesian: Sumatera Utara), is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the island of Sumatra, and its capital is Medan. North Sumatra is fourth most populous province in Indonesia after West Java, East Java and Central Java and the most populous Indonesian province outside Java, with over 13.5 million inhabitants in 2014.
Things to do in North Sumatra

1. Restaurant Garuda

Jl. Gajah Mada no. 8, Medan 20112, Indonesia Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Buffet Asian, Indonesian, Halal Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +62 61 4520706
Excellent
25%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 236 reviews

Restaurant Garuda

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. Today's Cafe

Tuk Tuk, Samosir Island, Indonesia Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Takeout, Reservations Cafe, Asian, Indonesian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night +62 813-7513-0804
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 104 reviews

Today's Cafe

This is a little cafe about 5 minutes walk from Hotel Carolina, Tuk Tuk, Samosir, Indonesia. It was the highlight of my recent trip to Lake Toba (apart from the lake) and deserves some publicity. Doesn't have a website.

Reviewed By Mike W - Leicester, United Kingdom

We were lucky to spot this little gem while walking down the street. It doesn't have a view of the lake, so it would be easy to ignore it.
We both had the lassies, which were delicious and refreshing. We also shared the guacamole appetiser, which is highly recommended! For mains we had pork rendang, which was also amazing, and the portions were huge!
The food was a little slow coming out, but it was worth it. The restaurant also had wifi, which was faster than most other places on the island.
The food was so good we went back for more lassies the next day!

3. Jenny's Restaurant

Samosir Island, Indonesia Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Reservations Seafood, Barbecue, Asian, Indonesian, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night
Excellent
52%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 297 reviews

Jenny's Restaurant

Reviewed By evs1305 - Sheffield, United Kingdom

Really enjoyed our dinner at Jenny’s. We had the BBQ fish on recommendation and the roast pork. We would definitely recommend the fish! Roast pork portion size was a little on the small size however.

4. Prime Steak House

Jl. Putri Hijau no. 10 | JW Marriott Hotel Medan, Medan 20111, Indonesia Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol American, Steakhouse, European Dinner HK$31 - HK$345 +62 61 41006600
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

Prime Steak House

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!

5. Mie Tiong Sim Selat Panjang

Jl. Selat Panjang no. 7, Medan 20212, Indonesia Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff Chinese, Asian Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$16 - HK$31 +62 61 4157517
Excellent
34%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 177 reviews

Mie Tiong Sim Selat Panjang

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.

6. Buddha's Cafe

Tolping Kec. Simanindo, Samosir Island, Indonesia Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Takeout, Reservations Cafe, Asian, Indonesian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

Buddha's Cafe

Reviewed By Alice W

Had a special: Eggplant Lamboh, which was basically a vegetable red Thai curry, or that's what it tasted of. Not so much eggplant, but delicious so ibwamt going to complain!
Garden has vegetable garden and backs onto the lake plenty if places to sit either undercover or in the garden. Even has Japanese style low tables in one corner!
Hostess spoke excellent English and could explain the dishes to me.

7. Maruba Restaurant

Jalan Tuk tuk siadong, Samosir Island, Indonesia Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Takeout Asian, Indonesian Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 90 reviews

Maruba Restaurant

Reviewed By skink - Falls Church, Virginia

I was somewhat disappointed given this restaurant's high ranking in Tuk Tuk. I went for dinner and ordered the pork sangsang. It came with rice and kangkong. The meal is more expensive than other local restaurants and is supposed to come with mixed steamed vegetables and tapioca leaves with coconut. The mixed vegetables turned into steamed kangkong and they didn't serve the tapioca leaves until I asked for them. The woman said that nobody likes them so she stopped serving the dish. My meal cost 85,000 Ruppiah, which is high for Tuk Tuk. The pork was tough and not that flavorful. It was an average meal but nothing special, as I was expecting.

8. Marriott Cafe

Jl. Putri Hijau no. 10 | JW Marriott Hotel Medan, Medan 20111, Indonesia Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Takeout, Validated Parking, Serves Alcohol Cafe, Asian, International, Indonesian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +62 61 41006300
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 118 reviews

Marriott Cafe

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.

9. Jade Chinese Restaurant

Jl. Putri Hijau no. 10 | JW Marriott Hotel Medan, Medan 20111, Indonesia Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi Chinese, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Halal, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +62 61 41006200
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Jade Chinese Restaurant

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

10. Mi Aceh Titi Bobrok

Jl. Setia Budi no. 17C, Medan, Indonesia Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available Asian, Indonesian, Halal Lunch, Dinner +62 61 77809267
Excellent
25%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 244 reviews

Mi Aceh Titi Bobrok

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.

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