Endless waves are not the only magnet of this beautiful bay location. Gerupuk holds a surprisingly rich culinary identity. Its cafe and restaurant scene exceeds expectations, and food enthusiasts will be hooked.

Every morning before sunrise, the small traditional fishing village of Gerupuk wakes up to the sound of the sacred chant. You’ll also hear the sounds of the increasingly profitable surf tourism. Surfers roll in on their bikes from outside of town. A crowd of local boat drivers anticipate their daily catch of visitors and compete with each other, bazaar-style, offering transport to the nearby breaks. There’s surf photography, and surfing lessons….

Gerupuk’s low-traffic main road, Jl Mandalika Resort Pantai Putri Nyale, snakes through the quiet Sasak village. A bare street, without ATMs, fancy shops and supermarkets, might not be your obvious food destination, but the culinary gems pop up randomly between the gateway to Gerupuk and its spectacular cliff face.

Just 100 metres past the entrance arch is the breezy Café FIN. The decor is all about the ocean – striking blue paint, hanging plants and surfboards on the ceiling remind you exactly where you are. FIN’s creative menu offers a range of sweet and savoury dishes: delicious smoothie bowls, Italian-style panini and chewy bagels with quirky names like Kevin Bacon, The Grateful Bread or Bowl-ling Stones. Try the spinach pesto pasta, cooked al-dente, with homemade aromatic basil sauce and a sprinkle of cheese. The generous portions and authentic flavours will leave you totally satisfied. Choose from a variety of thickly-textured smoothies and refreshing juices: the Blueberry Crush and Mango Mafia have become all-time favourites.

Behind FIN’s relaxing hangout spot is Matthew – a warm-hearted, cheerful and friendly local. While working at a Surf school some years ago, he observed that Gerupuk’s visitors always went back to Kuta for lunch and dinner. He decided to change that. He sold his boat, his engine and his car, bought a piece of land and planted the seeds of his own business. Four years later, he opened the café, just two weeks before Lombok’s largest earthquake. His positive attitude kept him going, and his quality meals and drinks ensured a slow but steady stream of returning guests.  

Is there anything more irresistible and comforting than wholesome, fresh baked goods? Gerupuk’s Shake & Bake team has perfected the art of hand-made sourdough bread rolls, nourishing wraps, crunchy cookies, heavenly slices of cake and power packed smoothies. From fresh falafels to tortilla bread, from silky yoghurt to granola, from flavour-bursting strawberry jam to chutneys and 5 different choices of pizza, absolutely everything is carefully made from scratch. It’s a difference you can clearly taste! Nearly all ingredients are vegetarian, and sourced locally, or from Kuta and Mataram. Follow the mint-coloured BAKERY signs to the laid-back spot on the waterfront, only 50 metres past the harbour and main car park. Shake & Bake is the ideal place to fill hungry surfers’ bellies – before, between and after a session out on the reef. Try their Jam Session for breakfast, the Falafelicious vegan dish or the finger-licking-good Goats Cheese Salad and healthy juice for lunch. Watch the boats gently weaving in the wind, glimpse of Don-Don’s surf break in the far distance and simply enjoy the serenity. It’s a rejuvenating, indulging and relaxing experience.

Paula and Alex never expected to have a big money-making business. Eco Home Lombok, which is also their home, started as a service to the community of expats. They wanted to add something more homely to a remote place like Gerupuk village, where homemade bread and real Italian coffee were missing. Over the years, their circle of expats, who all had children, treasured the bakery’s healthy alternatives to industrial baking, with options such as guilt-free energy balls, sugar-free banana bread, healthy cookies – treats that kids love. Shake & Bake’s daily management has been handed over to the local manager Tajim and his team whose magic is reflected in the bakery’s products and its customer service.

When Kaikai Ramen opens its doors at 6pm, it guarantees authentic Japanese cuisine and embraces the traditional hot bowl dish from Japan. The setting is intimate, with only three lowered tables. Japanese visitors and Ramen-connoisseurs, whose palates cannot be tricked, rated the menu as exceptional in taste, texture and presentation. Light entrees, such as edamame soy beans and crispy-fried gyoza, are great for sharing, and the fresh, fatty tuna sushi surprises with its elegant simplicity and a smooth, tender texture that melts in the mouth. The signature main course should be your number one choice – an intensely flavoured savoury ramen soup that is cooked overnight to produce a meaty broth, with an incredible depth of flavour. The quality ramen noodles are chewy, with perfect al dente texture. Vegetarians can opt for the ramen sushi noodle dish, served cold with a light soy-based sauce. Then try the delightful coconut ice cream dessert and sake rice wine for the ultimate Japanese experience. It’s hard to believe but this far eastern taste experience is all happening right in the middle of Gerupuk village.

Swallow The Anchor is one of the best-situated restaurants along the pristine bay. Many visitors to Gerupuk haven’t explored up to this point, but there are reasons why this pretty parlour has the entire expat community raving about it. It combines casual eating with stunning views. A silhouette of impressive cliffs frame the breathtaking bay, with its golden sands and crystalline waters. The restaurant offers comforting classics like Lombok Curry, Gado Gado and Ayam Taliwang / Pelcing, but its specialty is its hosted barbecue. Settle around the communal seating area with a drink. Immerse yourself in conversation, music and the social atmosphere. Try the freshly-caught mahi-mahi, and chicken with Indonesian side-dishes and various marinades. The in-house prepared feast is full of character and complements the flavours of the Lombok region.

Since culinary get-togethers typically run four hours, Swallow The Anchor offers on-site accommodation. It’s a worry-free option that will let you stay late and enjoy another unforgettable sunrise next morning in Gerupuk Bay.

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