The East Timorese, like the Indonesians, have a staple diet of rice and spices. Even though there is trouble in obtaining supplies from outside due to political unrest, many restaurants in Dili serve Western cuisine. Several foreigners living and working in Timor-Leste ensure a loyal clientele for these restaurants.

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The Timorese palate includes a taste for several international cuisines in addition to the traditional Timorese cuisine. Portuguese, Chinese, Italian, Western, Japanese and Thai cuisine have made their presence felt in Timor-Leste.

In this Timor-Leste restaurant guide you will find pointers that will help you when eating out in Timor-Leste’s restaurants. And to complete your travel experience, why not do a bit of local shopping in Timor-Leste?

Food & Cuisine in Timor-Leste

The staple food in Timor-Leste is rice. Commonly grown food crops include taro, cassava, sweet potatoes and maize. Beans, cabbage, cowpeas, onions and spinach are well-liked vegetables. People also rear poultry, goats and pigs. Fish forms an important part of the diet and acts as a supplement to any meal. Most traditional Timor-Leste recipes use a generous dose of spices. Mangoes, watermelons, papayas, bananas and coconuts are the most commonly cultivated fruits here. Carbohydrates like sago or other grains form the main dish for many a Timorese meal.

National specialities

Fried fish is a very popular dish, with prawns being considered a delicacy. Curries are a standard dish, with chicken curry topping the list as a favourite. Several authentic Japanese, Portuguese and Chinese dishes find favour with many Timorese.

National drinks

Coffee is grown organically in Timor-Leste and the level of caffeine in this variety is very high. Those looking for something other than coffee can have beer, which is widely available in both pubs and restaurants in Timor-Leste.

Tipping

Bills presented in Timor-Leste restaurants do not have a service charge added to them. If you feel like tipping, a 10% tip is the norm.

Nightlife

Numerous beachfront bars and nightclubs provide the nightlife in Dili. Both food and drinks are served and the bars/nightclubs are kept open till late. The Poy Cholor serves food till 5 am and a DJ and a live band add to the ambience here. Another interesting option is the Caz bar where kayaks can be hired late in the night and a barbeque serves fried fish all the time.

Explore the flavours of East Timorese cuisine

Restaurants in East Timor and local food joints around this new nation offer the traditional Asian curries with their fragrant spice pastes and fried accompaniments. The East Timorese local restaurants specialise in fresh grilled fish and excellent curries, and also provide a chance to fully experience local cuisine and hospitality. Local food also lends itself to Papuan influences, so you will find yam and sweet potato on the menu when you stop at rural food stalls.

Restaurants List

Amin Restaurant

Amin Restaurant open for Lunch and Dinner also catering service for up to 300 persons for every day .

Type : 22

Address : Rua 15 de Outubro near Sakura Towr

Phone : 7398311/ 7355236

Arbiru Beach Resort

Arbiru Beach Resort available for Breakfast , Lunch ,and Dinner both in Asian and Portuguese food and also confrence room available for rent .and swimming pool available for public.

Type : 23

Address : Near Ocean Viev Hotel

Phone : 7263642 / 7285783

Asian Food Hong Ngoc

Restorant open for Lunch and Dinner and catering service in Asian Food .

Type : 24

Address : Rua de Balide

Phone : 7327302

Email : FRANKCOY@yahoo.com

Atlantic Village and Restaurant

Restaurant serves both European and merican food cateringservice for up tpo 500 persons ,Bar , Karaoke and Discotheque and meeting room available for rent.

Type : 25

Address : Rua de Areia Branca

Phone : 7356832 / 7288680

Bachky Restaurant

Restaurant open for Lunch and Dinner both timorese and Portuguese service food , Wedding ad birthday venue and catering cervice .

Type : 26

Address : Rua Areia Branca

Phone : 7273776 / 7282754

One More Bar

Family friendly bistro style resturant and bar. Table Tennis, billards Monday to Thursday. Live Sports via Foxtel. Live music Friday & Saturday nights.

Type : Asian, European, Australian

Address : Travessa de Lecidere, Dili

Phone : 670 7251289

Opening hours : 08:00

Ocean View Beach Hotel

The Ocean View serves a verity of dish's from great steaks to fish & chips to special Pizza's. Pizza is very popular every day of the week.

Type : Seafood, Asian, European

Address : Aldeia Metin 1, Bebonuk, Comoro, Dili.

Phone : 670 7236041

99 Restaurant

Restaurant Open for breakfast, lunch and Dinner serving Asian and Western food. Also have catering services

Type : Asian & Western

Address : Avenida 15 de Outubro

Phone : 7270999

City Hotel

Type : Asian, Western

Address : Ave. Presidente Nicolau Lobato, Dili

Phone : 670 7292639

Fax : 670 332646

ABC Indonesian Food

Restaurant open only for Lunch. Serves Asian food of high quality.

Type : Indonesian

Address : Rua De Balide

Phone : 723 2018

Vasco da Gama

A refined ambience with a variety of fine wines and an extensive menu catering for all tastes.

Type : Portuguese

Address : Rua Gov Cesar Maria Serpa, Motael, Dili

Phone : 332 1923

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 11:00

Adhit Jaya

Open for lunch, dinner serves Asian food and also has Catering for upto 100 people available.

Type : Asian Food

Address : Rua Martires Da Patria

Phone : 732 5789

Timor Sands Motel

Type : Asian

Address : No 119, Ave. Martires da Patria, Motael, Dili.

Phone : 670 3324879

Ali Asean Food

Open for lunch and dinner. Was established in 2001 and is still very popular.

Type : Asian / Indonesian

Address : Rua Martires Da Patria

Phone : 723 4832

Hotel Audian

Asian

Type : Asian

Address : Jalan 15 October, Audian, Dili.

Phone : 670 3323080

Fax : 670 3324885

Hotel Vila Verde

Type : Western, Asian

Address : Rua Estrada de Balide, Vila Verde, Dili.

Phone : 670 7273479

Manado

Great Indonesian fare at budget prices.

Type : Indonesian

Address : Mandarin, Dili

Phone : 729 3870

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 19:00

Cafe Boca doce

Alfresco dining in a quiet friendly environment and good friendly service.

Type : Timorese, Portuguese

Address : Rua President Nicolau Lobato, Lecidere, Dili

Phone : 7238508

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 20:00

Terrace Cafe

A modest selection of dishes at reasonable prices.

Type : Japanese, Indonesian

Address : Rua Formosa, Dili

Phone : 728 4405

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 14:00

Cazbar

On the beachfront. Enjoy a relaxing beer and a variety of snacks and meals from the menu.

Type : European, Portuguese

Address : Areia Branca Metiaut, Dili

Phone : 723 3962

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 23:00

Castaway Bar and Restuarant

On the beachfront, open for breakfast till late with an extensive menu and bar list.

Type : Western

Address : Kampung Alor, Dili

Phone : 723 5449

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 23:00

Romantic Garden

Intimate setting, ideal for private discussions or romantic evenings.

Type : Coffee, Pastries and Fine dining

Address : Rua Formosa

Phone : 728 6759

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 23:00

Vittoria

A wide array of fresh seafood available for self selection and cooked on a wood fired BBQ, whilst you relax on the beach.

Type : Seafod

Address : Metiaut, Dili

Phone : 727 5535

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 22:00

Tandoor Restaurant

A wide selection of tasty Indian dishes in a central and friendly enviroment.

Type : Indian

Address : Mandarin, Dili

Phone : 723 9939

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Alor Furak Restorante

Serves indonesian food open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Type : Indonesian

Address : Rua Martires Da Patria

Phone : 725 0021

Amigos Club

Amigos Club is more a disco than a restaurant. The only food they serve is Peanuts. Open everynight from 9 pm to 2 am. Very popular spot to go on a weekend.

Type : Bar, Restaurant

Address : Avenida Dr. Antonio Da Camara - Near ANZ Bank

Phone : 723 6369

Restaurants in Timor Leste

Food & Cuisine in Timor-Leste

National specialities

National drinks

Tipping

Nightlife

Explore the flavours of East Timorese cuisine

Restaurants List

Amin Restaurant

Arbiru Beach Resort

Asian Food Hong Ngoc

Atlantic Village and Restaurant

Bachky Restaurant

One More Bar

Ocean View Beach Hotel

99 Restaurant

City Hotel

ABC Indonesian Food

Vasco da Gama

Adhit Jaya

Timor Sands Motel

Ali Asean Food

Hotel Audian

Hotel Vila Verde

Manado

Cafe Boca doce

Terrace Cafe

Cazbar

Castaway Bar and Restuarant

Romantic Garden

Vittoria

Tandoor Restaurant

Alor Furak Restorante

Amigos Club

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