Other tempting bites

Bladok Restaurant, Jl. Sosrowijayan 76, Yogyakarta.

Maybe the calmest restaurant in Sosrowijayan, but that does not mean that it is empty! The Indonesian and Western dishes are a little bit more expensive than other places in the area, but its salads, pasta and excellent pizza are worth it.

Bu Tutik Lesehan, Northern Ringroad, right beside the parking space of the Yogyakarta Kembali Monument.

Very large lesehan (casual dining seated on the floor) in a long stretched bamboo hut that offers really great fish and seafood dishes at an almost silly prize for such ample portions and great taste. The hot plates are highly recommended!

Unfortunately, they have no freezer, so you have to drink your beer on the rocks.

Gajah Wong Restaurant, Jl. Gejayan, Soropadan DP II/79, Yogyakarta. Tel. 0274-588294

Famous for its gorgeous garden right beside the river of the same name. The small balai (benches) by the riverside are dangerous because of the intensive mosquito attack, so choose a place close to the big pendopo. Mix of Asian and Western food; the Indian dishes are recommended.

Milas Restaurant, Jl. Mantrijeron MJ III 897 A, Yogyakarta. Tel. 0274-7423399.

Offers vegetarian dishes cooked with a lot of fantasy and is mainly popular for its nice lesehan in bamboo huts in a lush garden. Provides games and an English-language library and sells some very nice local souvenirs made by street children.

Via-Via Cafe, Jl. Prawirotoman 24B, Yogyakarta Tel: 0274-386557.

Recently moved a few meters behind its old location, it's still one of the most frequented places in the Prawirotaman area. Since August there have been regular exhibitions of women artists at the two-story building. Offers Indonesian and European food and a creative choice of alternative tours inside and outside Yogykarta. -- Christina Schott