Labuan Bajo is a fishing town, and seafood is the best thing to eat here. Boats bring in snapper, grouper, squid, and prawns every day, and you can eat them grilled at a market stall by the harbour or plated up with a sunset view. Here are the seafood spots worth your time, from cheap and local to a proper night out.
Quick answer For the most local and best value seafood, eat at the Kampung Ujung night market by the harbour. For a sit-down meal, Taman Laut Handayani and Artomoro are popular with both locals and travelers, and Hong Signature is the place for black pepper crab. For a special sunset dinner, book Atlantis on the Rock or Kisik at AYANA.
Best Seafood in Labuan Bajo at a Glance
Here’s where to go depending on the kind of meal you want.
| Best for | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Local and best value | Kampung Ujung night market |
| Seafood with a bay view | Taman Laut Handayani, Tree Top |
| Casual grill | Artomoro |
| Chinese-style crab | Hong Signature |
| Italian seafood | Baccala, La Cucina |
| Sunset dinner | Atlantis on the Rock, Kisik |
Kampung Ujung Night Market
The Kampung Ujung culinary area by the harbour is where most people in town eat seafood. Every evening, rows of stalls set out their catch on ice. You pick your fish, squid, prawns, or lobster, choose grilled or fried, and eat it at simple tables with rice and spicy sambal. The area is a halal culinary zone, so it’s a good choice for Muslim travelers too.
Seafood is priced by weight. Ask the price per kilo and agree on the total before it goes on the grill, and bring cash. A big seafood dinner usually comes to around IDR 100,000 to 250,000 per person. Stalls open from late afternoon, and the best time to go is just after sunset.
Taman Laut Handayani
Taman Laut Handayani is one of the best known seafood restaurants in town, close to the port with views over the bay. It’s casual and lively, with fresh catch on display and a big menu of grilled and fried seafood. It gets busy in the evening, so go early if you want a table by the water.
Artomoro Restaurant and Grill
Near the harbour, Artomoro is a relaxed grill that’s popular with travelers looking for something a step up from the night market. The grilled squid and fish come with house-made sauces, portions are generous, and prices are good value. The menu also covers Indonesian and Western dishes, and there’s live music on some nights.
Hong Signature
Hong Signature cooks seafood Chinese-style. The black pepper crab is the dish to order, along with seafood fried rice. Prices are reasonable for the quality. It doesn’t serve alcohol, so plan your sunset drinks elsewhere.
Santeria
Santeria is a smaller seafood restaurant that’s well liked for fresh fish and good local sauces at fair prices. It’s a good pick when you want a sit-down seafood meal without the resort price tag.
Tree Top Restaurant
Tree Top sits on the main street above the bay, and its upper floor has some of the best harbour views in town. The menu mixes Indonesian and Western seafood, with grilled prawns, calamari, and spicy Indonesian fish dishes, plus cold drinks for sunset. Service can be slow when it’s busy.
Bajo Bay Fisherman’s Club
Away from the busy main road, Bajo Bay Fisherman’s Club is a two-story restaurant on Jalan Ikan Kerapu, looking over a quieter part of the harbour. The menu is mostly Western with some Indonesian touches, including seafood dishes, and it’s a calm spot for sunset.
Baccala
Baccala is a small Italian restaurant tucked down an alley in town, focused on locally caught fish. The grilled octopus and fish carpaccio are the dishes people talk about. It’s one of the best places in town for a special dinner, and tables are limited, so book ahead.
La Cucina and MadeInItaly
Labuan Bajo’s two long-running Italian favorites are both good for seafood. La Cucina has bay views and a seafood pasta that’s popular with expats, and MadeInItaly is known for wood-fired pizza and pasta from an Italian chef. Both are on the main street and busy in July and August.
Atlantis on the Rock
On the cliffs above Waecicu Beach, Atlantis on the Rock by Plataran is the classic choice for seafood with a sunset view. Try the ikan kuah asam, a sour fish soup, along with fresh fish and signature cocktails. It’s about 15 minutes from town, prices are well above town restaurants, and you’ll need to book for a sunset table.
Atlantis Beach Club
Also run by Plataran, Atlantis Beach Club is built around a sunken, restored phinisi boat. It’s more casual than Atlantis on the Rock, with fresh seafood, tapas, sundowner cocktails, and live music in the evenings. Opening hours vary, so check before you go.
Kisik at AYANA Komodo
For a splurge, Kisik is the beachfront seafood grill at AYANA Komodo on Waecicu Beach. It’s open for dinner, with grilled lobster, fish, and prawns served at tables near the sand. Non-guests are welcome with a reservation.
Tips for Eating Seafood in Labuan Bajo
- Agree on the price first. At markets and casual places, seafood is sold by weight. Ask the price per kilo and confirm the total before cooking.
- Bring cash. The night market and small restaurants don’t take cards.
- Go early. The freshest fish is on display in the early evening, and popular places fill up at sunset.
- Check before you go. Restaurants here open and close often, so check recent reviews on Google Maps.
Looking for more than seafood? See our full guide on where to eat in Labuan Bajo, including cafes, warungs, and halal and vegan options, and our tips for first-time visitors to Labuan Bajo.
