Lombok International Airport

Lombok International Airport isn't going to rival Singapore Changi for its dining scene, but if you know where to look, you can eat remarkably well before you board. The main terminal's food court area, located past the check-in hall and near the domestic departure gates, offers a compact but satisfying lineup of Indonesian staples. Think steaming bowls of soto ayam, nasi campur piled with local sides, and freshly fried tempe — honest, affordable food that actually reflects where you are in the world.

For something a little more composed, the airside cafes near the international gates serve Lombok's beloved ayam taliwang — spiced grilled chicken with a fiery sambal that locals swear by — alongside plecing kangkung, the island's signature water spinach dish dressed in chilli and shrimp paste. It's genuinely rare to find a regional specialty this authentic at an airport, so don't skip it in favour of a generic sandwich. Pair it with a glass of es kelapa muda, young coconut water served ice-cold, and you'll feel like you've squeezed one last proper Lombok meal into your trip.

Coffee lovers will find a few familiar Indonesian cafe chains scattered through the terminal, including Kopi Kenangan, where the sweet iced coffee drinks are crowd-pleasers for long layovers. Grab-and-go options include packaged jajan pasar — traditional Sasak market snacks like onde-onde and klepon — sold near the retail kiosks, which make brilliant edible souvenirs if you're heading home. Prices throughout are reasonable by international airport standards, and the staff are genuinely friendly, which makes lingering over a meal feel less like killing time and more like a gentle farewell to the island.