Authentic Indonesian Dining by the Lake in Jumeirah Lakes Towers
The Little Bali is one of Dubai’s most beloved hidden gems, a casual yet deeply authentic Indonesian restaurant in Dubai tucked into the lakeside stretch of Cluster U in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Modest in size but enormous in flavour, it has built a loyal following of residents, expats, and food lovers who keep coming back for its honest cooking, warm hospitality, and prices that are refreshingly easy on the wallet by Dubai standards. Endorsed by celebrated chef Reif Othman and consistently praised by Time Out Dubai, it holds a 4.5 rating on Google and a 4.2 on Restaurant Guru across over 1,000 reviews, with guests repeatedly describing it as the most authentic Indonesian restaurant in the city.
The interior is neatly appointed in black and red accents with minimalist dining benches, creating a compact and relaxed setting that feels far removed from the polished hotel dining scene a few kilometres away. The outdoor lakeside seating is a particular draw, especially in the cooler months, when the calm waters of JLT’s lakes and the surrounding towers create a surprisingly serene backdrop for a long, leisurely meal. The atmosphere is casual, friendly, and genuinely neighbourhood in spirit, making it equally suitable for a solo lunch, a group dinner, or a family outing.
The menu is a generous tour through Indonesian cuisine with additional touches from Thai, Korean, and Chinese cooking, giving the kitchen a surprisingly wide range without losing its identity. The backbone of the menu is classic Indonesian, and the kitchen handles it with confidence. Nasi Goreng, the Indonesian fried rice, comes in several variations including the Nasi Goreng Padang, built on the bold spices of West Sumatran cooking.
Rendang Daging is a slow-cooked dry beef curry in coconut milk and spices, rich and deeply flavoured, one of the best versions of this dish to be found in Dubai. Bebek Betutu is the restaurant’s celebrated Balinese steamed marinated duck, slow-cooked in a traditional paste and served with lalapan, rice, and sambal terasi, a dish that takes time and skill to get right and here it does. Soto Ayam is a fragrant Indonesian chicken soup with turmeric broth, a comfort dish that regulars return to frequently.
Mie Ayam is Indonesian chicken noodles in a light broth, simple and well executed. The satay selection is a must-order, with chicken and beef skewers grilled over charcoal and served with peanut sauce. The udang bakar Jibaran, fat Balinese spice-marinated grilled prawns, has been singled out by Time Out as one of the best-value seafood dishes in the city. Mee Goreng Aceh, egg noodles tossed with fragrant meat, vegetables, and sliced egg in the bold style of Acehnese cooking, is another standout.
Ikan Asam Pedas, a hot and sour fish broth, Kue Lupis, a sweet glutinous rice cake dessert, Telur Dadar, a spiced Indonesian omelette, and Tongseng Kambing, a goat meat curry, round out the more distinctive dishes on the menu that are harder to find elsewhere in Dubai. The restaurant in Dubai also offers free-flow rice, a detail that regular guests are particularly enthusiastic about.
Drinks include refreshing iced teas and the traditional Es Cendol, a chilled Indonesian dessert drink made with pandan jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar, which guests consistently call a highlight, noting it is cooling without being overly sweet. The kitchen is happy to guide first-time diners through the menu, explaining dishes and spice levels with care, a quality that comes up again and again in reviews from guests trying Indonesian food for the first time.
The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner from 12:30pm to 11pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 12:30pm to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Both dine-in and takeaway are available, with online delivery also on offer through the restaurant’s own website. Reservations are recommended during peak hours and on weekend evenings when the restaurant tends to fill up quickly. There are vegetarian options in addition to the meat dishes in the restaurant, and the staff members are especially helpful in giving advice regarding diet plans.
It is easy to get to the restaurant. The nearest metro stop is Sobha Realty Metro Station on the Red Line, and from there it is only a walk or short drive away to The Little Bali. There are tram connections to JLT via Dubai Tram as well, and parking space can be found in the surrounding JLT towers.
- Address: Shop No. 1, Lake Side, Cluster U, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE
- Phone: +971 4 554 8575
Location:
1 AED