If there’s one thing that Singaporeans can agree on about Batam, it’s the cheap, delicious seafood. The food that gets on your plate will often be fresh catch, none of that freezer fare! Here are some of the most popular seafood restaurants in Batam.
We’ve included several halal options too. A note on halal signs: some restaurants may claim to be halal yet serve alcoholic beverages, do watch out for that.
Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant
Golden Prawn is the most popular among tourists. The restaurant is built on stilts and there’s a decent view of a lake to accompany a delicious plate of black pepper crab. They’re also known for their fresh kangkong and their succulent sea snails. It’s near Golden City where there are activities like go-kart and paintball which makes it family-friendly.
Wey Wey Seafood Harbourbay
Head to Wey Wey for a beautiful sunset dinner. It’s right next to the sea and you’ll want to come early to get a table with the best views. Go for the chilli crab or the salted egg crab if you’re looking for their most popular dishes. Also, try the Cantonese-style kerapu steam fish, the soup base packs a punch and goes well with the soft texture of the fish.
Like most seafood restaurants in Batam, however, the prices aren’t listed on the menu. Don’t hesitate to ask if you’re worried. That said, it’ll still be cheaper than what you get in Singapore.
D’Steam Peranakan Live Seafood
D’Steam, as the name suggests, is known for its steamed fish. What makes it special is that some of the dishes are steamed on the spot. They also have an indoor space with a cleaner, more modern look that’s well air-conditioned. We recommend their tongue-tingling Peranakan fish soup and their lip-smacking salted egg prawns. It’s also walking distance from Nagoya Hill Mall, making it a great stop after your shopping spree.
Love Seafood Restaurant (Piayu)
You’ll be struggling to walk after dining at Love Seafood because you’ll be eating so much seafood. Upon entrance, you’ll see huge tanks of seafood, large enough to make you wonder whether you’ve actually stumbled upon a market! On their “must-try” menu is the Love Steam Combo, a somewhat daunting platter of crabs, sea snails, prawns, and clams.
It’s a bit further down south in the Piayu area which makes it fairly inaccessible. Granted, the views are spectacular; it’s designed in the kelong-style and nearby is a traditional stilt house neighbourhood.
Hongti Seafood
Hongti is a restaurant that’s newer unlike the more established restaurants on the list. We recommend the yam fish soup and the kailan. Their coconut tom yum soup is also worth trying, a coconut acts as a bowl for the prawn soup - it certainly scores high in the presentation! What’s also great about Hongti is that the prices are listed on the menu. That way, you won’t feel like you’re being scammed as a tourist.
Ikan Bakar Bulog (Halal)
Had enough of Chinese food? While you’re in Batam, you shouldn’t limit your palate to Indonesian-Chinese food. The shop is named after the classic Indonesian dish, ikan bakar which means “roasted fish”. We recommend the grilled black pomfret (ikan bawal hitam) and the grilled stingray (ikan pari).
Other restaurants display the halal symbol while serving beer. For our Muslim friends, you’ll be glad to know that the restaurant doesn’t serve any alcohol.
De’Sampan Seafood & BBQ
De’Sampan is a local favourite for alfresco dining in Batam. The smell of smoky seafood wafts through the air under the comfort of the cool night sky - how can you beat that? Some popular picks are their grilled fish, sambal squid, and their belacan kangkong. Their tender mackerels are the most popular among the fish options.
Note that this ikan bakar shop serves alcohol, however.
Restoran Pondok Batam Kuring (Halal)
For traditional Sundanese food, head over to Pondok Batam Kuring! They take ambience seriously as there are seating areas where you can sit under pondoks (Indonesian for ‘hut’). For the ultimate Sundanese experience, go for the sour yet savoury asam catfish. Also try the fried tempe (tempe goreng), a staple Indonesian food.
Like Ikan Bakar Bulog, this restaurant doesn’t serve any alcohol.
Kopak Jaya 007 Kelong Seafood Restaurant
Kopak Jaya is a restaurant that’s off the beaten path that’s quickly gaining reputation among foodies in Batam. They’re known for their oyster dishes and the usual Indonesian-Chinese seafood fare. We recommend their freshly-caught groupers, it’s definitely a hot menu item.
Apart from the food, the views are certainly fantastic being a kelong-style coastal restaurant. It’s located near the Barelang Bridge so drop by if you’re visiting the iconic suspension bridge.
