Where to Eat in Solo: Nasi Liwet, Timlo & the Best Warungs

Solo’s food is distinctly Javanese and, many argue, more authentically so than the more tourist-influenced versions in Yogyakarta. The cooking here uses less sugar than Yogyakarta’s style (itself already less sweet than Central Javanese cooking in general) and relies more on aromatic coconut-milk-based sauces. The warung culture is excellent — unpretentious, local, and honest.

Nasi Liwet

Bu Wongso Lemu (Nasi Liwet Widuran)

The most famous nasi liwet in Solo — Bu Wongso Lemu has been serving nasi liwet from a basket in the Widuran area since the 1950s. The tradition was a mobile one: vendors carrying bamboo baskets on their backs served late-night clients on the street. Bu Wongso now operates from a semi-permanent spot but the banana leaf service and the original recipe remain.

Price: IDR 20,000–35,000 | Hours: 7pm–midnight | Location: Jl Widuran (near the Kasunanan palace)

Nasi Liwet Bu Hj Fatimah

A daytime variant — the same core dish (coconut rice, opor, areh) but served from a fixed warung rather than a basket. Good for those who miss the Widuran night service.

Price: IDR 18,000–28,000 | Hours: 7am–2pm | Location: Jl Dr Rajiman, Laweyan area

Timlo Soup

Timlo Sastro

Solo’s most celebrated timlo institution — the clear broth with sliced chicken, glass noodles, bamboo shoots, coddled egg, and Chinese meatballs has been served from this warung on Jalan Gajahan since the 1970s. The broth is clean and deeply savoury.

Price: IDR 25,000–40,000/bowl | Hours: 6:30am–4pm | Location: Jl Gajahan, near Pasar Gedhe

Timlo Maestro

A more central option near the Kasunanan palace with a larger seating area and faster service than Timlo Sastro. The broth is slightly richer; the meat portions more generous.

Price: IDR 22,000–38,000/bowl | Hours: 7am–3pm | Location: Jl Urip Sumoharjo

Serabi & Traditional Snacks

Serabi Notosuman

Since 1923, Serabi Notosuman has produced the definitive Solo serabi — small, thick rice flour pancakes made on clay griddles with coconut milk batter. Sold plain or filled with chocolate. The line forms before 7am; they often sell out by 9am on weekends.

Price: IDR 3,000–5,000 each | Hours: 6am–9am (or until sold out) | Location: Jl Muhammad Yamin 28

Pasar Gede Morning Market

Pasar Gede (the grand covered market, built 1930 by the Dutch architect Herman Thomas Karsten) has a food section on the east side with traditional Solo snacks: klepon (palm sugar-filled rice balls), lemper (glutinous rice with chicken filling wrapped in banana leaf), getuk (steamed and mashed cassava with coconut), and hot wedang jahe (ginger tea).

Entry: Free | Hours: 5am–3pm daily | Location: Jl Jend Urip Sumoharjo

Sate & Grills

Sate Kambing Pak Manto

Surakarta’s finest goat satay — small pieces of young goat marinated in garlic and sweet soy, grilled over charcoal, and served with plain soy sauce and pickled cucumber rather than peanut sauce. The sate buntel (minced goat meat wrapped around the skewer) is the signature item.

Price: IDR 35,000–60,000 for a serving of 10 skewers | Hours: 11am–8pm | Location: Jl Gajah Mada

Sate Klatak Bu Marto

A Javanese-style satay using larger chunks of lamb on thick iron skewers — the metal conducts heat differently and produces an evenly cooked centre. Served simply with salt, pepper, and wedges of lime.

Price: IDR 25,000–45,000 | Hours: 10am–8pm

Contemporary & Cafes

Kafe Tiga Tjeret

A heritage café operating from a restored building near the alun-alun, serving wedang tjeret (Solo’s traditional spiced herbal drink served from a clay pot) alongside simple Indonesian food and coffee. The best place to try traditional Javanese herbal drinks in a comfortable setting.

Price: Drinks IDR 20,000–40,000; food IDR 30,000–70,000 | Hours: 9am–9pm | Location: Jl Teuku Umar

Segovia Coffee

A specialty coffee bar on Jalan Slamet Riyadi popular with Solo’s young professionals — single-origin Java and Flores beans, pour-over and espresso options, and simple food. Good Wi-Fi.

Price: Coffee IDR 28,000–55,000; food IDR 35,000–80,000 | Hours: 8am–10pm

The Sunan Hotel Bengawan Solo Restaurant

For a complete Indonesian meal in comfortable surroundings, the Sunan’s restaurant serves a solid rendition of Central Javanese court cuisine: nasi gudeg, rawon, opor ayam, and mixed rice plates with multiple side dishes.

Price: IDR 80,000–200,000/person | Hours: 6am–10pm | Reservation: Not usually necessary

---

Tengkleng

Tengkleng Bu Edi — a weekday-only warung near Pasar Klewer serving Solo’s distinctive lamb bone and offal soup (tengkleng). The curry-spiced broth is eaten by sucking marrow from the small bones, with plain rice on the side. IDR 25,000–45,000. Opens from 11am; sold out by 2pm most days.

Find food tours and cooking experiences in Solo — a guided food walk is one of the best ways to move beyond tourist-facing restaurants.

More Solo Guides

• Solo travel guide — the full Solo overview: orientation, key attractions, hotels, and getting there
• Things to do in Solo — the best activities and experiences in and around Solo
• Where to stay in Solo — the best hotels and guesthouses by neighbourhood and budget