Bali’s dining scene is famous for its color and energy, from bustling beachside cafes to artfully plated tasting menus. But for many travelers, there’s a craving for something more: food beyond the crowded restaurants that feels connected to the land, the people, and a sense of tradition.
Just east of Bali, and a short 50-minute flight, Sumba Island remains quieter and less traveled. Sumba is a place where meals are shaped by the rhythms of nature, and every ingredient has a story.
Imagine your next food journey taking you to Sumba, away from the familiar, where quiet coastlines, open gardens, and flavors with a real sense of peace await. Let’s wander into what gives Indonesian food its soul, and see how NIHI Sumba celebrates the spirit of the land and its timeless traditions in every meal.
Indonesia is a tapestry of beautiful islands, each one holding its own rituals, and recipes. The country’s cuisine is as diverse as its landscape, stretching from the volcanic soils of Java and the paddies of Bali to the remote rolling hills of Sumba. Every region brings something distinct to the table, yet all share a love of bold flavors and the deep-rooted tradition of shared meals.
Travelers often fall in love with Indonesia’s dining classics: aromatic stir-fried nasi goreng, skewers of sate ayam glazed in sweet soy, slow-cooked rendang, and the bright, peanut-dressed medley of gado-gado. These delicious dishes invite guests into local kitchens and family gatherings, shaped by generations and the bounty of each island.
Sumba is not just like Bali, and that difference is tasted at every table. Here, the island’s wildness isn’t just scenery; it’s woven into each meal. The food traditions of Sumba remain deeply local, shaped by centuries of community and the wild surroundings of the land and sea. Unlike the bustling, often fusion-heavy kitchens of Bali, Sumba’s approach is quiet and elemental.
Meals are often traditional Sumba meals, built on what the island gives each season: freshly caught fish, young coconut, sun-ripened cassava, and wild greens foraged from nearby hillsides. Cooking happens over open fires, often outdoors, with recipes handed down through families and villages. Many dishes are enjoyed communally, under the open sky, with nothing between you and the land that sustains you.
What makes Sumba unique is the preservation of these rituals. While Indonesian classics like sate and nasi goreng appear on the table, they are prepared with Sumba’s own ingredients, reflecting the island’s unique soil, climate, and culture.
At NIHI Sumba, food is not just sustenance; it is a daily celebration of connection. Meals unfold at Sumba’s pace, shaped by the tide, the turning of the season, and the wisdom of hands that deeply know the place. The kitchen draws inspiration from both landscape and tradition, transforming what is gathered into flavors that are at once familiar and new.
From the first light of morning to meals shared beneath the stars, each gathering becomes a sensory ritual. Every table is set with intention, and each ingredient is chosen for its story as well as its taste. The act of eating invites you to be present, to savor, and to revive.
Dining here is woven into daily life, yet every experience feels extraordinary. Guests are invited to wander the gardens, meet the people who nurture and gather, and discover the connection between food, land, and community.
Discover more about NIHI’s dining experiences and culinary philosophy.
Dining at NIHI is more than a matter of taste; it is a journey through Indonesian food traditions, shaped by setting, mood, and the pace you choose. Whether you crave barefoot lunches by the sea or a refined omakase journey, NIHI’s restaurants and hidden spaces invite you to slow down and savor.
The Atmosphere: True to its name, which means “wave front” in Indonesian, Ombak opens directly onto the surf, offering an uninterrupted connection to the coastline. The open-air setting welcomes guests with the rhythmic sound of waves. Evenings here unfold at a gentle pace, filled with laughter, live entertainment, and the sense of dining at the edge of wildness.
Best For: Communal dining, storytelling over shared plates, and connecting across generations. Ombak is perfect for all ages and every kind of gathering, from sunrise breakfast to celebratory dinner.
The Atmosphere: Located right on the water’s edge, Nio Beach Club’s open-air pavilions are a prime place to enjoy lunch with the sea just steps away. An inviting 20-meter infinity lap pool stretches toward the Indian Ocean, offering a front-row seat for beach lovers to relax, soak up the sun, and watch surfers carve across NIHI’s legendary wave.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, breakfast is also served here, often accompanied by the serene sight of horses strolling along the beach right in front of the restaurant.
Best For: Barefoot lunches, snacks between swims, poolside cocktails, and laid-back afternoons spent watching the world drift by.
The Atmosphere: Kaboku is NIHI Sumba’s Japanese restaurant, designed for an intimate and elegant fine-dining experience. The indoor, temperature-controlled, sunken space sits underneath Nio Pool Deck, offering a serene setting for a remarkable omakase meal. With seating for just six guests, every evening feels exclusive and thoughtfully curated.
Best For: Guests with a taste for refined, multi-course omakase journeys, quiet evenings, and those who appreciate Japanese sake or whisky. Advance booking is essential due to limited space. Please note Kaboku is not included in the daily accommodation price.
The Atmosphere: Set on the edge of the surf, the Boathouse Bar is NIHI’s most laidback gathering place. Here, sunsets light up the horizon and the salt air lingers long after you’ve left the sand. It is the kind of place where shoes are optional and time stretches out, marked only by laughter, the clink of glasses, and the “Happiest Hour,” offered daily from 5:30pm to 6:30pm with free-flow domestic beers and house wine.
Best For: Sunset drinks, casual bites, and unwinding after a day in the waves. Whether you come straight from the beach or freshen up before dinner, the Boathouse is a home for easy conversation and slow afternoons.
The Atmosphere: For those rare evenings when you want the world to fall away, NIHI offers private dining in secluded places. Picture a candlelit table on Nihiwatu Beach, a jungle nook hidden beneath the trees, or a quiet deck under the stars.
Best For: Romantic nights, special celebrations, or any occasion that calls for intimacy and wonder.
The Atmosphere: Sometimes the best meal is the one enjoyed in your own space. In-villa dining brings NIHI’s culinary excellence to your door, whether you want a slow morning breakfast in bed or a relaxed dinner in with family.
Best For: Families seeking flexibility, solo travelers who want to linger, and anyone who cherishes privacy and comfort.
Every dining experience at NIHI is shaped by tradition, innovation, and the simple comfort of good food in unforgettable places.
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At NIHI Sumba, some of the most memorable stories begin not at the table, but with your own hands in the earth or kitchen. These moments go beyond eating; they invite you to connect with the land, culture, and tradition in ways that linger long after the last bite.
The journey begins in NIHI’s gardens, where you gather fresh herbs and spices straight from the source. Guided by NIHI’s chefs, you’ll learn time-honored Indonesian techniques, turning garden harvests into traditional dishes. It is a true garden-to-plate experience, centered on flavor and discovery.
Indonesia is one of the world’s largest cocoa producers, and on Sumba, cacao thrives under the tropical sun. In this hands-on class, guests are invited to transform freshly harvested beans into rich, sweet chocolate. The experience is as joyful as it is delicious, blending island flavors with pure, simple pleasure.
Inside Kaboku’s serene space, NIHI’s Japanese chefs invite you to experience the art of Japanese cooking, by Sumba’s own ingredients. Under the expert guidance of Kaboku’s world-class chef, you’ll learn how to carefully filet fresh fish, then use your handiwork to create delicate, flavorful sushi dishes. The class may also explore traditional recipes like miso soup and sakizuke, each one a quiet celebration of skill and taste, blending Japanese technique with the island’s spirit.
Begin your day with a guided trek through palm forests, rice terraces, and traditional villages. The journey leads to Nihioka, NIHI’s hidden cliffside spa destination, where breakfast is cooked over an open flame and served on a shaded treehouse platform overlooking the ocean. The wild, fresh air and panoramic views make every bite taste like celebration. Few meals nourish both body and soul so completely.
Explore more culinary adventures and experiences at NIHI Sumba.
Food at NIHI is more than sustenance. It is a thread that ties guests to the island, the sea, and the spirit of Sumba. Every meal is a chance to connect with place, with people, and with the moments that matter most.
We invite you to begin crafting your own unforgettable journey, shaped by the tastes, stories, and landscapes of Indonesia.
To begin planning your journey, email us at [email protected] or contact us at +62 811-3821-2910.
Feel free to contact us if you need any further information
