The Best Indonesian Food in the United States
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The best Indonesian food in the United States, according to the experts: AAA, the James Beard Awards, and The New York Times have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Gado Gado comes out on top, and the good stuff runs deepest in New York and Philadelphia.
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Hardena and Coffeegraph hold the next two places. The Michelin Guide and The New York Times show up on more of this list than any other guide.
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Rank 1. Gado Gado
Indonesian
The name means "mix mix" in Indonesian, which is either a promise or a warning depending on your appetite. This eclectic Southeast Asian restaurant from Thomas and Mariah Pisha-Duffly blends Indonesian and Malaysian flavors with bistro instincts, dry-aged tartare showing up alongside rendang and satay. The rice table feast gives the fullest picture of what the kitchen is doing. A James Beard nominee and a New York Times pick.
The awards
- AAA AAA: Three Diamonds
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2023 · Nominee · Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific · Thomas Pisha-Duffly
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2026 · Nominee · Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific · Thomas Pisha-Duffly
- AAA Three Diamonds
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Nominee · Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific · Thomas Pisha-Duffly
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Nominee · Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific · Thomas Pisha-Duffly
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Rank 2. Hardena
Indonesian
A steam table loaded with rendang and jackfruit stew is the first thing you see, and the family photos taped to the walls make the second impression. This South Philly Indonesian spot is a home-cooking operation in the most literal sense, now run by the founder's daughter. Rice platters come heaping, sambal comes with the order, and extra scoops are fifty cents, which is the kind of pricing that earns genuine loyalty.
The awards
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia Right Now
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia
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Rank 3. Coffeegraph
Indonesian
The awards
- Westword 2025 · Best Themed Coffee Menu · Best of Denver
- Eater The Best Coffee Shops in Denver
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Rank 4. Dija Mara
Indonesian
The roll-up garage door tells you it's casual; the cooking reminds you it isn't. Dija Mara is an Indonesian restaurant on Oceanside's main strip, with cheeky murals and dim lighting keeping the vibe loose while the kitchen runs serious. Nasi goreng and charred eggplant with smoked tomato sambal are the kinds of dishes that make the Michelin Bib Gourmand make sense. Creative low-ABV cocktails built on house-fermented shrubs round out a menu that earns a weekend return.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
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Rank 5. Wayan
Indonesian
Warm teak paneling, live plants, and candles crowd a close-quartered bar and a dining room that runs just as loud in SoHo. This is a high-energy Indonesian restaurant where the chef pulls from French technique too, landing somewhere genuinely its own. The menu moves through satays and seafood-forward small plates into boldly spiced mains, with cocktails calibrated to keep the whole party going.
The awards
- The New York Times The New York Times: 2019 · 2 stars, Critic's Pick · Restaurant Review
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Selected Restaurant
- The New York Times 2019 · 2 stars, Critic's Pick · Restaurant Review
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
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Rank 6. Ma•dé
West Sumatran Indonesian
Knotted ropes hang from the ceiling of this narrow, white-brick room where the West Sumatran tradition of communal eating drives every decision. Ma•dé is a prix-fixe restaurant where nearly the whole meal arrives at once, covering the table in small bowls and plates you navigate in whatever order you like. Son of Jean-Georges, chef Cedric Vongerichten runs the kitchen. The crowd tends toward people who like surprises more than menus.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Selected Restaurant
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
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Rank 7. Warung Selasa at Indo Java
Indonesian
The awards
- The New York Times The New York Times: 2017 · Critic's Pick · Restaurant Review
- The New York Times The New York Times: #22 · The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City
- The New York Times 2017 · Critic's Pick · Restaurant Review
- The New York Times #22 · The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City
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Rank 8. Rice & Sambal
Indonesian
Indonesian BYOB on East Passyunk, where the sambal arrives in three versions and the jasmine rice is fluffy enough to make you rethink every rice you've had before it. The schedule here does a lot of the personality work: brunch on Sundays, a family-style banana-leaf spread on Saturdays, and a monthly prix fixe on weeknights that tends to linger in memory longer than the tab does. Bring a bottle.
The awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Philadelphia Magazine: #30 · 50 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Magazine #30 · 50 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia