Gili Air east coast (south of Turtle Point)
★ 4.5(826 reviews)
Soul Food is a casual all-day cafe on Gili Air's east coast, serving big portions of Western comfort food (burgers, ribs, pasta, breakfast) at fair prices for hungry travelers. Mid-range pricing (mains 90-160k IDR), generous portions, and one of the few Gili Air spots where you'll leave actually full.
# Soul Food Gili Air: The Comfort Food Cafe
Soul Food is the kind of cafe Gili Air needs more of — a no-pretense all-day venue serving big portions of Western comfort food at honest prices. While other Gili Air restaurants compete on aesthetics (Pachamama's bohemian garden, Mowie's beachfront sunset), Soul Food competes on substance: substantial burgers, decent ribs, real breakfast platters, generous pasta dishes.
It's the spot you go when you've had a long snorkel session and need 2,000 calories on a plate, when you want a beer with dinner without paying beach club prices, or when you simply want food that fills you up.
Breakfast (until 1pm officially, kitchen accommodates later):
Burgers and lunch (95-160k IDR):
Mains and dinner:
Snacks and shareables (45-95k IDR):
Better than most Gili Air casual cafes. Veggie burger is house-made (not just a patty-less version of beef), vegetable pasta primavera is genuine, smoothie bowls are real, gado-gado is properly made. Vegan modifications possible on most pasta and breakfast dishes — inform the server.
Cheaper drinks than the beachfront restaurants — Bintang large 55k vs 65-75k at Mowie's.
A typical lunch for one (burger + chips + beer): 115k + 55k = 170k IDR. Big Breakfast + flat white: 145k IDR. Pork ribs full rack + beer: 215k IDR. Two people having dinner with mains and drinks: 350-450k IDR.
Mid-range Gili Air pricing — significantly more affordable than Mowie's beachfront, comparable to Scallywags, more expensive than warungs.
Casual open-air covered terrace facing the east coast. About 18 tables, simple wooden furniture, ceiling fans, soft music playing. The kitchen is partially visible behind a counter at the back.
The crowd is mixed — backpackers, dive crews, families with kids, the occasional couple wanting a casual dinner without splurging. Conversation volume rises during peak hours (8-10am and 7-9pm). It's not romantic — it's functional.
The east coast location means no sunset views (sun sets behind the island), but the morning light is lovely if you're there for breakfast 7-9am.
Pork is a significant part of the menu — pork ribs (signature dish), pulled pork sandwich, carbonara (pork guanciale), bacon options. Soul Food is not halal. Vegetarian and most chicken/seafood dishes are pork-free.
For halal travelers, choose a different restaurant — Pachamama (vegetarian, no alcohol) or one of the Indonesian-leaning warungs nearby.
Strengths: portions are generous (you leave full); comfort food is consistently good; casual unpretentious vibe; open all day with no kitchen breaks; vegetarian section is real; pork ribs are properly slow-cooked; cheaper than beachfront restaurants for similar Western food.
Weaknesses: pork-heavy menu means it's not halal; service lags during peak; no view (east coast, no sunset); generic cafe atmosphere; not a destination dinner experience; not for fine-dining expectations.
Best for: hungry travelers wanting big portions; backpackers and budget-mid travelers; families with kids who want familiar food; surfer-equivalent post-snorkel diners; couples wanting a casual dinner without beach club prices; anyone wanting a substantial breakfast that fills you until lunch.
Skip if: you eat strictly halal (pork is significant on the menu); you want a beachfront sunset experience (try Mowie's); you want refined dining; you're vegetarian and want only plant-based options (try Pachamama); you find casual cafes too generic.