Kedai Kopi Timur

Kedai Kopi Timur is the kind of discovery that makes traveling off the beaten path worthwhile. Located in the small town of Labuhan Lombok on the eastern coast, this unassuming coffee shop is run by a young Sasak couple who returned to their hometown after working in specialty coffee in Jakarta. They brought back serious barista skills and a small roaster, and now produce some of Lombok's best coffee from beans grown on the slopes of Rinjani by their extended family. The pour-over using their single-origin Sembalun beans is fragrant, complex, and would impress coffee snobs anywhere. They also serve espresso-based drinks at prices that seem like a typo after the Gilis: an excellent cappuccino costs just IDR 15,000. Beyond coffee, the kedai serves simple but delicious local food — nasi campur with four or five daily-changing sides, soto ayam, and mie goreng, all for IDR 12,000-20,000. The space doubles as an informal information hub for travelers heading to Pink Beach, Ekas Bay, and other East Lombok attractions — the owners are passionate about their region and happy to share tips and even draw maps. Air-conditioned interior is a welcome refuge from the midday heat. There is a small cupping table where you can taste different bean profiles. The shop also sells bags of their roasted beans — an excellent souvenir. Open 7am to 5pm, closed Fridays for prayer. No WiFi, but Telkomsel signal is adequate.