Warung Paradiso

Warung Paradiso is proof that you can find genuinely good Italian food in the most unexpected places. Run by an Italian-Indonesian couple who met while diving on Gili Air, this charming open-air restaurant has earned a devoted following among the island's regulars for its authentic wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, and warm hospitality. The pizza oven was hand-built by the Italian owner using volcanic stone from Rinjani, and it produces a Neapolitan-style crust that is blistered, chewy, and legitimately comparable to what you would find in Naples. The margherita is a masterclass in simplicity — San Marzano-style tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella (imported weekly from Bali), basil from their garden, and a drizzle of good olive oil. The prosciutto e rucola adds perfectly thin-sliced local cured ham. Beyond pizza, the handmade fettuccine with seafood in a white wine and garlic sauce is exceptional, using fresh prawns and squid from Gili Air's fishermen. The tiramisu for dessert is made daily and rivals any you have had in Italy. Prices are reasonable given the quality and island location: pizzas IDR 55,000-85,000, pasta IDR 60,000-90,000. They serve Italian wine by the glass and bottle, and the aperol spritz is mixed properly. The atmosphere is romantic in the evening with candlelight and soft Italian music. No reservations needed on weekdays, but weekend dinner can get busy. Located on the south side of Gili Air, a short walk from the harbor.