Seafood on Bintan: Kelong Restaurants, Grilled Fish and Crab
Eating seafood on a kelong, a stilt platform above the water, is a classic Bintan experience. The east coast around Trikora and Kawal and the city of Tanjung Pinang are the main places to go.
Surrounded by the sea, Bintan naturally has a strong seafood tradition, and one of the most memorable ways to enjoy it is at a kelong.
What is a kelong?
A kelong is a wooden structure built on stilts in shallow water. Fishermen originally used these platforms for catching fish, and some have since been turned into restaurants where you dine with open sea views and a breeze from every side.
Well-known areas
- Trikora and Kawal – Along Bintan's east coast, on the coastal road at Trikora and around the village of Kawal in Gunung Kijang district, you will find several kelong restaurants as well as beachside eateries with thatched huts (saung) facing the sea. A meal here combines well with a day at Trikora Beach.
- Tanjung Pinang – In the city, seafood is easy to find, for example at the evening food court Akau Potong Lembu with grilled fish, grilled squid and gonggong.
- The northern resort area – Around Lagoi there are kelong restaurants too, including one set on a former fishermen's pier.
What people usually order
- Grilled fish with Malay spices (ikan bakar)
- Crab, for example black pepper crab
- Prawns, fried squid and steamed fish
- Boiled gonggong snails with chilli sauce
Many kelong restaurants price fish and seafood by weight and type, so it is a good idea to ask about the price and cooking style before you order.
Tips for your visit
Arrive in the late afternoon to enjoy the atmosphere over the water before dark. On weekends and during holidays, popular places can get busy, not least with visitors from Singapore, so booking ahead helps. Some spots on the east coast are quite far from the city and the resorts, making a car with driver the most convenient option.