The 5-star JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya in Embong Malang, formerly Radio NIROM, a Dutch broadcasting company, is where “Indonesia Raya” (Indonesia’s national anthem) first aired and angered the Dutch. It was later transformed into The Westin Hotel Surabaya in 1992 before being taken over by Marriott International in 2002 and becoming the JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya we know today.
Pavilion Restaurant and Lobby Lounge are some of Marriott’s signature restaurants. I love their buffet and cocktail selections; however, sometimes, I prefer more affordable alternatives. Fortunately, I can also venture outside to try the delicious local food stalls in the hotel’s vicinity. One restaurant I would recommend is Rawon Setan, known for its legendary “devil’s black soup” (where “rawon” means “black soup” and “setan” means “devil”).
Continue reading my food & restaurant guide in and around JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya, to learn about all the best food options in the area!
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About JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya
People often choose to dine at JW Marriott for special occasions such as honeymoons, business meetings, or birthday parties, especially at the renowned Pavilion Restaurant with its diverse buffet selections.
I enjoy utilizing my Marriott Bonvoy Membership to accumulate points whenever I dine at any of the restaurants here. This enables me to redeem my points for exclusive discounts on food, staycation packages, and other hotel amenities!
JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya
Address: JL Embong Malang 85-89
Inside JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya
The gargantuan ship carving inside the hotel immediately caught my attention after passing through the hotel’s metal detector. It’s a popular spot for people to take selfies before they explore the various facilities that JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya has to offer, such as the signature Pavillion Restaurant and Lobby Lounge.
Just a few steps behind Pavillion Restaurant and Lobby Lounge is Marriott’s newly established bakery, SBCo. Here, I picked up their spiku (Surabaya’s signature delicacy), as well as some sliced cakes and more!
Level 2 also features other restaurants! Keep reading to discover what it’s like to dine in these luxurious establishments.
1. Pavillion Restaurant
Booking a room with breakfast in JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya means you will be able to dine in the lovely Pavillion Restaurant, which is open for breakfast from 6am to 10am. They also serve individual breakfasts and set breakfast menus for non-staying guests.
The rest of the restaurant’s opening hours are for regular lunch, tea time, and dinner sessions. I would advise making a reservation, as I remember not getting a seat for their buffet when I didn’t RSVP.
One unique aspect of Pavillion Restaurant is their flexible pricing for the menu. I once asked if they could serve me a half-portion of a menu item for half the price, and they did. They refer to this as the Kids’ Menu.
Pavilion Restaurant at JW Marriott Surabaya
Website: Pavilion Restaurant at JW Marriott Surabaya
Opening hours: 6am - 10:30pm (daily)
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2. Lobby Lounge
I once came to Pavilion Restaurant to order some light-bite snacks. However, the staff directed me to this location and informed me that sometimes we can order Pavilion Restaurant items in the Lobby Lounge.
When this happened to me, I thought, why not try their mocktail creations? After all, they are listed in the Lobby Lounge’s menu book, and I had read somewhere that they use ginger from Yu Garden, the hotel’s private garden, in their concoctions.
Lobby Lounge also surprised me with a mix of peanuts and potato chips as a welcome snack. If you visit the Lobby Lounge, I recommend coming with at least two or three friends. After all, their menu book states that the dishes are mostly intended for two or three people (which is why I missed out on the martabak).
Lobby Lounge
Website: Lobby Lounge
Opening hours: 6am - 1am (daily)
3. SBCo (Surabaya Baking Company) and Wine & Co
SBCo has focused on spiku as its flagship product since its establishment in 2021. I can say this because whenever people (especially the staying guests) think of Surabaya, they never miss out on spiku.
I recently bought a slice of their spiku product. This way, I could allocate my money to give their other products some limelight, such as the floss bread. I love their night discounts for the selected bread, starting from 8pm, which are great for saving money!
You can also visit Wine & Co, the wine stall inside SBCo’s premises, and let the sommelier help you choose your wine after enjoying your bread. I hope to try the experience someday.
4. Imari Japanese Restaurant
Going inside Imari Japanese Restaurant (shortened to “Imari”) gives me a zen and private vibe. They have separate tables for private meetings and regular guests.
The staff will prepare generous amounts of wasabi and gari (Japanese pink ginger) to neutralize the raw seafood taste if you order any of their non-fried items, such as Shake Soboro Maki.
I want to one day try their wagyu dishes and their Teppanyaki Special Set (shortened to “teppan”) products, as Marriott’s Imari provides the one-and-only live “teppan” cooking shows in Surabaya.
Imari Japanese Restaurant at JW Marriott Surabaya
Website: Imari Japanese Restaurant at JW Marriott Surabaya
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 3pm; 6pm - 10pm / Sat - Sun: 10.30am - 3pm; 5.30pm - 10pm
5. Tang Palace
Tang Palace, the Chinese neighbor of Imari Japanese Restaurant, offers the classic round-table dining experience to both staying and non-staying guests. I was excited to try their dim sum menu, but unfortunately, I arrived during dinner time instead of lunchtime.
Tang Palace is also particularly busy during Chinese public holidays. I recommend trying their unique mooncake creations to celebrate Mid-Autumn festivals, as well as their sticky rice, also known as bakcang, for Dragon Boat festivals!
Upon entering the restaurant, you will immediately notice the antique Chinese decorations. The family-friendly atmosphere makes this restaurant suitable not only for business meetings, but also for parents who wish to celebrate their children’s upcoming marriage by dining together.
Tang Palace Authentic
Website: Tang Palace Authentic
Operating hours: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm (daily)
6. Uppercut Steakhouse
Uppercut Steakhouse (also shortened to Uppercut) is the first restaurant I see when I get off the hotel elevator.
The private ambiance here gives me a luxurious, exclusive, and slightly “blunt” vibe, which sets Uppercut apart from Imari, another restaurant in JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya.
If you’re dining here, be sure to try any of their steak or “The House Dry Aged” dishes. You can even see the Josper, the large grill used to cook the meat, at this restaurant. Alternatively, you can try their Uppercut Burger. As a welcome snack, this restaurant serves two large pieces of garlic bread with olive dip!
Uppercut Steakhouse
Website: Uppercut Steakhouse
Opening hours: Tue - Thur: 6pm - 10pm / Fri - Sun: 11am - 3pm; 6pm - 10pm (closed on Mon)
Around JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya
I usually pay anywhere from 250,000 IDR (15.52 USD) to 3,000,000 IDR (186.27 USD), including tax and service costs, when dining at any of the restaurants in JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya. This doesn’t surprise me though, as JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya is a 5-star hotel.
One great thing is that the Embong Malang area is home to many legendary and authentic Surabaya culinary spots. Some of my recommendations include Martabak Djuara and Martabak Pecenongan 78, known for their fast service and delicious melted chocolate flavors.
So, continue reading this article to discover other dining options you can explore near the hotel!
7. Emado's Shawarma
While this restaurant’s name is spelled as “Emado’s” because it refers to Emad Al-Amad, the Palestinian man behind the restaurant’s success, the Grab app has the restaurant as “Emados” without an apostrophe.
Emado’s not only serves traditional Middle Eastern dishes, such as Nasi Mandhi, Kabsah, and Shawarma, but they also focus on the contemporary side of their restaurant’s interior design. I’m never bored when I order my food here.
By the way, I recently bought their roasted chicken for 49,000 IDR (3.04 USD)! The price is for four servings, which falls into the affordable range.
Emado'S - Embong Malang
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
8. Warteg Selera Bahari
Bahari Group’s warong, also known as warteg, has a different concept compared to the typical warong stalls found in Indonesian wet markets. It prioritizes clean cooking processes and servings, which is also evident at Embong Malang’s Warteg Selera Bahari.
My dining experience here confirms that budgeting around 25,000 IDR (1.55 USD) for a meal consisting of jasmine rice, two types of protein, a portion of vegetables, and a glass of hot tea is more than sufficient.
I suggest visiting a few hours ahead of your lunch or dinner time. I don’t want you to encounter any “sold out” signs on your favorite dishes!
9. Nasi Madura Boss-Q57
A typical nasi Madura dish consists of a generous portion of jasmine rice, innard cuts, black-inked squids, and Indonesian peanut crackers known as rempeyek (abbreviated to “peyek”).
That’s what you will also find at Nasi Madura Boss-Q57! I love that the ratio of rice and squid is not too overwhelming, unlike other Madurese restaurants in Central and North Surabaya, the two areas where Madurese people stay the most.
You will also find other Madurese foods, such as Soto Madura (Indonesian yellow soup with slices of beef and innards, prepared in Madurese style), Nasi Bebek (yellow spiced duck with jasmine rice), and more. I plan to try their nasi bebek someday. It sounds delicious!
Nasi Madura BossQ57
Address: Jl. Embong Malang nomer No.42a, Genteng, Kec. Genteng, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60275
Opening hours: 11.30am - 11.30pm (daily)
10. Rawon Setan
“Setan” is an Indonesian word for demons, devils, or Satan. Some locals believe that Embong Malang’s Rawon Setan is named that way because Rawon Setan used to only have nighttime opening hours before it gained the popularity we see today. However, I have never witnessed any spooky occurrences around Rawon Setan.
To this day, live music performances can still be heard in the restaurant starting from 18.00 onwards. I have also noticed that they offer crackers (“keropok” or “kerupuk”) as oleh-oleh (gift) products inside the restaurant.
It is expected that there will be traffic jams around the restaurant if famous figures perform nearby. After all, I have heard that many actors, actresses, and other famous people have dined here.
Rawon Setan - Embong Malang
Address: No.78/I, Jl. Embong Malang, Genteng, Kec. Genteng, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60261
11. Martabak Djuara and Martabak Pecenongan 78
If you read my regret over missing out on martabak in Lobby Lounge and wondered where to buy this sweet and savory dish outside the hotel, I have just the place for you. Martabak Djuara and the 24-hour Martabak Pecenongan 78 are two martabak outlets near JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya that you can try. It only takes one or two minutes to walk to each outlet.
I always go to Martabak Djuara for any chocolate-filled martabak products, such as Martabak Nutella. Martabak Pecenongan 78 is my choice for classic martabak. Their portions seem small, but one package can feed up to four people!
12. Lontong Balap Pak Gendut
Lontong Balap Pak Gendut is a beloved local outlet that was originally named Lontong Balap Garuda. Pak Gendut, the owner of the eatery, used to help his parents by selling longtong balap in front of Jalan Kranggan’s Bioskop Garuda, also known as Garuda Movie Theater, in 1970. This was where lontong balap merchants usually gathered.
I recently noticed an interesting addition that Pak Gendut’s son included in the Grab app, called Lontong Balap Pedas Sekali, which is the super-spicy variation of the dish.
The best way to enjoy a plate of lontong balap is by dining inside the restaurant. Otherwise, you will need to prepare a hard surface to avoid spillage.
Lontong Balap Asli Pak Gendut (Pusat)
Address: Jl. Embong Malang No.38, Genteng, Kec. Genteng, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60275
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
13. Tahu Campur Cak Kahar
Tahu campur and tahu tek are authentic Surabaya street food delicacies that I never want to miss. The presence of the broth and the toppings on the dish help me differentiate between these two tofu dishes.
Tahu Campur Cak Kahar in Embong Malang is one of the best places to enjoy authentic tahu campur and tahu tek in Surabaya! The solid blue tent is a sign that you have arrived at this warong stall.
I saw many Gojek and Grab drivers queueing at Tahu Campur Cak Kahar from 5:30pm. It signifies Tahu Campur Pak Kahar’s popularity as an affordable food option for both locals and tourists.
Depot Legendaris Tahu Campur Cak Kahar
Address: Jl. Embong Malang No.78 H, Genteng, Kec. Genteng, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60275
Opening hours: 4.30pm - 12am (daily)
Savor the best food in and around JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya
Whether you prefer fine dining or affordable feasts, you’ll find something to your liking in or around the hotel. Visit any of the restaurants in this guide to embark on a foodie adventure during your stay at JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya.
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