Best Brunch With a View in Surabaya: Great Food and Better Scenery

If you are hunting for the best brunch with a view in Surabaya, you are in for a treat. This sprawling East Java capital is not just about traffic and industry. It has a growing collection of elevated dining spots where you can eat well while taking in the skyline, the sea breeze, or the old city charm. I have spent weekends chasing scenic brunch Surabaya options across the city, from rooftop terraces to waterfront decks, and here is where I would send you.

1. The Alimar Sky Lounge and Dining, Tunjungan Plaza Area

What to Order: Their Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon is solid, but the Nasi Goreng Kampung with a fried egg on top is what keeps locals coming back. Pair it with a cold-pressed juice or a local kopi tubruk.

Best Time: Weekday mornings around 9:30 AM. The weekend rush starts at 10 and the best window seats fill fast.

The Vibe: Modern and polished, with floor-to-ceiling glass facing the Tunjungan skyline. It feels like a business brunch spot that loosens up by noon. The only gripe is that the air conditioning near the glass wall can be inconsistent on very hot afternoons, so grab a seat a few rows back if you are sensitive to heat.

Local Tip: Ask for a table on the east-facing side. You get morning light without the direct glare, and the view of the Heroes Monument area is surprisingly photogenic from up there.

Surabaya Connection: Tunjungan has been the commercial heart of Surabaya since the Dutch colonial era. Eating here with a skyline view is a reminder of how the city has reinvented itself from a trading port into a modern Indonesian metropolis.

2. The Rooftop at Hotel Majapahit, Tunjungan

What to See: The colonial-era architecture of the hotel itself is worth the visit. From the rooftop, you get a sweeping view of the old Surabaya district, including the historic Siola Building and the bustling streets below.

What to Order: Their rijsttafel brunch spread is the star here. It is a Dutch-Indonesian colonial feast with small plates of rendang, sambal goreng, sayur lodeh, and more. It is not cheap, but it is an experience.

Best Time: Sunday brunch, 11 AM to 1 PM. The spread is fully stocked early and the staff is more relaxed on Sundays compared to packed weekday corporate events.

The Vibe: Elegant and unhurried. White tablecloths, ceiling fans, and the sense that you are eating inside a living museum. The minor downside is that the rooftop can get breezy, so bring a light layer if you are not used to open-air dining at altitude.

Local Tip: After brunch, walk through the hotel lobby. The interior has been preserved with original colonial details, and there is usually a small historical display near the reception that most guests walk right past.

Surabaya Connection: Hotel Majapahit is where the famous Hotel Yamato incident of 1945 took place, a pivotal moment in Indonesia's independence struggle. Having brunch here is not just about the food. It is about sitting in a place where history was made.

3. Kafe Tugu at Hotel Tugu, Pabean Cantikan

What to See: The old Dutch warehouse district of Pabean Cantikan. The cafe sits inside a restored colonial building filled with Javanese antiques, vintage photographs, and carved wooden furniture that feels like stepping into a different century.

What to Order: Their Bubur Ayam Tugu is a Javanese chicken congee done with real depth, topped with crispy shallots and a side of sambal. For something lighter, the tropical fruit platter with fresh papaya, dragon fruit, and jackfruit is excellent.

Best Time: Early morning, around 8 AM. The light coming through the old warehouse windows is soft and golden, and you beat the tour groups that arrive by mid-morning.

The Vibe: Quiet, atmospheric, and deeply Indonesian. The space is more museum than cafe, and the staff are happy to explain the history of the antiques around you. One thing to note is that the seating near the back can feel a bit cramped if a large group is dining nearby.

Local Tip: Ask the staff about the old spice trade route maps sometimes displayed near the entrance. Pabean Cantikan was once the center of Surabaya's spice warehousing under the Dutch East India Company, and the cafe's collection reflects that heritage.

Surabaya Connection: This neighborhood is the oldest commercial district in Surabaya. The warehouses along Jalan Rajawali and Jalan Kembang Jepun stored nutmeg, cloves, and pepper bound for Europe. Eating breakfast in a converted spice warehouse connects you directly to the city's origin story as a global trading hub.

4. The Restaurant at Sheraton Surabaya Hotel and Towers, Embong Malang

What to See: The upper-floor restaurant area has a panoramic view of the Surabaya skyline, including the Suramadu Bridge on clear days. The interior is sleek and contemporary, with an open kitchen concept.

What to Order: Their weekend brunch buffet is extensive. The live pasta station and the sushi counter are highlights, but the Indonesian section with gado-gado, sate ayam, and fresh lontong is where I always end up. The es cendol dessert station is a nice touch.

Best Time: Saturday brunch, 11:30 AM. The buffet is fully set by then, and you avoid the late-morning crowd that arrives closer to 1 PM when service slows noticeably.

The Vibe: Upscale but not stuffy. Families, couples, and business groups all share the space comfortably. The one complaint I have heard repeatedly is that the coffee station during peak hours can have a long line, so grab your cup early.

Local Tip: If you are not staying at the hotel, valet parking is worth the small fee. Street parking around Embong Malang on weekends is nearly impossible to find.

Surabaya Connection: Embong Malang has long been one of Surabaya's most prestigious residential and commercial streets. The concentration of hotels and restaurants here reflects the city's role as East Java's economic and cultural capital.

5. Pantai Ria Kenjeran, Kenjeran Beach Area

What to See: The Kenjeran coastal area, with views of the Suramadu Bridge stretching across the Madura Strait. Several open-air warungs and small restaurants line the beachfront, offering a waterfront brunch Surabaya experience that is completely different from the rooftop scene.

What to Order: Grilled fish (ikan bakar) with sambal terasi and a plate of fresh lalapan (raw vegetables) is the move here. Pair it with es teh manis and you have a proper East Javanese seaside meal. Some stalls also serve a solid nasi pecel with peanut sauce.

Best Time: Early morning, 7 to 9 AM. The sea breeze is cool, the light is beautiful, and the fish is freshest right off the boats. By midday the heat is intense and the plastic seating becomes uncomfortable.

The Vibe: Raw, local, and unpretentious. Plastic chairs, the smell of charcoal, and the sound of waves. It is not fancy, but it is real. The tradeoff is that the facilities are basic. Restrooms are the standard Indonesian squat style and not always well maintained.

Local Tip: Walk further east along the beach past the main cluster of warungs. The stalls there are less crowded, the fish is just as fresh, and you get a clearer view of the Suramadu Bridge without the crowd blocking your photos.

Surabaya Connection: Kenjeran has been Surabaya's seaside escape for decades. Before the Suramadu Bridge opened in 2009, this was where families came for weekend outings. The bridge changed the area's character, but the fishing culture and the warungs remain.

6. The Sky Lounge at Ciputra World Surabaya, Citraland

What to See: The upper-level dining area at Ciputra World offers views over the Citraland development, one of Surabaya's most modern planned communities. The skyline here is all glass towers and wide boulevards.

What to Order: The avocado toast with poached eggs is well executed, and the smoothie bowls are generous. For something local, try their Ayam Bakar Taliwang with nasi putih. The kopi susu here is also above average.

Best Time: Weekday mornings, 9 to 10:30 AM. The mall is quiet, the lounge is peaceful, and you can actually hear yourself think. Weekends get loud with families and the wait for food stretches past 20 minutes.

The Vibe: Clean, modern, and Instagram-friendly. Lots of white surfaces and green plants. The downside is that the music playlist can be repetitive, and by afternoon the space feels more like a co-working area than a brunch spot.

Local Tip: Park on the basement level near the supermarket entrance. The elevator to the sky lounge is right there, and you avoid the long walk from the main atrium parking area.

Surabaya Connection: Citraland represents the new Surabaya, a master-planned suburb that has grown rapidly since the 2000s. Dining here shows you the aspirational side of the city, the one that looks more like Singapore than old Java.

7. De Javasche Bank Restaurant and Lounge, Old Town (Kawasan Kota Tua)

What to See: The restored De Javasche Bank building in Surabaya's old town. The architecture is Dutch colonial grandeur at its finest, with high ceilings, marble floors, and tall arched windows. The restaurant occupies part of the former banking hall.

What to Order: Their Dutch-Indonesian fusion brunch menu includes a well-made kroketjes (Dutch croquettes) with Indonesian chili sauce, and a nasi goreng with a European twist that actually works. The freshly baked roti bakar with palm sugar is a simple but satisfying starter.

Best Time: Late morning on weekdays, around 10 AM. The old town is quietest before the midday heat drives everyone indoors. On weekends, heritage walking tours pass through and the area gets busy by 11.

The Vibe: Grand and atmospheric, with the weight of history in every corner. The high ceilings keep it cooler than most open-air spots. The one issue is that the acoustics can make it echoey when the restaurant is full, so conversation gets difficult during peak times.

Local Tip: After eating, walk two blocks north to the House of Sampoerna museum. The old town area is compact and walkable, and most visitors do not realize how many restored colonial buildings are still standing just off the main roads.

Surabaya Connection: De Javasche Bank was the central bank of the Dutch East Indies. This building is a physical reminder that Surabaya was once the most important commercial city in the colony, second only to Batavia (Jakarta). The old town area is slowly being restored, and eating here supports that preservation effort.

8. The Veranda Restaurant at Pullman Surabaya, Gubeng

What to See: The restaurant overlooks a landscaped garden area and the Gubeng neighborhood, one of Surabaya's older residential districts. From certain angles, you can see the train tracks and the old Gubeng Station, which adds a nostalgic layer to the view.

What to Order: Their Eggs Royale with hollandaise is reliable, but the standout is the Rawon Surabaya, a rich black beef soup that is a signature dish of the city. Served with rice and a side of sambal, it is a brunch that tastes like Surabaya.

Best Time: Sunday brunch, 10 AM to noon. The rawon is freshly made for the weekend service and runs out by early afternoon. The restaurant is also less crowded on Sundays compared to the weekday corporate breakfast crowd.

The Vibe: Calm and refined, with a garden-view setting that feels removed from the city noise. The service is professional but warm. One small frustration is that the Wi-Fi signal near the garden-facing tables drops out frequently, so do not plan on working from your phone during the meal.

Local Tip: Gubeng Station is one of the oldest railway stations in Java, built in the late 19th century. If you have time after brunch, walk over and watch the trains come in. It is a slice of old Java that most tourists never see.

Surabaya Connection: Gubeng has been a transportation hub since the Dutch built the railway network across Java. The neighborhood's mix of old colonial houses, modern apartments, and railway infrastructure tells the story of Surabaya's layered development over more than a century.

When to Go and What to Know

Surabaya's dry season, from May to September, is the best time for scenic brunch Surabaya outings. The skies are clearer, the humidity is slightly lower, and rooftop and waterfront spots are far more enjoyable. During the rainy season, from November to March, afternoon downpours are common, so aim for morning visits and always have a backup indoor option.

Most upscale hotel brunch spots in Surabaya operate on a buffet system priced between 150,000 and 350,000 Indonesian rupiah per person. Local warungs at places like Kenjeran will cost you 25,000 to 50,000 rupiah for a full meal. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and malls, but cash is still king at beachside stalls and in the old town.

Transportation is worth planning around. Surabaya traffic is heavy, especially on Saturday mornings and Sunday brunch hours. Ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek work well, but allow extra time. For the old town and Tunjungan areas, the city's Suroboyo Bus system is an option, though it is not always reliable on weekends.

Dress codes are generally casual, but the hotel rooftop brunch Surabaya spots appreciate smart casual attire. Singlets and flip-flops will not get you turned away, but you will feel out of place at places like Hotel Majapahit or the Sheraton.

Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Surabaya?

Vegetarian options are widely available at Indonesian restaurants because dishes like gado-gado, ketoprak, sayur lodeh, and tempeh-based meals are staples of the local cuisine. Fully vegan dining is harder to find, but dedicated vegan and plant-based restaurants have been growing in the Tunjungan, Darmo, and Ciputra World areas since around 2019. Most hotel brunch buffets include vegetarian sections, though cross-contamination with meat-based dishes is common and not always disclosed.

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Surabaya?

Surabaya is a moderate Muslim-majority city, and while there is no enforced dress code, covering shoulders and knees is appreciated when visiting mosques, traditional markets, or older neighborhoods. At upscale hotel restaurants, smart casual is the norm. When eating at local warungs, remove your shoes only if you see other diners doing so. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill or leaving 5,000 to 10,000 rupiah is a kind gesture.

Is Surabaya expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier traveler can expect to spend around 500,000 to 800,000 Indonesian rupiah per day. This covers a hotel room at 300,000 to 500,000 rupiah, meals at 100,000 to 200,000 rupiah across two or three dining stops, and transportation at 50,000 to 100,000 rupiah using ride-hailing apps. Upscale hotel brunch buffets will push the daily food budget higher, while eating at local warungs keeps it well under 400,000 rupiah per day.

Is the tap water in Surabaya safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Tap water in Surabaya is not safe for direct consumption. The municipal water supply is treated but the pipe infrastructure in many areas is old, which affects water quality. Hotels provide filtered or bottled water in rooms, and most restaurants serve Aqua or other branded bottled water. Refill stations for reusable bottles are becoming more common in malls and cafes, and this is the most practical option for daily use.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Surabaya is famous for?

Rawon is the dish most closely associated with Surabaya. It is a rich, dark beef soup made with keluak nuts, which give it a distinctive black color and a deep, nutty flavor. It is typically served with rice, bean sprouts, salted egg, and sambal. You can find it at local eateries across the city for 20,000 to 40,000 rupiah, and several of the hotel brunch spots mentioned above include it on their weekend menus. For a drink, try es cendol, a shaved ice dessert with green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup, which is available at most brunch buffets and street vendors alike.