It doesn’t get much better than this. Sitting under a shady tree with your toes in the sand, sipping an icy cold drink and looking out over one of the most iconic beaches in Lombok… this is Laut Biru Bar & Restaurant at Sempiak Villas on Selong Belanak Beach.

Selong Belanak Beach is a wide sweeping bay of pure white sand and azure waters located on the south coast of Lombok, around 30 minute’s drive west of Kuta.

Many travellers say it is the best beach in Lombok and influential travel site, TripAdvisor has consistently rated Selong Belanak as one of the top 25 beaches in Asia and top 10 beaches in Indonesia for the past four years.

Perched right on the sand, Laut Biru (the name means “Blue Ocean” in Indonesian) is the only truly beachfront restaurant in the area.

The elegant white wooden building pays homage to its idyllic location with a light and airy restaurant decorated in white and aqua, reflecting the colours of sand and sea.

Inside is cool and elegant, while outside wooden tables and casual seating arrangements allow guests to sit under the shady trees growing on the foreshore and look out over the stunning beach scenery.

Selong Belanak Beach is one of the most popular beaches for learning to surf in Lombok and the east part of the beach is lined with small stalls or warung offering surf lessons and surf board hire.

The small and consistent surf in the mornings and early afternoons is ideal for first time and beginner surfers to practice their skills and provides endless entertainment for those watching from the shore.

In front of Laut Biru, the waves lessen and the sea invites swimmers in to cool off the clear blue water.

People from all over the island come to enjoy surfing, swimming, boogie boarding, sunbathing, and long strolls along this idyllic beach and looking out at the ever-changing scene is a favourite pastime from the cool shade of the restaurant.

Of course, the other attraction is the superb food and service available at Laut Biru Bar & Restaurant!

The menu has something to suit everyone, with a great mix of traditional Indonesian, Asian and Western foods.

Being on the beach and near a local fishing village, fresh fish and seafood is a specialty here. Try the catch of the day with lemon garlic salsa, grilled marinated calamari with lime and garlic, or the juicy garlic tiger prawns, if you love seafood.

If you are looking for some local flavour, the restaurant also serves very well executed Indonesian dishes such as Nasi Padang ala Lombok (slow cooked spicy beef served with traditional cassava leaves, potato fritters and rice) and Manuk Pelalah (authentic Sasak style chicken braised in coconut milk and spices served with coconut rice).

Our “must try” favourites are the Chicken Schnitzel Burger – crumbed and seasoned chicken with Kimchi slaw and wasabi mayonnaise in a home-baked bun, served with crunchy onion rings and French fries – and washed down with a spicy cold Ginger Martini. You simply don’t expect food this good at the beach!

The bar serves an extensive range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Creative cocktails and mocktails, freshly blended juices, brewed coffees and teas, cold beers, and local and imported wines are all on the list.

One surprising element of dining at Laut Biru is the exceptionally good desserts. It’s hard to resist the offerings of Tiramisu, Cheesecake, Crème Brûlée, and Tropical Pavlova, all made in-house. The Chocolate Mousse with a hint of ginger and five spice is as good as you will get anywhere.

Service from the staff is friendly and efficient. Many of the people working at Laut Biru come from local villages and have learnt their skills and English language on the job. Their confidence in serving people from all over the world is highly commendable and it’s obvious they enjoy their jobs.

Every Sunday, Laut Biru “Brings Beats to the Beach” with live music from 1pm. The band plays popular music and is happy to take requests. It’s the perfect vibe for a lazy Sunday afternoon at the beach!

After a day of soaking up the sun and sea, Laut Biru is the perfect place to relax with a drink and watch the glorious colours of sunset play across the sky.

One of the most iconic views of Selong Belanak Beach is the sight of a herd of water buffalo strolling down the beach at the end of the day as their herder leads them back to the village.

Set against the backdrop of the sky painted in pinks and orange, the daily ritual that has continued for generations at this beach is yet another reminder that you are in a very special place.

If you are lucky enough to be staying at Sempiak Villas or any of the other places around Selong Belanak, Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant is a must visit.

Selong Belanak is easily reached within a half an hour from Kuta and a couple of hours from Senggigi, making it a perfect day trip from other popular areas on Lombok.