jogja food tour

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Yogyakarta Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

Yogyakarta, a bustling city in Indonesia, is a paradise for food lovers. It is home to a rich variety of mouth-watering dishes that are sure to delight your taste buds. From street food to high-end restaurants, Yogyakarta has something to offer for everyone. That's why a food tour in Yogyakarta is an excellent way to explore the city's culinary culture.

One of the most famous dishes in Yogyakarta is gudeg, a traditional Javanese dish made of young jackfruit stewed in coconut milk and served with rice, chicken, and tempeh. Another popular dish is nasi langgi, which is rice served with various savory toppings such as chicken, beef, or tempeh wrapped in banana leaves.

Street food in Yogyakarta is also worth exploring. From sate klathak (grilled meat skewers) to bakmi jawa (Javanese-style noodles), there are plenty of options to choose from. Don't miss the chance to try es dawet, a refreshing drink made from coconut milk, pandan jelly, and palm sugar syrup.

For those who want a more upscale dining experience, Yogyakarta also offers high-end restaurants serving Indonesian and international cuisine. One of the most famous is Bebek Goreng Haji Slamet, which serves crispy fried duck with sambal (spicy sauce) and rice.

Overall, Yogyakarta is a great foodie city, and a food tour is a perfect way to explore its culinary delights. Yogyakarta food tours will give you the opportunity to taste the city's signature dishes, experience the local culture, and create unforgettable memories.

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Yogya Culinary Tours

Yogya culinary tours, yogya culinary tours a great food tasting tours package experience in yogyakarta.

Yogya Culinary Tours or Food Tasting Tour Package Yogyakarta is unique experience. The city of Yogyakarta is also called cultural capital city of Indonesia. That is why we will bring you to this unique Yogya Culinary Tours. You can also find back in the big diversity of Yogyakarta’s culinary kitchen which makes Yogyakarta famous for its great food.

Yogyakarta is a city that delights the senses and nourishes the soul, and its culinary scene is no exception. From traditional delicacies to innovative fusion cuisine, there’s something for every palate in this vibrant city. So pack your appetite and embark on a culinary adventure through the flavors of Yogyakarta. Your taste buds will thank you.

As nowadays this city has a big international community, you are able to get plenty culinary options. But during this tour we want to focus on the special local recipes where even the Indonesian tourist are traveling for, such as Gudeg and Bakpia and more. Yogya culinary tours offers you to the best of Yogyakarta’s local cuisine, snack, and drink experiences. We will visit the real local kitchen and small home industries.

Not only you will taste the delicious food and bring some of them back to your hotel, with an experienced guide you will also be introduced in the daily life and local activity of these people. You can see how special this classic city is. Booked the unique Yogyakarta Tour Package with Pamitran Tours Travel for memorable experience.

Example Culinary Program:

Discovering Yogyakarta’s Culinary Heritage

Yogyakarta is steeped in history, and its culinary scene reflects the rich tapestry of its cultural heritage. Influences from Javanese, Sundanese, Chinese, and Dutch cuisines blend harmoniously to create a diverse array of flavors and dishes. From the iconic gudeg to savory soto ayam, each bite tells a story of tradition and innovation. Explore the bustling markets and hidden alleyways, where local vendors serve up authentic flavors passed down through generations.

Indulging in Street Food Delights

One of the highlights of any culinary tour in Yogyakarta is the street food scene. Malioboro Street and Pasar Beringharjo come alive at night with an array of food carts and stalls offering everything from satay to bakso. Sink your teeth into crispy martabak, slurp up a bowl of hearty mie ayam, or cool off with a refreshing es cendol. The sights, sounds, and smells of Yogyakarta’s street food will awaken your senses and leave you craving more.

Royal Feasts Fit for a Sultan

No visit to Yogyakarta is complete without experiencing the opulent flavors of royal cuisine. Step inside the Kraton, the Sultan’s Palace, and dine like royalty on dishes once reserved for kings and queens. From succulent ayam goreng kremes to fragrant opor ayam, each dish is a masterpiece of flavor and tradition. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Yogyakarta’s royal past as you indulge in a feast fit for a Sultan.

Culinary Workshops and Farm-to-Table Experiences

For those looking to learn the secrets of Javanese cooking, Yogyakarta offers a variety of culinary workshops and farm-to-table experiences. Join local chefs as they guide you through the preparation of traditional dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Visit organic farms and markets to handpick produce for your meals, and learn about the sustainable practices that underpin Yogyakarta’s culinary culture. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned foodie, these immersive experiences are sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation for Yogyakarta’s culinary heritage.

Exploring Culinary Hotspots

Beyond its traditional fare, Yogyakarta is home to a burgeoning food scene that blends local flavors with international influences. Trendy cafes, boutique restaurants, and artisanal bakeries dot the cityscape, offering innovative takes on classic dishes and fusion cuisine. From soto mie ramen to nasi goreng pizza, there’s something for every palate in Yogyakarta’s culinary hotspots. Grab a seat, dig in, and prepare to be delighted by the culinary creativity that abounds in this vibrant city.

Culinary Souvenirs and Foodie Finds

Before you bid farewell to Yogyakarta, don’t forget to pick up some culinary souvenirs to take home with you. Browse the stalls of Pasar Beringharjo and Malioboro Street for locally sourced spices, condiments, and traditional snacks like bakpia and tempeh chips. Sample local specialties like jamu and sambal, or pick up a bottle of kecap manis to add a touch of Yogyakarta flavor to your meals back home. And for the ultimate foodie souvenir, why not invest in a traditional Indonesian cooking utensil or kitchen gadget to recreate your favorite Yogyakarta dishes in your own kitchen?

Yogyakarta Culinary Tour Itinerary

14.30 : Meeting point. Pick you up at hotel / airport / train station 15.00 – 19.00 : Yogya Culinary Tour

Yogyakarta Culinary Tour Package Price

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Yogyakarta Food Tour

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Experience Highlights

Dare to experience a nighttime culinary adventure in Yogyakarta. This tour offers you the unique opportunity to savor the rich and authentic local cuisine, while exploring the vibrant nightlife of this Indonesian gem by rickshaw "becak", the traditional public transport.

A local guide will accompany you to the most hidden corners and popular street stalls to discover the authentic flavors of Yogyakarta. It is a small group tour and lasts approximately 3.5 hours, which guarantees more exclusivity and personalization.

• Explore Yogyakarta by night and learn about its culinary traditions from a local guide.
• Taste a variety of local dishes, from the most traditional to the most popular street delicacies
• Enjoy an authentic and memorable travel experience for small groups.

What’s included

• Gastronomic tour in Yogyakarta
• Expert local guide
• Becak (traditional public transportation in Yogyakarta)
• Tasting of Javanese food
• Raincoat, if it rains
• Fees for Alun-Alun Kidul fair activities
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off service

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Step by step.

Discover Yogyakarta's vibrant culinary scene on this exciting evening food tour. Known as the cultural capital of Indonesia, Yogyakarta not only offers a rich history and beautiful scenery, but also a wide variety of delicious traditional dishes.

During this approximately 3.5-hour tour, you will sample a variety of local dishes while exploring the lively night markets and street food stalls. You will get around by "becak", the traditional public transportation, and even have fun at the Alun-Alun Kidul fairground rides.

You can try the famous "gudeg", a jackfruit dish simmered with a mixture of spices and served with rice and chicken. Also the "bakpia", a pastry filled with red bean paste or mung paste, a local specialty not to be missed.

Besides enjoying the delicious food, you will also learn about the history and culture of Yogyakarta through the stories and anecdotes of your local guide. You will discover the secrets behind each dish and learn about the ingredients and cooking techniques used in Yogyakarta's traditional cuisine.

This small group tour is perfect for food lovers who want to explore authentic Indonesian cuisine and immerse themselves in the local culture. Not only will you enjoy a unique culinary experience, but you will also have the opportunity to interact with the locals and discover the hidden treasures of Yogyakarta.

• L Layan 5 (0 Reviews) The food was delicious and the guide knew a lot about the local culture. My favourite part was tasting all the different spices, a unique experience!
• F Francisco 5 (0 Reviews) An incredible culinary tour, full of authentic flavours and local culture - an unforgettable and delicious experience!
• Z Zahraa 4 (0 Reviews) What a great experience! A tasty tour full of culture, we had a great time!
• G Gonzalo 5 (0 Reviews) I loved the authentic immersion in the culinary culture of Yogyakarta, but the tour could have included more stops at local restaurants.

Departure and Return

Departure point, other things you should know.

• There will be about 8 travelers on the tour
• The tour is free for babies
• Comfortable clothing is recommended
• Not wheelchair accessible

Cancellation Policy

Other activities in yogyakarta.

Prambanan and Borobudur Temples and Merapi Volcano Day Trip from Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta Bike Tour

Jomblang Cave Day Trip from Yogyakarta with River Tubing

Yogyakarta Batik Making Class

Yogyakarta Guided Tour

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Yogyakarta Food Tour: Discover the 10 Best Traditional Foods

• May 9, 2024

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Join me on a Yogyakarta food tour  as I list some of my favorite traditional cuisine that I had on my trip to Yogyakarta .

In this guide, I will list the top 10 foods in Yogyakarta , as well as some information and tips for visiting Yogyakarta .

Table of Contents

Where is yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta,  also referred to as  Jogya, is located in the central part of the island of Java , Indonesia . It is on the same island as Jakarta , the capital city of Indonesia .

Yogyakarta vs Jakarta

Despite being located on the same island of Java , Jakarta and Yogyakarta have distinct cultures. Jakarta is one of the biggest cities in the world, and the people there mainly speak Bahasa Indonesia . Meanwhile, Yogyakarta is a smaller city and the people mainly speak Javanese .

These cultural differences have also influenced the cuisine in each of these cities. If you are visiting Jakarta , it is worth traveling to Yogyakarta to indulge in its distinct foods!

Check out my guide for traveling between Jakarta and Yogyakarta via train!

Yogyakarta Food Tour

Here are my top 11 foods to try in Yogyakarta . These are foods that I have tried personally, as well as the top recommendations from a local .

1. Lemet (Cassava Cake)

Lemet is a traditional Indonesian food that is basically a steamed cake that is wrapped in banana leaves . It can be made of either cassava or bananas , and is often mixed with grated coconut and sugar to make it sweeter.

Lemet is often eaten during celebrations such as weddings, family gatherings, and religious events. 

2. Arem Arem Ayam (Chicken Rice Cake)

Arem arem is a traditional Javanese dish that refers to rice cake compressed in banana leaves . It is often filled with different vegetables.

Arem arem ayam is filled with chicken instead of vegetables. It’s an inexpensive and filling meal. 

3. Sate Ati (Liver Kebab)

I’m a big fan of liver, so when I found a street stall serving sate ati , or liver kebabs , I had to order one. These kebabs were made of chicken liver .

This street stall had a wide assortment of meats to choose from, and they were at a very affordable price! One sate ati cost me 5,000 INR ($0.30 USD) .

4. Sate Usus (Intestine Kebab)

If you could imagine yourself eating sate ati , then maybe you can take another step and try sate usus . This is a chicken intestine kebab .

Personally, I preferred the liver to the intestine, but it was worth a try!

I paid 5000 INR ($0.30 USD) for a single sate usus .

5. Kepala (Chicken Head)

Ok, hear me out. This wasn’t that bad!

Kepala , which refers to the head of a chicken , can be served either goreng (fried) or bacem (boiled) . It doesn’t have much meat, but it has a lot of flavor.

Indonesians don’t like to waste their food, and I respect them for eating as much from each animal that they slaughter as possible.  While it may gross you out, I recommend having an open mind when coming across food like this in Yogyakarta .

One kepala cost me 5,000 INR ($0.30 USD) .

6. Ceker (Chicken Feet)

Ceker , or chicken feet , may or may not be more appealing to you than kepala . I had eaten chicken feet before, so this was nothing new to me. They don’t have much meat on them and almost have a gelatinous consistency .

Make sure to get additional food, because ceker will not fill you up!

I bought a few ceker because they were only 3,000 INR ($0.18 USD) each!

7. Sambal (Spicy Sauce)

Sambal is a spicy chili paste that is popular around Southeast Asia , especially in Malaysian and Bruneian cuisine .

There are countless variations to this dish, with some types including eel , shrimp , mango , pineapple , and tomato .

I always consulted the advice of locals when choosing the sambal flavor, but I don’t think you can go wrong!

8. Udang Goreng Tepung (Fried Shrimp)

Udang goreng tepung is a common dish in Yogyakarta . This is fried shrimp , and can be served as either an appetizer or as the main dish.

It is very popular to eat udang goreng tepung with sambal .

9. Ca Jamur (Oyster Mushroom)

Ca Jamur is a type of mushroom that is served as a stir-fry . This dish is cooked with garlic and herbs  and is a great addition to a meal with a lot of meats. 

Even if you are not a huge fan of mushrooms, I recommend trying this dish out, as it became one of my favorite foods in Yogyakarta .

10. Soto Ayam (Chicken Soup)

I tried this soto ayam , or chicken soup , near the entrance to Taman Sari in Yogyakarta . Most people would be turned off to the idea of eating hot soup in such hot weather, but I thought it was delicious!

Most soto ayam contains noodles , herbs , and vegetables .

Where to Try These Foods in Yogyakarta

There are plenty of places in Yogyakarta serving both traditional and international foods. If you are planning on visiting Borobudur Temple , I recommend stopping by Waroeng Spesial Sambal SS . At this restaurant, your food is served on banana leaves and you will eat with your hands .

There are plenty of street stalls to check out in Yogyakarta as well. I often went to Angkringan Grage on Sosrowijayan St .

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

If you are staying in Yogyakarta on a budget, I highly recommend staying at The Bladok Hotel & Restaurant . This is centrally located and just a 3-minute walk from Tugu Station . There are also tons of restaurants nearby to try the cuisine of Yogyakarta !

If you are looking for something more luxurious, check out Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel . This is one of the highest rated hotel in Yogyakarta . It is located further from the center of town, so it guarantees a more relaxing and peaceful experience.

Check out the map below to see available accommodations.

Need help planning your trip? Click HERE to find a variety of tools and information that can help make your travel planning more enjoyable.

Resources for your trip.

Book A Cheap Flight The first place to look for cheap flights is Skyscanner . This website gathers information from different companies and websites around the world to find the best deals for you. One of their best features is the ability to see the cheapest day to fly each month. Google Flights is another excellent resource.

Book A Place To Stay Booking.com is my go-to website for booking accommodations. They consistently have some of the best prices for hotels and frequently have deals. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . If you specifically want to rent a home, check out AirBnB or Vrbo .

Looking For A Tour? The best resource for looking up tours is GetYourGuide . This company will make planning your itinerary a breeze. For budget travelers , I recommend looking up available tours here and trying to organize them yourself to save some money.

Use Your Phone Abroad Whenever I travel abroad, I use Airalo . This is a company that offers eSIM services via a phone app. It is very convenient and you won’t have to worry about swapping SIM cards out of your phone. You can pay a few dollars for plans that range from 1 week to 1 year. Use the Promo Code ANDREW9734 for $3 off your first purchase!

How To Travel On A Budget? Traveling on a budget is my specialty. Check out my post on Traveling Internationally With Only A Personal Item . For other ideas on saving money while traveling, check out my ebook The World Is Yours: How to Afford International Travel on a Budget .

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Andy Alcala

Hey there! I'm a travel enthusiast always seeking new adventures. I've visited over 70 countries, mostly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. I prefer to travel off the beaten path, where I've discovered hidden gems and authentic cultural experiences that are often overlooked by most travelers. I look forward to sharing my stories with you!

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Yogyakarta Food Tour: Experience the Local Cuisine

So after I wrote a piece about 15 things to do in Yogyakarta , which nowadays is one of the most popular articles in Discover Your Indonesia, I got some emails and requests to book tours in Yogyakarta. Guess what? My most popular request are tours to Borobudur and Prambanan , plus sometimes Ramayana Ballet. Another popular request is for tours hiking Merapi  (feel free to check my Hiking Merapi Volcano video too)

For most people a Yogyakarta tour is only about the two big temples (Borobudur and Prambanan) and the big volcano. BUT! Yes, there is a but, because a lot of the people I meet say: “ I thought there was nothing else in Yogya! “. And then continue with this: “ Oh no! I just allocated two days in Yogya, and I’ll flying to Bali the next day “.

There you go. Regret always comes last.

Let me start with a tour close to my heart (actually it’s closer to my tummy).

Would you love to join me on a Yogyakarta food tour?

Yes. You can do a food tour in this Gudeglicious town. *Gudeg is one of the signature dishes of Yogyakarta. It is made from young unripe jackfruit boiled for several hours with palm sugar, and coconut milk. Gudeg is usually served with steamed rice and chicken in coconut milk or telur pindang (boiled egg), with tofu (tahu) or tempe plus sambal goreng krecek (cow’s skin). It is delicious! It is Gudeglicious!

Join A Food Tour Guide.

I recommend a food tour in Jogja on my 15 things to do in Jogja article, but it was by accident that I became a food tour guide. In fact, the first time I actually got a request from a reader asking: “ Can we do a food tour with you? ” The second time I offered to guide some readers: “ Ok, I can also guide you for a food tour “.

The very first time I did a food tour. It was crazy and overwhelming, in a good way.

Omg! I am not such a big foodie. What should I tell them? Oh no! What I am actually thinking?? I can’t and I am planning to guide a food tour?

Long story short, when it actually happened . It was a lot of fun and we shared a lot of interesting stories that we shared . Plus we munched a lot of local tasty food in between. I also shared my knowledge about Indonesian food dishes and some of the the most popular Indonesian dishes and the local specialities of Yogyakarta.

What to Expect from The Tour

The food tour is a walking, talking, tasting experience. It’s a lot of fun. We start the food tour in the late afternoon, just before the sun sets and the weather starts to cool down and continues into the evening. The tour takes in some of the unique local hotspots and restaurants. We start the tour close to the traditional fabric market. This is where locals buy the fabrics they need for traditional dresses. I don’t normally stop at the market, but of course we can visit if you want. In front of the market there are street food sellers where we can pick up some more tasty bites.

One of the first restaurants we visit is a personal favourite. The restaurant has a traditional Javanese ambience and serves local snacks and just as importantly some cool and refreshing local drinks (there’s something else really special about the restaurant, but I’ll only share that with you on the tour). After relaxing and cooling down for a bit it’s time to head to the final restaurant of the evening for some Gudeglicious food (of course this is only if you have the energy).

For the final meal of the evening I take you to a local restaurant to taste Gudeg for yourself. This is the part of the evening that I most look forwards to as I really enjoy this dish. It’s sweet and spicy, with a mouth watering mixture of flavours. There’s really nothing that I can compare it to, so you will have to taste this dish for yourself and let me know if you share my passion for Gudeg.

Joining a Food Tour

While I ran the food tour it was a nice way of sharing two of my life passions; travel and food. I enjoy meeting people travelling through Indonesia and to share with them knowledge of the local culture, history and food. It’s a fun, enjoyable and most importantly tasty experience.

Unfortunately I’m not running the tour any more, but if it ever starts up again I’ll be sure to let you know.

Have you ever taken, or even led, a food tour? What did you think of the experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Still need to book your hotel for Yogyakarta? Save yourself some time! Here’s a list of the best hotels near Malioboro for every budget.

Next post Dieng Plateau: A Guide to the Highlands of Java

Previous post chinese new year: exploring petak sembilan.

About the Author Firsta

13 comments.

I was certainly a fan of Gudeg Yu Djum, next to the Sheraton and close to the airport. I can’t say whether it’s the best in Yogya, but it was certainly good enough to have me returning every day (and from the crowds it attracted I’m guessing I wasn’t the only one).

Oh and Bakpia Pathok too – they definitely went down a treat as well. Given there’s such a variety of vendors for them I’m sure you could help point people in the right direction. Keju is my favourite, but even the Kacang Hijau and Durian flavours went down OK for me.

I’ll give you the cheat sheet. Ready? Green bean flavour – Bakpia 25 Black bean flavour – Bakpia 75 Modern flavours (Keju, Chocolate, etc) – Kurnia Sari Bakpia I know you’ll say thank you! so.. you’re welcome 😉

Always great to learn from a local – looks like I’ll be hitting Kurnia Sari Bakpia next time I’m in town then (25 and 75 are already safely in my belly from before

Aku lumayan suka sama makanan yg manis manis. Kalau di Nganjuk sini, makanan cenderung ke gurih kak. Nasi pecel di Jogja sama Nganjuk rasanya beda. Di Jogja setau saya manis, kalau di sini gurih banget. hehehe.

Oh ya? Duh jadi kepingin cobain Nasi pecel di Nganjuk.

[…] visiting Yogyakarta, feel free to check out these articles: Where to eat in Yogyakarta: South Part, Jogja street food, Authentic Javanese Bites: Warung Handayani and My Top 5 Culinary Choices in […]

[…] Food Tour […]

Hi Firsta, I’ll try gudeg for sure when I’ll be in Yogya. Where is it possible to eat the best one? Tahnk you so much for your blog. It’s giving me a lot o f ideas for my trip. You are not doing food tours anymore, aren’t you?

Gudeg Pawon or Gudeg Permata, they open at night start 9 PM. Or Gudeg Sagan, during the day or Gudeg Bu Ahmad. Google for the address. Unfortunately I’m not doing the food tour anymore.

Hi we have package yogyakarta food tour. May be you want review.

Hi Andry, if you are interested in collaborating with us, please get in touch through email: info[at]discoveryourindonesia.com.

Ive been reading since I booked Yogya. We’re flying in this Tuesday with friends from Manila via Jakarta then Yogya. Looking forward to Gudeg and those places that you mentioned. 🙂

Hi Germilina,

Hope you have a great time in Yogyakarta! 🙂

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Yogyakarta Food Tour with Rickshaw - 3-Hour Tour

What You'll Experience

Enjoy Yogyakarta's vibes at night with a rickshaw. You will be taken to Tugu Train Station to experience hanging out at an angkringan while sipping the iconic charcoal coffee and munching the "nasicat". Blend in with the locals at Malioboro or Beringharjo Night Market by strolling around before hitting back the road to go to Keraton, East Fortress Corner, and Southern City Square where you're going to play the paddle car and devour some more scrumtious dishes!

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What travelers say, tour itinerary, see complete itinerary, available ticket(s) for you, overall ratings & reviews yogyakarta food tour with rickshaw - 3-hour tour, traveloka (2), from 2 reviews.

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Starting from 1-day Jogja tours, 2 days tour packages, 3 days 2 nights Jogja tour packages, and relaxed 4 days Jogja tours. Jogja tour itineraries that we personalize based on tourist favorites. Don't worry about tour costs, because Lovely Jogja has holiday packages in Yogyakarta that are pocket-friendly and affordable.

Pack your bags, Lovely Jogja takes the hassle out of planning and organizing family, solo travelers, couples, and group vacations to Jogja by letting you customize every best aspect of Jogja travel, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Most Popular Lovely Jogja Tour Packages

• 1-day Yogyakarta tour package
• Yogyakarta tour package 2 days 1 night
• Yogyakarta tour package 3 days 2 nights
• Yogyakarta tour package 4 days 3 nights
• Yogyakarta Beach tour packages
• Yogyakarta family tour packages
• Merapi Lava Tour
• Gunung Kidul Jogja Tour
• Borobudur yoga tour
• Yogyakarta city tour

Yogyakarta tour packages with unique experiences

Vacationing in the small Indonesian province "Yogyakarta" is everyone's dream. The city consists of 5 beautiful parts, each of which promises to be a tourist destination and identity of its own. Jogja is a buffer city for 4 sides; north, south, east, and west. The 4 administrative boundaries that are also very well known are; Sleman Regency, Bantul Regency, Gunung Kidul Regency, and Kulon Progo Regency.

The city's true mix of cultures and history, amazing nightlife, rich heritage, simplicity of architecture, unique art masterpieces, beautiful beaches, delicious traditional food, and adventure covers every aspect of Yogyakarta tourism. !

Best Time to Visit Yogyakarta

Jogja Tourism sparkles in every season. Our recommended tour packages and the best time to visit is during the beautiful June to September hot period. However, of course, that's not relevant to some holiday moments that fall during the rainy season, especially in Indonesia. Thus, we are very aware that there are things that need to be modified about routes and trips, we have studied this with a touch of personalization and arranged the itinerary to suit our needs and weather conditions.

We organize climate-friendly Jogja tour packages, allowing you to enjoy traveling and exploring the outdoors with ease, a tourist activity that is always exhilarating. Jogja tourism activities generally run normally even though they come in the rainy season, many tourist groups travel in the rainy season as a holiday season, but the magical aura of this rainy season still takes part in the fun during your vacation in Jogja at least once in your life!

How to get the best Jogja tour packages

Taking a vacation to multi-cultural Jogja is an easy affair with LovelyJogja.Com/. You only need to book flight tickets, and hotels, and leave the rest to us, let us arrange the best for your travel experience, and create memorable history for your holiday trip!

Choose from several efficient departures and arrivals, you can do so by taking a plane, train, or bus to Jogja from all major metropolitan cities in Indonesia. Wait for a representative from Lovely Jogja to come pick you up at the airport arrival gates, stations, terminals, or in the lobby of your chosen hotel.

Places to be visited in Jogja tour packages

Jogja Inner City Tour Several things will be done in this city of Jogja with the best experience of your lifetime! After being on a Jogja city tour, you will fulfill every dream you have ever had and always keep the most beautiful memories to cherish forever. Most Jogja city tour packages will introduce you to the most popular places in this Special Region of Yogyakarta, and maximize the value of your Jogja vacation. Activities and places that you will visit, including; The Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace, Taman Sari Tourism Village, Yogyakarta Sonobudoyo Museum, Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta Beringharjo Market, and many other interesting places have become icons of this city.

Sleman Regency Tour You will be interested to know that Sleman is much more than just a student city as we know that one of Gaja Mada's best universities is located in this city. Growing tourism, captivating museums, the splendor of the south side of Mount Merapi, and the Prambanan temple complex are part of the administrative area of ?? Sleman Regency.

Bantul Regency Tour Adorned with a world-famous and proud local cultural arts complex, Bantul is bustling with tourists. With unlimited experience, this district describes ancient assets and tells the stories of the famous south sea coast with Parangtritis beach and several villages that are the center of handicrafts.

Gunung Kidul regency tour One of the most enchanting places you may ever visit, Gunung Kidul is a world-class traveler's paradise! Clean beaches, sparkling blue sea, and fluttering teak forests form a stunning landscape. Incredible underground experience, you may have heard of  Goa Vertical Jomblang  and Sungai Bawah Tang Goa Pindul.

Kulon Progo regency tour Everyone loves Nature! And there are better after visiting other Jogja tours. Enjoying natural scenery with your favorite side? Pulepayung sky hill and Kalibiru national park, are the identity of the most beautiful nature located in Kulon Progo district. Don't miss the tea plantations in Nglinggo village to complete your holiday experience in Jogja tour packages!

Amazing Lovely Jogja tour package 1 day Always surprise you every day!

Jogja 1 day tour packages with various types of itineraries, landscapes, nature, adventure, national parks, history, and culture. Lovely Jogja Tour offers unlimited opportunities to explore even if you only have one day. From the dazzling light of heaven in the dungeons, to the majesty of the world-famous Borobudur temple, the charms of a 1 day Jogja tour package are indeed varied. Jogja, which is the second most popular tourist city in Indonesia after Bali is known for its unique beauty, amazing local cultural wisdom, the famous Yogyakarta, and the diversity of dungeons and towering mountains. Home to the most visited tourist attractions. And the best culinary delights to enjoy traditional cuisine, ordering a 1-day Jogja tour package by LovelyJogja.Com/ can be the best way for you to spend a great vacation.

Who doesn't want to explore Jogja, which is so beautiful and has so many tourist destinations?

Even though only 1 day may not be enough to experience everything in Jogja. However, enough to reach some of the best places that have become iconic in this city. Check out some of our 1 day Jogja tour packages, where we offer a selection of tour packages that can help you fulfill your dreams and find the destinations you've always wanted to visit.

Jogja 1 day tour package by Lovely Jogja with a world-class experience To explore the best of Yogyakarta from the cool tropical climate to the north, east, and west of the city, rocky peaks, volcanic landscapes, countryside, boundless south beaches, and shopping malls, order Jogja tour packages for your next travel plans.

You will count on a unique experience by booking a 1 day Jogja tour package with LovelyJogja.Com/hassle-free, affordable price, satisfying, and enriching your travel memory with hidden treasures in Jogja in the form of beauty, magic, history, and many other things that are incomparable.

Wonderful Jogja tour package 2 days 1 night

Get one of the best packages in Yogyakarta, Jogja tour package 2 days 1 night is one of the most sought-after itineraries in Jogjakarta, and this tour is designed for people who don't have much time but want to enjoy the wonderful experience of this student city.

You can get this package every time, starting your experience on the Jogja holidays with friends, partners, family, and groups. You will also enjoy Jogja's many natural wonders with a relatively cool tropical taste.

You can't say goodbye to this nostalgic Jogja, without first enjoying a tourist visit to this historic cultural city. This Jogja 2-day 1-night tour package has so many experiences that it's not easy to forget the places you visited during your 2 days in Jogja.

Highlights of the Jogja tour package 2 days 1 night;

• Discover some of the best and most beautiful places in Jogja
• Always really connected with nature
• Enjoy world-class services at affordable prices
• Awarded as the best, newest, viral, and contemporary tour packages

The 2 days 1 night tour package will go through some of the same parts of the 1-day tour, but rearrange the parts to two days and be more relaxed. We recommend this 2-day Jogja tour option for those who not only want to enjoy the entire tour itinerary but also want to spend the night and enjoy the beautiful night of "Jogja Never Sleeps", you can taste delicious culinary specialties with a 2-day stay in Jogja that still owns this original and unique culture, where the rich diversity of hidden treasures.

This choice of 2-day Jogja tour packages or multi-day tours gives you not only the opportunity to do it within the city, but you can also take a more extensive trip around Yogyakarta. South Sea coast, lights, underground rivers, landscapes, nature, and temples are waiting for you to visit.

a Magical Jogja tour package 3 days 2 nights

Jogja tour package 3 days 2 nights: Luxurious Experience, nature, and culture of Yogyakarta

Jogja tour packages 3 days 2 nights packed with beautiful scenery and interesting adventure activities to be enjoyed. When you only have three days free, you must have the right strategy to spend your time during your vacation to Jogja, organizing yourself may be difficult, and traveling between destinations may take longer than you expect. All of these itineraries can be done easily, in a short amount of time without much difficulty when you have to arrange it yourself. You only need to book train or plane tickets, and hotels in Jogja. Leave the rest to us!!

How to spend time with Jogja tour packages 3 days 2 nights in this beautiful city?

If you are looking for the perfect mix of nature, history, and culture of Jogjakarta. This best offer will make you feel the tourist favorite Jogja 3 days 2 nights package! LovelyJogja.Com/ Highly recommended! Excellent service: fast, friendly, helpful, detailed & world-class standards yet relatively affordable. We really enjoy our jobs and haven't had a single problem even during the pandemic!

Yogyakarta tour package 3 days 2 nights How's the weather in Jogja?

In general, the visitor-friendly dry season lasts from June to the end of September in Jogja and the surrounding areas including Central Java. However, when the rainy season comes, it doesn't interfere with tourism here, all activities run normally even though at some points the visit will be adjusted based on the weather. The Jogja region offers wet, dry, and sunny periods every year. Our 3 days 2 nights Jogja tour packages always consider regional practicality and weather as the best way for you to spend your family vacation in Jogja.

Enchantment Jogja tour package 4 days 3 nights Feel the natural touch of tours in Jogja 4 days

Beautiful hills, lush and cool forests, stunning waterfalls, historical heritage sites, the majestic Mount Merapi, and the endless southern coastline. Jogja is a paradise on the island of Java-Indonesia which is filled with an extraordinary variety of cultures and specialties.

Our 4 days 3 nights trip by LoveyJogja.Com/ is a moderate package for people who want to have the best experience for vacation. Tour for 4 days in Jogja to travel with your partner, family, and group, to collect happy and beautiful memories. We have designed a Jogja tour package for 4 days and 3 nights with several itinerary options so that you can collect all customized levels of fun and enjoy everything to its fullest.

Lots of Top Destinations to do with 4 Days 3 Nights Jogja Tour Packages

Tours in Jogja for 4 days talk about enough days to travel and enjoy a comprehensive list of the best destinations in all of Yogyakarta and beyond. It feels so right when you want good things and enough time to book a 3-night 4-day holiday package to Jogja. This is enough days to plan the perfect trip for everyone, be it domestic or international. We have arranged itineraries with several popular destinations to create the best experience for your Yogyakarta tour.

Spend 4 days and 3 nights in Yogyakarta with a choice of nature, history, culinary trips, and more. Explore part of the interesting places in our Jogja 4 days 3 nights tour package, and enjoy the serene view of Mount Merapi from the hotel you stay at. You will find the most beautiful impressions and vacation paradise in Yogyakarta.

Our 4-day Jogja holiday packages are fully customizable

Always providing everything you need to enjoy an amazing holiday in Jogja. Discover the wonders of this city while staying at hotels, homestays, ecolodges, and the many beautiful and picturesque resorts here. Experience the Jogja tour package 4 days 3 nights and the best world-class attractions. You will travel around Jogja in full style with local experts with a selection of the best tour lists, and every itinerary we make will be tailored to your needs, budget, preferences, and of course ease. Choose the most suitable type of trip for you and start planning your trip today with LovelyJogja.Com/!

Yogya Borobudur Tour Best Things To Do in Yogyakarta 5-Days.

The Perfect 5 Day Jogja Borobudur Tour! Planning a trip to Jogja there are so many of the best places to see and do that it's hard to forget about them. This Jogja Borobudur Tour itinerary of 5 days and 4 nights will help you make the most of your vacation.

Overview 5D4N Jogja Borobudur Tour

5D4N Jogja Borobudur Tour is one of the most popular tour packages which is also known as the featured trip in Yogyakarta for everyone coming from all over the world. Jogja is a small province in Indonesia and is currently a special province. Borobudur and several other important connecting places such as Prambanan Temple, Mount Merapi, and Jomblang Cave are the main attractions for tourism in Jogja.

What is the best part of the Jogja Borobudur Tour?

Jogja is the provincial capital of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Fascinating through the pristine natural beauty of the towering Mount Merapi which is the anchor point between Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple, plus the diversity and wisdom of local culture. 5D4N Jogja Borobudur Tour is of course very appropriate to fill in your complete list of tour packages to Jogja.

Are 5 days enough for Jogja Borobudur Tour?

With a touch of our classic 5D4N Jogja Borobudur Tour, you will get the opportunity to experience the best unforgettable vacation for 5 days in Jogja. The city always attracts all types of travelers be it couples trips, family trips, school holidays, group and company trips, or those who prefer a relaxing holiday in comfort and peace.

Enjoy our Jogja Borobudur Tour for your exclusive 5 days and 4 nights by visiting the best and most famous tourist spots here. Enjoy the perfect adventure with Lovely Jogja Tour & Travel and make your trip an unforgettable experience.

Jogja Merapi tour Jogja 6 Days 5 Night Unique Itinerary Ideas

Beautiful part of Tour Merapi Jogja 6D5N Merapi Jogja Tour Itinerary 6 Days Full of Nature + Travel Guide for the best places you will explore in this area, is a small province at the foot of a volcano. Tour Merapi Jogja adventure itinerary for 6 days, and tread the natural wonders of Yogyakarta.

Merapi Jogja Tour is Amazing Adventure – Trending Top Tour 6 days 5 nights in Yogyakarta

How many adventurous adventures can you put on? You'll find out when you choose from some of the top tours in Yogyakarta. The Merapi Jogja Tour will be a travel tour that combines several types of adventure: there is the most active volcano in Indonesia. Indulge in beautiful views of Mount Merapi, Jeep Willys, or Offroad 4×4 adventures, vertical caves, underground rivers, gondola rides on Timang beach, and spend time with fresh air in the hills or the delightful pine forests.

Merapi Jogja Tour – Be adventurous, not a tourist!

Merapi Jogja Tour is a journey that encourages imagination for exploration; rivers flow through horizontal cave openings, waterfalls tumble between two awe-inspiring volcanoes, and heaven's light pours down the impressive vertical cave floor. The Merapi Jogja Tour that we offer is varied and will help you connect with these 4 regencies in Yogyakarta in any way you dream of.

If you are a nature lover, wish to be the adventurous type?

You can register for 6 days Merapi Jogja Tour with us. Almost everyone will agree that booking a travel package with Lovely Jogja Tour & Travel in one of your dream travel baskets is the perfect trip for whatever day you're going. The Merapi Jogja Tour combines several of these activities into an action-packed and fun 6d5n itinerary. Lovely Jogja Tour & Travel can accommodate people of all ages and abilities, both as individuals and groups, so that every traveler can share unforgettable experiences.

Take a Look at Our

Selected tours.

JOMBLANG CAVE DAY TOURS

SETUMBU BOROBUDUR MERAPI PRAMBANAN

5D4N JOGJA SELAYANG PANDANG

Yogyakarta Tour 5D4N

Jomblang Cave Prambanan Temple

Pindul Cave Tubing

Deals and discounts, recommended for you.

Setumbu Sunrise Hill Borobudur

Timang Beach Gondola Ride

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Yogyakarta Multi-Days

Yogyakarta Hiking & Camping

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Toyota Avanza

Price IDR 750K / Day

Lovely Jogja Rent Car Plus Driver Including Fuel

Innova Reborn

Price IDR 950K / Day

Isuzu Elf Giga

Price IDR 1,550K / Day

Toyota Hiace

Toyota Fortuner

Price IDR 1,950K / Day

Toyota Alphard

Price IDR 3,550K / Day

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The Best Jogja Itinerary: 3 Days of Temples, Markets, Culture & Food

Plan your Yogyakarta trip with our breezy Jogja itinerary. Revel in Indonesia’s best temple, culture & food at a relaxed pace

Visitors quickly fall for Yogyakarta in Central Java. (Those who had fallen under her seduction lovingly call her Jogja) The vibrant and friendly city is the epicentre of Javanese culture and seduces visitors with fantastic food and great things to see and do. Plan your visit to beautiful Yogyakarta with our tried and tested 3-day Jogja itinerary.

People love Jogja for many reasons. It has some of the most incredible temples in the world, the food and coffee alone are reasons to come, and it has a lively arts scene. As the only city in Indonesia still ruled by a Sultan, Joga immediately feels exotic and different from other cities in the archipelago nation.  

Temples, street art, batik, charcoal coffee, and  gudeg  aside, we will return to Jogja for the people. Their unforced smiles and genuine friendliness are why we love Yogyakarta so much. We are sure you’ll feel the same after spending a few days in Jogja. 

This Jogja itinerary shows you the best things to see and do in Yogyakarta over three days.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Quick Guide to Yogyakarta

Visited:  February Suggested time:  3 days Where to stay: Gallery Prawirotaman   Famous for:  Borobudur temple, street art, kopi joss , batik, Javanese culture Transportation:  Yogyakarta International Airport serves the rest of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Rail enthusiasts can get to Jakarta in about 8 hours. Use metered Bluebird taxis in the city, or get a driver for the day . Becak (a traditional cycle rickshaw) rides are fun and an essential Jogja experience. Tip:  Drop in at Via Via in Prawirotaman for yummy food and unique tours that directly involve and benefit the local community. Unique experience : Go on a becak ride through old Jogja.

Our 3-Day Jogja Itinerary

We came to Yogyakarta to explore the food and culture of Java. While we wanted to see the main attractions such as the Water Palace and Borobudur, we also wanted a relaxing holiday. 

With only three days in Jogja, we had to balance sightseeing, spending time by the pool at our lovely hotel in Prawirotaman and hanging out in warungs and cafes. 

If you, too, are looking for a well-balanced Jogja itinerary that will show you the best cultural things to do while unwinding at the same time, we’ll be bold enough to say that our’s is  PERFECT !

Here is what we did with our three days in Yogyakarta:

• Day 1: Explore the Kraton area & Malioboro Street
• Day 2: Borobudur Sunrise , Klinik Kopi & Prawirotaman
• Day 3: Beringharjo Market, Bird Market & Foodie Tour

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

We stayed in the lovely Prawirotaman area, known for its trendy cafes, street art and youthful vibes. If you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay with many excellent options for eating and drinking, stay in Prawirotaman.

At first, we considered staying near Malioboro Street, but after visiting Jogja, we’re glad we didn’t. Malioboro is just too busy, and Prawirotaman is a lot prettier and quieter.

We stayed at the excellent Prawirotaman Gallery Hotel in the heart of this trendy, hipster neighbourhood. Rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and well-equipped for a comfortable stay. They also provided free airport transfers since we were staying for three nights. (Send them a message after booking to arrange this).

The absolute best thing about Prawirotaman Gallery is its outdoor pool! It’s the perfect spot at any time of day.

Other facilities include a spa, massage and a gym. The included breakfast is tasty and has Indonesian and western food on offer.

See rates and availability

Day 1: Kraton Area & Malioboro Street

Alun-alun kidul.

This square in front of the Kraton (Royal Palace) is one of the best places in Yogyakarta to see local culture. It’s always bustling with life and activity, especially around sunset when food stalls are set up here.

You will want to come back here after dark to see a whole different side to Alun-Alun Kidul. (We will be back here on the evening of day 3).

In Jogja culture, the two enormous banyan trees named Pohon Beringin Kembar standing in the middle of the square are significant. In the past, the sultan had a moral test for anyone wishing to work in the Kraton as he employed only those with honest intentions and a good heart.

Potential employees were blindfolded and had to walk straight from the Kraton’s entrance and pass between the two trees (a distance of about 50 metres). Missing the trees meant that you were not pure of heart and therefore could not work for the sultan.

Today local tourists test their character by trying to do the same- not to work in the Kraton, but they now believe your wish will come true when walking blindfolded between the trees.

It’s pretty entertaining watching these hopefuls failing miserably more often than not. That being said, we tried it ourselves, and it’s indeed much harder than it looks.

Kraton/Royal Palace

The Kraton (also spelled  keraton  or  karaton ) is home to the reigning sultan and his family and a centre of Javanese culture. This palace is the cultural and spiritual heart of Jogja. 

Constructed for the first sultan of Yogyakarta in 1755, the Kraton is a complex of intricate courtyards and pavilions that visitors can admire. The architecture is said to reflect the relationship between God, man, and nature.

Besides the architecture, you’ll see the  Abdi Dalem  or the sultan’s servants. Barefoot and dressed in batik sarongs and headdresses, these servants devoted themselves to serving the Kraton. Serving the Kraton with pride is a noble loyalty passed down from generation to generation.

Visitors can attend a daily performance in the inner pavilion (included in the entrance fee). You can expect a gamelan performance on Monday and Tuesday, a  wayang golek  (puppetry) on Wednesday, classical dance on Thursday, Javanese poetry on Friday, shadow puppets on Saturday, and Javanese dance on Sunday.

The Kraton might be a little underwhelming, but with an entrance fee of less than a dollar, it’s worth a quick stop.

Taman Sari Water Castle

Located in the Kraton area, the Tamansari, or Water Castle, is just a short  becak  ride away from the Kraton itself. A lovely walk from the Kraton will get you to the entrance of the Water Castle in about 15 minutes. 

Taman Sari, also known as the Garden of the Sultan, was built in 1765 as a retreat for the first Sultan and his family. 

The bathing pools named Umbul Pasiraman are the main attraction. Here, the Sultan’s harem of wives, princesses, and concubines could relax and bathe. The Sultan loved hunting deer, but he would come to these pools to hunt for a wife. He would watch the women from a nearby tower and throw a rose at the one who had caught his eye. 

Opening Hours: 9:00 – 15:00 (Daily) Entrance Fee: Rp. 12,500

Sumur Gumuling/ Underground Mosque

For us, the underground mosque was the most interesting part of the Kraton area. Originally built as part of the Taman Sari, the underground mosque now has a separate entrance a short walk from the Water Castle. It is one of Indonesia’s most unique landmarks .

Finding the entrance is a little tricky, as it’s very nondescript and easy to miss. Ask for  Sumur Gumuling  when you need directions.

Once you’ve found the entrance, a coil of tunnels and subterranean passages will lead you to the circular opening at the centre of the complex. In the centre, several staircases leading from the underground passages meet, and this is a hotspot for taking photos.

The underground paths are cool, damp and mysterious. They also have excellent acoustics that buskers take advantage of.

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 15:00 (Daily) Entrance Fee: Included in Taman Sari

Jalan Malioboro

Yogyakarta’s most famous shopping and eating street runs along an imaginary line between Mount Merapi, the Kraton and the Indian Ocean. In the past, Malioboro was the ceremonial avenue the sultan passed on his way to and from the Royal Palace.

Today, Jalan Malioboro is crammed with souvenir and batik shops. We lost interest in the batik shops and curio stands pretty quickly, but the best thing about Malioboro is the  lesehan  that spring up here after sunset.   The entire Malioboro sidewalk is crammed with these food tents after dark.

Lesehan  is a roadside food tent where you sit cross-legged on the floor at a low table. The atmosphere is incredibly convivial, and spending the night with the friendly locals while enjoying live music performances and drinking charcoal coffee is Jogja nightlife at its best. 

A must-try at a Malioboro lesehan is Kopi Joss (charcoal coffee). It starts as a regular cup of Java coffee with ground coffee, sugar, and hot water. But then a burning red piece of charcoal is dropped into the cup of coffee! Watching the charcoal bubble and sizzle as it cools down is quite satisfying.

Once it has cooled down, you can scoop out the piece of charcoal and enjoy your charcoal-infused coffee.

Day 2: Borobudur & Prawirotaman

It’s an early start today, but seeing the sunrise at Borobudur will probably be the highlight of your Jogja trip. You should leave Yogyakarta no later than 03:30 to make it in time for sunrise. Ask your hotel the day before to arrange a car and driver for you, or join an organized tour.

Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, and this man-made mountain of buddhas and stupas is the best example of the glory of the Javanese kingdom.

Borobudur is one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist attractions, making sunrise the best time to come. You will pay a little extra, but this ensures that you can appreciate the beauty and serenity of the temple in relative peace. The soft morning light is also the best time to take pictures.

Read everything you need to know about sunrise at Borobudur here .

Relax at Your Hotel

Most people will want to carry on to Prambanan temple after visiting Borobudur. This sounds very exhausting, so we headed back to our hotel for a quality nap followed by some time in the pool and a heavenly massage.

Yes, we went to Yogyakarta and didn’t go to Prambanan. Please don’t hit me over the head with your Lonely Planet

You can expect to be back in Jogja by mid-morning, so plan to spend a few hours simply enjoying being on holiday without sightseeing. Don’t underestimate the ability of a massage to give you that I’m on holiday feeling !

Klinik Kopi

Kick off the afternoon with a caffeine kick at Yogyakarta’s most unique coffee shop.

Klinik Kopi is a concept coffee shop like we’ve never seen before. The idea is that you come here for a coffee consultation, almost like going to see a doctor at a clinic.

Owner and barista, Mas Pepeng, will be your doctor and find your coffee fix for you. He provides one-on-one service, only serving pour-over coffee.

When you get to the front of the line (yes, it’s popular, and you’ll have to wait since he only consults one customer at a time), Mas will ask about your coffee preference and how you enjoy coffee. Please don’t ask for a skinny late or cappuccino, as there is no milk or sugar here.

Mas will recommend a coffee bean for you, chit-chat about its origin and flavour, and share his coffee knowledge as he brews your cup. It is one of the most unique cups of coffee you’ll ever have.

There is no Wifi at Klinik Kopi, as Mas Pepeng wants his clinic to be a place for talking and sharing stories. We think it’s a brilliant idea.

The Coffee Clinic is only open between 16:00-20:00 from Monday to Saturday. It’s best to come here soon after they open to avoid waiting in line for your consultation too long.

Explore Prawirotaman 

The Prawirotaman area is the artsy, hipster heart of Yogyakarta, packed with cool coffee shops, cafes, galleries and street art. A stroll down Jalan Prawirotaman or Jalan Gerilya will take you to the hottest addresses in Jogja. 

There is something out there for every kink and style, so explore until you’ve found the spot that syncs with your personality.

Some hotspots to look out for:

• Move on : A coffee bar by day serving up speciality coffee and craft beer at night. Mostly western food such as pizza, pasta and burgers.
• Tempo Gelato:  For the best ice cream in town. 
• Sellie Coffee:  Intimate and cheap, often with live music or someone strumming a guitar.
• Cuba Bar:  Colourful and chilled with great music and a pool table-just how we like it.
• ViaVia:  This is a Prawirotaman institution and must not be missed. 

Dinner at ViaVia

We recommend going to ViaVia for dinner. Half restaurant and bakery, half social enterprise, ViaVia has something special going here.

The menu changes monthly, and all ingredients are organic and prepared without palm oil. The menu features yummy Indonesian and western food, cold beer, strong coffee and exotic smoothies.

Besides dynamite food and vibes, ViaVia offers a few unique tours in and around Jogja. These tours explore interests such as religion, local cuisine, traditional medicine, and contemporary street art, and directly benefit the communities they visit.

Our friendly waitress convinced us that the Culinary Trip was for us, so we booked a foodie trip of Yogyakarta for the following afternoon.

Day 3: Markets, Foodie Tour & Bling Bling Cars

Beringhajo market.

Jogja’s biggest and oldest traditional market has strong ties with the city’s culture and that of Java.

The bright green Pasar Beringharjo building, located on Malioboro street, is a mixture of Javanese and Dutch architecture and bustles with activity all day long, especially in the mornings.

Street food stalls behind and in front of the market are good places to grab a quick bite or a coffee before diving into the market.

You’ll find batik, fabrics, and tourist knick-knacks on the ground floor. This is your place if you still haven’t found that perfect batik shirt or sarong.

Take the stairs up to the second floor for herbs, spices, and fresh produce. We enjoyed this market section the most for the friendly vendors, a great selection of fresh fruit, and the fragrant spices.

The third floor is dedicated to antiques, both real and fake. Here you can browse through records from the fifties and sixties, old typewrites, cameras, coins and furniture, and much more.

Beringharjo Market is open from 08:00-21:00, but the fresh produce section opens as early as 05:00.

Bird Market

Indonesians love keeping birds as pets, especially in Java. Before visiting the bird market, you’ve probably seen countless bamboo cages with songbirds and finches all over Jogja. Keeping and taking care of birds is an essential part of Jogja culture and something they pride immensely.

A visit to the Bird Market (PASTY Market) in Yogyakarta is a fascinating peek into this aspect of Javanese culture.

The PASTY Market consists of rows and rows of bird cages with exotic songbirds, finches, parrots, eagles, owls, chickens, even bats, monkeys, geckos, frogs, snakes-basically anything that moves.

One section of the market is dedicated to beautiful, handmade bamboo cages.

Visiting this bird market is a bit controversial, especially for animal lovers. Most of these beautiful birds are caught in the wild and hold a genuine conservation threat to wild birds all over Indonesia.

Yogyakarta Foodie Tour

We booked a food tour of Yogyakarta the night before at ViaVia, and this turned out to be the highlight of our Yogyakarta trip. This foodie experience is a must if you’re looking for authentic Jogja culture.

Our two guides, Reeza and Weewee, came to pick us up from our hotel on their scooters, and over the next four hours, they took us around the city to experience the culinary traditions of the Jogja.

Besides trying the different Jogja food, we enjoyed meeting the locals and seeing another aspect of the city, away from the tourist attractions.

First, we stopped at a warung where we made and ate  gado-gado , an Indonesian salad of boiled potatoes, vegetables, eggs, tempeh, and peanut sauce. 

Our second stop was a  bakpia  bakery, Jogja’s most famous snack. A team of workers welcomed us and showed us around the bakery where they make these mung bean-filled pastries from scratch and bake them in woodfired ovens. We could try as many as we wanted and also buy some as family gifts at home.  Bakpia  is the most popular ole-ole (Indonesian word for souvenir) from Yogyakarta.

Gudeg, Jogja’s signature dish, was up next at a warung in the Kraton. The sweet dish of stewed, unripe jackfruit, coconut milk, and beef skin was strange in taste and texture, to be honest.

Next, we hit two different dessert stalls where we stuffed ourselves with local sweets. The colourful  kueh,  made from tapioca, pandan, and sago, was exquisite. 

We ended our food tour at Alun-Alun in front of the Kraton. Here we had  ronde,  a ginger tea with palm fruit and croutons. By this time, our guides were more like buddies, and we sat on the grass in front of the Royal Palace and chatted like old friends.

Bling Bling Cars

After dark, Alun-Alun Kidul totally transforms as families come out to enjoy Yogyakarta nightlife. A fun thing to do here is a ride on one of the Bling Bling cars – you’ll know when you see them.

These illuminated peddle cars, about the size of Smart Car, are decorated with bright lights, Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Doremon, and other characters and come with an individual sound system pumping out your favourite tunes.

A ride around the square costs RP 40 000 per lap for the whole car.

And that’s the end of our Jogja itinerary. Hope you have a great time in Yogyakarta! Whether you call it Jogja, Jogjakarta, Yogyakarta or Yogya, we are sure you’re gonna love it 😍

Where in Indonesia will you go next?

We went all out and treated ourselves to a luxurious visit to Lombok. A short flight via Bali gets you to paradise in no time.

Here are some of our other favourite places in Indonesia:

• Ubud in Bali
• Komodo National Park in Flores
• The Kei Islands in Maluku
• Tana Toraja in Sulawesi
• Amed on the east coast of Bali
• The Banda Islands
• 10 Day Itinerary for Bali

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Ultimate Yogyakarta Itinerary in 2-4 Days + Temples & Food

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Yogyakarta is so many things. I loved my trip to this friendly, colourful, historical, quirky city and I can’t wait to share my itinerary for Yogyakarta with you. In the weeks leading up to my visit, people kept telling me how pleasant Yogyakarta was. The word kept cropping up again and again. I was curious what they meant – was ‘pleasant’ a nice way of saying Yogyakarta was boring? Quiet? By the time I’d spent an hour there, I got it. There was no subtle, suggested meaning. Yogyakarta (known by the locals as Jogja) is so SO pleasant. How many cities have city centres pedestrianised, washed in pale pink and blue, home to the same families who’ve lived there for years? The other thing that struck me was what a friendly city Yogyakarta is. There are places in the world that receive so little tourism that, as a visitor, you’ll get no end of looks and stares. There are places that get so much tourism that no one will look twice at you. Yogyakarta is at that nice stage in the middle where people are pleased to see you and want to stop and chat. They’re all broad smiles, friendly waves and genuine interest, without wanting to sell you anything. Due in part to a thriving arts university, Yogyakarta is a city full of culture, academia, performance and art.

JOGJA ESSENTIALS E-sim data plan Copy of Lonely Planet Indonesia Pre-book your airport to hotel transfer Accommodation: Browse hotels on Booking.com // hostels on Hostelworld Tours: GetYourGuide Travel insurance:   True Traveller  (European travellers) /   Hey Mundo  (other nationalities) /   Safety Wing  (digital nomads)

Related read: 101 Southeast Asia travel tips

Yogyakarta fact file

Before I begin, let’s set a little background. History: Yogyakarta is a city on the island of Java in Indonesia , the only one that still has a sultan. Along with the rest of the country, it was once ruled by the Dutch. Known as the ‘Dutch East Indies’ from 1819 until its independence in 1942, many words in Bahasa are influenced by the Dutch language. Language: While the people of Yogyakarta speak the national language of Bahasa, they also speak Javanese, an older Sanskrit language. Nowadays many of the young people also speak English. Currency: Indonesian Rupiah. Currently, it’s Rp. 15,000 to $1 USD. Religion: Yogyakarta is predominantly Muslim, unlike its Hindu neighbour of Bali. In ancient times, both Hindu and Buddhist people lived in Java which explains the multiethnic temples in the area.

Itinerary for Yogyakarta

You might be wondering how long to spend in Yogyakarta which really depends how long your Southeast Asia itinerary allows. I would suggest two days at a minimum. You’ll want to spend a full day exploring the city centre highlights and another one visiting the famous Borobudur and Prambanan temples. If you have additional days for your Yogyakarta itinerary, you won’t get bored. There’s a lot of quirky street and street food, as well as a volcano you can climb. Let’s get stuck in…

Day 1 in Yogyakarta

I started my itinerary in Jogja by exploring the city highlights. This was a great way to understand Java better and get a feel for the lovely Yogyakarta. I would recommend…

The Sultan’s Palace (Keraton)

The Sultan’s Palace doesn’t take long to see. It won’t be the grandest place you’ve ever visited but it’s a great stop to get your bearings and soak up the culture. Its full name is Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat but I stuck to calling it the Sultan’s Palace for obvious reasons. The sultan still lives there, despite no other Indonesian cities having royalty these days. My best advice at the Palace is to hire a tour guide. I paid Rp. 20,000 ($1.40) and I wouldn’t have learnt much without him.

Thanks to his wealth of knowledge, I managed to gather plenty of facts, not just about the Palace. He told me about the island’s history and customs, and the story of the sultans. The current one is a modern man compared to his predecessors with just one wife and a handful of kids. His father had 22 children and his grandfather had 78 from 25 wives! The mind boggles. Address:  Jalan Rotowijayan Blok No. 1, but you’re best putting The Palace of Yogyakarta into Google.

Taman Sari Water Castle & surrounding streets

Taman Sari / the Water Castle / the Royal Gardens… Whatever you call the site, it’s a must-see while in Yogyakarta. Not far from the Royal Palace, these gardens and swimming pools were once used by the sultan to hunt animals and select his new wives. Nowadays, the shimmering blue swimming pools are empty. There only the ghosts of the elegant women who would swim and socialise, hoping to catch his attention. The concept of being yet another wife sounds grim by modern standards but I’d imagine it was seen as a high honour, and probably a profitable choice for those with little money.

The site is a little dusty nowadays. The best bit for me was wandering the surrounding streets which make up the central city of Yogyakarta. It’s bizarre for a relatively large city because it’s totally pedestrianised and a maze of tiny colourful alleyways. The area was once reserved for the servants of the sultan and apparently, it still belongs to him. He could turf everyone out at any moment, but a smiling local I chatted to told me he never does, or will

Take half an hour to wander the local streets, stopping at street murals and batik craft shops. There’s an interesting project in the streets that surround the Water Castle which I leant about due to a street art mural of Mark Zuckerburg. The story is a celebration of technology. Following a recession and the Bali 2002 bombings, the batik industry went bust. ( Batik is a type of printed fabric, btw ) . Luckily, the internet managed to save the day, as people used Facebook and Google to promote their local businesses and revive the industry. In celebration of that, the streets around the Water Castle pay homage to the internet. You’ll find lots of tech-inspired colourful murals including the one of Facebook’s founder. Mark Zuckerberg even came to visit Kampoeng Cyber Village after hearing about the project and subsequently had a street named after him. Random but true! Head to this Google pin and have a wander around.

Malioboro Street’s night market

For an atmospheric local evening, head to Malioboro Street. There’s no better way to get engrossed in the culture than by joining the locals as they socialise and eat. Walk across the bridge from the Sultan’s Palace and you’ll reach the Attacking of 1st of March Monument (built in remembrance of the 6-hour standoff after the Dutch tried and failed to take control in 1949). Here, you’ll find the area packed with people of all ages chatting and eating from the street vendors. Walk along Malioboro Street from here, stopping for food and festivities, especially the delicious desserts. Stalls stretch all along Malioboro Street so come with an empty stomach!

Day 2 – Borobudur and Prambanan temples

This day is also an essential for your Yogyakarta itinerary. Missing the temples would be like visiting Siem Reap and missing Angkor Wat so make sure you don’t! For this day, I would recommend getting up early and taking a day tour to Borobudur and Prambanan. I booked mine with my hostel. I chose a sunrise tour and had to get up at 3.30am. It was hellish at the time but worth it, plus you can relax in the Jogja cafes for the rest of the day.

Note – the exact tour I took seems to no longer be available. Take this tour to see both temples in one day by guided tour. To visit Borobudur at sunrise, take this tour . Alternatively, hire a car and driver for the day .

Borobudur – the world’s largest Buddhist temple site

Borobudur frequently makes lists of the best things to do in Southeast Asia . I mainly came to Yogyakarta to see this incredible temple site. I ended up finding lots else to love about Jogja, but Borobudur was still a highlight.

Read next:  visiting Borobudur for sunset

You can watch sunrise over Borobudur from the hills or from the  Manohara Resort hotel  which allows you to get up close to the temples. I took the first option. The sun slowly rise behind the dreamy spires is a sight I’ll remember for a long time. Afterwards, you can explore the temple site including these enormous bell-like sculptures. I’d been wanting to visit Borobudur for ages and it didn’t disappoint!

Book your Borobudhur tour from $20:

Prambanan Temple

Temple fans visiting Yogyakarta shouldn’t miss Prambanan. Unlike Borobudur, it’s a Hindu Temple: the largest in Southeast Asia in fact. That might not be so impressive when you consider not much of Southeast Asia is Hindu… But a visit is impressive nonetheless. I wouldn’t say Prambanan is as jaw-dropping as Borobudur but it’s a good second stop on a temple hop around Yogyakarta. Buy your ticket including a guided tour .

Getting there: Prambanan is a 45-minute drive from town and you can arrive via the green 1A bus from Malioboro Street to Prambanan for Rp. 4,000, literally pennies. To combine Prambanan and Borobudur into the same day, a tour is required if you don’t have a vehicle since you can’t reach Prambanan from Borodbur by public transport.

Afternoon – relax in Prawirotaman Street cafes

Since Prawirotaman Street was just around the corner from hostel (and because I live for coffee and aircon), I spent a lot of time here. It’s not a spot for street food or local culture but it is a cool, hipster part of town. Yogyakarta may be known for its ancient temples and colourful arts scene, but it’s also becoming a fashionable, modern hub. My favourite cafe on Prawirotaman Street was ViaVia Jogja which serves amazing Javanese food and enormous sandwiches and cakes for very reasonable prices. In the evenings you’ll also find live music and a vibey atmosphere.

Yogyakarta itinerary for 3 days

If you have more time in Yogyakarta, I would recommend a day touring the street art or street food depending on your preferences. Note – you won’t be able to fit both these tours into the same day so if you’re keen to do both, why not shift one into another day of the trip? The street food tour includes a trip to Malioboro Night Market so you could take it during day one.

Explore the street art

As the Indonesian centre of arts and culture, and the location of Indonesia Art Institute (a top creative university), Yogyakarta is alive with colour and urban art. Naturally, I couldn’t have been happier there. You’ll find street art splattered everywhere but if you’re looking for an organised way to see it, take a street art tour .

Not far from the university is the home village of street artist,  Anagard . Now world-famous, he takes visitors around his early work, as well as some guest works by his famous friends. This was one of the best things I did in Yogyakarta – we saw such amazing colourful artwork!

Eat the street food

I didn’t know anything about Javanese food before my visit. Afterwards, I’d safely say that exploring the street food is a must for a Yogyakarta itinerary – it was delicious!

Read next: Yogyakarta food guide: street eats + more

My favourite meal was gudeg, a jackfruit dish cooked with herbs and spices. The best place to try it is Gudeg Yu Djem , set up by the sultan’s old chef. You’ll also enjoy the dishes pictured: bakmi goreng , a fried noodle dish and bakmi godog , a similar dish made from noodles in a flavoursome soup. Head to Special Bakmi den Nasi Goreng Pak Pele , an outdoor restaurant beside the Sultan’s Palace, between 5pm and 7pm  (it’s open until 11pm but apparently the queues are huge later on). I spent a really fun evening eating my way into a food coma an evening street food tour . This tour starts at 6.30pm daily and includes local foods, sweets non-alcoholic drinks and a rickshaw ride.

Yogyakarta itinerary for 4 days

If you have the time, why not do some hiking? After the city centre, ancient temples, street food and quirky street art, an impressive dose of nature will finish for itinerary for Jogja up perfectly.

Visit Mount Merapi – Indonesia’s most active volcano

I don’t usually list things I haven’t done but I thought I’d make an exception here. After climbing Bali’s Mount Batur for sunrise , I was a bit volcano-ed out. If that doesn’t apply to you, visiting Mount Merapi from Yogyakarta could well be an unforgettable experience. It’s Indonesia’s most active volcano and typically erupts every 10-15 years. The adventure option is the 4km sunrise hike from New Selo to the summit, starting at 11pm from Yogyakarta. After a two-hour drive to New Solo, the hike gets underway at 1am, arriving at the top in time for sunrise. It sounds difficult but it’s the option for adventurists visiting Yogyakarta! Otherwise, you can take the non-hike option with a Jeep tour starting around 4am. Your driver will take you to base camp for sunrise, then you’ll explore other areas of interest like the Merapi Museum, telling the story of the 2010 eruption that killed 353 people.

Take a Mount Merapi tour from Jogja . To admire rather than climb, combine it with a Borobudur tour .

Where to stay in Yogyakarta?

The best hostel in Yogyakarta is without doubt Good Karma ! This is well up there as one of my favourite hostels ever. The $5 a night rate includes a delicious breakfast that changes every day, from healthy veggie omelettes to creative pancake dishes (pina colada ones with coconut and pineapple were my favourite). They always come with a fresh fruit salad served on a banana leaf. Oh, and there’s help-yourself tea and coffee. The staff are so friendly and it’s super colourful. I can’t fault anything about it. Book Good Karma here .

How to get around Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a fairly small city and much of it is walkable. Saying that, in the Southeast Asian heat I don’t tend to walk as much as I do at home. Grab , Uber and GoJek are all in operation in Jogja and I used Grab whenever I needed to get anywhere. A scooter ride saving me a 20-minute walk usually cost about Rp. 7,000 (and car rides aren’t much more). There’s just no debate, is there?

Where to book your tours in Yogyakarta

There are plenty of agencies in town. If you want somewhere to browse quality tours at your leisure with no pressure, visit ViaVia Jogja . This restaurant, bakery and shop is also a tour agency offering all your usual ones, as well as silver jewellery making, batik print workshops, and multi-day trips across the island. I also take GetYourGuide and Viator tours around the world. They offer quality tours with decent prices.

Thanks for reading my Yogyakarta itinerary

Read my other Yogyakarta blogs:

• Visiting Borobudur and Prambanan temples in 1 day
• The Yogyakarta food guide: street eats + more
• Yogyakarta street art guide

See you next time for more adventures,

For more content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

Ps. Liked this itinerary for Yogyakarta? Pin it for later!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

6 thoughts on “ Ultimate Yogyakarta Itinerary in 2-4 Days + Temples & Food ”

Hi! Me and my family would like to go to Yogyakarta in from 14th to 16th July and will have two days. Your blog was very helpful in providing information on what we should visit, however we would like to keep one day for the borobudur temple and taman sari water temple, and the second day for adventurous things such as sunrise from the mountain, caving, and Zipline/waterfall. Do you have any specific suggestions on where I can book these tours for reasonable prices? Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon.

There was a booking office in ViaVia Jogja, from memory!

Hi. We will be in Yogakarta for Dec 30 to Jan 2. Will the tourist sites (temples, palace, etc) be closed on Jan 1st? Would you recommend visiting the waterfalls?

Hello, I didn’t visit at this time of year, I’d recommend maybe emailing your accommodation for advice when you have booked!

hi Rose, i’m from Yogyakarta and really appreciate your blog about Yogyakarta… i would like to say thank you so much for exploring our beautiful city… 🙂 Keep your health and always happy…

Thank you, Bayu, glad you enjoyed it!

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‘Keith Lee effect’ from TikTok food critic hits D.C.-area restaurants

Keith Lee’s visit sends orders flying at Fairfax fast-casual. He also reviews a food truck, a Caribbean restaurant, an Ethiopian institution and a ‘curry-out.’

Alex Kang found himself in an awkward position Thursday morning as he prepared to open the doors of his Okonomi Asian Grill. The founder — or “supreme leader,” as he identifies himself on his cards — was telling regulars to please, please not visit his fast-casual restaurant in Fairfax, Va., not unless they order ahead and were prepared for a lengthy wait.

His supplies were running low from the previous day, when about 400 orders poured into his system, which tends to handle no more than 80 a day. He had run out of corn salsa within 90 minutes of opening Thursday, and his stockpile of caramelized onions wasn’t going to last much longer, either. Kang figured he had enough ingredients to produce about 130 Chipotle-style bowls, and then he’d have to call it quits for the day.

Kang was suffering — if that’s the right word for it — from the “Keith Lee effect,” the fallout of the TikTok food critic’s viral reviews. Lee dropped a review of Okonomi early Wednesday, before Kang even woke up.

“In the ever-expanding universe of social media influencers, there isn’t anyone quite like Keith Lee ,” said Michelle Miller on an episode of the BET documentary series “America in Black.” “His impact is undeniable.”

Whenever Lee visits a city or a region, he will ask his 16.5 million followers on TikTok for recommendations. As the owner and chef of a restaurant open for just two years, Kang had no time for such nonsense. But one of his regulars did. She sent Lee’s team an email, recommending Okonomi for a review.

As part of the pitch, the Okonomi regular mentioned that the restaurant had been the victim of an online scam, in which customers used DoorDash and Uber Eats to place an order, only to cancel it at the last minute — but still pick up the prepared meal. Kang said he lost between $400 to $500 on thefts through DoorDash alone, though he said the company eventually made him whole.

Lee mentioned the incident in his review but didn’t dwell on it. He was more interested, it seemed, in why Okonomi’s business was so slow. He wondered if it was because of the food, the customer service or the marketing.

In his car-seat critique, Lee found little to complain about. He said the customer service was “extremely good,” gave the lemongrass chicken bowl an 8.5 out of 10 and scored the Hawaiian-ish bowl (your choice of chicken with Hawaiian mac salad, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumbers and togarashi on jasmine rice) a 7.5. He also sampled a side of cucumber kimchi, which he gave an 7.5.

@keith_lee125 Okonomi Asian Grill taste test 💕 would you try it ? 💕 #foodcritic @Okonomi ♬ original sound - Keith Lee

Lee didn’t sample any of the dishes with Okonomi’s signature pineapple fish sauce — a condiment Kang is proud of — because the reviewer has a shellfish allergy.

By the time Kang knocked the sleep out of his eyes Wednesday, his phone was blowing up with notifications. He was supposed to be off that day, but once he saw Lee’s review, he knew his plans were out the window. He clocked a full day in the kitchen, along with two workers already on the schedule. They dealt with a line. They slammed through orders while customers waited as long as 30 minutes.

“We handled it as best we could,” Kang said Thursday, his pink apron still stained from the previous day’s labors.

To better manage expectations for Thursday’s crush, Kang emailed his regulars, begging them for mercy — and to not visit the restaurant until the hype dies down. He posted the same message on his social media accounts. Kang understood how unorthodox the request was: When in the history of restaurants did an owner ask people not to dine in his place?

But Kang also knew he was low on ingredients, in part because of Wednesday’s influx of orders and because his walk-in cooler has been dead since the compressor blew in April. He’s been operating Okonomi with a pair of refrigerators instead. He also had only two employees scheduled for Thursday, including himself, though two others volunteered to join the team for the day, including one woman who goes to the same church as Kang.

Several people were waiting outside Okonomi before Kang even opened his doors. They were following the instructions posted on the entrance: The owner had plastered leaflets all over the front doors, with the same urgent request: please order online. He supplied a QR code to facilitate the process.

The warnings seemed to have the desired effect. There were few people actually waiting inside Okonomi, but the orders were arriving at a steady clip online. By 1:30 p.m., Kang said he had already fulfilled 90 orders.

Ashley Fultz, 32, had never been to Okonomi before she saw Lee’s video Thursday morning while at work as a phlebotomist at a clinic in Chantilly, Va. She was intrigued by what she saw. Her first thought: “Let me see how far this is” from Chantilly. She arrived at Okonomi around 1 p.m. for a Hawaiian-ish bowl.

If Kang was overwhelmed by the response to Lee’s review, Shihan Chowdhury, owner of the Flavor Hive food truck , said not much had changed at his business since the critic visited Wednesday and the mixed review dropped early Thursday morning .

“His video itself didn’t impact us,” the self-described Bangladeshi native and fellow social media enthusiast ( @chilipeppercooks ) said Thursday, adding that “we already had some big lines.”

“We’ve already been viral,” Chowdhury said, noting that he’s garnered more than 50 million views on Instagram. One difference between Flavor Hive and many of the other restaurants and mobile kitchens Lee tends to visit, Chowdhury said, is that those businesses are typically struggling or “don’t have good marketing.”

“We’re the number one truck in the DMV,” Chowdhury said of his budding enterprise. Lee did point out in his review that there was a long line at Flavor Hive when he stopped by. “When we pulled up, it was booming,” Lee explained to his TikTok fans.

The extended wait time may have contributed to one of Lee’s complaints, which included his description of one item as “cold.” Lee also voted down a chicken-topped offering (rated 3 out of 10), declared another meal too spicy (rated 7.5) and praised a beef-based selection (rated 7.9).

“That’s a solid nacho,” Lee said of his ground-beef-and-sauce-covered Tostitos Scoops.

“He gave a spot-on review. Everything he said is completely valid,” Chowdhury said of the mixed bag. He said he was already addressing Lee’s concerns — stressing that the “chicken was cooked incorrectly” and that staff were already being retrained in assembly procedures to fix the temperature issue — to ensure future customers fully enjoy their meals.

While he said he’d thanked Lee for coming, Chowdhury did have a critique of his own.

“He tried a trend,” Chowdhury said of the $10 “walking taco” that Flavor Hive has been promoting online since at least July 2.

“He didn’t get the full Flavor Hive experience,” Chowdhury said, urging Lee and others to try top sellers like his Halal meat-packed quesadillas, spiced lentil-filled dal puri tacos and signature date-palm chai drink.

“Those bring us lifetime customers,” he boasted.

Early Friday morning, Lee dropped a review of Cane, the Caribbean-focused restaurant on H Street NE. Before he said a word about the food, however, Lee complained that the D.C. dining scene is geared toward imbibers. “If you don’t drink, it seems like it is slim pickings,” he said. Lee acknowledged he’s a teetotaler.

Cane’s food, Lee said, was mostly above average, but “right below really, really good.” He gave a 7.9 to both the jerk wings and the whole fried snapper escovitch, the latter of which he ate straight, without any of its garnishes. He awarded a 6 to the Trinidadian peas and rice (pelau) and a lowly 1 score to the Trini eggplant pie.

Other restaurants around the DMV were bracing for a potential visit by Lee.

@keith_lee125 💕 Keith Speaks 💕 God Is Amazing 🙏🏽 #foodcritic 💕 ♬ original sound - Keith Lee

On Monday, Lee announced on social media that he would be visiting the area and asked his followers to suggest places to try. “If you or anyone you know has a mom-and-pop shop or a family-owned spot that has great food and great customer service but they could use the marketing, absolutely free to them, let me know,” he said in a video .

The post immediately kicked off speculation about where he might alight, along with hundreds of nominations around the region.

Several things set Lee apart from the hordes of social media food influencers and the even larger swarm of wannabes. Most notably, he pays for his own meals and often attempts to visit restaurants unannounced — bypassing the celebrity treatment in an effort to get the same treatment as regular diners. And he usually picks establishments that aren’t glitzy big names. Instead, they tend to be spots beloved by their communities, often run by and owned by people of color. In his video previewing his DMV tour, he asked people to steer him to “restaurants from different backgrounds, different cultures or different ethnicities.”

One plea came from Lydia Tefera , a second-generation operator of Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant, a staple of the U Street corridor for nearly three decades . On her TikTok account, Tefera had fretted about the future of Dukem , which led to an outpouring of support. It also led to a visit from Lee, who saw that the restaurant was booming and initially said it didn’t need a boost from the Keith Lee effect. He dined inside Dukem and loved it, and he ended up posting a video review anyhow . He left multiple $500 tips and also gave $1,000 to pay for other diners’ food.

“This was the highlight so far for me,” Lee told a WUSA reporter who happened to be there. “ This is the best place we went to .”

@keith_lee125 #stitch with @Lydia Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant taste test 💕 would you try it ? 💕 #foodcritic @Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant DC ♬ original sound - Keith Lee

On Sunday, he posted a review of Hong Kong Delite in Southeast D.C., which he called a “curry-out” in keeping with local pronunciation. There, he seemed underwhelmed by his introduction to the city’s signature mumbo sauce, which he said tasted like “sweet-and-sour sauce from McDonald’s mixed with a little bit of ketchup.” He gave the wings 8.6 out of 10, with the caveat added: “on a scale of hood chicken wings.” Lee also gave the restaurant cash to cover the cost of every customer for the rest of the day, and once word spread, a line formed.

While a visit is seen as a boon for restaurants, Lee has sometimes knocked an entire city’s dining scene — albeit in his low-key fashion. In a now-infamous visit to Atlanta late last year, he highlighted practices that Atlantans had long complained about, including restrictive dress codes, byzantine rules and extra charges for items like butter. “Interesting” was how he described the service at Atlanta Breakfast Club, where he and his family were first told to wait outside for takeout and later informed they were only allowed to order once after they decided to eat in.

In January, he cut short a trip to San Francisco, citing an allergy attack caused by food that had been cross-contaminated with shellfish. He indicated, though, that he had been none too impressed with the city’s dining scene, explaining to followers that he had filmed a number of video reviews that he decided not to post.

“I’ve always been big on honesty. I’ve always been big on transparency,” Lee said. “But I’ve never been big on completely tearing down anybody, and I feel like those videos are doing that.”

Lee’s positive review of Okonomi impacted not just the restaurant, Kang said. Before Lee left the place, he gave Kang $3,000. Lee suggested the owner should use $2,000 of it to pay for customer meals; the other $1,000 was just for Kang, something of a gift for a struggling business.

But Kang has no intention of keeping it. He plans to use the $2,000 to cater food for some elementary school teachers in the area, and he will split the rest of the money among his workers, as bonuses for their hard work these past two days.

“This is a business. We have to be profitable, but money isn’t my end goal,” Kang said. “Ideally, it’s to bring better food into the area.”

Emily Heil and Joe Yonan contributed to this report.