Banda’s role in the history of the nutmeg trade is reflected in the local cuisine to date. Numerous little shops in the market and in the center of Nusantara offer cinnamon, nutmeg and Kenari (tropical Almond) cookies. No one should leave Banda before trying the delicious nutmeg jam made from the nutmeg fruit’s fleshy outer layer.

A typical Bandanese dish is Terong goreng, fried eggplant coated in Kenari sauce. You find it on the menu of the nutmeg café and the restaurant in Delfika 1, for example. For excellent soups (e.g. Soto Ayam), fresh fruit shakes and a friendly and warm atmosphere, you should visit Rumah Makan Nusantara. It is located in the shopping street of Nusantara close to the mosque and Hatta-Syahrir University. The relatively new family run Spice Island Cafe serves excelent curries, fruit smoothies, good coffee and is a cozy place to meet other travellers and hang out in the evenings. Apart from the restaurants, there are a number of good warungs offering Indonesian dishes for a smaller budget.

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Baba Lagoon hotel, where we are based, offers a dinner buffet, a choice of local dishes, on request. Just let the hotel staff know before you go out for diving in the morning.