East Timor Food and Drink

The staple diet for most East Timorese is similar to that of Indonesians (rice and spices) although there may well be difficulty in obtaining a variety of foods outside main urban areas due to the unstable political situation, the financial situation of many of the people and internal logistical difficulties. In Dili, there are a number of restaurants and cafes serving western cuisine, catering to the foreigners living and working there.

Specialities:

• Fish (preferably fried, with delicacies being prawns).
• Curries (chicken is a favourite).
• Authentic Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese dishes.

Tipping:

There is no service charge added to bills, but if the service calls for it, a 10% tip is sufficient.

Regional drinks:

Coffee (East Timor coffee is very high in caffeine, organically grown and renowned for its sharp flavour).
Beer.

Shopping & nightlife Getting around

Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2025 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.

You know where
you are going!
Why not check out
what to Eat & Drink

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.