Surprising find on Lake Toba, 10-15 minutes north of Tuk Tuk on the main road going towards Simanindo. The property, called "Sumatera Borobudur" is worth seeing in its own right, located right on the lake and filled with gardens and Buddhist statues - a rarity in this part of Indonesia. Handmade tempeh and mockmeats, soup specials every day, vegan versions of Indonesian specialties, homemade vegan coconut ice cream. Worth the trip and also easy to plan with a visit to Simanindo or the hot springs in Panguguran. Open Mon-Sun 10:00am-8:00pm.
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Central Tolping, Lakeside, 50 meters before Vanesha Guest House (at Samosir Island, Lake Toba), Sumatra, Indonesia
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- Outdoor seating
- Cash only
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Last update on 24 Feb 2013 by Guest
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Added by enRoute on 05 Jan 2010
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15 Reviews
First Review by enRoute
LauraR2912
Points +360
Great place to stop for lunch. - Edit
Came here for lunch.
Read moreWasn't sure it was actually open but eventually a local turned up and notified someone in the cafe.
The mie goreng was good although nothing special.
Ordered vanilla and chocolate ice cream thinking I'd get a scoop of each but instead received two large pots worth 4 scoops.
Didn't need dinner that night!
The chocolate ice cream was really good.
Nice setting on a terrace overlooking a garden filled with buddha statues.
Guest
just.a.vegan.girl
Points +1286
Interesting place on the island - Edit
Definitely worth the drive on a motorbike. Interesting place. When I arrived I waited quite awhile until finally some locals guests got the attention of the owner to come out. After I ordered the food did come out fast and it was really good. Guacamole isn’t traditional Mexican guacamole but was still nice with their freshly made chips.
Read moreGuest
Angéline8888
Points +825
Wow amazing food and scenery - Edit
This area is so nice! The garden is huge, peaceful and meditating.
Read moreThe food was also very good, and we saw the cooker come into the garden and pick up some fruits for our dishes. I would definitely recommend to go there. If you go with scooter from tuktuk, the road is quite in a good state. If you don't I think you can go only with a grab
Unfortunately they use cream in their ice-cream so it wasn't full vegan :(
Pros: Amazing garden and view on the lake, Good food
Cons: Ice cream is not vegan
Guest
MariadeJong
Points +46
Amazing and super random! - Edit
Being vegan and allergic to shrimp is not easy on Sumatra! This place is however fully vegan and is located slightly outside the touristy zones. However definently worth the ride. The food is amazing and the portions are big! The restaurant has a beautiful garden with all kinds of fruit trees and a beautiful view onto the lake. Must try: patato rendang.
Read moreGuest
laurenpage95
Points +62
What a find - Edit
How great! Fully vegan restaurant in a random spot on Samosir island, SO worth the drive! I had the sweet and sour tempeh and the matcha ice cream, both so delicious!!
Read moreGuest
Northabroad
Points +310
Amazing homemade food - Edit
We were so happy to find Buddha Café on Samosir Island.
Read moreOver two visits, we tried the mixed fruit juice, fried tempeh with peanut sauce, rendang potato curry eggplant coconut curry, tofu steak and rojak along with two scoops of ice cream. Everything was super delicious.
Prices are on the high-ish side for Indonesia (which is still super cheap in Western standards!), but the servings are also pretty big. Especially the appetisers and ice cream (one scoop is shareable).
The garden was charming and we enjoyed the lake views.
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For more tips, check out our full travel guide to visiting Samosir Island here: https://northabroad.com/lake-toba-sumatra-complete-travel-guide-samosir-island-indonesia
Updated from previous review on 2019-08-10
Pros: Homemade Indonesian food in vegan versions, Big portions, Beautiful garden
Guest
VeganBirder
Points +38
Great surprise indeed ! - Edit
I didn't even check Happy Cow before coming. To find vegan food is easy in Sumatra, unlike the Philippines where I travel a lot. Today, biking around I found the Buddha Cafe and couldn't resist but try a heavy meal as I was really hungry and the vegan ice cream.
Read moreTo be noticed : it is mainly non-smoking. Fincing a smoke free place to eat in Sumatra is very difficult, so that's an asset.
It was really good, more expensive than usual places in Sumatra, but still very low for any international traveller. Good meal, including ice cream and cafe for about 5 euros...
Any vegan coming around Lake Toba should bump there and enjoy a really healthy and tasty plant-based meal. Non vegan would enjoy also, it is subtil gastronomy here.
Pros: real vegan food, good quality and home made, Very beautiful place and area, Very friendly service and non smoking
Cons: Plastic straw coming with drinks, Bottled water available
Guest
BartB2
Points +34
Nice restaurant on Samosir Island! - Edit
You wouldn't expect this on Samosir Island! Menu is small but has some very nice dishes. Definitely go here when on Samosir!
Read moreCons: bit more expensive then warungs you find on the is
Guest
SilviaKramer
Points +15
Fantastic find on Samosir - Edit
The restaurant has a very nice feel to it and the food is delicious. The drinks and ice cream were great too and made the trip worthwhile.
Read moreGuest
Lalaleilani
Points +57
delicious! - Edit
This place was such an amazing find, just go, you will not be disappointed! Best food I've had in some time
Read morePros: Ice cream!, beautiful location!
Guest
Virogen
Points +280
Delicious & Beautiful - Edit
Buddha’s Cafe is one of the most pleasant surprises hidden away at Lake Toba. The atmosphere is very peaceful and beautiful with lake front view and a large garden with Buddha statues and many types of flowering plants. There is a lot of attention to detail in the decorations on the walls and floor tiles. High standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
Read moreTheir curries are the highlight - all have their own distinct and delicious flavours. We loved the Eggplant Curry and the Tempeh and Pineapple Curry. Our top pick was the Sweet and Sour Tempeh. Their ice creams are actually more like sorbets and have a coconut base. However, the staff are so incredible that they made me a coconut-free sorbet on the spot because I am allergic to coconut. In fact, they modified most dishes without hesitation. We also tried their guacamole w/ home made crackers - it was delicious, though not authentic guac.
Their pancakes you can give a miss - I think they are made from rice flour because they are more layers of doughiness than what North Americans would call a pancake.
They are more expensive than other restaurants around Lake Tabo, but their food quality is superior, which is why we visited more than once despite its location being more difficult to get to.
Most dishes are vegan, but they have a few dishes with egg due to vegetarians requesting frequently. No dairy is served in any dish.
To get to it, you must continue past Ambarita in the direction of Simanindo. It’s not convenient to walk to so you should bike or drive. We did kayak there one day from Tuk Tuk - it took about two hours from Tabo Cottages. They also have a guest house.
Pros: Vegan, Flavorful, Beautiful Grounds
Cons: Pricier, Location is inconvenient
Guest
CherryFlamingo
Points +403
Delicious Vegan food! - Edit
Delicious food, very friendly staff and yummy ice cream !!!
Read moreThe place is also very beautiful :)
Guest
amzie23
Points +19
Best food EVER - Edit
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon Buddah Cafe while motorbiking around Samosir. It's not far from Ambarita. It's a beautiful location, peaceful atmosphere and the most delicious food I've ever eaten at a really good price. The owner is sweet and her little boy just too cute. Even my non vegan boyfriend said "This tastes better than any meat I've eaten." I can't recommend this place enough, their ice-cream is amazing too. We ate here twice. Go here for excellent service, and out of this world food.
Read more-January 2013
Pros: excellent food, good value, friendly
Cons: None
Guest
Eric_
Points +729
Not worth a trek - Edit
It was nice to finally see a veggie place, but I wouldn't recommend heading out there just for this place; it's all right if you're passing. The food was okay, not bad and not fantastic, but comparatively very, very pricey.
Read moreCons: Price, Location, Choices
amzie23
Really surprised you didn't enjoy it =/ We thought it was amazing and worth the travels there twice.
Read moreGuest
enRoute
Points +1397
a quirky and delicious haven - Edit
Wow, what a great place! I was quite surprised to come upon their welcoming "VEGAN CAFE" sign while riding out to the north part of the island.
Read moreKeep in mind that it's past Ambarita by a kilometer or so, maybe 5-6 kilometers from Tuk Tuk. It's really worth getting out there though, both to support this unique endeavor and to have some of the best food you'll find on the island. Fantastic homemade flavors, I went for several days in a row and had the specials every day - all were great! Plus homemade banana and carrot breads and coconut milk ice cream. The setting is absolutely beautiful and must be seen to be believed!
It's easy to spot from the road with its wall decorated with stupas and green tile roof. If you can't find it just call the number and they will help you out in perfect English. If you are on the island there is no excuse to miss this place! Combine it with a trip out to the wild and mystic northern tip of the island for a great day out.
Pros: very homemade, awesome setting, super friendly
Cons: a bit of a trek, somewhat pricey
Guest
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