For travellers familiar with Southeast Asia's coastal hubs, the phrase 'same-same' is a tired refrain, often describing the repetitive menus found in beach town restaurants. On Lombok's south coast, however, one venue is shattering that stereotype with breathtaking creativity. Klub Kembali, a craft cocktail bar and fusion restaurant, has established itself as a culinary destination unlike any other, offering an experience that is decidedly not 'same-same'.
An Inventive Menu Redefining Indonesian Flavours
Housed within a beautifully restored traditional Javanese joglo wooden house in the relaxed beach town of Selong Belanak, Klub Kembali's menu is a bold experiment. It takes iconic Indonesian dishes and reimagines them with playful, global twists. Where typical lumpia (spring rolls) might contain shrimp or vegetables, here you'll find mind-bending versions stuffed with minced steak, melted cheese, and dill pickles for a 'cheeseburger' effect, or filled with mac and cheese served with a tomato-sambal sauce.
The innovation doesn't stop there. Patrons can sample chicken wings coated in Lombok's signature garlic-chilli taliwang sauce, veggie sliders made from blended soy protein and rice, or an inside-out beef rendang burger where a patty is packed with the spicy coconut beef curry itself. Many creations are unique to this venue, not found elsewhere in Lombok, Indonesia, or potentially the world.
Cocktail Alchemy with a Local Spirit
The inventive spirit extends masterfully to the bar. Co-owner Daniel Schwizer, originally from Switzerland, champions Indonesian distilleries, using their products as the foundation for extraordinary cocktails. His dedication is evident in creations like the Jajamu, based on traditional herbal medicine (jamu), blending East Indies Pomelo Pink Gin, Balinese arak, ginger, turmeric, and honey.
Perhaps the most conversation-starting offering is the Soto Ayam cocktail. Inspired by the classic chicken soup, it contains no poultry but captures its essence through gin infused with soto ayam herbs, lemon juice, Balinese arak, and a hint of vegetable bouillon, garnished with a rice cracker. It's a savoury, sour, and lightly spicy flavour adventure.
More Than a Bar: A Community Hub
Klub Kembali's appeal transcends food and drink. It has become the social epicentre for Selong Belanak's tight-knit expat and traveller community. Every detail, from the wall of art and vintage photos to the restored furniture, the yellow Volkswagen Beetle in the garden, and the soft jazz soundtrack, reflects a profound love for craft and atmosphere. Daniel even uses miniature oak barrels to age single-malt whisky on-site.
Schwizer notes the challenge of innovating within a culture deeply proud of its traditional cuisine. "Indonesians are very proud of their cuisine... anything else can be seen as sacrilegious," he says, drawing a parallel to the culinary conservatism he knew in Switzerland. He has fostered a kitchen culture where staff feel safe to experiment, merging a passion for Indonesian flavours with new culinary ideas.
Klub Kembali is located near the corner of Jalan Selong Belanak and Jalan Selong Belanak-Kuta. It opens daily from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM. Meals are reasonably priced between $5 and $10, while their signature craft cocktails range from $12 to $18. For a visual taste, find them on Instagram at @klubkembali. In a landscape often criticised for its uniformity, Klub Kembali stands out as a vibrant, essential, and deliciously different destination.
