Review Java - Randwick

We love the food here. My favourite would be the sate ayam. The flavour is as I would expect. The smokiness of the chicken combines perfectly with the sate sauce they use. Yes, sate is different everywhere in Indonesia but I’d rate this as an authentic east Javanese flavour experience. The Gado-Gado is also superb, with an Australian slant due to the availability of Australian ingredients. My photos also include the ketoprak. Hmmm there’s a peanut sauce emphasis here. The ketoprak is of course excellent and “asli” ( original). The empal is a standout at this restaurant. It does take some time to prepare so on this visit we were disappointed - sold out due to a recent big order. It is a meat dish cooked in a very carefully balanced combination of spices and flavours such as candlenut. You must try this! Also uploaded was a photo of our fu yung hai - omelette. It was so delicious I think I monopolised it at our share-plate table. Our group presents with multiple allergies and coeliac disease. Needless to say they are very helpful. Only thing to watch out for here is they do cash only. Oh yeah, sorry for the shadows in the photos. Will do better next time! 😊

Beautiful authentic fresh Indonesian. Java is an unassuming little restaurant located on Avoca St in Randwick. Joe and his family run this fabulously delicious tasting restaurant. No faults, always incredible! Extensive menus and very well priced. We have tried many dishes but always seem to drift back to our favourites. Chicken with chilli sauce, nasi goreng and water spinach. I can’t remember the correct names for the dishes (Joe just remembers what it is we like) 😁

Incredibly authentic Indonesian experience! Plenty of options and very catering towards vegetarians. The food is full of flavour and love. Joe is one of the kindest and hardest working owners and will always go above and beyond. My favourite authentic Indonesian experience in Sydney. The satay is a must!

The food is authentic and just amazing. We had the Rijsttafel which is a combination of several dishes and it was the best we've ever had in Australia. The table service was awesome and the owner/waiter was doing an amazing job. This has become my favourite Indonesian restaurant and I will come back many more times!!!!

Honestly the best time! Service was incredible and felt like they went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and enjoy our experience. Food was also amazing, everything was delicious and I can’t wait to try everything on the menu😳

The food was unbelievable it was like eating it at my home country. The owner was extremely friendly and even more helpful. The best food and best service I ever had. Thank you so much!!!!! WONDERFUL RESTAURANT

This is my first experience in an Indonesian restaurant. All I can say is that the food is amazing, everything had flavor from the first bite until the last. The taste of their Sambal is really good, it's not just in your face spicy. We ordered: beef, chicken tofu, noodles and fish. Even had their durian ice cream. All of the food items are worth another taste. its not a question of "will" we come back for another round, It's "when". p.s. the restaurant service is a bit slow due to the volume of people, that is my only gripe. This only proves how good the food is.

There was once a time when a number of indonesian cafes graced the streets of Randwick. To the best of my knowledge only Java remains serving up traditional and specialty dishes, in a simple clean environment. Java's menu is representative of this highly underrated cuisine. If you're in randwick, it's a nice choice.

In my opinion, this has to be one of the BEST INDONESIAN restaurants in Sydney. I have frequented this restaurant for the the past 30 years. Joe and his staff never fail to welcome you and take care of all your dining needs. It may not be the most lavishly decorated or cheapest - but it does have a most extensive menu and the best satay I have ever tasted. My favourite dish is the Nasi Rames. It is a total dish in itself with small portions of Beef Rendang, Fried Chicken, Gado Gado, Sambal Chilli Egg served with white boiled rice and a fried-shrimp krupuk. I highly recommend this! Ayam Serah: Deep fried Lemongrass chicken served with lettuce, cucumber and a spicy chilli sauce. Opor Ayam: Chicken cooked in coconut milk with galangal, lemongrass, cinnamon, tamarind juice, palm sugar, coriander, cumin, candlenut, garlic, shallot, and pepper. The restaurant is not large in size, so if there are a few groups in there, it may be hard to get a table. That shows its popularity! I recommend that a reservation is made - especially on the weekend nights.

It is my local restaurant, I have been numberous time and each time never disappoints. I am slowly working my way through the extensive menu and am yet to have a dish I dont like. The service is friendly and attentive and then atmosphere is always great.

Great food and excellent value for money. The staff are always friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended.

Food was so so good, staff so friendly. My new favourite local !!

Authentic Indonesian food with attention to detail and great customer service. Highly recommended!!

The best kept secret in Sydney this place is amazing �

Authentic � Indo food, tastes like home away from home � Just awesomeness �

Food is awesome .. Staff r so friendly...U must try it u wont be disappointed food is sooo yummy

Such amazing food!!! Great service. Definitely come back here again.

Excellent Indonesian restaurant. One should try the nasi goreng empal that is really exquisite.

good food good price simplicity and friendly nice deserts

Had the beef rendang, oyster beef, nasi goreng and the seafood hot pot. Simply delicious. Best Indonesian in the Eastern Suburbs. 5 stars ⭐️

Very disappointed - over priced and over rated. Ayam sereh - small serving and mainly bones. Taste is bland and quality of chicken poor. Beef rendang - salty and taste more like Indian beef curry; some pieces of beef were already disintegrating. Maybe reheated too many times?? Not coming back again!! So many more value for money and nicer Indonesian restaurants nearby. Ayam goreng 99, Dapoer Shalom, Indo rasa and Mydelight to name a few. <br/>

This is one of those experiences you don’t forget, exceptional food as well as exceptional service! Highly recommended. I have been coming here for years and the food/service has stayed consistent.

The sauce they gave me was too little and blend. The customer service was excellent and the decor has the casual look.  The restaurant is too crampy and the rendang taste blends for me.

After I saw this restaurant on Food Safari TV show, we decided to give it a try and it was great! The chicken satay was moist & tender and delicious. I was surprised the peanut sauce was not as sweet as I thought and it’s just right! We especially enjoyed beef rendang and the egg plant dish. The beef rendang had a nice fresh flavour with cinnamon. And the egg plant was soft, juicy, slightly spicy and the taste was spot on. The least favourite dish was Gado Gado...it had too much peanut sauce and it tasted something was missing in the seasoning?! <br/><br/>We ordered four dishes and it was around $65 in total. We ate the whole things and after that we were sooo full!

This is one of the best Indonesian restaurants I have ever visited. The price is so good for the amount of food and flavour that is packed into one plate. They nailed the flavours and everything was just delicious. <br/><br/>Customer service was fantastic and staff were attentive to every customer despite how packed the restaurant was. Very happy with it, I will definitely come back here and would definitely recommend this to anyone who is keen to try or go for Indonesian good.

Java is a nondescript restaurant in Randwick which offers a wide variety of traditional Indonesian fare. Situated on the busy Avoca Street, the restaurant features white marble tables and black chairs as well as paintings of wooden stilt houses (or kampongs) <br/><br/>I ordered a dish of chicken satay and nasi goreng. The chicken satay was probably oven heated rather than grilled over charcoal fire. Hence, the satay lacks flavour and texture. I have requested for a spicier version of the fried rice. Therefore, the fried rice was spicy and delectable. However, the rice sticks together and the chef could do more to separate them.

One of the Indonesian restaurant that i used to visit since the early 90s ... the fact that they still exist until now i guess shows that they have consistent taste and good service.. not much i remember even though it was all good meal every time.. but i do remember the Risoles that was huge (bigger than the usual size back home in Indonesia) and really nice...

Been around for many many years! One of the best traditional family Indonesian restaurants to go to! A variety of dishes at very reasonable prices. The authenticity and flavours are spot on! Get in early as it gets very busy as there's not much seating.

I haven't tried many Indonesian restaurant and wouldn't really know what to order, so luckily we came with our Indonesian friends who comes to this restaurant a lot.<br/><br/>We let them order whatever is good and there was so much food and not enough table space! But somehow we managed to finish everything. We started off with some chicken skewers and pork skewers, otak-otak. Then came the beef rendang (tender and with a good chilli kick) with plain rice and turmeric rice which was different and addictive. We ordered gado-gado, a battered fish with veggies stir fried. Some omelettes with tomato sauce and peas, and delicious chicken fried with pre marinated in lemon grass. <br/><br/>We were so full but we couldn't walk away without trying some desserts, so we tried their durian ice cream and Es teler (coconut slices, jackfruit, avocado in syrup, coconut cream and shaved ice).<br/>We also tried the avocado shake which was refreshing and addictive. For me, this was a great introduction to Indonesian food thanks to my friends!

Java has excellent food at a budget price. We paid just over $40 for our lunch, with no charge for our BYO wine. On weekdays they have lunch options for under $10. Because there were only two of us, we had a limited range of dishes, but the menu provides many more choices: fish, different vegetables, satays, octopus, prawns, noodles and soups.

Been here with my parents (they're from Indonesia) and they loved it! Great satay kambing, kangkung and Ikan pepes, and stir fried egg plant. Was worth the trip from Sydney CBD.

An institution in the Randwick dining scene. This venerable institution has been plating up tasty Indo cuisine for many years. You can put out the sambal-generated fire with a jasmine tea popper. Standout dishes are the nasi rames and the ayam done any number of ways.

With all the taxis parked out front, it’d be easy to mistake this Avoca Street location for a cab rank. However when you enter this thirty-year-old Indonesian restaurant you’ll quickly find the back dining room is wall-to-wall with Indonesian taxi drivers.   They’re here for an inexpensive Indonesia lunch, the highlight of which is the yellow fried chicken, or ayam goreng kuning. The chicken is rubbed with a spice marinade that includes turmeric (for its signature yellow colour), galangal, candlenut and lemongrass before being boiled, then fried.Try it with a bright yellow mound of turmeric, lemongrass and coconut rice, beef floss, empal goreng (a spicy/sweet beef curry), and cucumber slices topped with sambal terasi (a chilli, shrimp paste mix) in a dish called Nasi Kuning ($12.90). The addition of spicy anchovies and peanuts (teri kacang) helps to make what is actually a small amount of meat feel very satisfying on this well-priced mixed plate.The coconut-rich beef rendang is another Java highlight. Enjoy it as Nasi Rames ($12.90) teamed with the aforementioned chicken, a halved egg with chilli, and gado-gado – a popular Indonesian salad of vegetables, fried tofu and tempeh smothered with sweet and savoury peanut sauce. Arriving with rice, and...

Excellent rice packages, tried the nasi kuning komplit and nasi uduk komplit. A good smogasboard of taste. Took someone who tasted Indonesian food for the first time and it was the perfect intro. The only issue is there almost no place availabe most times I go there

Coming back from a holiday in bali and being brought up in singapore my whole life, I have gotta say the beef rendang was 100% AUTHENTIC as the one you find in bali. This was the best rendang that I have ever had in australia. Huge portions and FULL of flavor. Would definitely come back again. You can tell that each dish was prepared with utmost care and respect for the flavors of bali. Never change java staff! I love y ou!

Great value for money; my hubby and I ordered banquet menu for two at $60. We received two entrees two mains and fruit at the end. Overall food is good but little on the sweet side and lots of peanut based sauces I guess its typical for Indonesian cuisines. We enjoyed our meals but were extremely full by the time we received the second main. Friendly service and foods came out reletively fast.

This restaurant was so friendly and food great, inside is also nice and cool but my too cold and full but no queuing on a Wednesday night. <br/><br/>Came here with my fam, one of whom uses a wheelchair and they got a board out and helped him up the massive step that leads to the eating area. Well prepared, I like that!<br/><br/>Now onto the food. The chicken satay skewers are done sooo right here the sauce is fragrant and sauce slightly sweet and buttery. I'm not usually a satay chicken orderer but I'm glad I ordered it last night! This place knows how to please with their chicken and sauces 👌🏽.<br/><br/>The mi goreng we ordered however was nothing special, imo the instant noodle packets are nicer haha! But ofcourse this one came packed with vegetables and meat instead of a lethal salt/msg dose. <br/><br/>Rendang beef was a highlight too, with the curry flavour not lacking, though sweeter than the Indian or Malaysian rendangs im used to. Still better than any I've tried as the beef was so softly tenderised I couldn't fault the sweetness at all. <br/><br/>The chicken curry (one without tofu) was also delicious! Just the right amount of spicy with creamy flavourful sauce. Not bland and liquidy like some other Thai restaurant curries I've had. Quite similar to the red curry at a Newtown Thai restaurant, which had the best Thai red curry I've ever had. So Java has done pretty well here! <br/><br/>All the other dishes we're chicken dishes and my oh my this place somehow manages to keep it so juicy and tender and the sauce or marinade compliments it perfectly.<br/><br/>Price for 4 people was around $100 which was worth it for the experience we had! <br/><br/>Decor was soft and clean, could only complain about the few mosquitos in the restaurant which may have added a real Indo feel some might argue ahah?<br/><br/>Will be back! :)

Authentic Indonesian restaurant dishing up winners like Gado Gado, Balinese Grilled Chicken and Kari Ayam. The Head Chef is an Indonesian Ibu who knows what she's doing. Can get busy on the weekends but service is always great. They don't take card so make sure you have cash handy if you plan on visiting.

This is one of the Three fine-dining restaurant in Sydney. Although the menu list is not as extensive as the other two the value for money is more superior that the other two.<br/><br/>We love their Terong Balado, Ikan Pepes, Ayam Goreng Kalasan and Otak Otak. The Es Cendol is also very nice.<br/><br/>The staff is very friendly and wait time is reasonable.

This place is my favourite Indonesian place of all time. The staff are friendly and the food is honest and delicious. Not one dish has disappointed me so far. Good for lunch, great for dinner. Good for dates, great for big group outings.

Always been one of my favorites for food and polite service... now also with a brand new face lift on the walls definitely one of the best places to go for a feed in Randwick if not in the whole Sydney.

I always come to Java at least once a fortnight! Its the whole package; food, service, place, price, byo. Best Indo food in Sydney!! I love their Ayam Bakar (grilled chix), sum sum goreng (deep fried bone marrow), pecel, and literally everything on their menu!

Nasi Rames ($11.90) is one of my favourite takeaways from Java. Steam rice served with side dishes of gado-gado, rendang sapi, chilli egg, ayam goreng kuning and a piece of prawn cracker. Always really friendly service. Simple decor. Popular local gem.

There are quite a few ‘interesting’ descriptions in the menu at Java Restaurant. They also have Rijst Tafel. However in terms of taste, I must say they were up to my expectations!

...Java's version of the salad was less sweet and had a stronger peanuty flavour from the stay sauce.

Do you ever want to order things off the menu just because it sounds really weird? How about Fried Chicken Shower — I wonder what it is? Is that what happens when it's raining fried chicken? I didn't end up ordering it for the family but I really enjoy th

I was introduced to the many wonders of the Indonesian cuisine by a workmate from many years ago. Someone whom I affectionately call WuWu. She is the sweetest and most delightful person. I have to admit that I have not visited an Indonesian restaurant sin

Really good food. Noisy, tight, but really nice food.<br/>Been here many times and always been totally satisfied<br/><br/>Great Indonesian fare. Excellent value too.

Java is awesome. Very good food, great service and very reasonable price. The beef rendang is fabulous and the murtabak is amazing. Would recomend to anyone who wants to eat great Indonesian food.

Just Like Mum Home Cook. Java always take me back home whenever I dined in there. The food, the service and the ambience just remind me of great time back home.<br/><br/>My favourite is their gado-gado, satay, otak-otak, deep fried tempeh and tofu with dipping sauce and most absolutely avocado juice. Their gado-gado is original not like other places that serve western gado-gado, the veggies and the sauce is just delicious. The satay is succulent and nutty. The avocado juice is creamy and luscious. <br/><br/>If you have been to Indonesia before, this place is definitely a great place to reminisce Indonesian dishes and if you are Indonesian, this place definitely the shortest way to eat home food without flying back home.

Great!. Booked in for a Sunday night. Not a spare seat in the place. Its BYO with no corkage as well, so we bought some wine along. Food was excellent very tasty and well priced. Service was efficient and friendly. Will be back for sure!

Dropped in here for a quick lunch on a Friday. Wonderful authentic Indonesian food at a great price. What is not to like?<br/><br/>Fed 3 of us for $35 with a seafood laksa and two plates of nasi rames. Yum!!! If I was to complain about anything it was a little slow for the food to come out.

Sitting here for 40minutes waiting for food...only two people working on a busy friday nighy is unacceptable...booked a table and it wasnt ready.hope the food is great.....

Satay Chicken & Nasi Rames. It's such a pleasure to be dining in Sydney tonight, back at our favourite Indonesian restaurant. Thanks Joe for the always amazing service!

Authentic Indonesian.. The best Indonesian food in Sydney ~ recommend it highly. Love their Rendang, Gado Gado, Chicken dishes, Murtabak .... the list goes on!<br/>Service is friendly & good. Being a small restaurant though it is a little cramped at times. But who cares when the food is so good.

Good fast and tasty. 've Never tasted Indonesian food menu just cheap price and service with a smile sure we get back to the portions generous

Yum! The waitress was friendly and her recommendations were perfect.

Feels like you're in indonesia!! We had the 5 course tasting menu, there were perhaps too many fried dishes served on that menu, mainly fried entrees. However we sampled some of their delicious dishes i.e. Beef Rendang and we are really looking forward to going back! The service was also extremely friendly. Recommended!

Authentic Indonesian. Indonesian is amongst my favourite food (and my favourite countries), and Java is one of the best of the roughly 10 or so indonesian restaurants I've been to in Sydney.<br/><br/>The grilled eggplant is amazing, as are the whole fishes. <br/><br/>The people that work there are really sweet, though at times service can be a bit slow.

Fave Indo resto!. Came here after being recommended by workmate. As we didn't make any booking we had to wait abt half an hour, which is quite reasonable considering its on Sat, dinner time. <br/><br/>We ordered the beef rendang, Eggplant Semur, Asinan Jakarta (indo pickled salad), Ayam Sereh, and the Martabak telor a.k.a beef pancake + 1 yellow rice, 1 coconut rice.<br/><br/>I, personally, don't like the eggplant that much as i like savoury more than sweet, but Semur is meant to be sweet. <br/>The Ayam Sereh and the Asianan Jakarta is yummy & refreshing! Haven't had Asinan Jakarta that taste so good! The Beef Pancake is delish!! Service is great, friendly and attentive. Price is reasonable. All that + 2 dessert only cost us $80!<br/><br/>I wish they have bigger space though, so it won't feel too squashy. <br/><br/>Definitely will recommend this joint to anyone who wish to have an authentic Indo (Java) food.

Overated. After reading all these positive views I thought this place was going to be a 'hidden gem'..I honestly dont know why people would like this place. We started with the dim sims which were packet ones from asian supermarket...then went onto the pancake which just tasted like egg... I was hoping the rendang was going to make up for it but the meat was dry and it was VERY Bland.. The fish wrapped in banana leaves was sour tasting and the fish was frozen. <br/><br/>Please..if u are wanting to go here...dont. It is overated and very very average... please do not waste your time.

GO JAVA!. We travel all the way from the other side of Sydney just to eat here! It's a little on the cosy side, but who cares? It adds to the ambience and makes it feels like we're in an Indo dining house.<br/><br/>The food is super fantastic, great value and the waitresses are consistent and friendly! We always tend to eat too much here coz everything is so yummy! Our faves are the martabak, ayam goreng mentega, kangkung, sayur asem, the list goes on!

Authentic Javanese cuisine! This place is clean and has a nice decor. The only thing that's lacking is space.

Great food, great atmosphere and best value for $s. This place has evolved from a takeaway, students' food canteen to a nice and great atmosphere restaurant.<br/>The food though, is unchanged, the most consistent serving the best tasting and authentic Indonesian cuisine!<br/>Great overall experience.