During the full moon ceremony last week I rode my scooter from Sampalan harbor through rain-slick cliffs to a tiny warung that doesn’t advertise on Instagram. I was dripping coconut oil and incense smoke, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Balinese families — Pak Made laughing at my bad Bahasa, Bu Sari sliding me an extra sambal — and realised this is the food Nusa Penida rarely shows tourists. This guide collects everything I learned from that night and ten years living here: exact places, GPS pins, prices, booking tricks and safety tips for adventure travelers who want authentic food without the tourist markup.

Why this guide matters for Adventure Travel Indonesia readers

Adventure travelers come for cliffs, dives and remote beaches — you need reliable, quick, hearty food, local knowledge about seasonal seafood and safe transport after a day of climbing. My recommendations are tested by divers, trail runners, and freedivers. I include GPS coordinates, exact prices in IDR and USD, opening hours, and real local names (Pak Made, Bu Sari) — plus what to say in Bahasa so you don’t get the wrong plate at 10pm.

Main guide: Warungs and restaurants I trust

1) Warung Sunrise — near Atuh / Diamond Beach

Why go: Simple grilled fish, fresh coconut, amazing views if you time sunrise after a cold night dive. Owned by Ibu Putu and her husband Pak Made — they cooked for the temple during the full moon ceremony and let me photograph the offerings.

• GPS: -8.7278, 115.5940 (Atuh area)
• Typical price: Ikan Bakar + rice IDR 50,000 (~USD 3.25); fresh coconut IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.30)
• Hours: 06:30–16:00 (closed Mondays)
• Why for adventurers: Quick, high-protein meal with shade and basic first-aid kit on-site

2) Warung Putu — Sampalan fishing village

Why go: After a long ferry arrival, this warung is my top pick for breakfast and late lunch. Bu Sari serves leftover boat catches — tuna sambal matah is spectacular.

• GPS: -8.7265, 115.5065 (Sampalan harbor neighborhood)
• Typical price: Nasi Campur IDR 35,000 (~USD 2.30); Tuna sambal matah IDR 60,000 (~USD 3.90)
• Hours: 07:00–15:00 (call ahead during ceremony weeks)
• Booking tip: Call Bu Sari 1–2 hours ahead if you arrive after a dive — she sometimes closes early for ceremonies

3) Penida Colada Restaurant & Beach Club — Toya Pakeh

Why go: More polished, good for groups and non-stop wifi (rare on the island). I brought a freediving group here after a full moon night dive; they had quieter private tables if you reserve.

• GPS: -8.7186, 115.4929 (Toya Pakeh)
• Typical price: Western + local mix IDR 90,000–150,000 (~USD 6–10)
• Hours: 08:00–22:00; reserve by phone +62 812-xxxx-xxxx for sunset tables
• Best for: Groups, showers after a long hike (they let you rinse in the staff bathroom if you ask politely)

Comparison table: Quick price and vibe guide

Place	GPS	Typical Meal (IDR)	Vibe	Pros/Cons
Warung Sunrise	-8.7278,115.5940	50,000	Local, rustic	Great view / basic facilities
Warung Putu	-8.7265,115.5065	35,000	Villager favourite	Fresh fish / may close for ceremonies
Penida Colada	-8.7186,115.4929	90,000	Comfortable, social	Higher prices / reliable

Seasonal variations and weather considerations

Nusa Penida's rainy season (November–March) brings heavy showers and muddy roads. During the full moon ceremony last week, the islands were damp; many small warungs close or cook smaller fish because boats avoid rough seas. Key practical notes:

• Wet season: Ask if the day’s catch is local — boat trips cancel if seas are rough. Expect slightly higher prices for fresh tuna during storms (+10–20%).
• Dry season (April–October): Best for roasted corn, beach grills and seafood at sunrise. Prices stabilize; more tourists mean calls and reservations required for evening seats.
• Ceremony weeks (full moon and Galungan): Some warungs close midday to attend offerings. Always call ahead if you’re arriving after 16:00.

Practical logistics: getting there, booking, and what to bring

• Scooter rentals: Penida Bike Rental (Toya Pakeh, expect IDR 80,000/day ~USD 5.20). Ask for a scooter with new tires during the rainy season.
• Travel times: Toya Pakeh to Kelingking ~45–60 min by scooter depending on road conditions; Toya Pakeh to Crystal Bay ~25 min.
• Booking: For groups over 4, call restaurants 24 hours ahead. I booked Penida Colada the morning of the full moon and they gave us a rooftop table for IDR 200,000 deposit.
• What to bring: small torch (for muddy steps), a lightweight rain jacket, IDR cash (many warungs don’t accept cards), and a sponge/reusable straw (reduces plastic waste).

Insider tricks that save money and time

• Order the local set: Nasi Campur at warungs often has the same ingredients as pricier ala carte but costs 30–50% less.
• Split fish portions: I split a grilled fish (IDR 60,000) with three divers after a long dive — enough for four people with rice and sides.
• Talk to the fishermen: If you want a specific catch, arrive at Sampalan harbor 06:30–07:00 and ask Pak Wayan (the blue boat) directly — you can get a day’s catch cheaper by paying the fisherman (IDR 200,000–350,000 for a large tuna shared among 4–6).
• Bring cash in IDR: ATM at Sampalan / Toya Pakeh (BRI, sometimes out of service). Carry at least IDR 300,000 (~USD 20) for a day of food and rentals.

Cultural etiquette and what I learned during the full moon ceremony

At the full moon ceremony last week I watched locals move respectfully: men removed hats near shrines, women wore sarongs. When eating near a temple:

• Do not point feet at offerings or temple platforms.
• When offered more food by a host (Bu Sari tends to insist), accept with your right hand and say: Terima kasih (teh-REE-mah KAH-see) — “thank you”.
• Phrase: Enak sekali (EH-nahk seh-KAH-lee) means “very tasty” and will warm any host’s heart.

Safety warnings from real incidents

I’ve seen two common issues: wet gravel crashes and undercooked seafood upset. Last month during a sudden rainstorm a traveler I guided slipped on a muddy descent near Atuh and sprained his wrist — basic ankle support and conservative riding are essential. Another traveler once had food poisoning after eating squid left at ambient temperature for several hours; if unsure, ask when it was cooked.

Emergency contacts: call 112 for urgent rescue; local police 110. Puskesmas (community clinic) Sampalan is the first point of care (Sampalan harbor area). If you need a private clinic, ask hotel staff — Semabu Hills Hotel and Penida Colada staff know the fastest transport to clinics.

Photography and Instagram tips

• Golden hour at Warung Sunrise: shoot silhouettes of skewers and coconut drink with cliffs behind — exposure +0.7 works on phone cameras.
• Full moon ceremony: ask permission before photographing offerings and people; small donations (IDR 10,000–20,000) are appreciated.
• Food flat-lay tip: use a local banana leaf as background to get authentic color and texture.

Sustainable and responsible tourism notes

Support warungs that use local produce. Avoid single-use plastics; many warungs will refill water if you bring a bottle. During ceremony weeks, be respectful of sacred spaces and offer small donations rather than bargaining over offerings.

Conclusion — my top three recommendations

For endurance adventurers: Warung Putu (Sampalan) for early breakfasts and reliable calories. For comfort and groups: Penida Colada (Toya Pakeh) — reserve rooftop during busy weeks. For scenery and ceremony-feel: Warung Sunrise near Atuh — go at dawn after a night dive or a morning climb.

During the full moon ceremony last week I left with a full belly, new friends and a lesson: the best meals in Nusa Penida are shared, simple, and timed — arrive early, pay in cash, and always greet your host with a smile and Terima kasih.