Taliwang Irama 3

Taliwang Irama is one of the best-known places in Mataram to try ayam taliwang, the spicy grilled or fried young chicken that is Lombok's signature dish. This branch on Jl. Ade Irma Suryani in Monjok is a large, lesehan-style restaurant that fills up with local families and office groups at lunch and dinner, and it has more than 3,300 Google reviews with a 4.4 rating.

Order the chicken bakar (grilled) or goreng (fried) and choose your spice level carefully, as the full version is properly hot. The classic accompaniments are plecing kangkung, water spinach with a punchy tomato and chilli sambal, plus beberuk terong (raw aubergine salad), sate and rice. Iced tea helps with the heat. Portions are generous and prices are very reasonable.

It opens daily from 08:30 to 22:30. Expect a short wait at peak meal times; service is quick once you are seated. It is a good stop on the way to or from the airport, or as the lunch break on a Mataram city tour.