East Timor Food and Drink

The staple diet for most East Timorese is similar to that of Indonesians (rice and spices) although there may well be difficulty in obtaining a variety of foods outside main urban areas due to the unstable political situation, the financial situation of many of the people and internal logistical difficulties. In Dili, there are a number of restaurants and cafes serving western cuisine, catering to the foreigners living and working there.

Specialities

• Fish (preferably fried, with delicacies being prawns).
• Curries (chicken is a favourite).
• Authentic Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese dishes.

Tipping

There is no service charge added to bills, but if the service calls for it, a 10% tip is sufficient.

Regional drinks

Coffee (East Timor coffee is very high in caffeine, organically grown and renowned for its sharp flavour).
Beer.