Krakatoa is Yorkshire’s only Indonesian restaurant. We have been in operation for 8 months (at the time of writing) and have loved every second of the experience so far. We serve authentic Indonesian dishes from all over the archipelago, and that means that the food is authentically spiced too. Having said that, we have a broad range of dishes to suit all tastes.
The Head Chef and restaurant owner, Deeche, is from Java, although her family hail from the Maluku Islands, specifically Ambon. Ambon was the centre of the Dutch administration for the region during the colonial era. Despite being diminutive in size the Maluku Islands hold a special place in world trade history because this area monopolised the production of the best spices, such as nutmeg, mace, and cloves. Fortunes were made and lost in what came to be known as the Spice Islands. So the family connection to food and spices is a long and familiar one.
The restaurant has been decorated by the owner’s husband, Tim, who studied fine art in York and is still a practicing artist. The wall mural is based on a batik design and this gives the venue a homely, welcoming feel. The paintings, drawings, and photographs on display in the restaurant were all either created in Indonesia or were inspired by the artist’s time there. All of the work is for sale so please feel free to ask for more details.
We hope we have created an interesting and relaxing space for people to come and enjoy a taste of the tropics. While we are just 2 minutes walk from the railway station and only 5 minutes walk from York Minster we are in a beautifully secluded spot with fantastic views of the old railway station and the Cedar Court Grand Hotel (formerly the Great Eastern Railway headquarters).
