Lombok Souvenir Shopping: Tips and Tricks for Choosing the Best
Lombok Island is known as a hidden resort paradise in Indonesia. While many travelers are drawn to its untouched nature and beautiful beaches, quite a few wonder, ‘Where should I buy souvenirs?’ As Lombok is not as developed for tourism as Bali, price negotiation is often required at small street-side souvenir shops and markets, which can make shopping feel a little daunting.
Therefore, we recommend utilizing the ‘large souvenir specialty stores (Oleh-oleh)’ and ‘local supermarkets’ scattered across the island. These establishments all feature clear pricing with tags, many accept credit cards, and offer a cool, comfortable environment where you can browse at your leisure. They are appealing for their one-stop-shop convenience, providing everything from classic items like T-shirts and bags to Lombok’s famous ‘pearls,’ local specialty coffee, and regional snacks.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected must-visit souvenir shopping spots in Lombok for everyone, from short-term tourists to long-stay surfers. Understand the characteristics of each area and enjoy smart shopping!
Lombok Exotic Sentral Oleh-oleh
📍 Address: Lombok Exotic Sentral Oleh-Oleh, Senggigi, Jl. Raya Senggigi No.KM, Dusun Tanah Embet Barat, Kec. Batu Layar, Kabupaten Lombok Barat, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83355 Indonesia
If you’re staying around the Senggigi resort area, ‘Lombok Exotic Sentral Oleh-oleh’ should be your first stop. As its name suggests, it’s an expansive, large-scale souvenir center packed with the exotic charm of Lombok Island, popular not only with individual travelers but also frequented by group tour buses.
Its biggest features are its sophisticated product selection and excellent facilities. The spacious ground floor is neatly divided into sections for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, local traditional pottery, Sasak woven accessories, jewelry, and food items like snacks, making displays very easy to browse. Traveler reviews highly praise it, saying ‘The T-shirt designs are better than other local stores’ and ‘You can find cute pouches here.’ You might even find rare Moto Go-related merchandise. The ability to pay by credit card is also a plus, allowing you to stock up without worrying about cash on hand.
What’s more, don’t miss the rooftop cafe and restaurant on the second floor of the facility. Not only can you take a break with a cold drink after shopping, but it also transforms into a romantic, Instagram-worthy space at sunset. It’s a highly hospitable one-stop spot that fulfills ‘shopping, dining, and relaxation’ during your trip.
Sasaku
📍 Address: Komplek Pertokoaan Dasan Cermen 31-32 JL Teguh Lopan Cakranegara, Dasan Cermen, Kec. Sandubaya, Kota Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83232 Indonesia
‘Sasaku’ is a super popular souvenir chain with multiple branches across Lombok Island. Among them, this store in Mataram City is particularly large, bustling daily with both locals and tourists. It’s a vibrant spot where you often see travelers from other parts of Indonesia buying souvenirs in bulk by the box.
Upon entering the store, you’ll find a wide jewelry section featuring Lombok’s famous ‘pearls’ on one side, and a food and general goods section on the other. The pearl selection ranges from affordable freshwater pearls to high-end saltwater pearls with certificates, allowing you to choose according to your budget. In the apparel section, local ‘Lombok’ logo T-shirts are piled high, starting from just a few hundred yen (a few dollars), making them perfect for shareable souvenirs.
It’s also a classic stop where local guides bring tourists, appealing with its overwhelming variety and affordable price range. However, some visitors express confusion due to the sheer number of products, asking ‘Which one tastes good?’ In such cases, we recommend looking for Lombok’s specialty ‘seaweed dodol’ or ‘sambal sauce,’ which will be described later.
Lombok Epicentrum Mall
📍 Address: Jl. Sriwijaya No.333, Punia, Kec. Mataram, Kota Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83127 Indonesia
Located in Mataram, the heart of Lombok Island, ‘Lombok Epicentrum Mall’ (commonly known as LEM) is the island’s largest and most modern shopping mall. While not a dedicated souvenir shop, it’s an important spot that offers highly practical uses for travelers.
The main destination for souvenir hunting here is ‘Hypermart,’ a large supermarket located in the basement. Here, you’ll find a wide array of Indonesian-made coffee perfect for shareable souvenirs (including premium Kopi Luwak at affordable prices), popular cosmetics like ‘ellips’ hair oil, local condiments, and daily necessities, all at local prices. It’s a clean space with beautiful displays, making it an irresistible place for those who enjoy exploring supermarkets.
What’s also noteworthy is the ‘alcohol situation.’ In Lombok, where Muslims are the majority, stores selling alcohol are fewer compared to Bali, and local warungs (eateries) often don’t serve beer. However, at this Hypermart, you can purchase alcohol from the morning. A savvy tip for long-term visitors is to procure chilled beer here and take it to nearby warungs that allow outside drinks.
sasaku lombok
📍 Address: 475J+3JW, Kuta, Pujut, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
This is a branch of Sasaku located in Kuta, a peaceful resort area in southern Lombok, popular with surfers and Western backpackers. While its sales floor is more compact compared to the larger store in Mataram, it’s truly an oasis for travelers staying in the Kuta area.
Around the southern beach areas, souvenirs are often sold at small local stalls or dusty roadside tents, where it’s not uncommon to be charged tourist prices (2-3 times the market rate). In contrast, this store features transparent pricing with tags on all items. In a clean, air-conditioned environment, you can purchase T-shirts, shorts, keychains, and sarongs (wraps) in pristine, new-like condition at fair prices, comparable to what locals pay.
As symbolized by reviews like ‘You should definitely buy here rather than paying high prices at dusty roadside tents,’ it’s the perfect hideaway for those who want to comfortably and quickly gather souvenirs while avoiding bothersome price negotiations. It’s an ideal spot to drop by on your last day in Kuta or during a small window of free time before heading to the airport.
Must-Buy Local Souvenirs in Lombok!
Finally, we’ll introduce Lombok’s unique local specialties that you absolutely must check out when you visit a souvenir center or supermarket.
1. Dodol Rumput Laut (Seaweed Dodol)
This is Lombok Island’s quintessential classic snack. It’s a solidified confection made from a seaweed (rumput laut) base flavored with fruits, characterized by a unique texture that’s like a cross between jelly, gummy, and yokan. The ‘Phoenix’ brand is the most famous, with various flavors like mango and jackfruit. It’s healthy, has a long shelf life, and is perfect for shareable souvenirs.
2. Manisan Tomat (Candied Tomatoes)
Literally translating to ‘sweet boiled (sugared) tomatoes,’ this snack is made from whole dried and sweetened tomatoes. It’s not overly sweet, retaining the original tartness and flavor of the tomato, and is secretly popular among travelers as a dried fruit alternative.
3. Kopi Lombok (Lombok Coffee) & Kopi Luwak
For coffee lovers, Lombok’s specialty coffee beans are highly recommended. The Indonesian style is to pour hot water over finely ground beans and drink the supernatant. Also, at supermarkets, you can purchase premium ‘Kopi Luwak’ (civet coffee) at prices significantly lower than in Japan.
4. Sasak Woven Fabrics
These are traditional hand-woven cloths passed down by the indigenous Sasak people of Lombok Island. Characterized by unique geometric patterns and vibrant colors, items processed into table runners, cushion covers, and pouches are very popular among women as tropical interior goods.
Shopping in Lombok is like a treasure hunt, allowing you to feel the local pulse. Utilize the spots introduced in this article to find wonderful souvenirs of your memories!
