When staying in Batam, the number of restaurants available can be overwhelming. Despite its small size – more than one million people inhabit its 1125 square km/434 square miles – the Indonesian island's multicultural influence offers diners enough options to eat at a different place every meal of every day. From hotel restaurants to traditional Chinese dishes to Indonesian Muslim all-you-can-eat buffets during Ramadan, this island offers something for everyone.

Hotel Restaurants

In Batam, as anywhere else, the quality and style of food available at hotel restaurants will vary wildly. No matter what you're in the mood for, from traditional Chinese to Balinese pulled pork to American-style diner fare, one of the many hotels – most located in Nagoya – will serve what you're looking for. Wallabie's, for instance, is known for its pizza, and many others serve pub-style food.

If You Crave a Taste of Home

One of the highlights of traveling abroad, especially to a place as different from where you live as Batam, is the ability to eat exotic foods in their native places. You might have a wonderful Indonesian restaurant in  your neighborhood back home, but nothing tastes quite like food cooked in its homeland. If you get homesick, however, McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and yes, even Starbucks, have locations in Batam. Keep in mind that chain restaurants abroad may serve meals and drinks different from what you're used to, and the exchange rate may have you paying much more than you would at home, but you can be reasonably sure there will be at least one familiar entree on the menu.

It's an Island; Eat the Seafood

There's really not much more to say than that. Even as far inland as you can be on Batam, you'll be no more than 22.5 miles from the shore. This means the seafood will be fresh and local. Shrimp, crab, lobster and many varieties of fish are available at dozens of restaurants, at every price point, all over the island. These restaurants include award winners and little known holes-in-the-wall that locals frequent but tourists usually miss. Take the time, as you're exploring Batam, to explore the seafood the island has to offer.