Teak Sundays: The Island's Favourite Weekly Tradition

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon on Gili Trawangan’s west coast, there’s one place where locals, travellers and island regulars all seem to end up: the Sunday Sunsets at Gili Teak.

What started as a simple community dinner has grown into one of the island’s most anticipated weekly events. Every Sunday evening, the beachfront boutique resort opens its doors for a generous buffet that brings together great food, sunset views and the kind of easy-going atmosphere the Gili Islands are famous for.

If you’re visiting Gili Trawangan over a weekend, this is one dinner well worth planning for. Nestled on the quieter southwest corner of the island, Gili Teak Boutique Resort is a peaceful collection of reclaimed teakwood cottages surrounded by tropical gardens and a freshwater swimming pool. Facing one of the island’s most beautiful sunset beaches, the restaurant enjoys uninterrupted ocean views, making it the perfect setting to settle in with a drink before dinner.

Each Sunday Sunset at Teak brings a new themed buffet, making every weekend feast a unique experience. One Sunday might feature a traditional British-style roast—a nod to the resort’s British owners while the next could transport diners to the Mediterranean with wood-fired flatbreads, roasted vegetables and slow-cooked barbecue meats. Mexican feasts with tacos and rich chilli, or Middle Eastern spreads filled with fragrant spices and grilled favourites, also make regular appearances. Whatever the theme, guests can expect fresh ingredients, generous portions and some of the finest buffet dining on the island.

But the evening is about far more than the food.

Arrive before sunset to enjoy a chilled glass of wine or one of Gili Teak’s famously refreshing margaritas as the sky turns shades of orange and pink. Around you, dive instructors, business owners, expats, long-term residents and holidaymakers mingle effortlessly, creating the sort of welcoming social atmosphere that’s increasingly hard to find.

Families are also well catered for. With one of the widest stretches of beach on Gili Trawangan, there’s plenty of space for children to play while adults relax. Beach volleyball, sand games and the occasional pétanque tournament often become just as much a part of the evening as the buffet itself.

Gili Teak itself has long been part of Gili Trawangan’s story, starting as one of the first resorts established on the island’s quieter southern coast. The reclaimed teak wood bungalows have welcomed guests for many years and given the resort its distinctive character, combining traditional design with a sustainable ethos. Naturally cool rooms blend effortlessly into the surrounding tropical gardens, creating a tranquil island escape.

Spend an afternoon on the beachfront before dinner, and you may even spot one of the island’s famous green sea turtles. At high tide, they often surface just offshore as they feed on the seagrass beds, a reminder of why so many people fall in love with the Gilis.

From the ever-changing menu to the relaxed beachfront setting, Sunday Sunsets at Teak are just as much an experience as a meal. Whether you’re discovering Gili Trawangan for the first time or returning to a favourite island, it’s the perfect way to end the weekend.