When you think of the Strand, chances are universities, shops and legal institutions come to mind. But let me tell you a secret, there’s this new restaurant in town that serves authentic Indonesian cuisine, bringing light, colour and vibrant flavours to weary Londoners in need of something different. Meet Le Nusa, which launched here on 26th January 2026, having run successful ventures in Paris and Jakarta.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Le Nusa London
You'll be sure to find ornate jewellery and historical artefacts at Le Nusa.
Need To Know:
- Address: 227-228 Strand, WC2R 1BE
- Area: Strand, Central London
- Cuisine: Indonesian
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, you could call Le Nusa a restaurant hidden in plain sight, due to the outdoor signage being on the understated side. But as soon as I peered through the windows, Le Nusa’s interiors stopped me in my tracks. Prepare for a grand merging of cultures, from grand chandeliers to intricate Batick patterns, fabrics and traditional golden headdresses. Red walls contrasted with the wooden, cubed panelling above, plus marble tables just emphasised the sophisticated dining experience I was about to have. The aromas coming from downstairs were divine, and actually made my mouth water. Our fellow guests (mainly professionals) filled the intimate space, plus there were some solo diners too.
- Perfect For: elevated after-work meals you'll want to keep talking about.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For
Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £86.50 (excluding service)
My photos show the variety of cuisine on offer, from hearty chunks of meat to dainty floral desserts.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Tahu Gejrot Cirebon (£9) - juicy, bouncy and fresh, this deep-fried tofu starter balanced sweet soy and chilli without being greasy. It was so well executed we fought over the last mouthful.
- Gulai Kale (£15) - my aromatic, creamy vegetarian offering brought together a multi-layered coconut broth enhanced with turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, crispy onion and slices of radish. The kale itself was cooked really well too. I’m so glad you get a spoon, as I mopped up every last bit of liquid. It had the right amount of heat for me, but those looking for a true feel of the cuisine might want the spice levels to be turned up a gear.
- Tongseng Kambing (£26) – boasting a giant slab of meat that would send Fred Flintstone into a frenzy, this succulent, melt-in-the-mouth main literally fell of the bone. The Javanese curry, containing tomato, cabbage and galangal acted like a moat around the lamb shank, while the whole chillis set his mouth ablaze.
- Descontructed Kolak Pisang (£11) - following recommendations by the kind team (and Instagram, of course), I picked this best-selling dessert. The caramelised banana had a lovely charr and gave off crème brulé vibes, working in harmony with the caramel-like coconut milk and cubes of palm sugar. We weren’t completely sold on the sweet potato puree, but the geometric cashew nut biscuit was amazing and, altogether, it was still an absolutely delicious dish.
- Dadar Gulung (£11) - I was very fond of this quirky pud. Expect bright green, warm pancakes flavoured with padan (similar in taste to vanilla) and shaped into swirls. Each spoonful of ice cream, dusted in grated coconut on a bed of cashew nut crumb, was delightful.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The wine menu was extensive, but personally, I would like to see Indonesian-inspired cocktails added, as think they could further highlight the flavours and character of this gorgeous, diverse country.
- Via Vai Prosecco (£9) - it felt right to toast Le Nusa and its new restaurant launch with this crisp, refreshing glass of fizz.
Our Overall Experience At Le Nusa London
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trust us, you don’t need to hop on a plane to find innovative, refined Indonesian food, crafted with passion using native (and sometimes unfamiliar) ingredients. That's right folks, it’s indeed here in London. Le Nusa, roughly translating to ‘archipelago,’ made a proper impression on me and I really enjoyed tucking into a selection of bold, distinctive plates - all without breaking the budget. Clean dishes all around.
