Freshbeer Batam Centre

Freshbeer is one of Batam's longest-running brewpubs, brewing its own beer in tanks behind the bar at the back of the Hup Seng shophouse complex (Block D) off Jalan Engku Putri in Batam Centre. The range is small and straightforward: lagers, a dark beer and the house signature, a green beer coloured with spirulina, which reviewers single out as the one to try first.

These are fresh house brews rather than cutting-edge craft, but they are cold, reasonably priced and a welcome break from the island's mass-market lagers, which has earned the place a loyal following among locals, expats and Singaporean weekenders. Check what is pouring when you arrive, as the line-up can vary.

The food is half the reason to come. The Chinese-Indonesian menu is adventurous, running from babi rica (spicy pork) and pork belly to crocodile, monitor lizard, deer, rabbit, frog and snake, alongside more familiar dishes such as saba fish with green chilli, sour-fried baby squid and fried bee hoon. Frog in butter sauce gets particular praise in reviews, while a few dishes draw complaints for being overcooked, so order a spread and share. Staff are generally described as friendly and attentive, and live music adds to the atmosphere on some nights.

It is about five minutes' drive from the Batam Centre ferry terminal but hard to find the first time, so ask a driver for the Hup Seng complex. Take the lift to the rooftop deck for an open-air table. Listings show it opening around midday and serving until about 1am most nights, so it is a good late option when the rest of Batam Centre has closed, and it suits groups who want beer and a big shared dinner in one place.