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Written by Nate Robinson
‘The Island of the Gods deserves cuisine to match,’ and this statement is truer than ever as Bali’s culinary scene blossoms from Kutu to Kubu. From a gastronomic wonderland in Ubud’s jungle-hugged heart to steakhouses on Seminyak’s ultra-hip streets, every corner is brimming with surprises to tickle the tastebuds.
These are our picks of Bali’s best restaurants.
Best restaurants in Nusa Dua
This picture-perfect slice of paradise has over-achieved on the restaurant scene. Almost every resort hides one or more must-visit restaurants within.
Izakaya by OKU
The Apurva Kempinski Bali’s signature Japanese restaurant hits all the izakaya favourites with small, sophisticated twists, like truffle-salted edamame and Oku Aburi, salmon that is blowtorched and topped with caviar. Go omakase (the chef’s picks) if you want to taste as much as possible.
Must-try dish: The Matchamisu amalgamates bitter and sweet to put a Japanese spin on an Italian classic dessert.
Cuca
Tapas, cocktails, desserts: Cuca’s holy trinity covers the beachside classics and more. An open garden lounge for drinks in the shade, a relaxed dining room and an open-kitchen spectator bar are perfect for watching Cuca’s chefs work their magic.
Must-try dish: The lobster roll – generous chunks of lobster, served warm and buttered, in a fresh sesame bun slathered with lemon mayonnaise.
Soleil at Mulia Bali
It’s easy to see why Mulia’s legendary brunch was crowned by Architectural Digest as one of the world’s most luxurious. At Soleil, expect prime-cut steak cooked to order, lobster tails, foie gras and a spectacular dessert bar.
Must-try dish: Go straight to the prime-cut steak carving station, then double back for the dessert spread – one of the most impressive in Southeast Asia, and part of why Architectural Digest named Soleil’s brunch among the world’s most luxurious.
Koral at Kempinski
Hidden deep beneath The Apurva Kempinski Bali exists Koral, an underwater kingdom filled with gastronomic delights. Bali’s first aquarium restaurant’s true magic is in the dramatic splashes of colour as marine life moves above and around you.
Must-try dish: Here, seafood is king, and we recommend the Koral Degustation menu, with fresh oysters, Japanese seabass and slow-cooked spiny lobster lavishly tossed in a mango vinaigrette.
Bai Yun
The Apurva Kempinski’s second star restaurant brings Asia’s hot-pot craze to Bali’s shores. It’s perfect for guests travelling with friends or family, with a vast selection of ingredients – including Japanese Wagyu beef, deshelled lobsters, forest mushrooms and live seafood – that’s guaranteed to please everyone around the table.
Must-try dish: The Meat Lover, arriving complete with seared Kiwami M9+-grade ribeye, Black Angus beef short ribs, Australian beef and lamb loin and pork shoulder.
Best restaurants in Seminyak
The beating heart of Bali’s food scene. If you’re hungry, this is the place to be.
Sisterfields
Open since 2013 and still the most consistent cafe in Seminyak, Sisterfields has built its reputation on the kind of Australian cafe cooking that looks effortless and isn’t: proper espresso, pastries worth the queue, and a menu spanning truffle scrambled eggs and acai bowls through to gourmet burgers and salads. Walk-ins only for brunch (7am–3pm) — get there early, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself back the following morning.
Must-try dish: The bacon benedict is the benchmark — a Sisterfields classic that’s held up over a decade. The Thai chicken salad runs it close.
Barbacoa
Fuelled by fire and ruled by smoke, Barbacoa blends asado traditions with a modern flair. Here, the charm is in the char – whole pigs are roasted over the charcoal pit, prawns and calamari are grilled quickly over the Argentine parilla and fresh bread is taken hot from the wood-fire oven straight to your table.
Must-try dish: Go for the whole octopus, barbecued and topped with jalapeno salsa verde, labneh and fruity roasted Basque peppers.
Sangsaka
With a few charcoal grills and a dynamite rooftop bar, Sangsaka proves that sometimes simple is better, reimagining beloved Indonesian classics and packing them with signature deliciousness.
Must-try dish: Prawn fried rice, topped with softshell crab and a crispy fried egg.
Fu House
Wood-fire has become Seminyak’s default cooking mode, but Fu House does something the others don’t: it puts Thai at the centre of the flame. Named Best Modern Asian Restaurant at the 2024 Exquisite Awards, it’s the most talked-about dinner in the precinct. Executive Chef Lance Mueller — formerly of a Michelin-starred Asian restaurant in Los Angeles – runs an open kitchen where ancient Thai technique meets very modern instincts. The room is relaxed and buzzy, the natural wine list is well chosen, and the cocktail programme borrows smartly from the kitchen.
Must-try dish: The dry beef curry donut – a feather-light shell giving way to rich, aromatic curry – is the dish that best captures what Fu House is about.
Kaum
Kaum showcases recipes from more than 600 islands – and drawing on ancient techniques, from bamboo-grilling to pit-roasting – the restaurant provides a glimpse into the nation’s culinary heritage. In keeping with theme, dishes are best enjoyed family-style.
Must-try dish: The babi guling – Balinese suckling pig, pit-roasted over coals – is the centrepiece, but order a spread of sambal alongside everything else. Kaum stocks some of the finest in the country, ranging from smoky and sweet to the kind that lingers for a good twenty minutes.
La Lucciola
There are restaurants in Bali with better food than La Lucciola, and almost none with better timing. Perched beside the centuries-old Pura Petitenget temple, this Seminyak institution has been serving classic Italian pasta and long tropical cocktails since 1995. The formula hasn’t changed much, and it doesn’t need to: 00-flour pasta cooked properly, a robust Aperol spritz and a view of the temple as the afternoon light fades. Come for lunch and don’t rush.
Must-try dish: Sourdough bruschetta piled with avocado, feta and tomato salsa – and then a second plate of pasta, because you’ll want one.
Best restaurants in Canggu
Black beaches, incredible surf breaks and an abundance of culinary cool.
Yuki
Blending classic Bali beachfront dining with a fresh take on the humble izakaya (informal Japanese bar), Yuki’s minimalist, relaxed interiors belie a menu that’s dressed to impress. Remixing local and classic Japanese flavours create new, bold plates served alongside Botu Bolong Beach.
Must-try dish: Tsukune yakitori, a charcoal-grilled, soy-glazed Australian lamb mince skewer, plated with cured raw egg yolk and wasabi mayonnaise.
Kong
Kong’s ‘bistro-chic’ offering dances effortlessly between Italian, Japanese and American influences, but it’s the quietly confident caviar and oyster menu that’s unmissable – imported from Siberia and Sakoshi Bay respectfully, each bite is fit for a king (or queen).
Must-try dish: Delicacies aside, go for the vegetarian lasagne, with tempeh bolognese, basil and a decadent, triple-cheese bechamel sauce.
Shelter Restaurant
Enter chef Stephen Moore’s genre-bending venue, Shelter: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours take centre stage, with spicy, earthy notes rounding out a menu built on traditional wood-fire methods of cooking and the region’s superb seafood offerings.
Must-try dish: Warm za’atar pretzel, slathered with house labneh cheese and Sumbawa honey, produced by the island’s wild forest bees.
Ulekan
If you’re after an authentic taste of the Indonesian archipelago, look no further than Ulekan. The restaurant specialises in Indonesia’s most beloved dishes, and offers flavours and textures guaranteed to bring wonder even to the seasoned Bali traveller.
Must-try dish: Rendang sapi, a rich beef curry that’s become one of Indonesia’s national dishes, lightly drizzled with yoghurt sauce.
Times Beach Warung
Times Beach Warung promises just one thing: slow times by the surf. This small collection of open-air, sand-floored huts, shaded by gently swaying palms, serves everything you need for an easy afternoon, from barista-poured coffee and acai bowls to Canggu Beach’s best fish tacos.
Must-try dish: Satay skewers, served with slices of zingy pickled pineapple, are the perfect chaser to a day filled with surf and sand.
Bossman
Canggu doesn’t sleep, and Bossman is here for it. Open daily from 11am to 5am on Batu Bolong’s main strip, this Project: Black burger bar is the island’s best late-night answer to a simple question: where do I eat when everywhere else has closed? The menu is short and focused – smashed patties on sesame buns, toppings that punch well above fast-food weight – and the crowd is a reliable mix of surfers, night owls and people who’ve found something better than they expected.
Must-try dish: The Numero Uno: a 160g patty stacked with bacon, grilled onions, smoked cheddar, creole chutney and house-smoked BBQ sauce. Order the truffle fries alongside.
Best restaurants in Uluwatu
Cliffside cookery and the island’s most legendary sunsets – where else but Uluwatu?
ours Uluwatu
Ours doesn’t announce itself. The open-timber architecture sits quietly among the clifftop trees, the menu is unfussy, and the vibe sits somewhere between a Bondi café and a Scandi cabin – which sounds unlikely and works completely. The Mediterranean-leaning kitchen leans on local produce without making a performance of it, and the result is food that’s genuinely good rather than merely photogenic.
Must-try dish: Avocado on toast with feta, watercress and confit cherry tomatoes – a dish that has no business being this good, yet somehow is.
Bartolo
Bartolo is exactly what Uluwatu needs more of: a neighbourhood bistro that isn’t trying to be a destination. The European menu is honest and well-executed, the sangria carafe is generous, and the atmosphere – relaxed, unhurried – is a genuine antidote to the area’s more theatrical offerings.
Must-try dish: Rigatoni with sautéed eggplant, rich tomato sauce and a proper snowfall of parmesan. Straightforward, well-made and deeply satisfying.
M. Mason Bar
The spirit that all the best things are made by hand is what prompted woodfire restaurant M. Mason Bar to open its Uluwatu outpost. Local ingredients are lovingly fermented, pickled, cured, grilled and otherwise transformed; even the minimalist restaurant interiors shine with a meticulous love of artisanal and the handmade.
Must-try dish: Anything from the woodfired oven and grill, but especially M. Mason Bar’s take on the charcoal chicken – an Australian classic – served generously with piri piri sauce and aioli.
La Terrazza
Charcuterie and freshly deep-fried arancini on the Uluwatu cliffside – what could be better? La Terrazza has more than Italian culinary magic up its sleeve, with an alfresco terrace that offers a staggering view over the (rightfully) famous Balinese sunset.
Must-try dish: La Terrazza’s signature gelato bar is packed with sweet treats, but it’s hard to go past the affogato al caffe, with a scoop of vanilla and bourbon gelato with a shot of fresh espresso.
Best restaurants in Ubud
Ancient traditions meet brilliant culinary invention in the jungle’s sacred heart.
Locavore NXT
More than just a restaurant, Locavore NXT works exclusively Indonesian ingredients into unforgettable experiences. Stop first at the bar, flanked by arrak palms, and itself a working micro-distillery, before continuing to more miraculous climes: a honeybee forest, mushroom chamber, koji fermentation sauna and massive open-space dining room.
Must-try dish: The only way to truly understand Locavore NXT’s mission is to sign up for the incredible tasting menu, pulling from every area of the facility to provide flavours seemingly from another planet.
Aperitif Restaurant
Step into Aperitif Restaurant’s extraordinary dining room, inspired by the Roaring Twenties and surrounded by lush jungle, and you know you’re in for something special. ‘Eclectic fine-dining’ is a dangerous concept, but Aperitif handles it with care on its seafood-centric lunch and dinner menus.
Must-try dish: Go for the avant-garde degustation menu, beginning with chicken liver mousse balado and ending with goat’s cheese, milk chocolate and a selection of petit fours.
Mozaic
Blending classic Indonesian flavours with molecular gastronomy, Mozaic’s reputation as one of Bali’s best fine dining establishments is well deserved. The restaurant’s glass dining room, set magnificently among hidden inner gardens, transforms an evening meal into a fairytale.
Must-try dish: The dry-aged duck breast, seared and topped with caramalised grapes, pomegranate and laksa puree (from the current seasonal menu).
Kokokan
Kappa Senses Ubud’s newest restaurant, Kokokan, offers a refreshingly approachable ‘semi-gastronomic’ menu inspired by the great French brasseries of old. Expect frogs legs, truffles and an outside deck that’s perfect for whiling away the warm afternoon.
Must-try dish: The babi guling, traditional Indonesian roast pig hand-turned over a roaring firepit, reinvented by way of French cookery.
Citrus Berry Ubud
Ubud has no shortage of restaurants promising rice field views and Balinese ambience. Citrus Berry delivers both, but the cooking earns its place: classic Indonesian dishes, family-style and generous, grounded in local ingredients. The open-air dining room catches the breeze off the paddies, the mood is unhurried, and there’s no pressure to move on.
Must-try dish: The martabak ayam – a golden, crisp-edged pastry stuffed with seasoned chicken, egg and onion, served with pickled cucumber and chilli sauce. Order it first while you settle in.
Best restaurants in Sanur
Sanur’s laidback southeastern coast, where warm sands and world-class restaurants are the rigeur de jour.
Naughty Nuri’s Sanur
Legendary celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, upon finishing several of Naughty Nuri’s signature martinis during filming, exclaimed, “this is the best martini I’ve had outside of New York.” If that doesn’t convince you to nab a table, consider the pork ribs: each 600-gram portion is smoked and glazed to perfection.
Must-try dish: No visit to Indonesia is complete without trying satay skewers and Naughty Nuri’s massive pork-belly sticks, slathered with peanut sauce, are ideal for sharing.
Jalapeño
Jalapeño does one thing well and knows it: tacos and tequila, made with enough care that the simplicity reads as confidence. The tortillas are fresh, the suppliers are local, and the cocktail list takes agave seriously. It’s a focused operation in the right location.
Must-try dish: The Los Jalapeño margarita – house-roasted jalapeño-infused tequila, mango, lime and reposado. Spicy, sharp and completely addictive.
Genius Cafe
Tapas plus beach is a winning equation, so head down to Genius Cafe and share a glorious afternoon in paradise. The vegan-focused, wide-ranging menu accommodates all dietary requirements, so tuck in.
Must-try dish: Three Heavenly Dips, an assembly of hummus, beetroot, baba ganoush, olives and warm bread, perfectly accompanied with ice-cold beer and beachside views.
Soul on the Beach
If you’re looking for the place to soak up Sanur’s good vibes, Soul on the Beach delivers. The restaurant’s gourmet pizzas steal the show – perfect after a day soaking up Sanur’s sun, surf and sand.
Must-try dish: The Tricky Ricky pizza. As fun to eat as it is to say, each slice is topped with ricotta cheese, sauteed kale, Italian sausage and shaved parmesan.
Sala Bistro
Sala Bistro is where Sanur mornings begin for those who know. Light-filled and easy, with good coffee, fresh-pressed juice and a short menu of breakfast dishes executed with more care than the setting suggests.
Must-try dish: Egg dip – sous-vide eggs over truffle-infused potato purée with spring onion, served with thick-cut sourdough. The dish that makes you reconsider the hotel breakfast.
