Bali’s Best Restaurants

‘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 Seminyak 

The beating heart of Bali’s food scene. If you’re hungry, this is the place to be. 

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.

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: Everything (trust us), but whatever you order, be sure to order a side of sambal, Indonesia’s white-hot curry paste – Kaum stocks some of the country’s finest. 

La Lucciola 

Classic Italian pasta and three decades of history: La Lucciola is a Seminyak institution. Its adjacency to Bali’s centuries-old Pura Petitenget and a robust tropical cocktail menu suggest the perfect daytrip, where temples, tipples and 00 flour await.  

Must-try dish: Sourdough bruschetta with avocado, feta, tomato salsa… and another plate of pasta. 

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.  

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: Honestly? All of it. 

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 Uluwatu 

Cliffside cookery and the island’s most legendary sunsets – where else but Uluwatu? 

ours Uluwatu 

Balinese open-living design, Scandinavian architecture and an easy-going vibe seemingly plucked straight from Bondi Beach: ours Uluwatu perfectly balances its disparate influences. The rustic, Mediterranean-adjacent menu matches perfectly, with rustic flourishes and a commitment to sustainable produce. 

Must-try dish: Avocado on toast, topped with feta, watercress and confit cherry tomatoes. 

Bartolo 

Bartolo’s bistro service and European-inspired menu bring the spirit of Urbino to laidback Uluwatu. Start with a spritz or carafe of sangria, fortified with vanilla-infused rum, and see where the evening takes you. 

Must-try dish: The rigatoni pasta with sautéed eggplant, enveloped in a rich tomato sauce and decadently topped with parmesan, promises a true taste of the Continent on Bali’s shores. 

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

Serving classic Indonesian dishes with sweeping rice field views, Citrus Berry Ubud captures the essence of Ubud with its relaxing, jungle-like atmosphere. Designed for family-style dining, celebrate fresh local ingredients, bringing vibrant Balinese flavours to every bite.

Must-try dish: The martabak ayam, the perfect starter: a golden pastry stuffed with seasoned chicken, eggs and onions. Served with pickled cucumbers and chilli sauce, this popular Indonesian street food is a must-try.

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 slings tacos and tequila with signature swerve, teaming up with the island’s most beloved suppliers. It’s backed by an incredible cocktail menu, with a selection of agave classics given the love they deserve. 

Must-try dish: You haven’t had a real spicy margarita until you’ve tried the ‘Los Jalapeno’ – house-roasted jalapeno-infused tequila, mango, lime and tequila reposado.  

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 

Breezy, light-filled interiors, fresh-pressed juice and a robust coffee menu seal the deal at Sala Bistro – this is the place you want to start your morning. 

Must-try dish: Egg dip, a jar stuffed with sous-vide eggs, truffle-infused potato puree and spring onion, served with plenty of sourdough.