Those who have been to Bali enough will know that the food scene here has absolutely exploded over the past few years.
The main ingredient here is that a bunch of renowned chefs reside here, whether local or from around the world. And no matter the occasion, whether you’re with a large group of friends, on a birthday trip with your partner, or just traveling alone, Bali’s restaurant scene has something for you.
Read on for the best restaurants in Bali.
Tanaman Restaurant
Seminyak
With its bright blue floor, chairs and neon lights, Tanaman is Potato Head’s not-to-be-missed multi-sensory plant-based restaurant. After launching experimental dinners earlier this year, twice a month, you’ll find an impeccable Chef’s Table presentation of a feast for eight inside this OMA-designed dome. The menu itself is sourced from small farms around Bali and currently Tanaman is launching a whole new season of dishes, paired wines and mocktails. That means you’ll find well-crafted dishes that unleash the deliciousness of mushroom seeds, leaves, and roots, and trust us, they’ll completely blow your taste buds away.
The Bali Cave
Uluwatu
Gems of lush beachside dining may be a dime a dozen in Bali, but there’s only one underground restaurant. Located in a 25,000 year old cave, this Chef Ryan Clift’s moody new 22-seater serves up a jaw-dropping seven-course tasting that you’re sure to want to charge your phone for – it’s a constant battle for attention between those eye-popping stalactites and the plates of edible art that quickly arrive at your table.
Zest
Ubud
Another plant-powered Balinese restaurant, Zest offers all the casual ambiences for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The concept here is that the dishes are filled with tasty “fruits, sprouts and roots” for a wide range of foods to fuel your adventures. On the menu, you’ll find an absolute bible of delicious dishes like sushi, burgers, plant-based pizzas, Peking duck inspired pancakes, jackfruit steak, mushroom cutlet and hey, seaweed waffles with sweet chilli if you’re feeling brave.
Kuam Restaurant
Seminyak
Another stellar restaurant from the Potato Head family, if you call yourself a big foodie, Kuam is an indo restaurant not to be missed. Kuam actually means “clan” or “tribe” in Indonesian and it’s a sweet nod to where this restaurant got its inspiration from. Kaum’s team actually traveled across the archipelago to learn all about indigenous cooking methods and native flavors from Indonesian tribal communities. If you are looking to taste the real Indonesian food culture, this is the place to be.
Bartolo
Uluwatu
This The cheeky neighborhood restaurant is heaven for low-key dining after a day at the beach with Euro sharing plates, refreshing cocktails and wine. If you are at these places with your partner, it is also a 10/10 place for a date. Work your way through steak frites, marinated olives, tuna crudo, lamb kofta and an absolute mix of tropical concoctions like black lime Margaritas and a tonka Espresso Martini.
Mom San Bali
Seminyak
We mean there really is no place that is more of an institution than Mama San. To put it bluntly, you will rarely go here without the place being packed – the food is excellent. High or low season, Mama San is always buzzing with a menu rich in seasonal Balinese ingredients and flavors associated with the regional cuisine of the Sichuan, Shan and Hmong provinces. Dig into the tastes of samosa chaats, yellow curry, crispy whole fish and the tastes of Halong Bay chilli salt soft shell crab and to top it off we highly recommend hitting the panna cotta mandarin with Grand Marnier.
Merah Poutih
Kerobokan
Open from 5:30 p.m. daily until late, Merah Poutih easily sports one of the most theatrical restaurant decor in Bali. Think of an illuminated roof, an interior garden and neon lights. Yes, if you like snapper, this is the Balinese restaurant for you. We especially like this place if you are traveling with a larger group of mates, the plates are placed in the middle of the table so everyone has a chance to sample all the dishes. The squid ink noodles are a fan favorite, as is the slow roasted pork belly. These guys also cook one of the best nasi gorengs, dare we say in the world.
Barbacoa
Seminyak
Get among the burning embers, charcoal and smoke to Barbacoa. All the essence of this menu is based on Arctic char, the crew roasts whole pigs on the Asado pit as well as beef, lamb, chicken, seafood and vegetables on the grill Parilla dish. With a feast led by Australian chef Nic Philip, you can expect Latin American cuisine with plenty of offerings for vegos or vegans. In addition to this, Barbacoa pickles, ferments and manufactures its own mustards and vinegars in-house. Unsurprisingly, the cocktail menu is rooted in South American flavors while the wine cellar offers new and old world wines, vintages, natural and biodynamic drops too.
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