Quick answers — eating in Bali
- Best restaurant overall
- Mozaic
- Best value
- Cuca (IDR 600,000 - 1,200,000 / USD 40 - 75 (per person, tapas style))
- Strongest cuisines
- Modern European, French, Asian fusion, Spanish, Seafood
- Dishes to try
- Nasi Goreng, Bebek Betutu, Lawar, Sate Lilit
- Booking window
- Book 2-4 weeks in advance for fine dining, especially for weekend evenings or high season. Some popular places may require longer, particularly for specific tables or times.
Booking several weeks in advance is highly recommended for popular establishments, especially during peak season. Dress codes typically range from smart casual to elegant. Tipping is customary but not strictly mandatory, often included as a service charge. Dinner hours generally run from 6 PM to 10 PM.
Modern European
Best modern European restaurants in Bali
Modern European is the catch-all for kitchens that borrow technique from France, produce from their own region and ideas from everywhere — usually tasting-menu only.
Locavore
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Indonesian · Ubud · IDR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000 / USD 75 - 115 (tasting menus)
Ray Adriansyah, Eelke Plasmeijer
Locavore is renowned for its hyper-local and sustainable approach, sourcing almost all ingredients within Indonesia. The tasting menus are an adventurous journey through creative, meticulously crafted dishes that celebrate Indonesian produce with European finesse. The atmosphere is intimate and focused on the culinary narrative, though its future is evolving as it rebrands to Locavore NXT.
Order: Into the Sawah (rice field inspired dish), "Our Daily Bread" with house-churned butter
Apéritif
Acclaimed local fine diningDegustation / European · Ubud · IDR 1,600,000 - 2,800,000 / USD 100 - 180 (tasting menus)
Nic Vanderbeeken
Set in a majestic colonial-style mansion, Apéritif offers an indulgent degustation experience inspired by the 1920s. Guests begin with sophisticated cocktails and canapés in the bar before moving to the elegant dining room. The multi-course menus feature intricate dishes, showcasing premium ingredients and refined European techniques, often with subtle Indonesian touches.
Order: Venison Wellington, Foie Gras "Chawanmushi"
Sangkar at Bulgari Resort Bali
Acclaimed local fine diningIndonesian and International · Uluwatu · IDR 900,000 - 1,800,000 / USD 55 - 115 (per person, a la carte)
Sangkar provides an extraordinary dining experience with breathtaking cliff-edge views of the Indian Ocean. The menu blends traditional Indonesian flavors with contemporary international dishes, crafted from the finest ingredients. The setting is luxurious and intimate, perfect for a special occasion, offering impeccable service and an unforgettable ambiance.
Order: Nasi Goreng Wagyu, Grilled Lobster with Balinese Spices
French
Best French restaurants in Bali
French cooking is still the backbone of fine dining almost everywhere — expect sauce work, butter, precise service and set lunch menus that cost a fraction of dinner.
Mozaic
Acclaimed local fine diningModern French-Indonesian · Ubud · IDR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000 / USD 95 - 160 (tasting menus)
Chris Salans
A pioneering establishment in Bali's fine dining, Mozaic offers a unique "Cuisine de Terroir" combining French techniques with Indonesian ingredients. The experience unfolds in a lush garden setting, with exquisite service and imaginative dishes that highlight the island's vibrant flavors. It remains a benchmark for culinary innovation in Bali.
Order: Pan-Seared Foie Gras with Candied Ginger and Tamarind, Klungkung Duck with Cassava and Sambal Matah
Metis
Acclaimed local fine diningFrench-Mediterranean · Seminyak · IDR 750,000 - 1,500,000 / USD 45 - 95 (per person, a la carte)
Nicolas "Doudou" Tourneville
Metis offers a captivating blend of fine dining and a vibrant lounge atmosphere, set amidst beautiful rice field views. The menu features sophisticated French-Mediterranean cuisine, with standout dishes focusing on premium meats and fresh seafood, alongside an impressive wine list. It's a popular spot for both exquisite meals and elegant evenings out.
Order: Pan-Seared Foie Gras with Apple Tatin, Duck Confit
Asian fusion
Best Asian fusion restaurants in Bali
Fusion kitchens work across Asian traditions rather than inside one — best judged on whether the combinations actually taste deliberate.
Restaurant Padi at The Legian Seminyak
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary Asian · Seminyak · IDR 800,000 - 1,500,000 / USD 50 - 95 (per person, a la carte)
Restaurant Padi offers an elegant open-air dining experience overlooking the hotel's infinity pool and the Indian Ocean. It focuses on contemporary Asian cuisine, emphasizing fresh seafood and premium meats, expertly prepared with delicate flavors and beautiful presentation. The ambiance is refined and romantic, perfect for a sophisticated evening.
Order: Grilled Jimbaran Bay Prawns, Wagyu Beef Rendang
Spanish
Best Spanish restaurants in Bali
Spanish dining runs late and sociable: tapas standing at the bar, then a proper sit-down at 9pm or later. Basque kitchens in particular sit among the best in Europe.
Cuca
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Tapas · Jimbaran · IDR 600,000 - 1,200,000 / USD 40 - 75 (per person, tapas style)
Kevin Cherkas
Cuca offers an innovative 'tapas-style' dining experience where each dish is a small, flavour-packed creation designed for sharing. Chef Kevin Cherkas uses fresh, local ingredients with global influences, transforming familiar flavours into something extraordinary. The setting is stylish yet relaxed, encouraging a communal and enjoyable culinary journey.
Order: Bali Breakfast, Soft Shell Crab, Honey-Baked Pumpkin Salad
Seafood
Best seafood restaurants in Bali
Seafood restaurants live or die on the day's catch — the shortest menus are usually the best sign, because the kitchen is cooking what actually came in.
Starfish Bloo at W Bali – Seminyak
Acclaimed local fine diningPan-Asian Seafood · Seminyak · IDR 700,000 - 1,300,000 / USD 45 - 80 (per person, a la carte)
Perched dramatically overlooking Seminyak beach, Starfish Bloo delivers an upscale Pan-Asian seafood experience. The dynamic menu blends global flavors with the freshest local catches, presented with flair in a chic, open-air setting. It’s particularly renowned for its lively Sunday brunch, but offers sophisticated dining throughout the week.
Order: Whole Grilled Fish with Sambal Matah, Seafood Towers
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Bali
Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka 3
Famous for its Babi Guling (roast suckling pig), a Balinese specialty. Expect tender, crispy skin and flavorful meat served with rice and various condiments. A must-try local experience. Rough price: IDR 60,000 - 90,000 per plate.
Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku
Known for its 'Nasi Ayam Kedewatan,' a spicy Balinese mixed rice dish featuring shredded chicken, satay, fried chicken skin, and rich sambal. It's an authentic, hearty meal. Rough price: IDR 35,000 - 50,000 per plate.
Bale Udang Mang Engking
Offers a unique dining experience in traditional bamboo gazebos over fishponds. Specializes in fresh seafood, particularly grilled prawns and other Indonesian favorites. Relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Rough price: IDR 100,000 - 200,000 per person.
Motel Mexicola
A vibrant, colorful spot in Seminyak, perfect for lively Mexican street food like tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas. Great for a fun, casual meal with friends and delicious cocktails. Rough price: IDR 150,000 - 300,000 per person.
Warung Eny's
A beloved local spot in Seminyak offering authentic, home-style Balinese and Indonesian dishes, particularly grilled seafood and various sambals. Known for its fresh ingredients and robust flavors. Rough price: IDR 70,000 - 150,000 per person.
Local dishes
What to eat in Bali
Nasi Goreng
Indonesia's beloved fried rice, typically cooked with sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), egg, vegetables, and chicken or shrimp. It's often garnished with fried shallots, a fried egg, and served with a side of krupuk (shrimp crackers). A staple found everywhere from street stalls to upscale restaurants, it's a comforting and flavorful meal at any time of day.
Bebek Betutu
A ceremonial Balinese dish featuring whole duck (bebek) slow-cooked for hours until incredibly tender, stuffed with a rich blend of aromatic spices like ginger, turmeric, galangal, and chili. It's traditionally wrapped in banana leaves and roasted in a subterranean oven. The result is intensely flavorful, moist meat, often served with rice and sambal.
Lawar
A traditional Balinese mixed vegetable and meat salad, often including finely chopped green beans, young jackfruit, shredded coconut, minced meat (pork or chicken), and a rich concoction of herbs and spices known as 'bumbu Bali'. It's a complex dish offering a vibrant explosion of textures and flavors, typically eaten as a side dish with rice.
Sate Lilit
Unique to Bali, Sate Lilit differs from other sates as the minced meat (fish, chicken, pork, or even turtle) is mixed with grated coconut, rich coconut milk, and a blend of aromatic spices, then wrapped (lilit) around lemongrass sticks or bamboo skewers before being grilled. It's wonderfully fragrant and succulent.
Babi Guling
Bali's iconic suckling pig, roasted whole on a spit after being generously seasoned with a paste of turmeric, coriander seeds, lemongrass, black pepper, and garlic. The skin becomes incredibly crispy, while the meat remains juicy and tender. It's often served with steamed rice, lawar, and spicy sambal, offering a rich, savory experience.
Mie Goreng
Similar to Nasi Goreng but with noodles instead of rice, Mie Goreng is a popular Indonesian fried noodle dish. It's typically stir-fried with sweet soy sauce, vegetables, egg, chicken or shrimp, and sometimes meatballs. Quick, versatile, and incredibly satisfying, it's a ubiquitous street food and restaurant staple, beloved for its savory-sweet flavors.
Gado-Gado
An Indonesian salad composed of slightly blanched or steamed vegetables (such as long beans, spinach, bean sprouts), hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, fried tofu, and tempeh, all generously drizzled with a rich and creamy peanut sauce. Often garnished with krupuk (crackers) and fried shallots, it's a flavorful and hearty vegetarian option.
Es Campur
A refreshing Indonesian dessert literally meaning 'mixed ice'. It's a colorful concoction of shaved ice, coconut milk, condensed milk, various fruits like avocado, jackfruit, and young coconut, jelly, grass jelly, and sometimes tapioca pearls or red beans. A perfect sweet treat to cool down from the tropical heat, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
How to book a table in Bali
- · Book 2-4 weeks in advance for fine dining, especially for weekend evenings or high season. Some popular places may require longer, particularly for specific tables or times.
- · Many top restaurants require a non-refundable deposit or full pre-payment to secure your booking, which is then deducted from your final bill. Check policy details upon reservation.
- · Consider booking for lunch at fine dining establishments; it often offers a similar culinary experience at a more accessible price point, allowing you to sample the menu for less.
- · Be aware of cancellation and no-show policies. Many restaurants charge a significant fee for late cancellations or no-shows, typically 50-100% of the tasting menu price.
FAQ
Bali restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Bali?
Mozaic in Ubud is the benchmark table — Modern French-Indonesian, led by Chris Salans, acclaimed local fine dining, around IDR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000 / USD 95 - 160 (tasting menus) per person. Order the Pan-Seared Foie Gras with Candied Ginger and Tamarind, Klungkung Duck with Cassava and Sambal Matah
Where is the best modern European restaurant in Bali?
Locavore in Ubud is the modern European table to book in Bali (IDR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000 / USD 75 - 115 (tasting menus) per person). Other strong options: Apéritif, Sangkar at Bulgari Resort Bali.
Where is the best French restaurant in Bali?
Mozaic in Ubud is the French table to book in Bali (IDR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000 / USD 95 - 160 (tasting menus) per person). Other strong options: Metis.
Where is the best Asian fusion restaurant in Bali?
Restaurant Padi at The Legian Seminyak in Seminyak is the Asian fusion table to book in Bali (IDR 800,000 - 1,500,000 / USD 50 - 95 (per person, a la carte) per person).
Where is the best Spanish restaurant in Bali?
Cuca in Jimbaran is the Spanish table to book in Bali (IDR 600,000 - 1,200,000 / USD 40 - 75 (per person, tapas style) per person).
Where is the best seafood restaurant in Bali?
Starfish Bloo at W Bali – Seminyak in Seminyak is the seafood table to book in Bali (IDR 700,000 - 1,300,000 / USD 45 - 80 (per person, a la carte) per person).
Where can I eat well in Bali without spending a fortune?
Cuca is the best-value table on this list at roughly IDR 600,000 - 1,200,000 / USD 40 - 75 (per person, tapas style) per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka 3, Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku, Bale Udang Mang Engking.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Bali?
Book 2-4 weeks in advance for fine dining, especially for weekend evenings or high season. Some popular places may require longer, particularly for specific tables or times. Many top restaurants require a non-refundable deposit or full pre-payment to secure your booking, which is then deducted from your final bill. Check policy details upon reservation.
What food is Bali famous for?
Nasi Goreng, Bebek Betutu, Lawar, Sate Lilit, Babi Guling — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. Indonesia's beloved fried rice, typically cooked with sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), egg, vegetables, and chicken or shrimp. It's often garnished with fried shallots, a fried egg, and served with a side of krupuk (shrimp crackers). A staple found everywhere from street stalls to upscale restaurants, it's a comforting and flavorful meal at any time of day.
Planning the rest of Bali?
The full Bali guide has a seven-day itinerary, neighbourhoods, museums and the mistakes to avoid.
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