Everything you need to know for your first Bali holiday!
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Eating out is a favourite pastime for many of us while on a holiday in Bali because here you will have a wonderful choice of food prepared by world class chefs in world class restaurants, which is extremely tempting to say the least. While you are in Bali, visit eat street (Jl Laksmana) and also (Jl Petitenget) in Seminyak/Kerobokan areas.
Listed below, you will find just a few of my personal recommedations for your consideration.
So just in case you have forgotten, we are in paradise where there must be hundreds if not thousands of restaurants to choose from including warungs, which is the Indonesian version, catering for great spicy indonesian food at very cheap prices..
Prices start at around $5 to $8 at a warung,while the average prices for cafes and middle range Bali restaurants mentioned below, can vary from as low as $10 and up to $35 per person for a three course meal at some restaurants. Fine dining at top end Bali restaurants is an amazing experience for diners, where they are offered excellent value for their money ,when compared to restaurants in Australia. The food quality is outstanding, much of which is sourced from around the world on a daily basis, the venues are often magnificent and at stunning locations, they also offer top quality glassware, linen table cloths and napkins, cutlery and crockery of a high quality, which all goes along way in making your evening a very special evening indeed.
These world class restaurants provide extensive menus of food prepared by world class chefs and they also provide comprehensive world class wine lists. To ensure your evening is everything you wished for, you will find the table service is excellent from highly trained staff, which adds even more value to the total dining experience. Over the years many international chefs have made Bali their home and as a consequence we are the lucky recipients enjoying a delicious variety of cuisines from around the globe such as Indonesian, Thai, Greek, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Indian to name a few of todays choices.
Take away food is also big business in Bali. The quality, service and delivery time is usually very good. If this interests you, look for a Hallo! magazine which covers take away food very well. Usually, you can pick up the mag at restaurants, hotels and villas free of charge. Order from about 45 different restaurants by ringing this local number (735100) from a land line. Some of my favourites are Sasa, Ryoshi, Pantarai, Bali Bakery, Pizza Club, Cafe Moka and Queens Tandor.
Important: Getting to and from restaurants can be a problem if you are not familiar with your surrounds and also concerned for your safety. In this event you may like to give consideration to the following: You have three choices in the main which are walking, taxis or private transport with someone like my friend Charlie. M: 0815 5792272 or E: vicky_yudiari@yahoo.com
At this point, I am going to categorise a few eating establishments, all of which come with my personal recommendation and are divided into three categories using the following symbols, $, $$, $$$ for ratings on price and quality.
Warung recommendations for your consideration.
Some of the best and cheapest food available is served at a number of Indonesian Warungs (restaurants). The food is excellent and If you find they are very busy it’s fair to assume the food is good and hygiene is acceptable. Here are just a few warungs you may like to try out for the odd lunch or evening meal. Allow from $5 to $8 per person depending on the amount of food you put on your plate and how many times you line up.
- $ Warung Made’s (Jl Seminyak, Seminyak)
- $ Warung Batavia (Jl. Kerobokan)
- $ Warung Murah (Jl. Double Six)
- $ Warung Sate Bali (Jl. Laksmana 22a)
- $ Warung Italia (Jl. Kunti)
- $ Warung Ocha’s (crn Jl. Raya & Jl. Dyana Pura, Seminyak)
- $ Warung Taste (Jl. Laksmana, Seminyak)
Most taxi drivers will know where these warungs are located. The word Jalan or Jl., means road or street to us.
Cafe’s:
Personal recommendations for your considerations.
$$ Bo and Bun Asian eatery #26 Jl Raya Seminyak Ph: +62 859 3549 3484. This very popular restaurant serving up delightful Asian food is extremely busy every day between 6pm and 9pm. I suggest you book your table and be on time because if you are late your table disappears!! You will eat very tasty food here and I am confident you will leave content. Recommended
$$ Som Chai Jl Raya Kerobokan #86A. Ph: +62 878 8866 1945.If you love Thai food like I do then this restaurant is a must visit BUT don’t think you can just walk in at anytime and have a table waiting for you because it won’t be. All of the popular and best restaurants in Bali are consistently busy so don’t forget to make a booking a couple of days before. This newish restaurant is managed by well known bali chef Will Meyrick. Highly recommended
$$ Chandi restaurant Jl Laksmana Seminyak Ph: 731060. The ambience of this wonderful restaurant is sure to appeal on entering but more importantly, you will find the menue is also very appealing. I could happily dine here every night. The service and food is exceptional. Try their fabulous cocktails while you are there which is enough to bring you back for more of everything on offer. Highly recommended
$$ Summer Queen Jl Padma #12-14. This is another new restaurant which recently opened in Legian. Personally, I have not experienced this restaurant yet but intend doing so in March/August/Sept 2019. Reports coming in at this stage suggests it is delivering a enjoyable meal.
$$ Queens Tandor
Jl. Seminyak 73, Seminyak Tel 732770 If you like curry, you will love this place, especially the price. You can also enjoy great food from the Tandor oven, like slowly cooked lamb, chicken and of course curries.
$$ The Pantarei
Jl. Raya # 17, Seminyak Tel 732567 This restaurant provides a very interesting Greek menu. I love the food here and I have never been disappointed on any occasion. The restaurant is one of only a few providing excellent live music from a talented trio but please check which nights they perform.
$$ Mannekepis
Jl. Raya No 2, Seminyak Tel 8475784 You will get some great home cooked Belgian food here. It’s entertaining and the price is right.
$$ Yutz
This icon is well known for great steak. Tel 23951454 Jl. Werkudara Legian the Road is better known as rum jungle and is close to the Jayakarta hotel front entry not beach entry.
$$ Rumours (Italian)
Jl. Laksmana, Seminyak Tel 738720
$$ Trattoria and Ultimo (Italian)
Jl. Laksmana Seminyak Tel 737082 / 738720
$$ Zanzibar (Italian/Indonesian)
Jl. Pantai Arjuna, Blue Ocean Beach Road, Legian, just off Double Six Road. Tel 733529
The above establishments are all good value restaurants and you wont be disappointed. You can eat well at any of the restaurants mentioned above. There are other very good restaurants in Rum Jungle Road, Jl. Padma and Jl Malesti that you could also check out in this category.
Fine Dining at it’s best.
Personal recommendations for your consideration:
GOOGLE any of the following for a peek at these world class restaurants and also their menue.
Prices range between Aud $50 and Aud $70 per person for three courses. Quality wine is available by the glass or a bottle from around Aud $55 to Aud$75 per bottle and upwards.
If you are unsure of the currency exchange rate, the above price suggestions convert to approximately Rp.50,000 and Rp.70,000 for meals and approximately Aud$55 or Rp.550,000 to Rp.750,000 Aud $75 per bottle for wine.These prices will vary according to the exchange rate at the time.
$$$ Ziburu Restaurant, Jl. Drupadi No7 Seminyak.
The excellent authentic Italian food provided is in my opinion without doubt the best available on the island. The restaurant is a must visit during your holiday to Bali. The venue will delight you as will the jazz band playing three times a week. Highly Recommended
$$$ Kilo Kitchen, Jl.Drupadi No 7
Another one of my favourite restaurants to eat where the food is always excellent and the service is top notch. A must visit on your next visit to Bali. Highly Recommended.
$$$ Cocoon Restaurant, Bar and Beach Club
Situated at the beach on Jl. Double Six No 66, Blue Ocean Boulevard, Seminyak. Tel 731266. This fabulous restaurant opened in the middle of 2010. The restaurant offers a wide appeal to many tourists catering for breakfast, lunch, tapas, and dinner. A large pool is a dominant feature overlooking the Indian ocean. You will also love this very popular venue for sunset drinks. In my opinion, this restaurant is a must do on your list of things to do, where you will be spoilt with attentive staff and enjoy an unforgettable meal in fabulous surroundings. Recommended
$$$ Ku De Ta
Situated on the beach front next door to the Oberoi hotel. Jl. Oberoi Tel 736969 This is Bali’s most trendy restaurant with a very good reputation for great food and a fabulous beach front location. The other option is to relax with a few tapas on the deck, a glass of wine or whatever and listen to great music for a lot less at sunset.
$$$ Chez Gado-Gado
Jl. Dhyana Pura no 99 Seminyak Tel 736966 One of my most favourite Bali restaurants overlooking the surf beach in Seminyak is the recently renovated Chez Gado Gado. The dining area has benifited greatly from this major renovation featuring a huge wantilan roof covering a very inviting dining area, which now offers more table settings under cover. The famous deck area has been raised marginally to give diners a more delightful view of the floodlit Indian Ocean. Chef Quib is proud of his icon fine dining venue and is ready to take on the competition with a new and and exciting menu of delicious meals prepared in a new world class kitchen. The restaurant boasts a comprehensive wine list at reasonable prices and also a fine range of tasty cocktails. An old favoutite for me and is Recommended
$$$ Breeze at Samaya
Jl. Oberoi, Seminyak Tel 731149 A fabulous location with beautiful views to enjoy while looking out over the Indian Ocean. This is probably one of the most romantic places to dine at on the island located next door to La Lucciola. The food and wine are as good as the views. Highly recommended
$$$ Sip Wine Bar
No16 Jl. Raya, Seminyak Tel 730810 Sip is a pleasant surprise if you are interested in a excellent fine dining experience at very affordable prices. If you love wine like I do, you will be like a kid in a lolly shop here. Choose from around a hundred different labels from the wine list. The food is sensational, no kidding, just get there and you will be treated to one of the best meals you have ever been fortunate to experience. Highly recommended.
$$$ Metis’
Tel 8475481 www.metisbali.com In my opinion, Metis is by far the most impressive restaurant in Bali that you are likely to experience and should be at the top of your list to celebrate any important occasion. I am confident you will be suitably impressed with the ambience of this most impressive new restaurant, which provides excellent International and French cuisine with service second to none by attentive and discrete staff. What you can expect at Metis is overall excellence, a very comprehensive menu, a great choice of wine, excellent service and absolutely wonderful food prepared in the presence of world renowned chefs, Said Alem and Nicholas Tourneville of Warisan fame. “Enjoy the experience”. Highly recommended.
$$$ Teatro Gastroteque
Oberoi Road Seminyak. Ph: +62 361 8700078 M: +62 81338551075 E: info@teatrobali.com This small but stylish restaurant is well worth putting on your restaurant list if you are interested in a unique dining setting offering a delightful cuisine. Because this restaurant only seats around 40 people, it is very advisable to book a few days in advance to avoid disappointment. Highly recommended
$$$ Sardine
Tel 4738202 This excellent restaurant situated at 21 Jl Petitenget, Kerobokan opened for business during 2010 and is now flourishing. Owners Pascal and Pika have chosen a seafood theme with a dash of French and Indonesian cuisine. The setting of this extraordinary and beautifully presented restaurant has views overlooking a immaculately maintained rice field. The ambience of this restaurant is difficult to describe in just a few lines so make sure you experience the WOW factor for yourself, sometime soon. The food and service is exceptional along with a most interesting menu, which makes this fabulous restaurant a standout and is also a personal favourite of mine. Highly Recommended
$$$ Sarong (Asian Fusion)
Jl. Petitenget 19x, Petitenget Tel 4737809 What you can expect is wow. Since opening in 2008, Sarong has established itself as one of the most popular restaurants in Seminyak if not Bali. There is a tapas bar and lounge before you step into the plush appointed dining area. My favourite dish is lamb Rogan Josh, yum. Highly recommended
$$$ Pearl Restaurant-Lounge
Tel 732743 Pearl is a surprise package tucked away down a lane off Double Six Road. The outdoor setting is beautiful at night and the lounge area is comfortable for pre dinner drinks. The owner, Cyril and his son Jeremy the chef have excelled in the presentation of their business and I recommend the french cusine and attention to detail along with their very attentive staff. Recommended
Book Early
The best advise that I can give you regarding these excellent restaurants in category two and three is, to make sure you book early to avoid disappointment. I suggest you book up to a week in advance for fine dining. Ask your taxi driver if he is familiar with any of these restaurants mentioned. Remember, the fare won’t send you broke but be vigilant.
“BEST BREAKFASTS”
Breakfast is usually included in your hotel or villa accommodation account but if you get bored with that perhaps you might like to try these suggestions. Firstly, I will deal with “special breakfasts.” Does that sound ok? I reckon a hearty breakfast is the most important meal of the day and especially at a great location and if someone else is cooking. Treat yourself to one or both of the following $$$ top suggestions. I find this nice to do once a week in paradise.
$$$ La Lucciola
Situated on the beach front in Petitenget. Tel 730838 You will be pleasantly surprised with the location, the setting and view. However, service can be slow at times, particularly on a Sunday if it’s busy. This very special location is also an ideal place to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also La Lucciola offers a nice area for pre dinner drinks where you can enjoy another spectacular sunset from around 5.30 pm. The breakfast menu is excellent and therefore you should relax and take your time in choosing from the menu and come away well satisfied. It’s not cheap by comparison to other venues but it’s worth it just to soak up the atmosphere. Highly recommended for all meals served.
$$$ The Oberoi Hotel Restaurant
The Oberoi hotel is one place you should visit, if only just to see how the other people live. It is very classy with an outdoor breakfast area over looking the surf beach in Seminyak. Tel 6519501. This perfect setting is guaranteed to get your appetite going bananas. Once again, take a taxi ride. On arrival, ask reception for directions to the outside breakfast area. So far I have never booked and i have only ever waited for a short time. Hopefully, your budget will stretch this far for an experience to remember. Fine dining at Oberoi’s Kura-Kura restaurant is also highly recommended.
$$ Grocer and Grind
Jl. Kayu 3x, Seminyak Tel 737321 This popular restaurant, opened its doors in August 2007. I would imagine the owners are very happy with their decision to open but just as important, customers are delighted and are turning up in droves for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They also have a wonderful deli, which is worth checking out. Enjoy the excellent breakfast choice and coffee. No doubt, lunch and dinner also rate highly but as yet I have not experienced these meals. The price is very affordable by comparison to the top end of the market above. The location, although convenient does not have a relaxing outlook to enjoy like ocean views, but the price is right and kid friendly. Recommended
$$ The Corner House
Situated corner Jl. Laksmana and Jl. Drupadi, Seminyak. I believe if you want to be seen as cool in Bali, this is the place to come to for what they say is the best coffee and breakfast on the island. A big statement but it is very very good, worth a visit and you can be the judge of that claim. “Bagus makan” which means good food.
$$ The Bali Bakery
Located in Seminyak square on the corner of Jl. Laksmana and Jl. Kayu.Tel 738033 If you are ever in this area, you will do well to call in and enjoy the food, coffee and people watching. Take away food is also available. Seminyak square has a number of shops, which could get your attention and also interesting markets are held in the square on weekends.
Sweet Tooth?
Just one more thing before moving on from food; have you got a sweet tooth? If you have, you might just love my next suggestions.
$$ Café Moka
Jl. Raya, Seminyak.Tel 731424 As soon as you walk in you will start drooling from just the aroma of coffee. This is a french pâtisserie catering for breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch and dinner up until 10pm. Take away food also available. You will see gratins, burgers, new mixed salads, pastries, savouries, omelettes, kids meals, sandwiches, tapas, soup, fettuccine, spaghetti and great main courses. I think you will like it here.
$$ Bali Deli
Jl. Kunti 117x Seminyak Tel 731424 This place is a worthwhile visit to just have a look because it is quite amazing seeing so many fresh temptations waiting to be devoured. A very well appointed and shady alfresco area is at the rear of the shop. It’s a nice and relaxing place to indulge in yum food. Take away food also available. I am not going to tell you what’s on offer here, because I do want you to experience this for yourself.
Shopping for food
Last but not least on the food trail is Carrefour Supermarket on Sunset Road or Bintang Supermarket on Jl. Raya Seminyak, which is just across the road from where I have advised you of one safe place to exchange your money. At the supermarkets, you will find everything you are likely to need during your holiday for yourself, babies and kids generally. You will find prices can be very competitive when compared to Australian prices. By the way, Bintang beer is sold here also and at a cheap price. A chilled Bintang is the popular thirst quencher in the tropics but there are many others to choose from too.
Summary
Warungs and restaurants mentioned in this section are personal recommendations and I am sure you will enjoy every one of them. As I have said earlier, there are hundreds of eating places in Bali and some equally as good as those I have mentioned here. However, on your first trip it is advisable to go on some recommendations for good fresh food, thereby minimising your chance of Bali belly. A point well worth remembering.
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