Bali has come of age in the last 5 years with some world class dining, in particular between Seminyak and Canguu. So we thought we'd put together a list of places that you must eat at while visiting the island paradise.
#1 BOY'N'COW
For "meat eaters", there are two new ones to choose from. "Boy+Cow" opposite Mama San on Jl. Raya No. 135 in Kerobokan (Seminyak) is top notch.
You can rest assured that the quality of your steak remains throughout the sequence of their intimate cooking method. They start off with grain or grass fed beef which has been carefully selected from sustainable farms in Australia and the United States. Next they let the molecular chefs do the work and dry-age all of our beef for 28 days right there on site! All of their beef is then broken down into wholesome cuts by their chefs in house. Finally they slap a bit of oil and signature rub on your thick cut steak right before it basks in the flames of our charcoal fuelled gaucho grill. Voila!
a: Jl. Raya Kerobokan 138, Seminyak
p: +62 361 934 84 68
h: opens 5pm
w: boyncow.com
#2 SALAZON
Salazon is the other one. It's in Eat Street on Jl Oberoi/Laksmana No. 7 Seminyak) (see pics below). Go there and check out "En-Vie" upstairs for a pre dinner drink prior to wrapping your mouth around some meat downstairs.
The team at Salazón produces vinegars, tomato sauces and relishes, chilli sauces, ice cream and pastries. Their team plans the menu well ahead with the dry-aging and pickling processes being different in length and process for cold cuts through to fish, chicken, pork and beef.
Favourite dishes includes the Baked Burrata, Flame Grilled Moroccan Chicken, Grilled Octopus, 45 day dry-aged Stockyard Beef Tomahawk, and the ever delightful 24 hour cooked lemon for dessert. Everything from starters through to desserts can be shared or enjoyed solo. All produce, apart from the beef, is locally sourced, including local lamb.
This place is pretty cool.
a: Jl Kayu Aya No 7, Seminyak
p: +62 817-1711-1733
h: opens 3pm
#3 METIS
One of Bali's absolute best restaurants is Metis on Jl. Petitenget No. 6 in Kerobokan. Hopefully they have the french onion soup on the menu, but leave room for the soufflé.
It's pricey, but worth it. And they have created an awesome walk through garden experience out the back. Make sure you check it out when you're there. Check out our blog on Metis here.
#4 SUNDAY BRUNCH AT W HOTEL
Book yourself a "cage" and indulge yourself on a lazy Sunday at Brunch at Starfish Bloo @ W Hotel on Jl. Petitenget in Kerobokan from midday till 3.30pm. Free wifi.
This is one of the best brunches we have ever had in the world. Fresh seafood, sushi, roasts, yum cha etc. Anything you could possibly want and it's non stop - have as much as you want. There are two packages to choose from one that includes alcohol and one that does not. It's pretty special. You will definitely need to book though, so don't get caught. Call the W in advance (like several days if you can).
#5 DA MARIA
Da Maria looks to the south of Italy in particular the Almalfi Coast and the great outdoor courtyard restaurants of Capri. Product ranges from seafood to modern classic with emphasis on pizza (awesome btw) which is inspired by neapolitan artisan technique with the dough 24 hour naturally risen. Drinks are a spin of Terzini classics being Italian focused. Great panancotta for dessert too.
a: Jl. Petitenget No.170, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara
p: +62 361 9348523
h: open late till around 2am
#6 RUSTICA
Now this hidden gem (sort of) has been there a few years and every time we walked past it was pretty full, so we tried it out and have kept going back. it's home cooked Italian food, cooked by a real momma. Mumma Luigini, who ventures out into the restaurant during the evening to make sure everyone's meals was just right - and they always are.
The pizzas are incredible. The pastas are tasty and filling and the service from the team is also great. Highly recommend this place for a meal that is not too expensive.
And if you're staying nearby (like we do often), they do great take aways that you can call in and order and then just wander over and pick them up.
a: Jl. Batu Belig No.1, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara
p: +62 361 4737812
h: open until midnight
#7 MERAH PUTIH
Well established now on Jl. Petitenget No.100x in Kerobokan (Seminyak) is Merah Putih.
Check the dinner menu here to see what all the fuss is about. Awesome food, a bit slow on the drinks service sometimes, but take your camera along as it's pretty spectacular inside as well. Plates are set in the middle of the table, meaning everyone in your group has the opportunity to sample a range of dishes; they can enjoy the classics and also discover something new. Check out our Merah Putih blog here.
#8 MAMA SAN
A "must do" for dinner is MamaSan on Jl. Raya No. 135 in Seminyak. You have to try their salt and pepper soft shell crab and the bbq duck steam buns. Free wifi. Check out our MamaSan blog here.
“An environment where people can feel comfortable”, Mama San is for anyone who likes to lounge in style and eat quality South East Asian food without it being too expensive.
At Mamasan you can step into colonial Britain in Shanghai during the 1920s, with marble top mah-jong tables and oversized tan leather chesterfields, in a purpose designed industrial high ceiling warehouse. Gaze up to Mama San in all her glory staring down at patrons while dining and ponder over a travelogue of old style photographs. Colorful displays of retro inspired flowers tower up to vintage clocks and a Chinese patterned mirror.
#9 GINGER MOON
Great tapas style food at Ginger Moon on Jl Oberoi/Laksmana No. 7 (Eat Street) in Seminyak, just next door to Ultimo. Now, this is one of our all time faves in Bali - it's the place we always go on our first night back in Bali - a tradition.
Ginger Moon is a modern eatery inspired by the people of Bali and Indonesia, and the myriad tropical ingredients which make the island's cuisine so exciting. Great food and service for a really good price. If you're staying nearby, they even do takeaway or home delivery if you want (and it's packaged up beautifully)!
#10 MOZZARELLA
Mozzarella is another of the great Italian restaurants that have spung up in Bali over the last few years. Again, great Italian cooking. Great service. Quick and easy. Not too expensive.
a: Jl. Petitenget No.8, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara
p: +62 361 9343095
h: open until around 10pm
#11 GUSTO
Possibly the world's best ice cream gelato secret is at Gusto, but it's hidden away at the back of Seminyak so you'll need to try hard to find it (by car or scooter).
Once you get there, you will be blown away by all the different flavours. Fresh ingredients, ZERO synthetic product, lots of fruits, some sugar, cream, milk, real eggs, chocolate, cacao, butter, and plenty of tasty new items, weekly.
#12 CUCA
This list of restaurants isn't in any particular order, however if it was, this one would be at the top! Cuca in Jimbaron at Jl. Yoga Perkanthi. This is about a 45 minute drive from Seminyak, but worth it, if you're up for the drive there and back. Maybe do it for lunch.
A special treat is to sit at the kitchen bar and watch the team work in the kitchen. This food is the prettiest food I've ever seen and it comes alive in your mouth. Well worth the trip for lunch or dinner.
Check out their website below, the pictures alone with start you salivating.
a: Jimbaron at Jl. Yoga Perkanthi
p: +62 361708066
h: open daily 12pm until midnight
w: cucabali.com
#13 SARONG
Sarong on Jl. Petitenget has been around for years now but is still one of the good ones to go for dinner. The same owners started up MamaSan a few years later. Sarong has a slight Indian influence. It's one of Seminyak's finest, offering a romantic dining ambiance with a menu that showcases chef-owner Will Meyrick's passion for Asian cuisine.
a: Jl. Petitenget No. 19 x in Kerobokan
p: +62 812-3634-3386
h: Opens 6pm daily until around 10.45pm
#14 SARDINE
Across the road from Metis is Sardine on Jl. Petitenget in Kerobokan. Great atmosphere and dining. Sardine's "cuisine du soleil" is healthy, tasty, delectably light and perfectly suited to the warmer climate of Bali using both fresh seafood and homegrown organic vegetables.
The daily changing menu is dependent on the catch of the day which is picked out on an daily early morning pilgrimage to the fishing village of Jimbaran. Here Sardine's owners and chef have cultivated friendships with local fishermen so that they get the pick of the lot.
a: Petitenget St No.21, Kerobokan Kelod
p: +62 811-3978-333
h: closes 1am