As any frequent visitor will tell you, Bali is an island overflowing with culinary abundance. Its dining scene has truly boomed over the past decade, transforming the island into just as much a haven for food lovers as it is for surfers and yogis. Across its most popular villages and quieter, farther-flung neighborhoods, we’ve curated a selection of the best restaurants and bars in Bali—from locavore fine dining and humble streetside warungs to effortlessly stylish dining rooms that feel equally cosmopolitan and tropical.
Canggu
Several years ago, almost overnight, Canggu became a hub for expat-friendly dining concepts—many created by expat chefs—and relaxed beach bars. Soon after, neighboring Pererenan experienced its own surge in popularity, turning this roughly 10-kilometer coastal stretch into one of Bali’s hottest zones for eating and drinking.
Diversity is central to Canggu’s identity.
With Balinese and Balinese Australian owners, meimei is a smoky, low-lit Southeast Asian barbecue spot serving 15-hour beef short ribs with spiced caramel, green-anchovy sambal, fish sauce wings, and mixed mushroom larb, all complemented by inventive cocktail flights.
Along Batu Bolong, Irish–Singaporean chef Andrew Walsh (whose Michelin-starred Cure is expected to open an outpost here in December) and Spanish head chef Javier Vicente launched Sazón, a tapas restaurant at Regent Bali Canggu featuring outstanding paellas and beautifully surprising desserts.
For open-flame cooking, Skool Kitchen offers “primitive cooking” presented through a modern lens, while Mosto—from the team behind Indonesia’s first pet-nat, Lazarus Pulp—brings natural wines and European neo-bistro dishes influenced by Sydney.
There’s always something happening at Ghost Kitchen & Record Bar, where rustic, elegant wood-fired dishes inspired by Indonesian flavors and nostalgia—think babi guling crumpet—are served alongside two distinct bars and a vinyl-focused DJ booth emphasizing quality sound.
Bokashi, a Japanese-influenced sustainable grocer turned eco-conscious restaurant, serves breakfast bento boxes, miso curry ramen with Balinese heritage pork, and Tasmanian salmon sashimi at both its Berawa and Pererenan locations. Also in Pererenan, Home by Chef Wayan is an understated elevated warung offering heartwarming Balinese and Indonesian dishes—don’t miss the ayam srosop—crafted by renowned Nusa Penida–born chef Wayan Kresna Yasa and his young, passionate team.
Just down the road, Woods Pererenan provides an airy, cozy glass-and-reclaimed timber setting for delicious breakfasts (served until 5 p.m.) and Mediterranean-leaning lunches and dinners.
The lush, atmospheric Shelter Pererenan focuses on crave-worthy Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes cooked over wood fire, while Hippie Fish offers a similar Mediterranean slant with a fresh seafood emphasis—and ocean views. At Bar Vera inside Further Hotel, French and Lebanese influences inspire the menu, best enjoyed with glasses or bottles of European wine.
Ultra-experimental cocktails take center stage at The Shady Pig, a moody lounge inspired by a rebellious 1920s bootlegging family. Meanwhile, entry to the intimate speakeasy The Mailroom requires advance booking and a literal key, where guests enjoy uniquely presented cocktails hidden within the venue. For a beachier atmosphere, The Lawn Canggu delivers surfy, sun-soaked vibes with Aperol slushies, frozen mango margaritas, and uninterrupted sunset views.
Seminyak
Seminyak—Bali’s original see-and-be-seen coastal town—remains as popular as ever, thanks in large part to a strong lineup of restaurants serving exceptional Indonesian cuisine.
Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen is a casual, no-frills favorite famous for its succulent, whole-roasted suckling pig served on paper-lined plates. For a more polished experience, John Hardy The Long Table, The Kitchen & The Jamu Bar sits beneath the brand’s fine jewelry boutique and offers farm-to-table, family-style feasts featuring dishes like crispy garlic-marinated bebek nyuh kikir with betel leaves and coconut floss, followed by es campur shaved tableside.
For Indonesian classics, Waroeng Bernadette is well-known for its melt-in-your-mouth beef rendang, while Bambu captivates with its elegant, glowing nighttime atmosphere and refined takes on authentic dishes from across the archipelago.
Merah Putih stands out with its vegetarian and vegan tasting menu, while Sangsaka—a more relaxed wood-fired spot—derives its name from “the pride of the Indonesian flag” and offers inventive Indonesian fare.
Kaum at Desa Potato Head celebrates recipes from more than 600 Indonesian islands. With chefs Kresna Yasa and Maxie leading the kitchen, the menu continues to honor culinary heritage while pushing flavors forward.
Potato Head Beach Club, led by Indonesian hospitality tastemaker Ronald Akili, is home to two standout bar scenes—the iconic original beach club, celebrating its 15th anniversary, and Sunset Park atop Potato Head Studios. Think sweeping sherbet-colored ocean views and a must-try jackfruit-infused arak cocktail called Cloudscape, made with assam vanilla tea and soursop foam.
Mama San, a two-floor supper club inspired by 1920s Shanghai, blends Balinese flavors with Chinese and Thai influences through the vision of prolific chef Will Meyrick. For a taste of Australian café culture, Sisterfields remains a go-to, while Motel Mexicola transports guests to Mexico City’s lively streets.
For cocktail excellence, the second-floor speakeasy District 1 creates stunning aperitivo and custom drinks in a romantic setting. Equal care goes into the concoctions at FED, where Balinese chef Made Dhanu and his dynamic young team combine influences from Melbourne, Europe, and Indonesia into flavor-packed plates that feel like fine dining with a touch of punk-rock energy.