Quick Facts
- The Michelin Milestone: In 2025, Bali’s hospitality scene reached a fever pitch as 21 hotels and resorts were awarded the inaugural Michelin Keys, signaling a global acknowledgment of the island's luxury culinary landscape.
- The 80/20 Rule: Leading establishments like Rumari have pioneered a sustainable sourcing model, procuring at least 80% of their ingredients from small-scale Indonesian farmers and traditional fishers.
- Dining Hubs: For fine dining and avant-garde tasting menus, Ubud remains the cultural heart. For chic beachfront grills and brunch spots, Seminyak and Canggu lead the pack.
- Reservations: For world-class spots like Locavore NXT and Apéritif, booking 2–4 weeks in advance is highly recommended.
There was a time, not so long ago, when a "culinary journey" in Bali meant a plastic stool, a paper-wrapped bundle of nasi jinggo, and the humid breath of the Indian Ocean. While those soul-stirring moments still exist in the island’s hidden alleyways, 2025 has ushered in a sophisticated new era. Bali has evolved from a backpacker’s transit point into a world-class gastronomic destination that rivals the likes of Tokyo or Copenhagen.
Today, the island is a tapestry of contradictions: you can spend your morning catching barrels in Uluwatu and your evening tucked into a private bamboo cocoon in the Ubud highlands, sampling a fermented tomato tea that took three months to perfect. With 21 Bali properties recently honored with Michelin Keys, the island’s shift toward high-end culinary tourism is no longer a whisper—it’s a roar. Whether you are seeking the smoky char of post-surf seafood, a 15-course vegan odyssey, or the heritage recipes of a Balinese grandmother, this is your definitive guide to the 24 best restaurants in Bali right now.
The New Wave of Fine Dining & Degustation
If you are looking for the absolute best fine-dining restaurants in Bali, your compass will inevitably point toward Ubud and the southern cliffs of Jimbaran. Here, chefs are moving away from imported truffles and foie gras, opting instead to elevate indigenous ingredients like andiman (Bataks pepper) and kluwak (black nuts) into the realm of haute cuisine.
Kubu at Mandapa (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$$$ | Best For: Romantic Milestone Dinners
Dining at Kubu is less of a meal and more of a sensory immersion. Situated alongside the rushing Ayung River, guests dine in private, hand-woven bamboo "cocoons." The Mediterranean-European tasting menus are masterful, but it is the atmosphere—the sound of the water, the scent of damp moss, and the flickering candlelight—that makes it legendary. Reserve Your Private Pod →
Apéritif (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$$$ | Best For: Old-World Glamour
Walking into Apéritif feels like stepping into a 1920s colonial manor. With its soaring ceilings, black-and-white checkered floors, and a bar that serves the best Negroni on the island, it’s a temple to maximalism. Chef Eelke Plasmeijer blends global techniques with Indonesian ingredients in a way that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. Don't skip the Venison Wellington or the extensive cigar humidor after dinner.
Rumari at Raffles (Jimbaran)
Location: Jimbaran | Price: $$$$ | Best For: Elevated Archipelago Flavors
Perched on the highest point of Raffles Bali, Rumari is the first Krug Ambassade in Indonesia. It is here that the 80/20 sourcing model truly shines. Every dish tells a story of a specific island or a forgotten spice. The "Rumari Counter" experience is a must for those who want to watch the precision of a kitchen operating at the peak of its powers against the backdrop of Jimbaran Bay’s sunset.
Locavore NXT (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$$$ | Best For: Culinary Adventurers
The original Locavore changed Bali’s food scene forever; Locavore NXT is its radical evolution. Set in a sprawling complex that includes a fermentation lab and a food forest, this is hyper-localism taken to its logical extreme. You aren't just eating a meal; you are participating in a regenerative ecosystem. For the full experience, book one of their adjoining cabins to sleep off the 20-course odyssey.
Kayuputi (Nusa Dua)
Location: Nusa Dua | Price: $$$$ | Best For: Coastal Elegance
Kayuputi at The St. Regis remains the gold standard for Asian-inspired haute cuisine. The aesthetic is "white wood" and glass, overlooking the turquoise waters of Nusa Dua. Their Saturday brunch is the stuff of legends, featuring endless passes of pan-seared scallops and premium Wagyu, accompanied by a sommelier-curated wine list that is arguably the best in Indonesia.
Vegan Tasting Menus & Conscious Eating
Can a restaurant be truly sustainable in Bali? The answer is a resounding yes. A new generation of chefs is moving beyond "plant-based" as a dietary restriction and treating it as a creative frontier.
Begawan Biji (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$ | Best For: Farm-to-Table Purity
Located within a regenerative farm that helps save the endangered Bali Starling, Begawan Biji is a breath of fresh air. The dining room is open-air, surrounded by rice paddies and vegetable patches.
Editor’s Tip: Order the Heritage Tomato with pandan oil. It sounds simple, but the intensity of the sun-ripened fruit combined with the nutty, floral notes of pandan is a revelation of what Balinese soil can produce.
Plant Bistro (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$ | Best For: Vegan Italian
Plant Bistro proves that you don't need dairy to achieve decadence. Their "Salmon" Bruschetta, crafted from marinated carrots, and their Purple Risotto are visually stunning and intellectually satisfying. It is the kind of place where meat-eaters forget they are eating plants.
Kynd Community (Seminyak & Canggu)
Location: Seminyak/Canggu | Price: $$ | Best For: High-Energy Vibrations
Kynd is famous for its pink walls and Instagram-ready smoothie bowls, but beneath the aesthetics lies a very serious culinary engine. Their Dan Dan Ramen and creamy Tan Tan are masterclasses in umami balance. It’s vibrant, loud, and quintessentially Bali.
Room 4 Dessert (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$$ | Best For: The Sweet Tooth
Will Goldfarb (of Chef’s Table fame) has created a sanctuary for sugar and spice. While not exclusively vegan, they offer a stellar plant-based version of their 9-course dessert tasting menu. It is a whimsical journey through medicinal herbs, local cacao, and fermented fruits that defies traditional pastry logic.
Authentic Indonesian Classics & Heritage Warungs
To truly understand Bali, you must eat where the locals eat. The island's culinary soul is found in the warungs—small, often family-run eateries that specialize in one or two heritage dishes.
Warung Pak Malen (Seminyak)
Location: Seminyak | Price: $ | Best For: The Quintessential Babi Guling
You haven't been to Bali until you've sat on a crowded bench at Pak Malen. Their Babi Guling (suckling pig) is a symphony of textures: the glass-like crackle of the skin, the tender meat infused with basa gede (Balinese spice paste), and the fiery kick of the sambal.
Ayam Betutu Pak Sanur (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $ | Best For: Slow-Cooked Comfort
Ayam Betutu is chicken slow-cooked for hours in a rich, earthy broth of turmeric, ginger, and chilies. Pak Sanur is a local legend; they often sell out by 11 AM, so arrive early. The meat literally falls off the bone, melting into the rice like a spicy, savory hug.
Nusantara by Locavore (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$$ | Best For: Regional Exploration
If you want a tour of the entire Indonesian archipelago without leaving your seat, Nusantara is the place. They focus on rare regional recipes—from the smoked octopus of West Bali to the rich beef curries of Sumatra. The interior is warm and wooden, mirroring the rustic, honest nature of the food.
Kaum (Seminyak)
Location: Seminyak | Price: $$$ | Best For: Tribal Recipes
Located inside the iconic Potato Head Beach Club, Kaum is the result of years of research into Indonesia’s tribal cooking methods. Try the Gohu Ikan Tuna—a Maluku-style raw tuna ceviche with coconut oil and lime. It is fresh, bright, and deeply cultural. Explore Tribal Flavors →
Home by Chef Wayan (Pererenan)
Location: Pererenan | Price: $$ | Best For: Soulful Balinese Food
Chef Wayan Kresna Yasa has taken the food of his childhood on Nusa Penida and refined it for a modern palate. The Ledok Nusa—a corn and potato porridge—is a humble dish elevated to fine-dining status through sheer técnica and love. It feels like eating at a friend's home, if that friend happened to be one of the best chefs in Asia.
Post-Surf Seafood & Cool Casual Bites
After a day in the lineup at Echo Beach or Uluwatu, you don't want white tablecloths; you want cold Bintang, wood-fire smoke, and the freshest catch of the day.
Skool Kitchen (Canggu)
Location: Canggu | Price: $$$ | Best For: Fire-Kissed Seafood
Perched above The Lawn in Canggu, Skool Kitchen is a tribute to the flame. There are no electric stoves here—everything is cooked over wood and charcoal. The charred octopus and the grilled local snapper are essential orders. The vibe is sleek, dark, and perfectly synchronized with the rhythm of the waves below.
Analog (Uluwatu)
Location: Uluwatu | Price: $$ | Best For: Retro Surf Vibes
Analog captures the '70s surf spirit perfectly. It’s a place for house-cured snapper and creative cocktails that don't take themselves too seriously. It’s the ultimate spot to decompress after a long session at Padang Padang.
Mason (Canggu & Uluwatu)
Location: Canggu/Uluwatu | Price: $$$ | Best For: Wood-Fired Meats & Cheese
Mason is where the "cool kids" eat. The focus here is on quality ingredients treated with respect—think house-made cheeses, wood-fired lamb shoulder, and simple but perfect flatbreads. The backyard in the Canggu location feels like the world's best dinner party.
Sisterfields (Seminyak)
Location: Seminyak | Price: $$ | Best For: The Aussie Brunch
Bali’s brunch culture is heavily influenced by Melbourne, and Sisterfields is the undisputed queen of the scene. Their truffle scrambled eggs and acai bowls are iconic. It’s busy, bright, and consistently excellent—the perfect fuel before a day of shopping in Seminyak.
Best Views & Ambiance
In Bali, the view is often just as important as the menu. These spots offer a feast for the eyes as much as the palate.
Cretya Ubud
Location: Tegallalang | Price: $$$ | Best For: Infinity Pool Dining
Cretya Ubud is a day club set against the backdrop of the Tegallalang rice terraces. You can dine on Mediterranean-inspired dishes while overlooking three tiers of turquoise infinity pools. It is the epitome of the "Bali Tropical" aesthetic.
Teman Dedari (Ubud)
Location: Ubud | Price: $$ | Best For: Artistic Grandeur
Dining at Teman Dedari feels like entering a dreamscape. Massive stone angel statues (some over 10 meters tall) stand guard over the dining area, which overlooks a lush jungle ravine. The food is traditional Indonesian, served with a side of breathtaking art.
Mosto (Canggu)
Location: Canggu | Price: $$$ | Best For: Natural Wine & Bistro Vibes
Mosto is Indonesia’s first natural wine bar, bringing a slice of Parisian neo-bistro culture to the tropics. The lighting is low, the wine list is adventurous, and the small plates—like the fried tripe or the seasonal pastas—are designed for sharing and conversation.
Practical Guide for Foodies in Bali
Navigating Bali’s food scene requires a bit of strategy. The island’s traffic can be unpredictable, and the most popular spots fill up fast.
- Logistics: For casual warungs in Seminyak or Canggu, use the Gojek or Grab apps. They are the most efficient way to get around. For a day trip to Ubud from the south, it’s best to hire a private driver for the day (usually around $40–$60 USD).
- Dietary Needs: Bali is perhaps the most dietary-friendly destination in the world. Whether you are strictly Gluten-Free, Vegan, or Keto, almost every restaurant on this list (excluding some traditional warungs) will have clearly marked menus or be happy to accommodate you.
- Water Safety: While the "Bali Belly" is less common than it used to be, stick to bottled or filtered water. Most high-end restaurants use ice made from purified water, but it’s always worth asking if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Tipping: A 10% service charge and 11% government tax are usually added to your bill in established restaurants. Additional tipping is not mandatory but widely appreciated; leaving an extra 5–10% for exceptional service goes a long way.
FAQ: Dining in Bali
What is the best area for food in Bali? If you want diversity, Ubud is the clear winner for fine dining and vegan innovation. Seminyak offers high-end beach clubs and chic international bistros, while Canggu is the capital of trendy cafes and wood-fired kitchens.
Is tap water safe in restaurants? No, you should avoid drinking tap water in Bali. However, almost all reputable restaurants use "Kristal" ice (purified) and provide bottled or filtered water for guests.
Do I need to book in advance? For "Big Three" fine dining—Apéritif, Kubu, and Locavore NXT—yes, at least 2 weeks ahead. For casual spots like Mason or Skool, a few days' notice is usually enough.
Conclusion
Bali’s culinary landscape in 2025 is a testament to the island's resilience and its bottomless well of creativity. From the smoke-filled warungs of the backstreets to the Michelin-adjacent heights of the Ubud ridges, the food here tells a story of a culture that honors its past while hungrily embracing the future. Whether you come for the waves, the wellness, or the world-class wine, make sure you leave enough room at the table for one more bite. The island's greatest stories are rarely told in words—they are served on a plate, hot, spicy, and unforgettable.
