Don't miss Ketupat. It serves wonderful food from all over Indonesia. The food is stunning and the ambience is also out of this world for the cash. Prices start at IDR 40,000 for a main course. The building is old Balinese style and has a great atmosphere. Enjoy a romantic meal at one of the balcony tables for two, or a sit outside or at one of the bales. You can find this gem just a little further from bemo corner than the Matahari supermarket on Legian, just behind Jonathan's Gallery. The name Ketupat - it is a conical packet of rice wrapped in a banana leaf.
When in Kuta, starting from the Bemo Corner going west after perhaps 200 meters cross over and enter Popies Lane on your left. The first left again takes you UN'S Paradise, serving tasty Swiss/International cuisine in a beautiful tropical garden. Try the Pasta, Entrecote and the Seared Tuna. A venue to be sorted out and enjoyed. Back into Poppies and further down you'll find TJ, a great Mexican restaurant, very popular and colorful, then the Bamboo Corner (not on a corner at all). This has incredible menus at bargain prices and is often very busy.
Further down you find a total gem, the Secret Garden Bar and Restaurant. Owner Alvin's Cornish Pasties are justly famous. Alvin supplies newspapers, the decor is very interesting and International, table settings are comfortable and a lot of attention is given to detail of table dressing. The all-day Breakfast is tasty, filling and so cheap, and his bargain price beer attracts masses - not Happy Hour, just a continuous base rate and the range of drinks available is truly amazing. The menu is extensive, therefore do not miss out on visiting here - the music and sports displayed attract many guests. Restaurant is both in and out doors, staff friendly, efficient and multi-lingual. Alvin Hancock (the Host) travels regularly and is very innovative with the continuous change of range of items on offer to entertain. Traditional dancers, local music, feature artists, special menus and his Barbeque nights are something to queue up happily for.
The whole lane is full of interesting eateries, and if you cross towards Popies II you will find Gong Corner (once again not on a corner at all) and it has a sensational seafood menu that is not to be missed. Also very reasonable and the standard of food is excellent considering the low prices. Eating in Kuta comes at many levels and costs but the eateries mentioned above are good value and above average quality.
Some of Bali's best and certainly most popular restaurants you find nowadays in Seminyak's Jalan Oberoi (or Eat Street): Kuni's serves delicious Japanese cuisine (Osaka style), Khaima interesting and very tasty Middle Eastern cuisine, Rumours offers good steaks at low prices, the Trattoria is well-known for tasty home cooking from Italy. ULTIMO serves tasty Italian food at very reasonable prices and in pleasant surroundings and The Living Room features delicious and creative Asian-French fusion delicacies. Nearby Sarong is the newest but already very popular and beautifully decorated dining venue where Chef Will Meyrick (ex Longrain in Sydney) serves his creative modern Thai delicacies, here mixed with some Indian and Indonesian dishes. Simple but delicious French home-cooking is served in the small, Parisian style SIP Wine Bar nearly opposite the BINTANG Supermarket in Seminyak. Owner Christian used to be ages ago France's youngest head sommelier at LA TOUR D'ARGANT and offers today an outstanding wine list ranging from around 380,000 Rupiah to over 30 million Rupiah per bottle!
The trendy Ku De Ta and the more laid-back Breeze at the Samaya resort feature not only interesting and delicious International dishes (and Tapas during the afternoons) but also spectacular beach front settings. Not to forget Kafe Warisan on nearby Jalan Kerobokan; this well-established restaurant is very popular with foreign residents for carefully prepared French specialties in a very pleasant garden setting. An absolute highlight for gourmets is Kura Kura at the OBEROI resort. You can chose from Tasting Menus from 4 to 13 courses, and don't forget to order the "Marbel of Foie Gras": layers of Foie Gras mousse are separated by thin films of black Valrhona chocolate! This signature dish of German Chef Enrico Wahl alone is a reason to come to Bali!
The last four restaurants offer "Fine Dining" in Seminyak. As can be expected, some of Bali's 5-star hotels feature a number of different restaurants, and e.g. The Bvlgari, The Ritz Carlton, The Conrad, Amandari etc promote from time to time special dining events such as "Cigars under the Stars", special Caviar dinners or Wine dinners introducing visiting wine makers. Prices for these are around 800,000 to 1,800,000 Rupiah +21% per person including wines.
Residents who still look for even more choice can join The Bali Wine Club (gents only, monthly lunches at different venues), the Bali Champagne Club (ladies only, monthly lunches at different venues), the association of Bali Culinary Professionals (monthly lunches at different venues and occasional gala dinners) or the Chaine des Rotisseurs which all organize culinary events for members.
UBUD Restaurants - a selection:
Mozaic (run by Chris Salans, ex French Laundry in Napa, California) is almost opposite Indus and has been for years awarded as Bali's best restaurant. Mozaic offers four 6-course tasting menus: A) Discovery Menu that focuses on fresh seasonal Indonesian ingredients prepared with Western techniques; B) Chef's Tasting Menu that is the menu of the day, changes every day depending on the ingredients available from the market; C) Surprise Menu based on the customers likes and dislikes, this menu is Mozaic's signature culinary feast, a true culinary experience; D) Vegetarian Menu. Prices starts at USD 70 ++ per menu and can be complemented with a great wine pairing (starts at USD 60 ++ for 6 glasses of wine paired to the food). Although expensive for Bali, a comparable meal would cost at least three times that amount in Sydney and much more in London, New York or Hong Kong. Ask for a table the garden – it’s wise to book when you arrive in Bali, if not before, as it can be difficult to get into. Open 7 days for dinner only - tel. 0361 975-768. You can bring your wine and pay about USD 25++ corkage or order in the restaurant: there are about 16 open wines, and bottles start around USD40. The wine list is probably the most extensive in Bali. A cooking school and a cocktail lounge are attached to the restaurant.
Lamak, mid-way down Monkey Forest Road, not far past the soccer field on the same side towards the forest – attracts with eclectic decor, good International food and an excellent wine list. Moderately priced. The owners also operate Warung Enak almost opposite the Zen Spa at the end of Jalan Hanoman where they serve regional specialties from all parts of Indonesia. Next door to Zen Spa is Barandi Café that is cheaper than Warung Enak but serves also good food. It has a lovely courtyard out back.
Terazzo not far on the left up Jalan Suweta, which is almost opposite the top of Monkey Forest Road, has innovative food in a laid-back modern environment. Moderately priced.
Indus, Jalan Raya Sanggingan 0361 977684 - overlooks the gorge and padi fields – best at lunch for the view – tasty food; small portions. reasonably to moderately priced - Australian Janet de Neefe and husband Ketut own it. Same folks own Casa Luna (great baked goods especially the banana cake) with WiFi on Jalan Raya (main street) and Honeymoon Guesthouse, Jalan Bisma. You are able to get complimentary transport from Casa Luna to Indus and back.
Ary's Warung on Jalan Raya almost opposite Lotus Pond is great for drinks and includes krupuk with them – prawn/peanut crackers – as well as hand towels offered beforehand that are scented with the fragrant chempaka oil. Food at the restaurant is moderate to expensive for size of servings.
The original Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck) restaurant at the bottom end of Jalan Hanoman is atmospheric, particularly at night when the lights reflect off the rice fields. The stuffed duck and chicken are specialities. The restaurant is owned by a member of the Royal Family married to an Australian. Security is a priority for the restaurant. They have recently opened Casa Pasta on Monkey Forest that also has a nice outlook – it’s located down a wide laneway just past the soccer field .
If you go further out from Ubud, stopping at Kampung Cafe at Ceking Tegallalang is recommended 0361 901 201. Stop there for a meal or a drink. It looks over the padi fields. It's a sharp right down an embankment, hardly visible, from Ubud. About 10 mins at most, and reasonably priced.
Three Monkey Cafe -- the best! Don't miss the pumpkin pasta w/toasted almonds and burnt butter sauce. Amazing. Lots of Italian dishes plus Balinese. Lovely atmosphere and Koi - lotus pond.
Tuk Mok--consistently great food for lunch or breakfast. You'll love the american-style pancakes. Nice atmosphere.
Hotel Tjampuhan Restaurant--killer views, great service and the best beef sate in Ubud. (Many others were rather dry). Also excellent lamb chops and fries. Everything is excellent and the prices are in line w/other local restaurants. Maybe combine w/trying the spa there which has OK massage and great atmosphere overlook river gorge.
Jazz Cafe--food only so so but music was great. Very enjoyable jazz quartet and blues band.
Dragonfly--quite good food and WiFi spot. Great place to chill.