When visiting the country, tasting the local food is an integral part of the experience. Authentic Restaurants in Bali offer a lot: The indonesian, and balinese food has a large variety. Especially if you like chili, you will be happy indulging in the mouthwatering culinary scene of Bali. Also there is seafood, Bakso, Beef Rendang and crispy duck… So who knows which place is really cooking authentically? Well, we know, after years of testing. This is why we wrote this article.
This article takes you on a gastronomic adventure, featuring the 18 amazing authentic restaurants that offer a taste of the island’s rich and diverse flavors – and of Indonesia. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or a curious traveler, these restaurants promise a memorable dining experience that will leave you craving for more. So here we go – here are 16 amazing restaurants to try in Bali (click to read details):
Best Nasi Campur (Indonesian Buffet)
- Warung Nasi Bungkus (Denpasar)
- Warung Sika (Canggu)
Great Babi Guling (Balinese suckling pig)
- Warung Ibu Oka (Ubud)
- Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen (Seminyak)
- Babi Guling Men Lari (Canggu)
- Babi Guling Men Janji 2 Cabang Luwus – Baturiti (Munggu)
Delicious Indonesian Kitchen
- Try all kinds of chili: Sambal Special (Ungasan, Kerobokan, Denpasar, Sanur)
Balinese Kitchen
- Bebek Bengil (Ubud)
- Warung Mak Beng (Sanur)
- Warung Nia (Seminyak)
- Warung Dedari (Canggu)
Best Local Fine Dining
- Locavore (Ubud)
- Merah Putih (Seminyak)
Fantastic Sea Food
- Jimbaran Fish Market (Jimbaran)
Recommended Vegetarian Balinese Kitchen
- Warung Sopa (Ubud)
Best Local Barbeque (Pork Ribs)
- Naughty Nuri’s (Ubud, Kerobokan)
Excellent Bakso
- Bakso Rudi (Canggu)
So, here you got your list of amazing Authentic Restaurants in Bali. But before you go, let’s talk about some facts. Because restaurants in Indonesia can very a lot in terms of price, ambience and dishes served.
5 things to remember on traditional food restaurants in Bali
- Traditional food in Bali is generally is very cheap, if you are willing to sacrifice on ambience.
At local warung, you pay for a main dish anything between 15k and 50k IDR (1,00 to 3,50 USD). If you pay more, it very likely is a high standard restaurant or a place for tourists. - While you can get a Nasi Goreng chicken for 15k at a simple warung, at tourist places you can get charged up to 80k IDR, even though there is hardly any difference in taste and quality.
- Balinese is not equal to indonesian food. The archipelago of indonesia is home to many cultures – and each has a different menu. In Bali, you can for example get pork dishes, which is uncommon in the islam-dominated other islands of the country.
- Sambal is not sambal. the famous indonesian chili sauce comes in literally dozens of varieties in all grades of spicyness. If you ar ewilling to dive into this, we recommend Waroeng Spesial Sambal ‘SS’. Which serves ore than 20 different kinds of sambal. Caution, this can get “sangat pedas” (very spicy)!
- Sambal Matah is a special balinese Sambal, consisting of Chili, Garlic, Onions Ginger and Lime.
So, thats about the most important facts you need to know. But thats not all, if you want to get into detail: Read all 16 facts about Indonesian and alinese food here
So I guess now its time to check on the best authentic restaurants in Bali.
Great Babi Guling: Warung Ibu Oka (Ubud)
No trip to Bali is complete without trying Babi Guling, the famous Balinese suckling pig. There are many great places to go, which have amazing food. but not all of them also deliver when it comes to the ambience. At Warung Ibu Oka, located in Ubud, you’ll be served a succulent and flavorful Babi Guling alongside traditional accompaniments like rice, vegetables, and spicy sambal. And it is a beautiful place.
Location: Google Maps
Website: –
Opening hours: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Must try: Babi Guling
Great Crispy Duck: Bebek Bengil (Ubud)
Known as the Dirty Duck Diner, Bebek Bengil serves up the best crispy duck on the island. Enjoy the tender and crispy duck while dining amidst lush rice paddies, creating a serene and unforgettable dining experience.
Location: Google Maps
Website: bebekbengil.co.id
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Must try: Crispy Duck
Great Fish Head Soup: Warung Mak Beng (Sanur)
Head to Warung Mak Beng in Sanur for a taste of the renowned fish head soup, a local delicacy that will delight your taste buds. This humble warung is an institution among locals and visitors alike.
Location: Google Maps
Opening hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Must try: Fried fish or Fish head soup
For Chili Lovers: Waroeng Spesial Sambal SS
What would indonesian food be without chili? well, you guessed it, not much would be left. Indonesians just love their chili sauce. Waroeng Spesial Sambal SS is probably one of the most successful food chains from Indonesia – and dedicated to their chili options. More than 100 restaurants exist all over Asia, with 4 of them currently in Bali. The reason for this success is obvious: More than 20 different Sambal flavors and amazing food quality at fair prices speak for themselves.
Location: Google Maps
Website:Waroeng Spesial Sambal SS
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
The food is ordered in small bits, so that you can easily try all of the most famous Indonesian foods in one dinner – and all of that for very generous prices. Highly recommended!
Great Local Fine-Dining: Locavore (Ubud)
For a fine-dining experience with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, Locavore is a must-visit. This award-winning restaurant showcases the best of Bali’s produce, offering a unique fusion of Balinese and international flavors.
Location: Google Maps
Website: Locavore
Opening hours: 12:00 pm – 03:00 pm + 06:00 am – 10:00 pm
Low Budget choice: Warung Sika (Canggu)
This warung is literally crowded from 10 am until 9 pm. Amongst the Authentic Restaurants in Bali it has very chap prices and an amazing selection of indonesian foods with some western and chinese influence. Locals and Expats love this Buffet place in the heart of canggu. And let’s face it: the yummy taste in combination with low local prices is unbeatable. Get you amazing lunch for less than 2,50 USD at Warung Sika! Ideal when you’re on a budget.
Location: Google Maps
Opening hours: 09:00 am – 09:00 pm
Authentic Restaurants in Bali: Warung Nia (Seminyak)
Indulge in an authentic Balinese feast at Warung Nia, where you can sample a variety of dishes served in a traditional family-style setting. From Lawar to Sate Lilit, the restaurant boasts an array of flavors that will satisfy your culinary curiosity.
Location: Google Maps
Website: Warung Nia
Opening hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
More great Babi Guling: Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen (Seminyak)
Another gem out of the Authentic Restaurants in Bali is for Babi Guling enthusiasts: Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen in Seminyak serves up a delicious and budget-friendly version of this iconic dish. Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of flavors.
Location: Google Maps
Opening hours: 09:00 am – 06:00 pm
Plant-based authentic Restaurants in Bali: Warung Sopa (Ubud)
Vegetarians and vegans need not worry about finding delicious options in Bali. At Warung Sopa, you can relish a variety of plant-based dishes inspired by traditional Balinese recipes, served in a cozy and eco-friendly setting.
Plant based alternative: Warung Local (Uluwatu)
Find great balinese foods and indonesian style buffet here, some of them with an international twist.
You wanna learn more about Bali? Check out our Bali Glossary
Contemporary Indonesian: Merah Putih (Seminyak)
Experience contemporary Indonesian cuisine at Merah Putih, a chic restaurant in Seminyak that offers a modern twist to traditional dishes. The elegant ambiance and exquisite presentation make it an ideal spot for special occasions.
Location: Google Maps
Website: merahputihbali.com
Opening hours: 12.00–15.00, 17.30–00.00
Slow-Cooked Duck: Warung Dedari (Canggu)
Nestled in the serene village of Canggu, Warung Dedari offers an authentic Balinese dining experience surrounded by lush greenery. Try their Bebek Betutu, a slow-cooked duck dish infused with aromatic Balinese spices.
Location: Google Maps
Website:Warung Dedari
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Must try: Betutu Duck
Best Pork Ribs: Naughty Nuri’s (Ubud, Kerobokan)
A famous name among foodies in Bali, Naughty Nuri’s is renowned for its mouthwatering pork ribs and killer martinis. The vibrant atmosphere and live music add to the overall experience of this iconic spot.
Insider Tip: Warung Nasi Bungkus
In the end here is a special tip for real gourmets. This one of the authentic Restaurants in Bali, is loved by locals, and not many westeners do even know about it. It is a bit far from everything, but here you will probably get the best Beef Rendang in Bali – we are still discussing about their secret ingredients, and suspect it is chocolate – just mind blowing. But Beef Rendang is not available every day here. Other great meals include chicken and eel, even offal like you never tried it before.
But beware: the restaurant itself is not very nice for a westener, and the steady come and go of guests leads to quite a chaos. but if you are willing to ignore the setting, the food will blow your mind.
Location:
Website:
Opening hours:
Must try: Beef Rendang
As fresh as it can get: Seafood at Jimbaran Fish Market
When it comes to seafood, it is all about freshness. And while there are many great seafood restaurants around the island, such as in Amed, if you want to try something special, you have to visit Jimbaran seafood market. In a large packed hall you will find dozens of fisherman selling their catch of the day. Octopus, tuna, oysters, prawns, lobsters – you can literally find it all here.
Location: Google Maps
Website:warung-jimbaran-garden
Opening hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
And the best thing: After you made your choice, you can go to any restaurant situated directly at the beach, and they will prepare the meal for you for a fair price. Check it out!
Meat Plows indo style: Bakso Rudi (Canggu)
Bakso might be the most popular street food in Indonesia. Some even call it the Indonesian Ramen. Everyone has seen the small food wagons that roll around every area of Bali. While locals love this meat plow soup with either chicken or beef and noodles, westeners often hesitate to give it a try. the reason might be the skepticism of hygiene and freshness when trusting the street food stands. If you still want to check it out, we recommend Bakso Rudi – a great restaurant cloe to the Berawa Market, which serves exclusively Bakso in various styles and flavors.
Location: Google Maps
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
Conclusion: Amazing Authentic Restaurants in Bali
Bali is a treasure trove of culinary delights, offering a tapestry of flavors rooted in its rich cultural heritage. From humble warungs to upscale dining establishments, the island promises an array of authentic Indonesian and Balinese dishes that cater to every palate. Whether you’re on a quest for the most succulent Babi Guling or in search of the fieriest sambal, Bali’s gastronomic landscape has something for everyone. For those keen on a comprehensive culinary exploration, the Bali Culinary Tour Package offers a curated journey, ensuring that you immerse fully into Bali’s food culture. So, on your next trip to this tropical paradise, make sure to savor every bite, as each dish tells a story of traditions, history, and the vibrant spirit of the Balinese people.
FAQ
What is considered an “authentic” restaurant in Bali?
An authentic restaurant in Bali offers traditional Indonesian and Balinese cuisine, often prepared using age-old recipes, local ingredients, and traditional cooking methods.
Are authentic restaurants in Bali expensive?
Prices can vary. However, some local warungs offer very affordable dishes (starting at 1,50 USD), while upscale authentic restaurants may be pricier (up to 10,- USD per Meal). Also, compared to Western standards, dining in Bali is generally affordable.
What is a “warung”?
A “warung” is a type of small family-owned business, often a casual restaurant or café, that offers traditional Indonesian food.
Can I find vegetarian or vegan options in authentic Balinese restaurants?
Yes! While many traditional dishes contain meat or seafood, there are also plenty of vegetarian and even vegan options available, especially in areas like Ubud.
What is “Babi Guling”?
Babi Guling is a famous Balinese dish that consists of suckling pig, often roasted whole over a spitfire. It’s a must-try when in Bali.
Is Balinese food very spicy?
While many Balinese dishes incorporate chili and spices, the level of spiciness can often be adjusted. Restaurants like Waroeng Spesial Sambal ‘SS’ offer a range of sambals, from mild to extremely spicy.
How do Balinese and Indonesian cuisines differ?
While Balinese cuisine is a subset of Indonesian cuisine, it has its unique flavors and dishes. For instance, pork dishes are common in Bali, which is uncommon in many other parts of Muslim-majority Indonesia.
What precautions should I take when eating in Bali?
It’s advisable to drink bottled water, avoid ice in drinks unless you’re sure it’s from a clean source, and opt for well-cooked meals. Most established restaurants maintain good hygiene standards.
Can I find authentic Balinese restaurants outside of the touristy areas?
Absolutely! In fact, some of the most authentic dining experiences can be found in the lesser-traveled regions of Bali. Exploring outside of the main tourist hubs can yield some delicious discoveries. We have listed some in our article.
Is tipping customary in Bali’s restaurants?
While not a strict tradition, tipping for good service has become more common, especially in touristy areas. A tip of 5-10% is appreciated, but not mandatory.
