When you are looking for a restaurant in Seminyak or Legian you can always find a top 10 list showcasing the best restaurants however what about all the other smaller restaurants? There are hundreds of restaurants and some of the smaller ones that don’t have international chefs or prime locations but are actually producing some great meals at very reasonable prices.
I tend to only eat at the larger stylish restaurants for a special night out. But on a daily basis (yes I don’t cook anymore) I head to my favourite smaller cafes and restaurants for my meals. If you are like me and want to save a few dollars whenever you can, then check out some of my favourite Seminyak restaurants.
Seminyak Restaurants
Café Zucchini – if a café or restaurant can make a great salad then I’ll keep coming back and that’s exactly what I do. Café Zucchini makes unbeatable salads! The salads are made up freshly everyday and are on display. You can select three salad combinations to have in one big bowl for under $7.50, bargain. They make yummy juices and other healthy meals. Get in early for lunch as they can sell out of salads. Lunch is a ‘must try’ if you are in Seminyak.
Red Carpet – is one of the only champagne and wine bars that have such a huge selection. My partner and I would come here every Saturday night religiously for months and we still do visit at least once a month. There is only a small menu to choose from but we highly recommend the rib eye fillet or the mixed antipasto platter. Sit back and listen to the cool music and enjoy the complimentary canapés served every 30 minutes most evenings. They mix up the best lychee martini on the island! The cocktails are priced from $10 and the meals start at $7 for an entrée.
Rush Bamboo Restaurant – this hidden treasure is located in Rush Bamboo Restaurant at the ‘The Elysian’ in Seminyak. A gorgeous pool and day beds surround the quiet restaurant. Guests who are not staying at the hotel can enjoy this fabulous restaurant serving a combination of traditional Indonesian and modern cuisine. Meals include: Tasmanian salmon, rib eye fillet, pizza and pasta. The chefs pay close attention to detail and every meal in perfect. Prices start at $6 for entrees and mains from $9 dollars. The Elysian Hotel, 18 Saridewi, Seminyak.
Seminyak Cafe – the little café outside the entrance of Bintang shopping center on Jl. Legian is a perfect place to get a baguette filled with fresh ingredients. They dish up simple and yummy meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mains are priced from $5 and fresh juice from $2. Fitness buffs looking for grilled chicken breast look no further!
Warong Yogya – I found this café years ago and when I need a fix of traditional Indonesian meals I pop in here. Their meals include the popular mie goring, nasi goring, gado gado and a few more. Their menu is small along with the warong, (there are only 8 tables) but the food is served up quickly and tables are turned around just as fast. Meals and drinks are priced between $1.50 to $3 and are tasty and cheap! Set back from the road with a little metal fence on Jl Padma Utara
Jemme Restaurant – try the Oven Roasted Corn Fed Chicken for two. It takes a little longer to cook but is well worth the wait plus if you go on Thursday nights it’s 2 for 1 cocktails, which will help kill the time! JL. Raya Petitenget,
Petitenget Restaurant – this restaurant only opened last year and already has a expat crowd they take advantage of after work drinks. The restaurant and bar has a sophisticated and relaxed vibe with the bar area opening out to the restaurant. However there is also an indoor area if you want to get out of the heat and into the air conditioning.
Meals are more expensive here but the atmosphere if you come on the right night is vibrant with lot’s of fun characters. They use lots of fresh ingredients and the seafood is usually caught that same day. Try the Battered zucchini blossoms filled with roast pumpkin puree if you get a chance. Jl Petitenget no 40, Seminyak.
