Sanur is one of the original beach resorts in Bali. To this day, the neighbourhood is easily pegged as a tranquil destination that’s mainly suited for pensioners and families travelling with small children. But if you pause to listen, there’s an exciting buzz that’s swarming around Sanur. Trendy coffee shops and restaurants have sprouted around the area, with venues like Square One Coffee and Dusk Blue bringing some serious Instagram cred to Sanur. The area is also seeing a real boom of healthy eating and community building. Genius Cafe is a prime example of both.
Healthy Living by the Sea
Genius Cafe is the kind of restaurant you fall in love with even before you sit down at a table. The restaurant sits on Sanur’s laid-back beach promenade and its bamboo structure and thatched roof are just begging to be photographed. You can choose to sit at a shaded table inside the open-plan restaurant or grab a beanbag right on the sand. The overall vibe is extremely relaxed. There’s no sound of traffic – just bicycles passing by and doves cooing in the trees. Palm trees sway in the breeze and kids play in the sand.
And what about the food? Genius Cafe focuses on a “high plant-based menu” so whatever you order, you know it’s going to be healthy! For breakfast, you could opt for a very filling smoothing bowl or a trendy smashed avo. Tapas, detox soups and super healthy salad bowls are also available. If you’re feeling a little less virtuous, there are also some naughty options available – try one of their burgers or share a pizza with your mates. The menu is so long that it takes me a while just to skim through it, so there’s plenty to choose from here. The prices for mains start at IDR 70,000 (USD $ 5.2) before tax and services.
Coworking in Paradise
But Genius Cafe is not just your average restaurant. This beachfront venue also happens to be a super-hip coworking space. You know what that means – divinely fast and steady Wi-Fi connection! This is great if you need to catch up on work while you’re in Bali or simply want to update your blog and uploading those high res photos is taking forever.
You can purchase a coworking membership to Genius Cafe for a single day or up to one year. The included Genius perks depend on your membership plan. The one day access (priced at a very reasonable USD $5) affords you the use of their super-fast Wi-Fi plus a 20% discount on all food and drinks. The longer your membership, the more perks are included.
Music and Movies and Cocktails, Oh My!
But wait, there’s even more! In addition to the laid-back setting, healthy eats and crazy fast Wi-Fi, Genius Cafe also hosts inspiring events and live music sets. One of the most popular Genius gatherings is the Salsa on the Beach shindig which takes place every Saturday starting at 5pm. Sunday Funday means acoustic music and a movie for the kids starting bright and early at 9am.
If you’re looking for some food for thought or want to meet fellow entrepreneurs and change makers while you’re in Bali, Genius Cafe also hosts Genius Talks where topics range from website conversion to brand strategy and beyond. This goes perfectly with the venue’s tagline: “home to the entrepreneur beach club.”
Whether you’re looking to do the trendy cowork thing or simply want to relax on the beach, Genius Cafe is one of your best bets in Sanur. Sitting on a beanbag on the sand with the sea breeze playing in your hair and music floating in the air… what more do you need? Oh, that’s right – one of Genius Cafe’s signature premium cocktails in your hand! “The Sound of Summer” has my name written all over it.
