Ubud is the artistic, historical and cultural heart of Bali. The once sleepy village has grown into a bustling hub that offers a cosmopolitan dining scene with countless of outstanding and even award-winning dining venues to suit all tastes and budgets. Boasting exquisite fine-dining restaurants, incredible midrange outlets and authentic local eateries, Ubud is undeniably one of the gastronomic epicentres of the island. Here are our picks for the top ten restaurants in Ubud.
1. Fair Warung Bale
It’s not only the mouth-watering Indonesian cuisine and the healthy and vegetarian dishes that make Fair Warung Bale so special. This tiny local restaurant is a non-profitable organisation where 100% of the revenue is donated to development programs helping local youth to learn, gain employment and access to medical treatment when needed. A visit to the much beloved Fair Warung Bale is a treat for your tastebuds and a real gift for the Balinese community.
2. Swept Away
If you want to enjoy gorgeous food with a side of equally gorgeous tropical views, then you should definitely visit Swept Away. This exclusive and sophisticated dining venue has an attractive menu and amazing setting overlooking a lush tropical river. Head to Swept Away with your partner, or dine here with the family. Either way, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable dining experience with Asian and international haute cuisine accompanied by amazing views and the soothing sounds of the flowing river.
3. Melting Wok Warung
Melting Wok Warung is an unpretentious, open-plan restaurant with an impeccable reputation. This local warung offers superb value with only an exclsuive eight tables available to sit the masses looking to dine here. Extremely popular with locals and travellers alike, Melting Wok Warung’s small menu is written down on a blackboard, featuring mouth-watering Indonesian and some French fusion dishes to treat your taste buds.
4. Who’s Who
Like most of the restaurants in the yogi haven that is Ubud, Who’s Who serves a great selection of vegan and healthy dishes. The real highlight of the menu, however, are the heartier European and Asian dishes, including schnitzels cooked to perfection and lumpia, a scrumptious local spring roll. Who’s Who also has some of the some of the most delicious desserts you’ll find anywhere in Bali.
5. Locavore
The elegant fine-dining restaurant Locavore is nestled right in the heart of Ubud and attracts visitors to savour contemporary European and Asian dishes prepared using the best local and imported ingredients and beautifully represented to offer a feast for the eyes as well as your tastebuds. You can opt for an immersive gastronomic journey by choosing one of their multi-course tasting menus that’s complemented by impeccable wine pairing.
6. CasCades
An award-winning restaurant perched on the edge of a hill and overlooking the picturesque verdant Valley of the Kings, CasCades is a fine-dining restaurant owned by an Australian family who’ve put customer satisfaction and the quality of food to the forefront. A bit pricey, all dishes served in the establishment are delightful and hearty, turning your dining experience into the fascinating gastronomic journey. If you’re planning a special dinner, don’t miss the opportunity to savour gorgeous Asian fusion and European cuisine in a truly stunning setting at CasCades.
7. Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka
Not only vegetarians, but also diehard carnivores will find something to treat themselves with in Ubud. If you can’t imagine your life without a piece of succulent, delicious meat, then opt for Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka for an early dinner or a hearty lunch to give your stomach a little bit more time to digest the mouth-watering babi guling – a traditional Balinese suckling pig stuffed with spices and packed with local flavour.
8. Bebek Tepi Sawah
Bebek Tepi Sawah is a scenic restaurant which draws crowds thanks to its unique setting. The tables a set amidst verdant rice paddies, allowing guests to take in quintessentially Balinese views while dining. The menu is a mix of Western favourites and Asian classics, the most popular dish being the “bebek” or duck giving the venue its name. The laid-back setting is ideal for a long family meal, with mesmerising Balinese dance performances taking place every Saturday after 7 pm.
9. Bridges Bali
Offering breathtaking views of the Campuhan River, the Bridges Bali is a chic and sophisticated fine-dining venue serving the widest range of cuisines you could imagine. From Indonesian to Australian and from French to Italian with plenty of options for vegetarians, there is something for everyone. The venue also provides an ample selection of the fine wines to complete your sophisticated dining experience.
10. Petani
Petani is another fine-dining restaurant with a stylish Moroccan decor and an elaborate menu catering to all tastes. Besides the delightful tapas and light bites, the restaurant specialises in the authentic Indonesian dishes from around the archipelago. You can sample some unique and rare dishes such as smoked chicken with traditional sambal sauce and bebek guling (crispy duck). For those with a sweet tooth, Petani offer an attractive dessert menu that provides some exotic Asian treats, so make sure you left some space in your stomach.
There’s a good reason why Ubud is so beloved by travellers from all over the world. Next to the mysterious temples, vibrant local culture and endless options in all things yoga and wellness, as you can see here, there are also countless amazing restaurants in Ubud. Now, is just us, or you starting a bit hungry after all this talk about great food?
