Sandwiched between rowdy Kuta and upmarket Seminyak, consider Legian that third bowl of porridge in southern Bali: not too trashy and not too stuck up but juuust right. All too often overshadowed by its famous neighbours, Legian has more than a few tricks hidden up its (tattooed and tanned) sleeve. From new and trendy to tried and tested, here are some of our favourite spots in Legian.
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All Day Hang Out: Azul Beach Club
One of our favourite pastimes in Bali is hitting Azul Beach Club and getting lost for the day. This gorgeous bamboo structure overlooks Padma Beach and is easily one of the most photogenic beach clubs on the island. The venue is built over three levels and there’s plenty of room to lounge around and relax. Naturally, there’s a gorgeous pool, chilled cocktails and Azul’s secret weapon: the first Tiki bar in Bali!
Azul Beach Club
Location: Jalan Padma No. 2, Legian
Tel: +62 361765759
Morning Caffeine Fix: Mugshot Coffee
Though hipster culture and the trendy baristas that go with it have thoroughly infiltrated neighbourhoods like Seminyak and Canggu, finding a great cup of coffee can still be a bit of a mission in Legian. Luckily, we have Mugshot Coffee. Don’t let the no-nonsense façade fool you – this bijou coffee shop serves seriously good coffee and we love the sweet stuff that goes with it: cakes, croissants, French toast and more. It’s also fabulous that Mugshot opens bright and early at 6 am – the perfect excuse to drag yourself out of bed and enjoy those fresh Bali mornings. We promise, the island looks and feels completely different before the streets gets busy… but first, coffee.
Mugshot Coffee
Location: Jalan Padma Utara No. 5, Legian
Tel: +62 81337644358
Midday Munchies: Beach Bowl Bali
Located in the grey area between Legian and Kuta, Beach Bowl Bali will make you feel like you’ve migrated up north to Canggu. This is a cute vegetarian café which ticks all the boxes of hipster ‘Gu hangout. Smoothie bowls? Check. Instagrammable mural? Check – “Why be moody when you can shake yo booty.” Vegan options? Check. Great coffee? Check. Hip and beautiful clientele? Check. A great little spot to visit for breakfast, lunch or just a coffee on the go. Another one of our midday favourites is Swich for their fresh sandwiches, but sadly at the time of writing, their Legian outlet is closed due to relocation (the new address is yet to be revealed). You can still order their fresh treats through the ever-handy Go-Jek app or over the phone to be deliver to your villa or hotel.
Beach Bowl Bali
Location: Jalan Benesari, Legian
Tel: +62 87855803493
Swich Sandwiches
Tel: +62 81916724482
Stylish Tipple: Hoi Polloi
Hoi Polloi is a newly opened restaurant located on Jalan Arjuna, leading down to Double Six Beach. We love the stylish spin this new eatery puts on Legian dining – an area which prefers to stick to its tried and tested burgers-and-mie-goreng menus rather than venturing into anything resembling trendy dining. Hoi Polloi is actually a beer garden – but classier. The venue has a beer garden in the back as well as a bistro style dining room and serves international cuisine including lamb shanks, ramen and ribs (oh my!) The real selling point, however, is the all-craft beer wall – the first of its kind in Indonesia.
Hoi Polloi
Location: Jalan Arjuna No. 23, Legian
Tel: +62 3619343692
Fine Dining: Pearl Restaurant
Pearl Restaurant is one of the unlikeliest finds in Legian. Nestled just off bustling Jalan Arjuna, with small shops selling souvenirs and tank tops and massage shops luring passers-by in with neon signs, Pearl is a beautiful French garden brasserie (indoor seating is also available). In the land of nasi goreng, Pearl offers a rare taste of authentic French cuisine – Chef Jeremy Blanchet is originally from Provence. This place is perfect for a special night out (after all, no one does romance quite like the French) and the dishes (lobster ravioli, salmon confit, beef braised in red wine sauce…) are all exquisitely presented. Sure, it’s not the cheapest option on Bali standards (main dishes start at IDR 210,000 or USD $15) but it’s more than reasonable for real fine dining.
Pearl Restaurant
Location: Jalan Arjuna (at Bali Hotel Pearl), Legian
Tel: +62 81934334 060
Treat Yourself: The Organic Spa
One of the most frequent phrase applied to The Organic Spa: “Why didn’t I find this place sooner?” This petite spa is hidden in plain sight on the busy street leading down to Double Six Beach. It’s easy to miss the place due to its small size – but once you do spot it, the whitewashed exterior sure is pretty and this dreamy theme continues once you enter. The Organic Spa does great manicures and offers organic massages and facials with prices starting at IDR 75,000 (USD $5) for a 30-minute massage. Especially during the weekends and in high season, it’s good to make an appointment in advance. For more options, check out our guide to the best affordable spas in Legian.
The Organic Spa
Location: Jalan Arjuna No. 1, Legian
Tel: +62 81999942288
Sunset Chill: On the Juice
There are literally countless small venues dotting the beach in Legian, offering an ageless combo of sun loungers and cold beers. Many of these shacks will also rent you a surf board, play you a guitar tune and a passer-by might even offer a massage to go with it. If you’re looking for a great spot to chill out and want a more specific address than “just walk down the beach”, you should try On the Juice.
This quirky little hang out is located right next to the entrance to Padma Beach. To say it’s a bar would be an overstatement as the set-up is literally a parked VW bus and a pile of cushions scattered under pretty parasols, spilling from the parking lot down to the beach. The vibes are chill as can be, the juices are yummy and they definitely don’t skimp on the alcohol. If you’re lucky, you might just catch one of their live music acts. This is just the kind of chill out spot you were imagining when booking your trip to Bali.
On the Juice
Location: Jalan Padma, Legian
Tel: +62 81936093690
Where to stay in Legian
Legian has a lot to offer to guests staying in the area, ranging from easy beach access to endless restaurants and sunset bars. The neighbourhood also offers strategic access to neighbouring Seminyak and areas like Canggu, Jimbaran and beyond. Here are a few of our favourite villas in and around Legian.
Lavish Luxury: Lataliana Villas
If you’re looking to be pampered, a stay at the gorgeous Lataliana Villas is a no brainer. This villa estate is designed with luscious Balinese flair and in fact, it’s one of our favourite villas in Asia. Nestled just 300 metres from the beach, Lataliana Villas sit on the border between Legian and Seminyak – but you might just as well be on your very own private island. The two villas (five and two bedrooms plus an optional annexe) can be booked as anything between a 2 – 8 bedroom villa, so it’s ideal for small families and large groups alike.
Besides the beautiful tropical design, Lataliana Villas come fully staffed with a chef, butlers, housekeeping and security. The in-villa massages are heavenly and the cuisine is gorgeous. The final flourish? The lacquered grand piano waiting in the living room.
Lataliana Villas
2,5,8 Bedrooms
Price: From USD $420 per night
Heart of the Action: Villa Sophia Legian
Villa Sophia Legian offers a fantastic location in the heart of it all, so if you’re looking to be out and about while staying in Bali, this four-bedroom villa is a great pick. You can reach Double Six Beach and the iconic La Plancha beach bar in a short stroll and restaurants are also within easy reach. Villa Sophia Legian is modern villa styled with natural tones, with the living areas and bedrooms overlooking a private swimming pool. Tucked in a quiet lane, there is a great sense of privacy about the villa – but you’re never too far from the action.
Villa Sophia Legian
4 Bedrooms
Price: From USD $341 per night
Great value: Villa Suliac
Villa Suliac is a great value villa located just off the bustling main strip of Jalan Raya Legian. If you’re bringing the kids, it’s also not too far from the fantastic Waterbom Bali. With nightly rates starting at just USD $243 for three bedrooms, the price is most certainly right and really, this villa offers everything you need for a fun-filled stay in Bali. Villa Suliac comes with a private pool and extremely friendly staff. The living areas have a tropical open-sided layout, the three bedrooms are light and airy – and you’ll always know your next great meal is waiting just around the corner.
Villa Suliac
3 Bedrooms
Price: From USD $243 per night
Planning a trip to Bali? Let our team take care of you. Our villa specialists can help you find the perfect villa for your trip and our concierge team will take care of your every need during your stay. Contact us for more information.
