Bali

Right on the sand at Seminyak Beach, Chez Gado Gado serves a mix of Indonesian dishes and European-style plates in a rustic, tree-lined setting with ocean views. The cocktail list is strong, and there’s live music on some evenings. Book ahead if you’re aiming for sunset.

Set in the hills near Amlapura, Bali Asli serves traditional Balinese food cooked the old-fashioned way—over wood fires, using local ingredients, and without the use of electric gadgets. The views stretch out to rice fields and Mount Agung. It’s a bit of a mission to get here, but it's worth it if you’re after something authentic.

For a unique dining experience in Bali, Sa’Mesa offers a communal Italian feast where guests sit together at one long table, sharing a set menu of 14 to 18 traditional dishes served family-style over several courses — all designed to feel like a home-cooked meal at Nonna’s. The menu changes daily, showcasing authentic Italian flavours. It’s a good shout if you’re into food and wine and want something social rather than just another dinner out.

Set inside a 150‑year‑old teak joglo from East Java, Biku blends antique charm with a relaxed, café-style feel — think book stacks, vintage trinkets, and a leafy garden out back. The menu mixes Indonesian comfort food and Western classics, with everything from nasi campur to burgers and pies, plus a cake table that regulars swear by. The real draw, though, is afternoon tea: over 50 blends selected by their in-house tea master, served with scones, finger sandwiches, and sweets on proper bone china.

“All flora, no fauna.” That’s the idea at Herbivore, a plant-based concept by the Locavore Group, now occupying their original Ubud space. The five- or seven-course tasting menus are entirely built around Indonesian plants — jackfruit, banana blossoms, cassava, wild greens — with each dish offering a small discovery through the archipelago.

Treat your taste buds to a DIY-style feast of Indonesian favourites — beef rendang, satay ayam, jackfruit curry, coconut greens, and more. Be sure to save room for dessert, especially the es cendol. This Is Bali offers a good intro to local flavours if you’re hungry and curious but not sure where to start.

Ling-Ling is a charming spot serving up Japanese and Korean fusion dishes alongside creative cocktails in a colourful and stylish space.