7 MUST-EATS IN UBUD, BALI
We often fantasize about being back in Ubud’s magical arms. Cruising around on the motorbike, wandering through lush rice fields, getting massages every other day, and of course, the food. We loved munching our way around Bali’s cultural hub, but with so many delicious restaurants it can be overwhelming and hard to choose where to eat.
Ubud has been popular with travelers for many years now, unlike other newer areas of Bali like the Nusa Islands, it has an established and developed dining scene. Dinner with a view of the sun melting into a rice field? Check. Raw vegan cuisine? Check. Authentic Balinese food? Check. Hip and healthy cafes? Check check. After plenty of trial and error, we’ve come up with our list of 7 Must-Eats in Ubud, Bali.
1. ATMAN KAFE
This was our go-to spot in Ubud for hearty healthy breakfast food. As soon as you walk through the door it puts you at peace. It may not be the cheapest cafe, but it’s the perfect place to settle in and spend some time relaxing, reading, or writing. If you’re looking for fresh air you can grab a chair on the front porch and eat your breakfast outside.
They have a huge menu with lots of options to choose from. We’re terrible at making decisions, especially when they all sound so tasty, so we usually ended up ordering an assortment (see picture above). We loved their raw porridge, eggs benedict, and chewy homemade bread. Don’t miss the organic cold brew coffee that comes with palm sugar and salt. It’s a great way to start off any day in Ubud!
2. WARUNG BABI GULING IBU OKA
Babi Guling (roast suckling pig) is one of Bali’s most famous foods and Ibu Oka is one of the best places to try it! This restaurant is an Ubud institution, offering the Balinese equivalent of soul food. Anthony Bourdain famously ate at this chain on his No Reservations TV show.
The pigs are brushed with a mix of galangal, lemongrass, shallots, and garlic, then slow-roasted on a spit at a separate location. Once the pig is delivered, the restaurant opens (usually around 10:30am) and closes when they serve the last portion.
There are only about six pigs cooked daily so be sure to arrive early because many of the sides and the pork skin sell out fast! Combos include choices like cracklins, crisp pork skin, roasted meat, sausage, fluffy rice, and spicy vegetables. Wash it all down with a cold Bintang!
Don’t expect exceptional service or huge portions. However, it’s worth a try if you like to eat pork. The average price is 70k IDR for a plate.
3. CAFE POMEGRANATE
Cafe Pomegranate is exactly the kind of place you think of when you daydream about Bali. A stylish restaurant set on a rice field along a dirt road lined with palm trees. It’s an excellent place to watch the sunset and sip on a cocktail. Watch the local rice farmers sowing and reaping the fields around you.
The cafe has a simple menu with tasty apps, pizzas, noodles, and Singaporean fare. It fills up close to sundown so it might be smart to make a reservation if you want unobstructed views!
Read next: How to Spend a Perfect Day in Canggu
4. RUN’S WARUNG
Our favorite is the tempeh burger! In general, we love eating tempeh in Bali. Whether it’s crunchy, soft, or covered in peanut sauce we can’t get enough. Also worth trying is their mi goreng, curry, and black rice pudding. Come here if you’re looking for something cheap and local!
5. ALCHEMY RESTAURANT
Knowing pretty much nothing about the raw food diet, Alchemy blew us away. This place is more than just a restaurant, it’s an experience. Alchemy is a casual spot that specializes in raw, organic, vegan food. Even if you’re not a vegan you’ll appreciate the culinary creativity on display here. Everything tastes so good that you won’t believe none of it is cooked.
You can make your own smoothies, salads, or soup bowls by choosing from a wide list of ingredients and toppings. Their mushroom pizza is fantastic, made with spinach crust and nut cheese and their pasta primavera is unreal, containing zucchini noodles, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers.
There’s also an impressive assortment of tonics and kombuchas using seasonal fruits and herbs. They offer raw desserts too! We tried the German chocolate cake from their bakery and again, sat in disbelief that it was raw, vegan, and gluten-free. Alchemy is the perfect place to go for guilt-free indulging.
6. NASI AYAM KEDEWATAN BU MANGKU
This place is a little way outside the city, but it’s worth the drive. If you ask us, it’s the best halal chicken rice (nasi ayam) in Ubud and that’s all they serve here. The chicken is tender and the food is brightly flavored with ingredients like coconut, lemongrass, and kafir lime.
Visit for a taste of authentic cuisine in a traditional Balinese garden. Part of the fun is sitting on pillows and eating at a low table underneath a pavilion. The food is very affordable at around 30k IDR per portion. The sambal tends to be on the spicy side, which we love. If you’re at all curious about Indonesian cuisine, be sure to try this popular restaurant.
7. YOU & MIE
Eating a bowl of noodle soup is a favorite pastime of ours in Asia and this is the best place to do that in Ubud. If you like ramen and Asian soups, be sure to go to You & Mie. You can choose from three different noodle bowls: chicken, chicken wonton, or pork rib.
The noodles are bouncy and chewy, and the atmosphere is relaxing. Slurp up some broth and let it warm up your soul. Everything is made fresh and they don’t cut any corners, you can taste the difference. Absolutely beautiful food!
We hope you enjoy those recommendations! Let us know your favorite spots to eat in Ubud…
