Where to Eat in Bali: My Favorite Bites | Indigo Diaries Travel Blog
- Indigo Diaries
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Date: April 2025
This post is dedicated to my mother, whose love for exploration and unwavering support have shaped so many of my most cherished memories. Thank you for taking me to all these wonderful places, for sharing your sense of wonder, and for showing me the beauty of the world through your eyes.
Bali is a feast for the senses. While there are so many more places for me to discover, here are my favourite bites from my last visit. So here are my recommendations on where I think you should eat!
Hujan Local
Hujan Locale is a modern Indonesian restaurant. Perfect for sharing plates and discovering some of Bali's incredible food! This approach allows guests to sample a variety of dishes and fosters a sense of togetherness, making it an ideal choice for groups, families, or even a romantic dinner where sharing is part of the experience. The menu is thoughtfully curated, featuring an array of traditional Indonesian dishes that have been reimagined with a modern twist, ensuring that both locals and tourists can appreciate the region's culinary heritage. The ambiance of Hujan Locale further enhances the dining experience. With its contemporary design that incorporates elements of traditional Indonesian culture, the restaurant provides a warm and inviting atmosphere.
We ordered (in the order of the pictures):
OSENG OSENG
Slipper Lobster Dumplings
TUNA BETEL LEAF
Grouper & Garlic Chive Dumplings
SCALLOP CEVICHE
YUZU ON PASSION Cocktail
Every bite was wonderful and bursting with flavors, a true testament to the culinary expertise that can be found in this vibrant locale. The dishes were meticulously crafted, showcasing a perfect balance of spices and fresh ingredients that danced on the palate. Among the standout offerings, they are particularly famous for their Tuna Betel Leaf, a highly recommended dish! This exquisite creation features tender chunks of marinated tuna, expertly wrapped in fragrant betel leaves, which not only enhance the flavor but also add a delightful crunch and a hint of herbal freshness! When ordering cocktails in Bali, my new obsession became drinks topped with passion fruit foam after this visit.
Why Not Restaurant and Bar
Why not was a few steps from our hotel in Ubud. After visiting Hujan Locale, the place was bustling with a mix of locals and tourists dancing the night away to a local band singing some oldies and reggae music. I highly recommend grabbing a beer and enjoying the night after a nice restaurant!
Zest Ubud
link: https://www.zestubud.com/
The pictures don't do it justice, but I highly recommend Zest Ubud! During my visit, I had the pleasure of trying the Curried Cauliflower Salad, a vibrant and flavorful dish that beautifully showcased the ingredients' freshness. On the side, I also ordered the Crispy Nori Crisps with its wasabi sauce. It was delicious and light.
Zest is not just a restaurant. It's a concept. A place to relax, read some tarot cards, catch up and enjoy vegan food. It completely changed the way I think about plant-based eating. Their dishes are so flavorful, creative, and satisfying that I never once felt like I was missing out on anything. It made plant-based eating feel exciting—something I genuinely looked forward to. If only it were that easy to make food this good at home! But Zest has definitely inspired me to experiment more with wholesome, plant-forward meals. It’s proof that eating sustainably doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor—it means reimagining it.
Mie Goreng
Wherever you are in Bali, I highly recommend you order the Mie Goreng (or the equally delicious Nasi Goreng, which swaps the noodles for rice). Mie Goreng is a flavorful stir-fried noodle dish, typically cooked with vegetables, garlic, shallots, sweet soy sauce, and just the right amount of spice. It often comes topped with a fried egg and accompanied by crispy prawn crackers and pickled vegetables, adding both texture and tang. It's comforting—a true staple of Indonesian cuisine and the kind of dish you’ll crave long after you’ve left the island. (yes, I'm currently craving it!)
Padma Resort Ubud
Link: https://padmaresortubud.com/
We stayed at the Padma resort for two nights, the perfect place to take a break from the busy centre of Ubud. While at the Padma Resort, we took advantage of the various facilities available which included the infinity pool, which seemed to blend seamlessly with the horizon, was the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun.
In the pictures above, you'll see the Sate Ayam, and the Chicken Green Curry. Sate Ayam, which translates to chicken satay, is a popular Indonesian dish that consists of skewered and grilled chicken, typically marinated in a blend of spices and served with a delicious peanut sauce. It's a must-try while you're in Bali!
When it comes to the curry, I have to say—Americans (and honestly, anyone used to ordering Indian takeout in Europe or the U.S.) might feel like they've been missing out all these years. This dish was bursting with flavor in a way that felt bold, authentic, and deeply satisfying. It didn’t hold back on anything—and it was absolutely wonderful!
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