The Best Restaurants in Canggu: Where to Eat in 2024
Breezy, beachy Canggu, located along Bali’s southwestern coast, has in recent years become a haven for expats and digital nomads. While the bulk of dining establishments in Canggu lean towards buzzy cafes and trendy restaurants that sustain these recent arrivals, you can also still find some down-home warungs serving up traditional Indonesian comfort fare. Here, we detail some of the best restaurants in Canggu for each style of cuisine.
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Best Restaurants in Canggu for Indonesian (Trendy)
In a town that feels largely run by Western expats, it can be a challenge to find Indonesian cuisine. You certainly won’t find as many regional options as you would in other parts of Bali.
However, the following spots were recommended to us by (actual) locals and did not disappoint.
Ulekan
Ulekan does an exceptional job of blending old and new, with classic dishes served in posh environs. One of our favorite plates was the soft-shell crab in coconut curry, while the lawar salad, clams cooked over coconut coals, and barramundi steamed in banana leaf were also quite good. Directions.
Casa Tua
This was another spot recommended to us by some hotel staff we befriended during our time in Canggu. Even if the food at Casa Tua is not the best we’ve ever had, it’s still very good. However, the setting is very memorable, and fun for all ages.
The restaurant itself is expansive, made up of multiple standalone rooms centered around an outdoor courtyard, and heaped with jungle-themed knickknacks. The restaurant owner’s pet rabbits have free reign of the establishment, and will unashamedly hop around under tables, looking for pats. Staff will provide free veggies for you to feed them. Directions.
Best Restaurants in Canggu for Indonesian (Traditional)
To find a traditional warung in Canggu, you must go off the beaten path a bit. But outside of the tourist drag, you’ll find authentic warungs serving up hearty comfort dishes, and for a fraction of the prices in town.
And if you fall in love with traditional Indonesian food like we have, don’t be shy to ask locals for their recommendations — they’re proud of their cuisine, and are usually very appreciative of those wanting to experience it.
Below are a few “local tips” we’ve picked up in Canggu.
Pali
This spacious, open-air restaurant serves up all the favorites, including both down-home nasi goreng (fried rice), crisp mie goreng (fried noodles), and more. You can also add on the meat or veggie of your choice, and wash it all down with a chilled coconut. Directions.
Babi Gulung Men Lari Warung
Men Lari is so genuine, the menu is in Indonesian only. The warung specializes in babu gulung, or roast suckling pig.
Vegetarians won’t find much here (especially with a full roast pig decorating the entrance), but if you’re the type who enjoys diving headfirst into local cuisine, this is a good spot. Directions.
Best Restaurants in Canggu for International Cuisine
With the amount of Western ex-pats who have made Canggu home, it’s no surprise that most restaurants in Canggu serve up international flavors that you’d expect to find more in Europe or the Americas than in Indonesia. But if you’re searching for a buzzy, trendy vibe to accompany your meal, you’ll find more dining options in Canggu than you have time to visit.
Below are a few of our favorites for non-Indonesian cuisine.
Santanera (Latin)
Santanera serves up Latin dishes that blend both Old World and New. On the menu, ceviche and empanadas sit side by side with octopus and jamon iberico. The vibe is eclectic, with both bohemian and industrial touches that make for a memorable meal. Directions.
Yuki (Japanese)
Yuki is a sleek spot for classic Japanese fare. Be sure to check the menu ahead of your visit — besides the standard sushi and sashimi offerings, they’ll often feature bottomless Sunday brunch, pop-up ramen offerings, and more.
With sprawling ocean views just across the street, we recommend timing your dinner to align with Canggu’s frequent cotton-candy sunsets. Directions.
Woods (Global)
Woods is designed to feel, quite literally, like you’re in the woods. The restaurant is built like a multi-story treehouse, tucked in amongst foliage both inside and out. It’s a fun, nostalgic childhood throwback.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu is described as “global” but often trends Mediterranean. For tea-aficionados, the “Tea Library” menu (with over 50 different options) is also a treat. Directions.
Shelter (Mediterranean)
While there are a multitude of Westernized restaurants in Canggu, Shelter is another one that elevates the dining experience to something a little more special.
Plates are pumped with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, for a unique spin on familiar dishes – for example, the warm za’atar pretzel with house labneh and honey. Both carnivores and vegetarians will leave Shelter satisfied. Directions.
Skool Kitchen
Skool follows the trend of “modern dining,” offering plenty of elevated small plates that are meant to be shared. However, you can also enjoy full-portion main dishes, with chicken, pork, and prawns complimenting salads, pasta, and other vegetarian options.
In our opinion, what makes Skool special is the atmosphere. It’s a minimalist, second-story rooftop situated amongst palm fronds, looking down on the beach below. If you want oceanfront fine dining, then Skool is always a good bet. Directions.
Cafes and Coffee Shops
Times Beach Warung
For the epitome of Canggu beach life, head to Times, a simple café spot perched directly on the sand. While the focus of their offerings is on breakfast, they also have all-day bites and a separate dinner menu.
You can either post up underneath the thatched roof, or head down to one of their beach tables and enjoy a bite with your toes in the sand. Directions.
Café Vida
Café Vida frequently makes the Canggu “best of” lists for local cafes. Centrally located in town, it has an expansive menu with all-day breakfast, bowls and smoothies, as well as lunch and dinner offerings like fresh ceviche and sashimi, soups, pasta, and more. Everything is organic, with multiple vegan and raw options.
The establishment is spacious, with both indoor and open-air spaces that are popular with remote workers and their laptops. Directions.
Milk & Madu
Just a few blocks up from the beach, Milk & Madu is another café popular with the wellness crowd. Food options range from breakfast to dinner, with a host of healthy juices and fun cocktails mixed in. There is also a quick-serve bakery inside, where you can order a pastry or coffee to go. Directions.
The Avocado Factory
Avocado is everywhere in Indonesia, and this trendy spot goes all in on the local fruit. The menu includes a robust all-day breakfast, as well as bowls, salads, pastas, burgers, and sandwiches. There’s also a full-service coffee bar that serves up espresso, teas, lattes, smoothies, juices, and more.
With plenty of working tables and cushioned booths, the Avocado Factory easily caters to the remote work crowd, or anyone looking to settle in for a languid hour or two. Directions.
Bars
Old Man’s
The good times roll at Old Man’s, which overlooks Batu Bolong beach and is undoubtedly the most well-known bar in town. It’s lively any night of the week, as tourists and locals mingle over live music ranging from local bands to international DJs. The crowd will transform from laid-back sunset seekers to energetic partiers as the night progresses, so plan your vibe accordingly.
Every Wednesday, Old Man’s hosts its weekly beer pong tournament. Directions.
Sol Rooftop
Just down the coast from Old Man’s is Sol. The second story is another great spot to watch the sunset, as an array of rotating DJs play brisk club beats. Sol also has a decent food menu, whether you’re looking for a full meal or just something to munch along with your drink.
We recommend getting there an hour or two before sunset, so you can grab one of the loungers for a prime view of the beach below. Directions.
Roots
Roots also doubles as a full-serve restaurant, but it’s the craft cocktails that really stand out.
Roots prides itself on its shrubs, a fermented fruit vinegar they make from local, in-season produce. Used in place of standard syrups and mixers, the house-made shrubs add an all-natural sweetness and complexity to traditional spirits. Directions.
The Lawn Beach Club
There are plenty of beach clubs to choose from along this stretch of coast, from Kuta up to Canggu. However, for a vibe that’s a bit more elevated than your standard bacchanalia, we recommend The Lawn.
It’s still a beach club, yes, but with a covered bar, restaurant, and sprawling futons and bean bags both on the sand and the lawn, there’s a vibe for everyone. Those who want the pool party can find it, while those who want to peaceably lounge under waving palms won’t be disappointed either. Directions.
Looking for more restaurant recs during your time in Bali? Check out our guides on where to eat in Ubud and Gili Air.
Feature image courtesy Marvin Meyer.
