The Best Restaurants in Ubud: Where to Eat in 2024

While Ubud has long been a wellness and spiritual destination, in recent years it has also come into its own as a culinary hub for trendy restaurants and cocktail bars. Nowadays, you’ll find hip spots that rival anything in L.A. or London, with fresh takes on both Indonesian and international cuisine. The guide below highlights the best restaurants in Ubud, including both Indonesian and international cuisine, along with a few vegetarian options and healthy local favorites.

Jump to:

• Indonesian (Trendy)
• Indonesian (Traditional)
• Bars
• Coffee Shops and Cafes
• International Cuisine
• Vegetarian and Vegan

Best Restaurants in Ubud for Indonesian (Trendy)

Hip takes on traditional Indonesian cuisine are all the rage right now, with swanky spots popping up all over town. Mostly patronized by the Western tourist and expat crowds, these restaurants serve up a modern spin on the region’s comfort-food favorites — inevitably washed down with an artisan craft cocktail or two.

Hujan Locale

Hujan Locale is one of our personal favorites in Ubud. We enjoyed it so much, that when we first discovered it, we went back again two nights later. Along with its incredibly flavorful Indonesian fare, Hujan also has a fun downstairs bar and lounge that serves excellent cocktails. The beef rendang is particularly good. Directions.

Nusantara by Locavore

More on the flagship Locavore below. But our hidden tip? Skip the flagship, and go to Nusantara instead. Here, the menu is organized by sub-regions of Indonesia, and you can create your own sampler as you explore the subtle flavor differences between the archipelago’s 17,000 islands. You’ll travel from Java and Sumatra, to Sulawesi and even the remote Maluku Islands — all without leaving the table. Reservations still fill up fast, so book yours in advance. Directions.

Locavore

Arguably the single most famous restaurant in Ubud and its environs. Although there are no actual Michelin star restaurants in Bali, you could easily mistake the Locavore experience for one.  The tasting menu is comprised of 20+ bite-size plates, that are works of art as much as they are food. All dishes are made with the freshest local ingredients, and vegetarian options are also available.

While we still prefer Nusantara (above), for better portions that are a more authentic taste of Indonesia, Locavore is usually considered the “must visit” restaurant in Ubud, especially for foodies. If you go, we recommend making a reservation at least a month in advance. Directions (note: their new location is outside of Ubud proper).

Dining Corner Restaurant

Located just outside of town as part of the Kayumanis hotel, it’s the setting that makes Dining Corner memorable. The restaurant sits atop an expansive raised deck tucked into the treetops, letting you dine at eye level with the jungle canopy.

The cuisine is classic Indonesian, and even if it’s a little less special than some of the other options above, it’s still very satisfying. But savoring a meal under the last rays of sunset, as the forest comes alive with evening bird calls and animals, is a special experience. Directions.

Cerita Manisan

Another artisan approach to traditional cuisine, Manisan serves up all the classic favorites. The setting is serene, with minimalist natural décor overlooking a tranquil rice paddy. For a more casual experience, you can also check out their sister cafe, Pison, below. Directions.

Indonesian (Traditional)

Indonesia has a vibrant culinary history, awash in local spices and flavorful comfort dishes. As with anywhere you travel, diving into the cuisine will help bring the culture fully alive, and we strongly encourage you to explore some of the more traditional warungs (Indonesian for “food stall,” although it typically refers to any casual restaurant) while in Ubud.

Traditional Indonesian cuisine is not fancy. Instead, dishes usually consist of simple meats, vegetables, and tofu that are stir-fried or stewed, and served with rice or noodles. Flavors frequently include a combination of either coconut, lemongrass, or curry, along with regional spices like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, clove, and pepper.

It’s probably no coincidence that some of the best meals we’ve had in Bali are also the cheapest. Below are some of the best warungs in Ubud.

Puspa’s Warung

This cheerily painted spot, situated on a quieter side street, is not large. But along with its “food stall” vibes is a refreshing authenticity of the thatched roof, hand-painted signs, and meals served on banana leaves. The menu features all the classics: choose from either nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (stir-fried noodles), satay, curry, or other local favorites — all with your choice of meat or veggies. Directions.

Café Wayan

For a more sit-down dinner experience, head to Café Wayan, which has been serving traditional dishes since 1980 – long before Ubud was fully “on the map.” Today, it’s an expansive restaurant with leafy gardens and koi ponds that belie its location on the busy Jl. Monkey Forest road. While they also offer Western dishes for homesick tourists, we recommend skipping those in favor of the local specialties. Portions are sizeable, so come hungry! Directions.

Warung Mendez

Warung Mendez is big on BBQ, with meat skewers grilled to perfection. You’ll also find the usual satays, curries, and nasi goreng on the menu at this casual, no-frills establishment. While they do have a few vegetarian options, there aren’t as many plant-based choices as other restaurants. Directions.

Bars

Night Rooster

Night Rooster is our favorite cocktail bar, by far, in Ubud. Another product of the Locavore empire (it feels hard to find one that isn’t, nowadays), it’s been ranked one of the “50 best bars in Asia” and for good reason. With a humble street front, the establishment embodies a dark speakeasy with creative drinks that are sheer masterpieces. The bartenders really know their stuff, and even if you aren’t feeling what’s on the menu, they’ll be happy to craft something special for you. Directions.

No Más

Consistently crowned “Ubud’s best bar”, this lively spot is a dance party as much as a cocktail bar, with live music every night. The drinks are as fun as the vibes, with all the traditional favorites as well as the bartenders’ rotating specialties. Directions.

The Sayan House

While other bars in Ubud might feel like you’re in a swanky cocktail lounge in London or New York, there’s no mistaking your whereabouts at Sayan House. Set into the treetops on the edge of jungle, the location is exotic Ubud at its finest. The menu is extensive, with a multitude of signature cocktails, spirits, and natural wines (plus food, if you want something to munch). Come at sunset and watch the evening jungle come alive, as you sip. Directions.

Coffee Shops and Cafes

Pukako by Paddyfield

The menu at Pukako is your standard healthy breakfast fare (acai and granola bowls, chia pudding, panini sandwiches, espresso bar), but what distinguishes this café is its setting. Positioned on a quiet side street, the dining patio sits under a thatched roof and overlooks a verdant rice paddy. It’s a lovely view to savor a slow morning, over a drink from their espresso bar. Directions.

Ubud Coffee Roastery

This is one of the more famous coffee shops in town. What we love about Ubud Coffee Roastery is that they offer single-origin brews from across Indonesia, thus allowing you to sample the subtle differences of five or six different sub-regions. It’s a coffee lover’s dream, when you’re visiting one of the world’s largest exporters of the stuff. Directions.

Pison

Pison is more of an all-day café, with meals trending towards hearty lunch and dinner options of both Indonesian and international cuisine. However, you can easily make it a breakfast spot, and choose from their many artisan coffee drinks and pastries. The setting, perched on a lush rice paddy, is lovely. Directions.

International Cuisine

Ibu Susu

Ibu Susu consistently makes the Ubud “best of” lists, for its cocktails as well as its food. Ergo, you can visit for either dinner or drinks. But we recommend the cuisine, which is pan Asian with creative flair. The menu includes traditional Indonesian (beef rendang, curries), as well as Asian dishes like dim sum and bao buns, and even some burgers. If you prefer coming for a drink, their happy hour offerings are also a great deal. Directions.

Pica

For a taste of Peru in the heart of Ubud, head to Pica, a cozy spot that serves up empanadas, ceviche, and more. If you can’t decide what to order, they frequently offer tasting menus where you can sample a little bit of everything. Directions.

Kyoka Japanese Kitchen

This airy establishment, just a few blocks from Ubud Palace, calls their cuisine “homestyle with a modern twist” and we couldn’t agree more. You can choose from an ample selection of sushi and sashimi, or dive into one of their hearty (and sizeable) bowls of ramen. The menu is rounded out by colorful cocktails, sake, and Japanese whisky. Directions.

Donna

Donna is another spot that you’ll consistently see name-dropped around town. The food is labeled Mediterranean and Latin American, but it leans heavily Spanish, with tapas, paella, churros, and more. For us, we prefer to eat Indonesian while in Bali, but that’s not to say the food at Donna isn’t first-rate, for those seeking more European flavors. The accompanying drink list is exceptional, with an expansive wine list and cocktails that are works of art.

If you don’t want a full meal at Donna, you can also pop into their accompanying lounge (which turns into a nightclub on Fridays). Directions.

Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Ubud

As one of the world’s top destinations for the yoga and health crowd, vegetarian and vegan restaurants abound in Ubud.

A candid note: if you’re into the wellness lifestyle, you’ll revel in some of the dining choices below. However, if you tend to scoff at the “earthy” set, the following options may be a bit over the top for you. There’s no right or wrong answer — just awareness of your personal preference.

Herbivore by Locavore

For a fully plant-based Locavore experience, head to Herbivore, where you can choose from either a 5- or 7-course tasting menu. Dishes are made with entirely local ingredients, and the menu changes with the seasons. Directions.

Zest

Fully organic, fully vegan. With full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, you’ll find everything from brunch favorites and bowls, to pizza and sushi. Directions.

Alchemy

Alchemy runs the wellness gamut, with on-site yoga courses, a plant-based culinary school, and various holistic treatments. But it’s the restaurant that usually gets the most attention, having been named in “The World’s Best Restaurants for Vegans” and “The World’s Best Raw Food Restaurants.” Here, you’ll find all-day breakfast, salads, bowls, burgers, wraps, and more — all organic and all plant-based, of course. Directions.

Looking to fill the time not spent eating while in Ubud? Check out our 3-day and 4-day itineraries for the best things to see and do in the surrounding area.