If you’re like me, you’re most likely a pain to dine with, because you spend at least five minutes photographing your food before you eat it; and also around ten minutes walking around the restaurants and snapping pictures (and ignoring your partners’ cries for attention. Just kill me now.) But all guilts aside, I love finding new places to dine in, and I would love it ten times more if both the place and food is pretty to shoot. Good design + Good food = LYFE. I however won’t sacrifice good taste for a cute place though, and I figure you wouldn’t either. So here’s a list of photogenic and instagrammable restaurants / cafes Bali for you to visit and dine in, AND go home from with a happy tummy.

Disclaimer :

  • Most of these restaurants are located in Southern Bali (Seminyak, Kerobokan and Canggu), and one in Jimbaran. I promise I will update the list with more places located in other parts of Bali (Ubud will get its own journal soon!)
  • Bali’s not short of cool dining out places, in fact, there are hundreds more that maybe haven’t made it on the list simply because I haven’t had the chance to visit. If I miss any place, please do let me know on the comment below.
  • All of the mentioned places on the list are places that are beautiful, photogenic, serve food in beautiful presentation and are abundant of natural light. That’s why places like Mamasan or Sarong are not here because even though they serve amazing, amazing food and are also beautiful, they only open for dinner time and they’re too dark to make photos at.

Updated on 28 June 2017 : As I promised that I will keep this list fresh and update it regularly, here are five new addition to the list. I’m currently in Bali and wow, there are so many new joints opened and I can’t wait to share them all with you!

Seminyak & Canggu Area

1. Motel Mexicola

Jl. Kayu Jati No. 9X, Seminyak

How much do I love Motel Mexicola? For starters: I have dedicated the whole post of this place here because it’s simply boasts the best decor and vibe in Bali! I wrote so long about it on that post so I’ll just let the visuals here do the job.

Also check out the tests I did of Gina and Zahara, all located in Motel Mexicola because have I told you it’s my favorite photoshoot location in Bali?

2. Cafe Organic

 Jl. Petitenget No.99 X, Kerobokan Kelod

Come here for the Acai Coco (superfood/fruit bowl served inside a coconut half), the quirky #GardenGangsta wall mural and great vibes! This restaurant serves up the freshest organic, raw and vegan food, super smoothies and tasty, freshly prepared juices. They have another branch in Canggu that I have yet to visit! Come to think of it, there are many places in Canggu that I have yet to visit.

3. Mad Pops

Jl. Kayu Aya No.48, Seminyak

Chances are, someone on your Instagram have posted a pic in front of this famous “Ice Ice Baby” wall. Including moi. Or you can simply go to their instagram and click on the tagged photos. The number of tourists doing the wall selfies on this very spot is amazing. Good job on THAT, Mad Pops!

IG hype aside, Madpops is actually a humble ice cream joint in the middle of busy Kayu Aya street. When I say humble, I meant a two by four space that can only accommodate maximum four people inside. I just passed the shop earlier and there were 15 people lining up in front of the shop down to the streets! They serve organic coconut based ice cream and ice pops in various delicious flavors. It’s indeed a healthier option if you want to cool down with a scoop or two in this scorching Bali heat.

4. Revolver Espresso

Jl. Kayu Aya no. 3, Seminyak

Follow the coffee aroma to this little alleyway and enter through a small unassuming door, and you’ll find this bustling hipster hotspot inside. Revolver has served great coffee in Bali since 2011 and they also gots cool sounding dish names on their menu. Go get yourself a bowl of Silencer or Goodfellas with your almond milk latte and soak in the rock n rolla vibes. How cool is that.

 

5. Nalu Bowls @ Shelter

Jl. Drupadi 1, No. 2A, Seminyak, Bali

Nalu Bowls is Bali’s first smoothie bowl shack that’s inspired by Hawaii and the culture that revolves around surfing and tropical ingredients. They have many branches in Bali but my favorite is the one in Seminyak. Sit down on the outdoor shack bar and get your acai / pittaya bowl fix, or you can choose to go up to Shelter on the second floor. Shelter is breezy rooftop garden café overlooking lush grassfield that offers great breakfast and coffee.

 

6. Corner House

Jl. Laksmana Basangkasa No. 10 A, Kerobokan, Seminyak, Bali

Jul took me here for brunch and coffee (he takes me to all the nice places in Bali actually), and I fell in love –mainly because of the white Parisian subway wall tiles, the beautiful floors and every single detail on their well designed industrial decor.

Also yes, amazing egg benedict and coffee (by the time you get down to this number you must have realised that I mostly only order egg ben and coffee haha). They use the coffee bean from Revolver so you know it’ll taste great.

7. Titik Temu Coffee

Jl. Kayu Cendana no. 1, Seminyak

I love how they laid out this coffee shop. The indoor area is cozy, with a very stylish industrial themed interior using lots of wood and natural surface. But my favorite place to hang is the outdoor area on the second floor, where seats are laid out in leveled wooden benches. This is a perfect place where you can just chill with your friends around sundown, with great coffee and a plate of banana fritters with vanilla ice cream to share.

  

This little gem is a bit hidden from the busy Seminyak area. If you happen to miss their sign (which I’m sure you wouldn’t), it’s located next to Tokyo Skipjack (which serves fabulous steak) and right in front of Seminyak Square.

8. La Sicilia

Jl. Laksamana no. 151, Oberoi, Seminyak

Those guys did it again with La Sicilia. Another interior masterpiece from the creators of La Laguna, La Favela and La Plancha; this space is like a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Breathtaking design and ambience with no single detail missed. Instantly after stepping inside, you’re totally disconnected from the hot Seminyak streets and transported to the ancient decadent era in Europe. It’s like entering a castle.

The food is amazing (taste and presentation), but mind you does not come off cheap. It worths every cent, in my opinion. La Sicilia is not just a restaurant, it’s a whole experience.

9. La Plancha

Mesari Beach, between JL Double Six and Jl Dhyanapura, Bali

An old but remains a favorite up until this day. Do get here before sunset so you can sit on one of them comfy beanbags and watch the sky turns pinkish hue while sipping the fresh juice on the menu.

10. Cafe Bali

Jl. Laksamana Basangkasa, Kerobokan Kelod, Seminyak

Cafe Bali interior is rustic and homey, but that’s not the only reason why I love this place. The service is fast and friendly and the food is great. It gets really crowded on dinner time though, just like every popular dining place in Oberoi.

 

11. Bo$$ Man

Jl. Kayu Cendana No. 8B, Seminyak

Aight best burger joint in Seminyak, trust me on that. Sorry for the lack of photo, I was usually too busy devouring my burger.

12. Livingstone

Jl. Petitenget No.88X, Kerobokan Kelod

Livingstone is a bright, clean and modern space thats gives off hip and friendly vibes. The Livingstone Bakery and the insta-famous watermelon bread can be found here too. Upstairs you’ll find Buro, a curated concept store that sells fashion and decor items, and a coffee bar.

  

13. Nook

Jl. Umalas 1, Gang Nook No. 1, Kerobokan Kelod

Lots of people recommended this cozy breakfast/lunch place with a beautiful rice paddy view. This little gem is a bit hidden from the bustling Seminyak so it’s very peaceful (unless on holiday season, most of the tables are always full.) Your coffee and breakfast bowl will taste 10 times better with the fresh green view (and your feed will look awesome too).


14. Home Mate

Jl. Petitenget 1A Seminyak, Bali

Owned by Mel of Jewelrocks, Homemate is an adorable concept store selling home decor items and homemade jewelries in Petitenget. Half part of the shop is the cafe/breakfast space with a soothing, natural wooden interior that exudes calmness and homey feeling. If there’s any place in Bali where I can spend just hours sitting down and sipping my matcha, it’s here.


15. Watercress

Jalan Batu Belig No. 21 A

Come here for great coffee, all day rustic breakfast, organic salads and divine (+ healthy!) desserts. The best part is the “warung” lunch showcase, a smorgasbord of organic color, crisp abundant salads, crèpes, quiches, vegetable lasagnas, fresh fish and all things delish with flavors from around the world. They run out pretty fast though so be there before 1 pm to get most of the good stuff. Try the sweet corn fritters from the showcase, egg benedict and salmon on the rye.

    

16. Panama Kitchen & Pool

Jl. Pantai Berawa No.13, Tibubeneng

You might recognise this space from my testshoot with Paula last week, and from many more Australian designers campaigns that was shot in this restaurant/swimming pool in Berawa. Panama is indeed a super photogenic/Pinterest dream restaurant, with every corner being instagram-swoon worthy and was definitely built and crafted not missing any single detail. From the front it might looks like a bar/grill/takeaway spot, but enter and you’ll encounter the embodiment of summer happiness.

Panama is like your neighbour’s super enviable pool house, with poolside outdoor seating on manicured lawn and lush greeneries, a white facade resembling Santorini and a super cozy white wooden house. Can you say Insta-YAY? Yay!

Keep in mind that Panama charges a minimum of IDR 120k per person (which is pretty reasonable if you come there to eat, their portion is generous), so if you only want to hang and have a glass of iced tea…. well you’ll be drinking lots of iced tea.

17. La Laguna

Jalan Pantai Kayu Putih, Berawa, Canggu

This bohemian heaven has been my favorite photoshoot location even since it was still under construction. They have both indoor and outdoor sections; and my favorite is the bean bags on the grass. Some say the food is expensive here, but hey, you’re on holiday right? Enjoy the great sunset and frozen margarita, the best combination in La Laguna. Oh and every corner is definitely photogenic, you’ll be grammin’ til your fingers hurt. See for yourself 😉

18. Old Man’s

Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu

A very fun, pet-friendly surfer bar & restaurant located just right on the edge of Batubolong beach. I know that every hangout spot in Bali indeed exudes relaxed summer vibes but this place just amplifies it ten times more! It got sunset, oceanview and vibes, what more can you ask for? Also try the Secret Gelato because all of the flavors are to die for 😀

  

Click here for Yulia and Zahara’s testshoot in Oldman.

19. Betelnut Cafe

Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong No.60, Canggu

Overlooking a rice paddy field and serving the most delish choco banana cake ever, Betelnut quickly won my heart for the #1 favourite breakfast joint in Canggu.

20. Fat Chow Temple Hill Jimbaran

Jl. Raya Uluwatu No.8d, Jimbaran

If you’re looking for good Asian fusion cuisine in a relaxed environment with pleasant views over Jimbaran area, this is the perfect place. I will do more Jimbaran review on the near future, stay tuned!

I will keep this post sticky and regularly update it, so stay tuned for more Bali best restaurants!

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2 comments

Reply

Great read thanks for this! Hope you will also post recommended places to eat in Ubud.

Reply

Will do on my future post! Thanks for reading!

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