Cuca’s Picks: BALI
Over the years we have shared countless times with Cuca’s customers our favourite restaurants from every city we know. The truth is that people in search of the tastiest food from around the world seem to trust chefs’ picks when choosing food, and since everyone asks our humble opinion, we have decided to start a proper “Our Picks” section where we give you our recommendations on where and what to eat. Go ahead, try for yourself and share these lists as you please, but just because we may help you find a new favourite, please don’t forget about your first love, Cuca!
The Bali food scene has changed a ton over the last 10 years with so many great restaurants popping up and down like mushrooms cleverly using the bounty of amazing local produce. As crazy as it sounds it’s the delicious traditional Balinese food that is the hardens to find. Not to panic, we agree that any visit to any country without savouring great local flavors feel amiss and we once again got you covered. On our list below there are a rare few who truly pay tribute to this traditional, delicious, and labor-intensive Balinese cooking that has always been served in homes but not often in restaurants. So get going, you have a lot to eat with Cuca’s picks for the best meals on the Island.
Jimbaran
Cuca
You’ve probably already been to Cuca and that’s why you’re reading our recommendations on where to eat in Bali, but if you haven’t tried our food yet, trust our word or that of the wise friend who sent you this link… A trip to Bali without a meal in Cuca is like going to the movies and not having popcorn, you will forever feel like something was missing.
Created entirely by us, Kevin & Virginia, a husband-and-wife team, Cuca serves-up a radically different, casual meets fine-dining experience of Tapas, Cocktails and Desserts where absolutely everything is home-made with only what’s available throughout Indonesia. While Virginia gives the restaurant its personality and direction, Kevin, who spent years throughout some of the world’s best kitchens, serves up the intensely flavour packed unforgettable dishes.
So, remember, just because we may help you find a new favourite, don’t forget about us at Cuca!
Price: $$$$
What to order: Chef Tasting Meal.
Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Originally opened in Singapore more than 80 years ago, this franchised coffee shop has now arrived in Bali serving their classic toast, soft boiled eggs and coffee, all with unique unmistakable personality. Absolutely adored by Singaporeans and now also by us, we just can’t seem to get enough of their classic home-made Kaya jam (caramelized coconut and pandan custard) and strong hand strained rustic coffee. Expect a limited breakfast and snack style menu that has incredibly stood the test of time and not changed at all since 1944.
Price: $
What to order: Kaya toast with butter, iced milk coffee.
Lia Cafe
This place serves hands down Jimbaran’s best seafood BBQ. Forget the menu and walk to the front where the guy behind the fishy display can explain what’s he recommends…tell him the Chef of Cuca sent you and he will ensure you get nothing but the freshest. Next you will find yourself with feet in the sand and chomping on fire grilled delicious seafood right on the beach…need we say more?
Price: $$$
What to order: 2 large prawns per person, a fresh red snapper to share and fried squid.
Scones Bali
Perfect breakfast and brunch spot with shockingly good bakery and a made-from-scratch mentality with cinnamon buns, scones and croissants. Don’t leave without trying one of the best cups of coffee available in all of Bali. Not to be missed are their just pressed juices, fruit bowls and egg dishes cooked to perfection. This is breakfast as good as it gets!
Price: $$
What to order: Cheesy omelette or classic Benedict.
Nusa Dua
Soleil
Hotel dining is normally boring, uninspiring and forgetful merely ticking the box of must have dishes prepared without passion or enthusiasm…but not here. Soleil is brilliant with cooking that rivals not the good restaurants of Bali but the best anywhere on the planet. Dishes are prepared masterfully using the best ingredients available with incredibly precise cooking and absolutely no shortcuts. Here classic grandma comfort food dishes are re-visited and perfected. Our favourite place to eat in Bali period!
Price: $$$
What to order: Any Pasta.
Art Café Bumbu Bali
This place is a Cuca favourite for so many reasons. As I mentioned earlier Balinese food is hard to find and the best Balinese cooking is made by the Mom’s and Grandma’s at home where the labor-intensive preparations are a sign of love for the family. Well…that’s not gonna happen so we have found the next best thing and it’s a beauty. Bumbu Bali serves delicious authentic Balinese food that cuts no corners and captures the magic and essence of this remarkable cuisine.
Price: $$$
What to order: Sate Lilit.
Kayuputi Restaurant at St. Regis Hotel
Copied by many but created and mastered by Kayuputi, this place serves the best luxury brunch in Bali hands down, and has been doing it perfectly for years. This elegant beachfront restaurant has a stellar culinary team and brilliant service to gently guide you through the endless table side offerings. The priced at IDR 1,100,000 is a steal for what you get!
Price: $$$$$
What to order: Saturday Brunch 11am – 3pm.
Seminyak
Mauri
One of Bali’s stand out restaurants, Mauri has earned its reputation through hard work and great cooking. Extremely elegant dining space with a well-trained service team and timeless cooking have quickly bumped them to the short list of Bali’s best. Chef Mauritzio is extremely dedicated to anyone who walks through his doors.
Price: $$$$$
What to order: Tasting menu.
Queen’s Tandoor
This is the original Indian food restaurant that has stood the test of time. Queens Tandoor takes their food seriously with freshly prepared, wonderfully spiced dishes that are served as they should be, with many staples being quite possible the best you’ve had. As authentic as can be with a team of Indian chefs cooking masterfully to order.
Price: $$$
What to order: Harra Chicken Tikka, Butter Chicken, Cheese Naan.
Habitual
Being Rated #29 on the list of the world’s 50 best burgers is no joke, and this place delivers. From the bun to the beef, every ingredient means business and the entire menu sounds delicious. Fries are home cut, cooked fresh and the whole package is tough to beat anywhere.
Price: $$
What to order: Big Mac.
Sangsaka
Located down a backstreet in bustling Seminyak, Sangsaka is a gem of a restaurant. Husband and wife team Kieran and Yunika serve clever modern Indonesian dishes inspired by the traditional family recipes of Yunika’s Javanese heritage. Bold and always delicious this place has remained a chef favourite since opening in 2017. Solid!
Price: $$$
What to order: Slipper Lobster Dumplings, Lamb Shank Stuffed Onion, and Coconut Rice.
Ubud
Pande Egi
A destination for Bali’s most iconic dish (Babi Guling), Pande Egi has earned a solid reputation serving quite possible the best version around. Their menu is simple, with only one option of food served in either a normal or larger portion with everything assembled fresh. Coconuts are cleverly served ice-cold from the freezer and not to be missed.
Price: $
What to order: Babi Guling, chilled whole coconut.
Siboghana Waroeng
A rare peak inside a traditional Balinese house with simple home-style cooking spanning back 3 generations. A memorable experience of daily Balinese life and the way food and families have eaten and live together for centuries.
Price: $$
What to order: Nasi Campur.
Reina Jungla
This is an exceptional artisanal bakery and deli producing what just may be the absolute best baked goods the Island has to offer. Lovingly tucked away deep in Ubud’s tropical jungle, the unique combination of absolute serenity and perfect pastry with killer coffee is magic. The menu is small but packs a punch focusing on simple yet extremely well executed delicious dishes you will want to eat daily. A gem!
Price: $$
What to order: Pastry, Ricotta Omelette.
Gabriel French Bistro
Now, you may be thinking why would I be looking for delicious traditional French cooking on a Bali holiday, but I can assure you that after many days of rice and spice you will be dreaming of some comfort-driven timeless excellence, and this is the place. Expect well executed French classics at great value paired with solid caring service and an unassuming but romantic setting.
Price: $$$
What to order: Croque Monsieur/Escargot.
Uluwatu
Yuki
Yuki is yummy and serves modern Japanese comfort food inspired sharing plates. The concept of Izakaya casual dining with killer fresh fish, fusion sushi, cocktails and wood fire blessed BBQ dishes is very good. The open-air restaurant with its laid-back yet stylish ambiance is located around Uluwatu’s rugged cliffs and world-famous surf waves drawing quite a crowd and lively vibe.
Price: $$$
What to order: Wagyu beef sando with smoked cheddar.
Alchemy
An absolute Bali icon originating in Ubud, Alchemy is many things. It’s a tribute to clean living where health and healing are nurtured through pure plant based nourishing experiences. A pioneer in this type of raw food uber healthy eating you may think flavour comes second but we can assure you this place delivers on delicious. Well worth experiencing what many copy but few replicate.
Price: $$
What to order: Poke Bowl.
La Baracca
It’s a pizza pasta hippy hangout but it’s really good. The vibe is special and cool and it’s easy to feel a bit nerdy but stay strong and stay focused you’re here for the food man. The simplest dishes are the best like Lasagne, Burrata Salad and Pizza Calabrese and all dishes are well crafted with great ingredients. If you get tired of rice and spice during your trip this will get you back on track!
Price: $$
What to order: Pizza Calabrese.
