Where to eat in Ubud – Ultimate restaurant guide

Balinese, European, vegetarian local, vegetarian Mediterranean, authentic Italian pizza, a good old steak, Balinese festival dinner with duck, tuna steak or maybe just a piece of cake with a cup of coffee. Black coffee, caffe latte or a cup of kopi luwak?
Options are endless, but where to eat in Ubud? This is your foodie guide to Ubud restaurants!

You’ve arrived in Ubud. Maybe chosen to visit here few days on your Bali trip or planning to stay for a bit longer.
Days, weeks or months, you’ll soon notice Ubud is filled with restaurants and it’s hard to decide which ones to choose.

If you got months, no prob, but one week, you’ll be in a big trouble trying to choose.
I’ll help you out! Though I’ll too give you too many options anyway.
So let’s go now to see what and where to eat in Ubud!

Eating local or else

We’ve spent couple of winters in Bali & the Gili islands, but Ubud is the place we consider as our home in these Indonesian islands. So I thought I could give you a few tips where to eat in Ubud.

As there are so many places to choose from, and we have only tested very small part of them, I wouldn’t say these restaurants are the best ones in town, but these are some of those we’ve enjoyed and been multiple times during our stays in Ubud.

First of all, if you are staying only few weeks in Ubud, Bali or Asia in general, I’d suggest you to stick with the local food. It’s both affordable and delicious.
But if you are a Western nomad like us, longing for familiar food once in a while, pick your pasta or pizza when you feel like it.
Doesn’t matter, you’ll get amazing food anyway.

Street-wise

The main street Jalan Raya and Jalan Monkey Forest are the most bustling streets in the town, but there is no reason to avoid them foodwise.

These two streets, as well as Jalan Hanoman and all the paths between these three mentioned are filled with nice restaurants, bars and cafes.
Yes, it is the most touristic area, but also the place where you’ll have the most options for wining & dining.

Whereas Jalan Monkey Forest and the Jalan Raya are busy with cars and especially scooters, the smaller streets between them are slowly turning into a pedestrians area.

Along them are many fantastic restaurants and cafes.

Balinese breakfast

Every single Bali morning we had a breakfast at ”home”.
Balinese breakfast includes pancakes, fried eggs, fruits, juice and tea or coffee. If you are not much into pancakes there is usually an option to choose a toast.

More expensive hotels of course serve a full breakfast buffet, but this simple local style includes typically those mentioned and it’s surely enough.
You’ve propably seen those floating breakfasts in Instagram. Yes, fancier places do offer them, yet those are of course nothing traditional and personally I wouldn’t like to eat in a swimming pool. Breakfast in bed would be more my cup of tea.

One way or another, all the Balinese accommodations, a homestay to a luxurious hotel offer a breakfast.
So even if you are staying in an affordable homestay, you will be foodwise fine until the afternoon.

Sweet Ubud

We usually skip the lunch and only eat quite a heavy dinner, but sometimes have some small bites in the afternoon. Especially after having some quite a tough yoga lessons.
Which was often the case in Ubud.

I’m not into sweet things at all, so I’m not the right person to tell you about Ubud cafes, cakes and sweet desserts. All I know of it, is that there are plenty.

Kopi Luwak is of course one of the special things to try in Bali. To be honest, we have never tried it. Not only because it sounds gross, but because of the animal welfare or lack of it.

We did have one favorite cafe to go though, – to have just a regular coffee – which we found already in 2013 on our first visit to Ubud.

Cafe Kismet

This was our favorite cafe much before these corners turned into a pedestrian area, so it definitely stays our fave after the traffic noise is gone.
We loved the scenery from the second floor where we once waited a tropical rain to stop and gazed a rainbow.

Later on this cute cafe in the corner of the Goutama and Dewisita changed into a clothing store serving beer, but opened a new cafe in another location down the Jalan Goutama.
New address, same old place, cute interior, we followed.

The latest news tell that the ”new” restaurant would’ve closed down, but the older one would continue as a clothing store.
You might want to check out if they’re still serving some coffee & cake too.

Mamanis Gelato

Ice cream is another sweet thing to try in Ubud. There are tons of ice cream bars in town, but we’ve only tried out one in Jalan Monkey Forest and one in Jalan Raya.
Doesn’t really matter which place you’ll choose, but make sure to taste a local delicacies.

Mamanis gelato is located on the Jalan Monkey Forest 6, only about 50 meters from the Jalan Raya street. It always has long queues. We’ve propably been here only once, so it would be unfair to rate this place. But they have inspiring interior and those queues in front of the bar.

Gelato Secrets

This is also a chain bar, but we loved their cute & stylish Jalan Raya place since our very first visit to Ubud in 2013.
Yes, it’s by the busy main street but also facing towards the valley and jungle. The scenery has changed a lot during these years, but we still love it.

And it’s not only the atmosphere we like, but the special Bali treat. If you come here only once, try the ash grey lava ice cream, an Indonesian speciality.

15 restaurants where to eat in Ubud

When the sun is setting and heat is going down, it’s time to think of some proper meal.
But where to eat in Ubud?
Options are endless so either do start planning early or just throw yourself inside of any restaurant door.

If you’re a planner, here are some suggestions to consider.
Personally I do hate planning, well, holiday me and work me are two totally different things.
Work of mine demands me to do tons of background research so I want to make things easy on free time. Hope to make things easy for you too, so I maybe you’ll find something to try from this list.

Anyhow, at least you might have an preconception to try local delicacies or maybe are you longing for some Italian pizza, so let’s go to find some!

As said, options are endless; local, European, Australian, Asian, eatery style or fancy fine dining.
I decided to base this list by location. As Ubud is still a small town, let’s do this street by street.
Inside just a one square kilometer you’ll find everything you are lusting for.

Jalan Monkey Forest

We’ll definitely need to begin this restaurant guide from the Jalan Monkey Forest as it’s impossible to visit Ubud without walking along this street.
It’s not the main street of this town – Jalan Raya is – but surely the most famous and most walked by visitors here.
Even it being the most touristic area, we have a few fave restaurants here.

This might be bit confusing, but we we’ll start here, is actually the end of the road. But as you surely know the famous monkey forest, we’ll begin here.
If you’ve already visited the monkeys and are heading back to the town walking along Jalan Monkey Forest you’ll soon climb uphills.

De’Warung

When you’ll reach uphill look at your right. There’s a hotel called Ubud Inn, simple as that.
This is a place we happily slept in our first visit to Ubud.

Even staying elsewhere this place draws us back to have some fresh lemon & ginger juice at their restaurant De’Warung downstairs.
Btw, you’ll soon notice Ubud has juice bars in every corner, try them out!

Keep on going after the refreshment. I mean, you could also happily dine here, but I’ll lead your further.
At the beginning the Jalan Monkey Forest the best restaurants are still on the right side of the road.
(The beginning still meaning coming back from the monkey forest.)

Many of the restaurants here has changed their names since we’ve been there.
They also might have switched the concept, so I won’t specify those before getting back to Ubud.
Many of the places are offering typical Balinese food, while others had fusion kitchen offering fine dining with a Balinese & European twist.

We especially loved terraces by the rice fields in the middle of the town, but go to look yourself.
Menus are usually visible on the boards by the sidewalk.

Three Monkeys

One place I do have to mention is the Three Monkeys. It serves Mediterranean food and Balinese sparkling wine by the rice field. This has been one of our all-time favorites.

It might sound weird to dine European style in Asia, but there is absolutely no reason to avoid it. At least full-time nomads appreciate having familiar food once in a while, but even for tourist these places give you new ideas for foods you think you know very well.
For example, in Three Monkeys we had duck, very typical to French cuisine, yet a festive food in Bali also.

Note: What I’ve understood Three Monkeys is currently under renovation, but they also have a restaurant in Sanur.

After a dinner you might be looking for a place to have a drink or two. Walk ahead, but not too far. Around the football field (soccer for some of you) by the Jalan Monkey Forest you’ll find the most famous bars and the latest nightlife in town.
You can’t miss it. Neither football field or noise from the bars.

Ibu Rai

Crossing the Jalan Dewisita right after the football field you’ll soon see the restaurant Ibu Rai which is popular especially for celebrating a bit more fancier event.
We’ve been here couple of times and it’s nice, but to be honest, not one of our favorites though loved by many foreign visitors.
History of this place makes a good story. To keep this post somewhat shortish I won’t repeat it here, but it’s written on Ibu Rai’s own website. I was so glad to hear this place survived Covid.

Walking to almost an end of the Jalan Monkey Forest (still on the right-hand side of the street) there’s a restaurant we used to go when we lusted for some European style pasta. Unfortunately I don’t know if the place still exist, neither do I remember its name.

Cafe Wayan & Bakery

When you cross the road to its left side, you’ll find Cafe Wayan which, despite its name ”cafe”, is offering Balinese meals in a beautiful garden so silent that it’s hard to believe you’re only few steps afar from the busiest street in Ubud.

After you’ve finished in all the Jalan Monkey Forest restaurants it’s time to conquer the next street!
Just kidding, don’t even try to do this in one night, not even in a month. As said, we’ve spent months in Ubud.
But let’s move on at least in theory and head to the next street!

Jalan Raya

Noisy, crowded and polluted. Sidewalks are either non-existend or filled with parked scooters.
Jalan Raya is the main street of Ubud.
After the rush of a day is gone, it’s not that bad and evenings are a great time to pay a visit to some of the restaurants.
Couple of our most favorite ones are located here.

First we’ll turn left from the Jalan Monkey Forest.

Arang Sate

Take only few steps from the Jalan Monkey Forest. At the corner of the Jl. Monkey Forest and Jl. Raya (on the left side), you’ll find Arang Sate, an amazing industrial style place serving fusion Japanese cuisine.
We love the interior, we love the food.
Skewer lovers, this is your place!

Cafe Legend

Cafe Legend is a legend.
It’s located along the Jalan Raya and opposite of beginning of our previous homestreet Jalan Kajeng.
To be honest we went here for a wifi, but this place is popular amongst Westeners. And if you’ll do what we did, just remember to order food and drinks enough to cover your office time.

Cafe Lotus

Walk about a hundred meters more and cross the street (to the right side) to find the Cafe Lotus.Book early in advance or try your luck, but if it’s possible choose a table by the pond side.
The Saraswati temple next door has an evening show of temple dance and gamelan music, latter being listed as the UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage. You will be able to watch the show without no extra cost if you are dining.

We’ve been here to celebrate Ismo’s birthday and as well our anniversary. Yes, this place is famous and popular, yet its reputation is well earned.

Miro’s Garden Restaurant

Walk further, away from the town, and you’ll find Miro’s.
Climb those stone steps you already see from the main road on your left, walk into a garden and find your table.

It’s usually possible to get a table without a reservation, but if you’d like to taste bebek bengil as you really should, you’d need to make a reservation at least 24 hours prior your arrival. This special festive crispy duck meal needs a lot of preparation and is slowly cooked.
Definitely worth tasting! This was one of our favorite restaurants to have Sunday suppers or something else bit nicer.

Jalan Kajeng

We once lived at the end of the Jalan Kajeng, the road beginning from the Jalan Raya, just one street away from the famous Jalan Monkey forest. There are quite many restaurants here too, mostly offering affordable & delicious Balinese.

When you’ll turn left to Jalan Raya from Jalan Monkey forest, this will be the first crossing street on your right. That one opposite of the Cafe Legend.

Jalan Suweta

If you’d continue the Monkey Forest road crossing the Jalan Raya and walking past the Ubud temple, you’d be on Jalan Suweta.
This is also the next street from Jalan Kajeng, running to the same direction side by side.

Warung Ibu Oka

Walk about 200 meters and turn right to Jalan Tegal Sari. At the end of this small street you’ll find Warung Ibu Oka offering the famous babi guling.

This roasted suckling pig is also one of the festive meals in Bali, but become so famous that it can be found daily in many warungs. Many of them, like Ibu Oka, are serving babi guling as their signature dish.

Back to the main street of Jalan Raya

After these side steps it’s time to get back to the main street.
Now we’ll walk to the other direction, which would be right-hand side if you’d be coming from the Jalan Monkey Forest.
– Trying not to totally confuse you here.

Also this side of Raya street has plenty of nice restaurants. I’ll mention only couple of them here not to turn this post into a whole book.

Oops Restaurant and Bar

This is one to mention if you are looking for drinks. We went here couple of times to have a glass of wine and noticed them offering nice cocktails too.
What I liked the most here was their garden far away from the street. Though their bar also has a nice interior and is fun place to watch people strolling by.
Oops is located across from the Ubud market.

Nomad Restaurant

This is the place everyone knows. It’s been here for decades serving Balinese and Asian fusion.
We kept returning for their tuna steak.

Nomad is located in the corner of Jalan Raya and Jalan Goutama. Next we’ll hit to Jl. Goutama!

Jalan Goutama

Bonito

Now this is a must-try place if you value local organic food and sustainability.
We absolutely love this tiny resto!
We went to Bonito the first time when Canadian chef Roberto had just opened it.

The food is amazing and staff super fun. We were chatting so much about philosophy of food with Roberto, that we ended up continuing the night in another bar after he had finished his work.

Buona Sera

What I know of this Italian pizzeria doesn’t exist anymore, but I’ll need to mention this, as it’s a good example of Bali restaurant scene.

Buona Sera was runned by an Italian woman and pizza there was as good as you’d expect to have in Rome or Naples.
This is typical in Bali. There are a lot of foreigners living on this island and many of them have opened restaurants serving food from their own countries.
It’s authentic and often times even better than in their countries of origin.

So there is no reason to stick with the Balinese food only. Though as I already said, I always recommend that, if you are traveling only couple of weeks. Nomads staying in Asia months at a time just need variation.

Jalan Goutama also offers multiple choices for dining and some bars too. It is also a home street to our earlier mentioned fave Cafe Kismet.

Jalan Dewisita

Continuing down the Jl. Goutama, the first crossing street is the Jl. Dewisita. Again this street has tons of places to choose from.

Mingle

We often sat upstairs of this cute restaurant & bar Mingle waiting for tropical rain to stop or met our friends for drinks.

CP Lounge

Walk uphill towards Monkey Forest street and you’ll be back by the football field with bars behind it.
CP Lounge is one of those we occasionally visited.

There are also bars on the way and one next to the field is often having a live music. You can’t miss it, you’ll find it following the music.

This area is also the only noisy area in Ubud. This town is not a party town, but a place for wellbeing and healing.
So if you looking for booze and beach parties, hit to Kuta. But if you love good food, yoga and relaxation, Ubud is your place!

Jalan Hanoman

Kebun Bistro

We didn’t go much to the restaurants on Jl. Hanoman, but often admired a beautiful looking Kebun bistro on a way to the supermarket. When we once tested it, it became right away our new favorite.
We went there for delicious duck and other meals, but this is also one of the places where the interior was the thing tempting us back.

Cooking classes

Many of the Ubud restaurants also offer cooking classes. Unfortunately we still haven’t attended and can’t therefore recommend any, but if you like cooking this could be something fun to try.
Just follow the signs in front of the restaurants or ask for advice, you’ll definitely find a place to learn how to cook Balinese meals.

Home cooking

Talking about cooking – Reading this post you might’ve been wondering if we ever cook ourselves.
Yes we do and we actually love cooking at home.
Unlike most foreigners here, we also cooked a lot in a shared kitchen of our homestay in Ubud.

Coco supermarket

Finding proper stuff for homecooking can be little tricky in the Ubud center.
There are green markets and shops, but for the wider selection you’ll need to go bit further.

We usually walked to the Coco supermarket which is located at the end of the Jalan Hanoman.
That’s also where the Jalan Monkey Forest begins and goes along the famous monkey forest before turning back towards the center of the town.

Coco has a good selection of cheese, meat, veggies, beverages (also wine) and tons of Western style stuff like pasta, cookies and more.
We also bought our fresh eggs from here. Those were packed in a plastic bag, which forced us to take very careful steps walking few kilometers back home.

I know you must be exhausted now, let’s find you a homestay to sleep at – Read next where we stayed!

How to homestay in Bali