Sunset Drinks
Anantara Hotel – Seminyak Beach
For a classier place to watch the rays disappear over Seminyak, not much beats the views at the top of the Anantara – you can see up and down the beach, and way out to sea with uninterrupted views… bit of a hidden gem this one
Champlung Bar Seminyak Beach
For the laid-back bean bag experience – right next to the more popular versions, but this was one of the originals, and still one of the best for friendly service, and live music as the golden orb disappears over the horizon… can’t see that on the east coast ;-)
707 Bar Batu Belig
Pssst – wanna know where the locals go? Head down to 707 Bar Batu Belig – great drinks, hip music, and a great mix crowd… also great combination of tables chairs at the bar, bean bags on grass for those with a sand allergy, and rustic coolness….
Mano Mano – Seminyak
You won’t find too many tourists here either, unless they stumble across it! It’s tucked away in a corner, but its right on the beach, also a local know-how place… a little bit more upmarket than the beach bean bag bars, but at reasonable prices… a great compromise!
Restaurants
Metis – Petitenget
Perfect setting of open air chic modern overlooking a rice field, fine dining, fine French/Mediterranean food, fine wines and fine service…if you want to have a special dinner, this is our choice.
Hog Wild – Batu Belig
Now this is our FAVOURITE place of all – so much fun, good for couples, family, groups – it caters for the lot. As they say, wicked ribs, and brutal martinis – possibly the best ribs you will have anywhere in the world, let alone Bali! Suggestions – get the classic pork ribs with a side of corn on the cob –it’s all you will need – and try the margaritas or long island ice tea if you dare! And, wait to see what happens if you order a martini or margarita…. Shake shake shake!
Sardine – Petitenget
Sardine is opposite Metis, also great food, also overlooking a rice field, but a completely different feel – this is more an old Bali feel, but beautifully presented in a modern way, in a bamboo structure, with a menu that changes daily, with local flavours, locally sourced, fresh seafood and organic vegies. A lovely feel to Sardine..
Cafés – where to for brunch or lunch?
Corner House – Seminyak
Guess where this is located? Right on the corner of restaurant street – Jln. Kayu Aya!
Modern industrial feel, great coffee and breakfast/brunch (and lunch or dinner!) The lattes are nice and strong, and the choice, size, quality and flavours of breakfast dishes are one of the best in Seminyak. Check The Corner House website here.
Shelter Café – Seminyak
Doesn’t get much tastier and healthy than Shelter – the Salads are good, the Malu Bowls also good, and even the burgers are good if you are craving one… try the Falafel Salad, it’s our fav!
Ingka – Seminyak
Also good food, and an extensive menu if you have a group and can’t decide cuisine! Breakfast brunch and lunch recommended here, and has many healthy options, similar to shelter, with lots of salads, pasta, as well as local and Asian foods and breakfast favourites
BhoBho Thai – Dewi Sri
Why go to Thailand, when it’s food is here?! This warung style café, serves very authentic Thai street food – as good as Bangkok to me! Even the deserts are good! Smallish menu, but it’s really all you need, with all your favourites at bargain local warung prices.
Buzzz Cafe – Seminyak
Bali Buzzz Coffee – A perfect coffee every time
Just imagine your Bali ‘local’ was a place where you could get not just a reliable, but a great, strong coffee lovingly brewed by expert baristas all day, every day, at Bali Buzzz Coffee?
Tasty treats with fresh ingredients
Bali Buzzz Coffee brings you Italy’s most-loved, and one of the best recognised roasted coffee brands on Earth, LavAzza. Established since 1895, LavAzza was the first coffee roaster to combine beans from different origins to enrich the flavour of its coffee blends. It sources only the best quality coffee beans from Indonesia, Brazil, Columbia, America and Africa.
Buzzz Coffee will be popping up in many places around Bali and is where West meets East in every single espresso, cappuccino, latte, flat white, long black, moccha or chai latte.
To complete the perfect coffee comes a freshly made muffins, croissants, cakes or a cookie of the highest quality to compliment your experience.
Local Food?
Pak Malen (Babi Guling) – Seminyak
Anyone that knows local food, knows Babi Guling – and anyone that knows the best Babi Guling, knows Pak Malen – if you’re adventurous in your cuisine, and don’t mind the fact that you will fight for a seat, it’s a must do in Bali. Pork many different ways, all on a plate with rice and soup. Sounds simple, taste delish! Must do. But get there before 2pm, as when its gone, its done! Did I mention must do?
Warung anyone? Warung Kecil, Warung Taman Bambu, or Warung Murah (Nasi Campur)
Vegetarian Food – the best of the best
Vegetarian or not, if you haven’t tried Zula, or its sister restaurant Earth Café, both in Seminyak, then do yourself a favour. If you’re hard core veggie or vegan, you will love this place and its organic macrobiotic offerings – or if you have never found a vegetarian restaurant you like, try here. The drink menu is extensive, and is designed around what you need, e.g. feeling tired, need cleansing or a tonic. The food is just exceptional – if you’re used to hard core vegie food, I suggest the planet platter, for all your daily needs on one plate. Else roam the menu for your choice of satisfaction! If you are new to it, suggest the nori maki sushi, or the stir-fried buckwheat noodles for beginners, the samosas are great, or the wee dragon bargain for a great salad served with sourdough bread with pumpkin ‘butter’. Yummo. If you’re there for breakfast, have the scrambled tofu, and I defy you to not think that they are eggs! The greens they come with, and the caper flavoured sauce is to die for.