A Gastronomic Guide to Bali
From Ubud's river valleys to the cliffs of Uluwatu: Bali's defining resorts and the restaurants that celebrate Indonesian flavour.
Bali has shaped the idea of the modern luxury resort. This guide brings together the island's most influential retreats and the restaurants that best express its flavours.
Indonesian flavours
Balinese cooking is built on base genep, a spice paste of shallots, garlic, galangal, turmeric and chillies. Babi guling, spit-roasted suckling pig, and bebek betutu, slow-cooked spiced duck, are the island’s ceremonial classics. Merah Putih extends the picture to dishes from across the archipelago.
Fine dining in Ubud
Mozaic has long led the island’s fine-dining scene, pairing French technique with local produce. Kubu at Mandapa offers one of the most romantic settings imaginable, in bamboo cocoons by the river.
Where to stay
Amandari and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan are the classic Ubud retreats; Bulgari Resort Bali offers ocean drama on the cliffs of Uluwatu. Many travellers combine both regions in one stay.
Practical notes
Plan travel times carefully, as traffic between the south and Ubud can be slow. Reserve popular restaurants ahead in the dry season. Nyepi, the Day of Silence, closes the island for 24 hours.