Creamy kormas, fiery vindaloo, spiced biryani and buttery naan - try it all at the very best Indian restaurants in Bali!
For foodies around the world, Bali has fast become a one-stop destination for international cuisine. Not only is it home to the humble warung serving the best of Balinese and Indonesian cuisine, it’s also home to award-winning Aussie-style cafes, epic Italians, authentic Japanese and more pizza places than we can shake a coconut at. And whenever you’re craving a kick of spice or a creamy curry, Bali is also home to some of the best Indian food we’ve ever tried.
Yep, lucky for us, the island is filled with incredible Indian restaurants serving all of our favourite Indian classics. There’s everything from authentic North Indian flavours and age-old recipes from the country’s diverse regions, to modern takes on the traditional curry house. So, to help you on your culinary tour to India, we’ve rounded up the very best Indian restaurants in Bali that are worthy of your foodie bucket list…
14 BEST INDIAN RESTAURANTS IN BALI
1. UTSAV – Uluwatu
For a fiery and authentic taste of India’s vibrant culture and cuisine, head to UTSAV in Uluwatu. This Indian kitchen in the beating heart of bustling Ungasan is where you can tuck into Indian classics and fusions within a historical, 150 year-old Joglo (AKA a traditional Javanese house) with a beautiful outdoor garden. In true celebration of India’s colourful cuisine and culture, a dinner here is always best shared with friends and family. Start with the famous Indian street food appetisers before filling the table with a medley of curries, biryani, naan and aloo. Our faves? The butter chicken, the spicy chicken Madras curry, the creamy paneer Makhani and the steamed dumplings served with a side of chilli and scallion sauce. Wash it all down with a sweet lassi made from fresh yogurt, or even an ice-cold Bintang…
UTSAV, Jl Uluwatu No. 82, Ungasan, p. +62 812 4001 0026, e. [email protected]; Open daily 10am – 11.30pm.
2. Galle Club – Ubud
Tucked away in Nyuh Kuning in Ubud, Galle Club is an ode to the periodic charm of Sri Lanka, where colonial aesthetics meet tropical nuances. It’s also Bali’s first Sri Lankan and coastal-Indian restaurant that serves modern brunch dishes with Sri Lankan flavours, as well as classic Thalis and Tiffin lunches. Dinner beckons with Sri Lankan ‘short eats’ (appetisers and bites) alongside hearty curries and sides designed to share family-style. The standouts are the hot butter halloumi and the short-rib chukka, followed closely by the prawn chingri curry and the eggplant moju. And with Bacari (Ubud’s best wine bar) as its sister restaurant, Galle Club also lists 12 spectacular wines by the glass served using the Coravin wine preservation system. Don’t miss the innovative cocktails either – they pay tribute to the ingredients found in every Sri Lankan and Indian pantry. Try the Saadika to start, and the Bacari Negroni for the perfect nightcap.
Galle Club, Jl Nyuh Gading No.2, Mas, Ubud, p. +62 852 1225 7973; Open daily 9am – 11pm.
3. Queen’s Tandoor – Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud & Nusa Dua
As one of Bali’s original curry houses, Queen’s Tandoor is the king of Indian food on the island, having reigned for more than 20 years in Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud and Nusa Dua. Prepared by a team of Indian chefs, you’ll find all of your favourite Indian dishes here, from flavoursome curries and biryanis, to creamy dahls and fiery tandoori. Each dish is lovingly cooked to perfection using original Indian spices for utmost authenticity, with traditional recipes from both north and south India. We say, start with the crispy veggie samosas, before moving on to the traditional butter chicken (AKA murgh makhni) with tender, marinated chicken tikka simmering in a lusciously creamy tomato-butter gravy. Pair it with the Beauty and the Beast cocktail that uses sous-vide Cazadores tequila, infused with sweet pineapple and a hint of fiery pepper, topped with Aperol and rose water.
Queen’s Tandoor Bali, multiple locations across the island, WA. +62816 942 942, e. [email protected]; Open daily 12pm – midnight.
4. Chai’Ba – Seminyak
Get a taste of India’s authentic flavours at Chai’Ba, a Seminyak fave for an Indian feast. Each dish is carefully prepared with the finest ingredients, blending Bali into North and South India’s home cooking. Nab a cosy indoor or a breezy outdoor seat, and tuck in to the street kitchen’s specialties. For a light lunch, you can’t go wrong with any of the dosa or the sweet potato tandoori paneer salad. Then, come dinner time, swing by for the tender Aussie lamb curry with a side of coconut basmati rice, or the Chai’Ba Thali for a taste of it all. Cool down from the spice with an Indian-inspired cocktail, like the Calcutta Sour or the Raj’s Margarita. We’ll take three, please!
Chai’Ba, Jl Raya Basangkasa No. 47, Seminyak, p. +62 811 407 866; Open daily 12pm – 10.30pm.
5. RiZE Bali – Canggu
Serving up a contemporary take on soulful Indian cuisine slow-cooked to perfection, RiZE is an all-time favourite in Canggu. Sourcing ingredients from local farmers and artisan produce, the kitchen prepares a menu of eclectic, wholesome food and crafty cocktails inspired by long generations of family cooks. We can’t get enough of the homemade, stone-ground dosa, with three different varieties to choose from. And psst… the food here is best shared, so be sure to bring your hungriest entourage!
RiZE Bali, Jl Pantai Pererenan No. 150, Pererenan, p. +62 811 388 4446; Open daily 8am – 10pm.
6. Red Gunpowder
Taking inspiration from India’s abundant spices, Red Gunpowder is a modern Indian restaurant tucked away in the heart of peaceful Pererenan. Step into this rustic space built with reclaimed wood and you’re instantly greeted by the waft of aromatic spices and fragrant herbs. You’ll want to swap and share a few plates to get a taste of it all, starting with the samosa tartelette, Tandoor octopus and cauliflower Tikka, before indulging in a warm claypot curry and vegetable biryani. Finish off with a Mango Medely, and whatever you do, don’t miss the Curry Mule.
Red Gunpowder, Jl Munduk Tengah No. 6, Pererenan, Canggu, p. +62 812 4567 8827, e. [email protected]; Open daily 5pm – 11pm.
7. Apsara – Ubud
Apsara brings food from all corners of India to Ubud‘s hippest strip, using nourishing recipes and wholesome ingredients to create its contemporary menu of Indian tapas. Open all day, you can swing by for brunch to graze on the vegetarian Paratha Thaali – an Indian-style tapas plate featuring stuffed paratha, mulberry chutney and pickles, with vegan daal and eggplant bharta on the side. Or, head in for a semi-fine dining dinner date and tuck into the succulent lamb Rogan Josh, the butter chicken or saag paneer. You’ll want to order a handful of dishes here, with everything designed to swap and share.
Apsara, Jl Goutama Selatan No. 30, Ubud, p. +62 811 3960 6802; Open daily 11am – 11pm.
8. Muse Café & Art – Ubud
An artsy cafe surrounded by Ubud’s greenery, Muse dishes up healthy and wholesome Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines from breakfast to dinner. Using the freshest ingredients from across the island, Muse creates modern twists on grandma’s most authentic recipes. You can’t go wrong with any of the famous dosas, or our fave, the turmeric coconut Mahi-Mahi fish curry served with red rice. And if you’re ready to retox, there’s plenty of cocktails and wines to wash it all down with…
Muse Café & Art, Jl Sri Wedari No. 6b, Ubud, p. +62 811 380 9394; Open daily 7am – 11pm.
9. Curry Traders Restaurant & Bar – Nusa Lembongan
Island-hopping to Nusa Lembongan? Head to Curry Traders for an elegant-yet-casual spice-inspired feast. Step through the restaurant’s archway and you’re instantly hit with the vibrant aromas wafting from the open kitchen. Not a curry house nor an Indian restaurant, you’ll find a fusion of Indian, Sri Lankan and Southeast Asian delicacies here, perfectly complemented by signature cocktails handcrafted with premium spirits. Our faves? Try the signature butter chicken, the Bangladesh-style prawn curry, and the vegan Sri Lankan daal. Top it all off with the Saffron Lady cocktail, inspired by the charm of Bombay.
Curry Traders Restaurant & Bar, Jl Jungutbatu, Nusa Lembongan, p. +62 821 4668 4894; Open daily 5pm – 11pm.
10. Spice Mantraa – Kuta & Seminyak
A symphony of exotic spices and avant-garde, contemporary dishes, Spice Mantraa is one of our all-time fave Indian restaurants – and for good reason. Full of flavour, you’ll want to try the whole Tandoori-marinated fish cooked in a clay oven, and the fragrant Nawabi Murgh biryani served with veggie raita. Or, for something even heartier, pair the North Indian Malai Kofta with the charcoal garlic naan. You can’t go wrong with any of the rich and creamy curries here, so we say, try them all!
Spice Mantraa, Jl Kartika Plaza, Kuta (p. +62 811 386 7494) & Jl Petitenget No. 2000, Seminyak (p. +62 361 934 4234), e. [email protected]; Open daily.
11. Pesona Lounge – Ubud
A vibrant little India in Ubud, Pesona Lounge aims to impress, starting with its Taj Mahal-esque interiors, blue hues and velvety sofas and cushions that radiate luxury. Then there’s the food: a perfect blend of spices, the freshest locally sourced ingredients, and everything made in-house from scratch (yep, even the cheeses!), all sprinkled with edible flowers and micro-greens to bring a splash of colour to each plate. It goes without saying that the Pesona experience isn’t complete without its signature Indian-inspired cocktails, each one carefully crafted to create art in a glass!
Pesona Lounge, Jl Goutama Selatan No. 25A, Ubud, p. +62 811 389 1975, e. [email protected].
12. Chai of The Tiger – Ubud
A humble, cosy restaurant nestled in Ubud, Chai of The Tiger gives you a street food dining experience enriched with India’s vibrant flavours. The short and sweet menu is carefully selected to give you the nation’s favourites made with fresh ingredients – from the samosas and crisp raw mango behl salad, to the Indian-Balinese fusion chicken satay slathered with Mumbai-style sauce. Yum!
Chai of The Tiger, Jl Sukma Kesuma No. 25 (p. +62 821 1219 4853) & Jl Bisma No. 49 (p. +62 811 399 1181), Ubud; Open daily 11am – 9.30pm.
13. Gateway of India – Sanur, Kuta, Ubud & Seminyak
One of the OG Indian restaurants in Bali, Gateway of India welcomes you to an authentic dining experience with a feast of traditional dishes, topped with professional service and lively ambience. From the papadums and dosas, to vegetarian paneers and daals, it’s a one-stop-destination for a culinary tour of India.
Gateway of India, multiple locations across the island.
14. Mumbai Station – Ubud
Hungry plant-based foodies, all aboard the train to Mumbai Station in the heart of Ubud. The healthy and wholesome menu is filled with pure vegetarian dishes, with vegan and Ayurvedic options too. Taste your way through the breakfast menu served all day, or make it a hearty lunch or dinner with the creamy chickpea curry, North Indian palak tofu or the masala dosa stuffed with spiced potato. And let’s not forget alll the Ayurvedic specialties!
Mumbai Station, Jl Raya Sanggingan No. 90, Ubud, p. +62 812 3632 5617; Open daily 8am – 10pm.
