
From Latin American fusion to cool cafes and fine dining degustations, these are the very best restaurants that opened in Bali in 2021...
Pandemic aside, 2021 was a year of great things when it came to food in Bali. The island has always been hot on the heels of the world’s culinary capitals, and 2021 proved that Bali’s gourmet bunch aren’t slowing down. From celebrity chefs to cool neighbourhood cafes and everything delicious in between, these are the best new restaurants in Bali that opened in 2021…
And psst- if you’re still hungry for more, check out all of the best new restaurants to try in 2022, and all of our favourite meals we ate in 2020, 2019, and 2018 too… Happy munching, Honeys!
ALL THE BEST RESTAURANTS THAT OPENED IN BALI: 2021
Hot New Tables
1. Sa’Mesa – Canggu
One long table, and one helluva foodie experience. Sa’Mesa is Canggu’s latest dining destination that’s dripping in exclusivity; the kind of place that feels like you’re eating within the chef’s own home. You’ve got to book your seat well in advance if you want to secure your spot around the main communal table – it’s here that you’ll be served exceptional Italian-inspired plates like tuna crudo, chargrilled octopus and homemade king prawn fettuccine. And with the chef helming the open kitchen every night, no two dinner experiences are the same. Expect the unexpected, and don’t leave without trying the Negroni…
2. Good Mantra – Berawa
Good Mantra is exactly what we’ve all been waiting for: a wholly plant-based restaurant with big and bright flavours, easy-breezy community vibes and an address that’s just a stone’s throw from Berawa’s sand and surf. Oh yes, this brand new name is the ray of sunshine (and epic eats) that we’ve all needed. And boy is it a goodie. Legendary chef Dom Hammond is behind the pans, dishing up wholesome plant-based creations that use fresh ingredients from small local farms. Almost everything is then made in-house, from the nut-milks to the granolas and even the zingy relishes and sauces. And what a result. Try the vanilla buckwheat hotcakes (yup, all vegan!) or the avocado and herbed hummus on sourdough for brekkie. Then for lunch, tuck into big-energy salads and stuffed sandwiches with layers of seasonal baked veg and a good slather of plant-based mayo. This earth-to-plate ethos trickles over to the bar, too, where mixologist Anya Montague has designed cocktails and mocktails inspired by Bali’s landscapes and seasons. We’ll take two Good Mantra mojitos, please…
3. Times Beach Warung – Canggu
Toes-in-the-sand vibes meet sublime food and cocktails at Times Beach Warung – Canggu’s hottest new oceanfront perch by the same peeps who gave us The Lawn. By day, graze on yummy brekkie and brunch staples (avo on toast and Acai bowls, we’re lookin’ at you), and by night, swap and share the beach snacks and bites alongside a few rounds of cold beers and shaken or stirred signatures. Unsurprisingly so, golden hour is when the good times really ramp up at this shabby-chic seaside destination…
4. Touché – Pererenan
You’ll feel like you’re in Seminyak in this stylish cafe, just a few metres away from Pererenan beach. With the dreamiest island-chic interiors that match its urban-style menu, Touché is where you’ll find Pererenan’s finest sipping on coconut milk lattes over a plate of truffle gnocchi and a crisp tuna tataki salad. From breakfast through to lunch and even tapas too, the menu goes from fluffy soufflé pancakes, to creamy baked camembert, before finishing off with Mediterranean-inspired mains and desserts. Top tip: Touché doubles up as a prime perch to watch Pererenan life go by, topped off by their iced double espresso with cocoa and orange-infused milk.
5. Shelter – Pererenan
Seminyak’s beloved breezy cafe has finally made it to Pererenan, and this time, it comes with nighttime vibes, rooftop views and a brand new menu to boot! Shelter‘s unique take on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines come with a contemporary twist, and we can’t get enough of the roasted eggplant drizzled in coriander oil, served with labneh and pomegranate molasses. Start off with a flatbread slathered with fluffy whipped chickpeas and smoked paprika oil, then continue your culinary journey with a wood roasted salmon with paprika, raisins, pine nuts and green olives. Or how about the chermoula crusted chicken with herbs, spices, tahini and burnt lemon – best enjoyed with Shelter’s signature Espresso Martini. Cheers!
6. Akar by K Club – Ubud
We can’t decide what we love most about Akar Restaurant & Bar. Is it the breathtaking domed interiors that tower taller than the indoor palms? Or the premium organic ingredients sourced straight from the farm that are reinvented into fine dining masterpieces? Whatever it is, we can’t get enough. Graze through the menu of mainly vegetarian and pescetarian share plates, alongside a few select organic and grass-fed steak options four our meat eater friends. Think roasted local camembert, charcoal Balinese tuna and organic Australian flank steak. Top tip: save space for desserts like the chili chocolate lava and caramel creme brulee.
7. The Hula – Pererenan
This new curb-side community cafe in the heart of sleepy Pererenan had us at Hula Hula Scramble. Yep, The Hula is where you can linger over a long and lovely breakfast, sip on multiple cups of home-roasted coffee, and fill the break between brunch and lunch with breads and pastries from the cafe’s own roaster and bakery. As for the menu, it’s a fusion of fresh global food with plenty of vegan options too. Think American-style pancakes or a Brazilian acai bowl. Or a sweet potato masala alongside a super kale salad. And then there are the interiors. Graze on these all-day delights amid wabi-sabi influences; a mid-century modern sofa, local handcrafted bamboo furniture and antique dark teak table tops. Unsurprisingly so, The Hula is already a big hit with Bali’s brunch crowds…
8. Rize Cafe – Canggu
A perfect fit for Canggu’s healthy bunch, Rize Cafe creates dishes with classic Indian flavours and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, all using the freshest local ingredients. For a healthy yet hearty brekkie, the vegan bowl is loaded with scrambled akuri tofu, masala beans, and a grilled veg and herb salad. The cafe is also just three minutes away from the beach, so if you’re taking a midday break from surfing, drop by for a light lunch: try one of the house dosas, with dahl and homemade chutney. Cool down with a plant-based smoothie, and get back in time for the next wave!
9. Mr. Egg – Canggu
Small in size but deliciously decadent by nature, Mr. Egg ain’t your usual Bali brunch spot. The menu at this new Canggu hotspot (curated by Chef Bowdy Tolhopf) is bringing boujee back to Bali’s brunch scene. With a focus on fresh, locally sourced produce, The Boujee Egg has been winning fans fast with a ‘brunch outside the box’ mentality and a menu revolving around the mighty egg. Think Hollandaise Eggs with gin-cured salmon and miso creme fraiche, or smashed pork and Wagyu sausages with a fried egg and apple relish. Oh, and because this is an all-day brunch joint, there’s also delish desserts (like the yuzu curd, vanilla ice cream and meringue cookie) and signature breakfast cocktails for an all-important daytime tipple!
10. Apsara – Ubud
A contemporary take on Indian food, Apsara brings authentic flavours and a semi fine dining concept to Ubud, with an all-day thaali menu and tapas-style dinner too. Rooted in authenticity and reflecting how Indians eat at home on an everyday basis, by day you can choose from three different thaalis (a tray full of small dishes, sides and condiments) while by night, dinner is designed for sharing and experiencing different flavours and Indian staples. As for the drinks, you can’t go wrong with a traditional lassi, or pair your Indian tapas with a glass (or three) of wine.
11. Little Ripper Cafe – Kedungu
Little Ripper Cafe had us at “sourdough doughnut”. Oh yes, this brand new and homey cafe in Kedungu is home to the “Sourbomb”, AKA Bali’s very first sourdough doughnut. And this divine, doughy creation sits proudly alongside an impressive menu of brekkie and lunch dishes – all of which are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Not only that, but head upstairs and you’ll find a snug little library that makes for the perfect afternoon nook, best enjoyed with their creamy burrata and a hot cuppa.
12. Zali – Pererenan
Described as ‘a story of love’, Zali came about thanks to a Lebanese grandmother’s passion for cooking, and her love of gathering friends and family to share good food around a table. As such, the dishes at Zali showcase her very best recipes, all the way from Beirut. Healthy, natural and with plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, you’ll want to order one of everything from the menu. Our faves? The falafel saj, the tabbouleh salad, and alllll of the mezzeh plates (hello hummus, baba ganoush and cauliflower moutabbal. And psst – the Zali chocolate cake is probably the best we’ve ever had!
13. Bai Yun – Nusa Dua
Craving Chinese? Hot-foot it to Bai Yun at The Apurva Kempinski Bali resort in Nusa Dua for a truly spectacular Chinese hot pot experience. Meaning “white cloud” in Chinese-Mandarin (referring to the steam that comes from a simmering hot pot), Bai Yun is all about recreating and refining this soup-style delicacy. There’s the chicken herbal broth, pork ribs and vegetarian hot pot, all with a focus on fresh seasonal ingredients. Not into hot pots? Bai Yun is also a go-to for all-you-can-eat dim sum at the “Dim Sum and More” unlimited lunch that takes place every single day, featuring 31 different types of handcrafted dim sum (fried, steamed and sweet too!) alongside other homemade dishes. Yum!
14. Milano Restaurant and Bar – Berawa
For a truly metropolitan ambiance, head to new kid on the Berawa-block, Milano Restaurant and Bar. You’ll be whisked away to a buzzy piazza in central Rome, complete with sleek lines and sophisticated decor. Make no mistake, Milano is all about the bar and the exceptional mixologist skills on hand, serving up Michelin quality cocktails that put the pizzazz back into happy hour. Choose from light bites, pizza, antipasti cold cuts, nibbles and delish pasta dishes. It’s the perfect place to settle in for a delectable lunch or easy breezy evening – the cherry on the top being Ladies Night on Wednesdays with half-price cocktails.
15. Tanau – Berawa
An Indonesian fusion restaurant with a difference, Tanau is helmed and run by a husband-wife duo with serious credentials: he worked for Gordan Ramsey in the UK, and she worked at Mozaic in Ubud and NOBU in Malaysia. The result? Fine western techniques coupled with explosive Asian flavours, topped off by local spices and ingredients to recreate Indonesian specialties with a twist. Think glazed ribeye in a rendang oil with grilled okra and chilli. Or blood clams in a Padang-style sauce with a thick slice of fresh sourdough. And our fave? Some homemade sambal on the side for that all-important kick.
16. Melali – Ubud
Serving up wholesome Mediterranean-inspired plates in a stylish street-side setting, Melali is Ubud’s newest neighbourhood eatery that’s perfect for a post-yoga brunch or laptop lunch. Cosy, modern Moroccan interiors set the scene here, brought to life by a menu of healthy eats and easy-breezy laidback vibes. After all, Melali is a Balinese word that roughly translates to mean “to spontaneously take time out to chill, grab a bite to eat, and maybe a coffee”. An all-day breakfast menu helps with exactly that, featuring, poached eggs, potato rostis and all the Hollandaise sauce. Or even the falafel bowl, the fresh juices, and of course, the local Arabica beans. Come nightfall, Melali transforms into a hub of craft cocktails and house-infused gins, alongside those Mediterranean-inspired plates and a homely atmo that means you’ll never want to leave.
17. Cafe Coach – Canggu
Calling all health professionals! Cafe Coach is where coffee, coaching and co-working with like-minded peers come together – not to mention plushy green interiors and an extensive menu of eggs, smoothie bowls, wholemeal pancakes and the staple avo on sourdough toast for brekkie, sprinkled with dukkah, vegan feta, basil and oil. Head in after midday for a pit stop of healthy supernatural salads, the organic pulled pork burger, or the Green Goddess, lovingly packed with kale, quinoa, greens, beans and almonds. Mains are served all day too, along with great coffee, calming teas, smoothies, juices and healthy shots for those that need the extra boost.
18. Brunch Club – Berawa
The Brunch Club has finally swung open doors in Berawa, backing onto the ever-enticing Bali Equestrian Centre. Anyone who’s ever tried the infamous wobbly gooey souffle pancake stack at Brunch Club Legian will testify to its addictive qualities! One bite is never enough, but throw into the mix great coffee, juices, salads, all-day fry-ups, and all the western faves, and you have a firm all-day brunch favourite. Mimosas and rice paddy views included!
19. Dapur Raja – Ubud
Meaning “King’s kitchen” in Indonesian, Dapur Raja in Ubud lets you feast like royalty on authentic Balinese cuisine in a truly regal setting. The restaurant is traditionally decorated and serves up the full Indonesian experience of “rijsttafel” – an elaborate, multi-course meal that features local delicacies and age-old recipes. You’ll get to try signature Balinese dishes like Nasi Kuning Bira, Urab, sweet tempeh and tofu, as well as Bali’s culinary centrepieces: babi guling (suckling pig) and bebek betutu (spice-roasted duck). There is also a vegetarian rijsttafel option, as well as a la carte signatures too. If you’re after the true taste of Balinese and Indonesian cuisine, this is it.
20. Mad Ronin – Canggu
It feels like only yesterday that we first slurped on the epic tonkotsu ramen at Mad Ronin in Seminyak. And now, after multiple years and countless bowls of steamy Japanese deliciousness, the Mad Ronin masterminds have opened a new location on Canggu’s buzzing Batu Bolong. You’ll find all of your fave Mad Ronin ramen signatures here, plus a new addition of shirataki noodles, vegan and veggie ramen and gyoza, free ocha, plus complimentary karaage chicken with every ramen order – not to mention happy hours on cocktails and discounts for kids. To find this new ramen hotspot, look for the mural out front, painted by the one-and-only Eka Mardiys.
21. ARTE – Canggu
A relaxed beachside space in the peaceful village of Pererenan, ARTE (pictured top) is dishing up the hearty flavours of a wood-fired oven and homemade Italian cuisine – all in a welcoming, artsy ambiance. You see, this brand new Bali restaurant aims to reflect the island’s creative energy and community spirit, by bringing a warm atmosphere, open-air design, collaborative library, and deliciously comforting food all under one roof. We’re talking big seafood salads, loaded Napoli-style pizzas and hearty pastas that feel like home. And though the wholesome mains from the wood-fired oven are the standouts, you’ll want to come early to try the all-day brunch spreads and freshly roasted coffee.
Looking for more of the best new restaurants in Bali? Check out our Hot New Tables roundups for 2022, 2020, 2019 and 2018 too!