On the hunt for the best new restaurants in Bali? Bookmark this page, because here we bring you the hottest new openings of 2023.
From epic breakfasts and never-ending brunches to cool cafes and ultra-fine dining degustations – you could say we’re a little obsessed with food here at Honeycombers. And when it comes to the best new restaurants in Bali? We’re all over it. From Seminyak and Canggu to Ubud, Uluwatu and beyond, each month we bring you the best new restaurants, cafes and bars in Bali, keeping you in the loop with all the hottest places to eat across the island.
Honestly, we don’t often blow our own trumpets. But if we’re talking food, we can always tell you the best place for a local Balinese feast, a drool-inducing burger, and even where to eat vegan across the island. And as for all the brand new, hot-off-the-press restaurants you absolutely need to try? Well, this is everything you need: our Hot New Tables 2023 roundup.
And psst- if you’re still hungry for more, check out all of the best meals we ate in Bali in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 too… Happy munching, Honeys!
ALL THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN BALI
Hot New Tables: 2023
Scusa – Jimbaran
Bringing the flavours, aromas, and laid-back ambiance of the Mediterranean to Jimbaran, Scusa is the latest dining destination to open within the newest hotel on the sprawling AYANA Estate, AYANA Segara. Using fresh local ingredients to honour the quintessential dishes of the Med, Scusa transports you to a Mediterranean island with every bite. Think stuffed calamari with sauce vierge and confit tomato, or mackerel in carpione with garden vegetables and citrus mayo. The chef’s favourite? The pappardelle with lamb ragout, topped with pecorino fondue and sage. And the menu isn’t Scusa’s only impressive trait. The maze-like restaurant (with its arched doorways and terracotta pots) is reminiscent of the winding alleyways of Italy, Spain and Greece, centred by an outdoor piazza, lounge and Italian-style fountain for those all-important alfresco vibes. All of this is then topped off with a wine list featuring the best red and white Mediterranean varietals, and exclusive wines from boutique vineyards throughout Italy and Spain.
Uma Garden – Umalas
Nestled amongst Umalas’ rice paddies and surrounded by greenery is Uma Garden – a fire-based restaurant with the humble philosophy of bringing people together around real food and good vibes. Just minutes from both Canggu and Seminyak, Uma Garden is a sanctuary away from the bustle, and with its stylishly rustic ambiance and prime address on one of Umalas’ most trendy streets, it’s fast become the go-to neighbourhood hangout for both expats and seasoned foodies alike. Start the evening with a pre-dinner aperitivo at the stylish indoor lounge as you watch the open kitchen come to life. Then, make your way to the heart of the restaurant where communal tables set the scene for mixing and mingling over honest recipes and wood-fired flavours. Try the 24-hour slow-cooked pork belly, or the Wagyu beef and juicy prawns ember-grilled to perfection.
Powder Room – Ubud
From the same trailblazing kitchen team as Room4Dessert, Powder Room in Ubud is the latest venture from award-winning Chef Will Goldfarb – this time a creative take on a candy store. In true R4D style, this dessert haven is stocked full of handmade artisanal treats with signature twists that pay homage to Bali’s fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Think superfood versions of classic chocolate bars (hellooo healthy Snickers!), rosella-kombucha garden gummies, and our fave, the Botanical Bombolonis – complete with a crunchy sugar crust and gooey vanilla cream that oozes with every bite. Added flavours are courtesy of herbaceous ingredients like galangal and jamu, Indonesia’s traditional drink.
CORK Bistro & Wine Bar – Sanur
Adding to Sanur’s international food scene, CORK Bistro & Wine Bar is a European bistro where the menu is given a gastronomic twist. The bistro’s casual-meets-fine dining concept caters to all foodies, perfect for a night out or special occasion. Drop by in the morning and start the day with an elevated breakfast, like French toast with crispy bacon and a perfectly brewed cappuccino. For lunch or dinner, start with the tuna tartare or beetroot salad, before grazing on the rich duck confit or the classic tenderloin with foie gras. Then, finish it all off with a spekkoek affogato and a glass or two of the fine wines on offer. And psst -CORK doubles up as a wine shop, so you can also take home a bottle of your fave!
Maize – Canggu
Drink and dine in Latin American style at Maize – Canggu’s hottest new restaurant that’s dishing up contemporary cuisine inspired and rooted in Latin flavours and traditions. From the crispy fried tortillas to the suckling pig, everything on the menu celebrates local and seasonal produce, alongside imported ingredients from Latin America and Asia where necessary. Take a seat on the alfresco outdoor patio and start with the Hokkaido scallop tostadas topped with uni mayo, cured egg yolk and pomelo. Move on to the wood-roasted cabbage with salted grapes and roasted almonds to share, or even create your own tacos. Not sure what to eat? Give the chefs the reins with the Chef’s Choice Menu, and whatever you do, you’ll want to save space for Maize’s desserts…
Pho Mo – Berawa
Fear of missing out on Vietnamese noodle soup, AKA pho? Lucky folks in Canggu won’t have to, because Pho Mo Berawa is dishing up these iconic bowls of deliciousness, topped with fresh veggies and high quality ingredients. The star of the pho at Pho Mo is the broth – packed full of spices that take you straight to Vietnam. Bonus: it’s rich in collagen for extra nourishment. You’ll find the classics, like Pho Bo (noodle soup with thinly sliced rib-eye), and Pho Ga (braised chicken) that are perfect for rainy days or to enjoy in the cool air-conditioned interiors. We say, slurp on the rib-eye and 48-hour slow-cooked brisket combo pho… Comfort food at its best!
Lola’s Cantina Mexicana – Uluwatu
From Canggu to Uluwatu with love, Lola’s Cantina Mexicana brings all your favourite Cali-Mexican fare and killer cocktails to the Bukit. It’s always a fiesta here, with late nights of music and dancing, and of course, a spice-packed menu. Start off with the jalapeño poppers and tuna ceviche, or the Birria tacos and empanadas to share. Then, round up your hungriest mates and order one of everything off the menu – we’re talking burritos, bowls, taquitos, nachos and fajitas too. Finish off with Lola’s selection of dulces – we love the salted caramel dessert cocktail, spiked with Captain Morgan spiced rum…
Sala Bistro – Sanur
Sala Bistro, a neighbourhood fave since 2017, is back with a fresh new look and brand new venue right on Sanur’s buzzing eat street. Step through the doors and you’ll find two floors’ worth of cosy nooks, sofas and wooden furnishings that make you feel right at home. This Aussie brunch spot serves up an international menu full of healthy and wholesome dishes made from the freshest ingredients – best enjoyed with a perfectly brewed coffee courtesy of one of the island’s best, Seniman Coffee. Stop by for a sundowner on the rooftop with a glass of wine in hand, before tasting the dinner menu that’s packed with special creations like the bistro’s modern take on bangers and mash, or the veggie-friendly eggplant parmigiana.
Roots – Pererenan
A cosy plant-focussed cafe in the heart of Pererenan, Roots is where you can feast on vegan and veggie creations from brekkie ‘til lunch. Influenced by local flavours and seasonal ingredients, the menu is nutrient rich and wholesome, featuring sandwiches, wraps, salads and sweets, plus daytime cocktails too. Start with the Plant Power Big Breakfast (with BBQ-glazed tofu!), or, if sweet treats are your thang, try the Island Rice Pudding with organic sticky black rice, coconut, mango and mint oil. You’ll want to drop by at lunch to try the customised bowls selection – either build your own or try one of the chef’s signatures. Our fave is the Roots Bowl, brimming with roasted beetroot and carrots, marinated feta, edamame wasabi hummus and a roasted shallot balsamic dressing, sprinkled with dukkah seeds for extra flavour.
ULU Eat – Uluwatu
For artisan eats and cocktails, head to ULU in Uluwatu. This sleek space has got you covered for a pre-surf feast, a fancy night out and everything in between. Just footsteps away from Uluwatu’s famous waves, head here for fresh and wholesome food paired with great cocktails. We say, swing by early to feast on the Piggy Pancakes for breakfast (signature triple-stack fluffy pancakes with crispy bacon and a drizzle of brown butter and maple syrup) and a cappuccino. The daily rotating salad bar is then perfect for lunch, while dinner time calls for beer-battered fish and chips and a Tokusen Wagyu striploin. Got room for dessert? Try the Bedugul strawberry sorbet with meringue, mascarpone and basil, and pair it with a Passionfruit Bellini.
Jalapeño – Canggu
Born in Sanur, now in Canggu, Jalapeño is a Tex-Mex trailblazer that’s no stranger to Bali’s food scene. Now with a second home in Canggu, you’ll find all of your favourite Jalapeño signatures here, from the tacos, bowls and burritos, to the classic al pastor or carne asada. And veggies, you’re not forgotten – try the jackfruit carnitas, or the mushroom barbacoa. The tequila-based signature cocktails are not to be missed either – we love the Jamurita for a taste of Indonesia and Mexico all in one glass, or the Los Jalapeño, with roasted jalapeño-infused tequila. End your foodie fiesta with perfectly fried churros and dips. And yep, Senoritas & Tequilas night is a thing…
Bacari – Ubud
So much more than ‘just’ a sublime spot to drink wine, Bacari is the first wine bar in Ubud where 19 excellent wines are served by the glass using the state-of the art Coravin Wine preservation system. Here you can sip your way through fantastic wines from around the world, ranging in varietals, blends and vintages from the Old and New World. And to complement your French Chardonnay or Argentinian Malbec, a carefully curated ‘Small Plates’ menu has been designed to pair with each glass. Think olive tapenade on brioche, cured cold cuts, and of course, a selection of aged cheeses too.
Tanah Liat – Nusa Dua
A cooking lab by day, a vegetarian and pescetarian restaurant by night – Tanah Liat is the latest addition to Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort’s list of experiential dining offerings. Serving up creations inspired by art and crafts, you’ll find a menu packed full of seasonal seafood and plant-based dishes. Sit back and relax at the brick-walled indoor area where you’ll find pottery and art made by talented local artists, or head outdoors for a breezy dinner in the garden, where the chefs pick the freshest ingredients for your feast. Fancy yourself an artist? Keep your eyes peeled for the daytime pottery class at the restaurant’s atelier…
Honey & Smoke – Ubud
A speakeasy-meets-grillery, Honey & Smoke is the latest creation by the culinary legend, Chef Will Meyrick. This unique dining concept celebrates smoky flavours through cooking with charcoal and wood fire. But this new Ubud restaurant isn’t a steakhouse – here you’ll find creative dishes from all corners of the culinary hemisphere, from grilled scallops topped with chilli butter, dried mint yoghurt and sumac, to wood-fired aged snapper and eight-hour slow roasted lamb neck. You’ll want to browse through the smoky cocktail list too (try the mystical Kadiaraimu Smoke), and get comfy amidst the al-fresco 1920s-style interiors and travel-inspired decor.
Looking for more of the best new restaurants in Bali? Check out our Hot New Tables roundups for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018 too!
