From beachside barbecues in Jimbaran to fine dining in Ubud, these seafood restaurants in Bali serve up the freshest fish, straight from local Balinese fishermen.
After living in Bali for so long, eating fresh seafood here has become a daily habit. We’re super lucky to have the abundant Indian Ocean nudging our shores, with fresh tuna, snapper, mahi-mahi, barramundi and lobster delivered to the fish markets every morning, courtesy of the hard-working local fishermen.
By the time the day’s catch reaches Bali’s best restaurants, these ocean delicacies are cured, smoked, ceviched, charred and cooked over coals. Gone are the days when the only option was the Jimbaran fish BBQ experience (though it’s still there, and still worth it!). We now have zero-waste seafood in Seminyak, Hawaiian-Peruvian fusion in Uluwatu, raw bars in Umalas, and Mediterranean ocean-to-table cooking to Ubud. So, if you’re hooked on seafood, these are the best places to eat fresh fish in Bali, from chefs who truly know their snapper from their scallop.
Why trust this guide:
I’m Louise, and I’ve lived in Bali for more than 14 years. I’ve been pescatarian for as long as I can remember, and my husband spearfishes almost daily, which means I have very high standards when it comes to eating seafood and fish in Bali. He’s trained me well. I can spot when the fish isn’t fresh, hasn’t been prepared properly, or worse – when the chef has served a bad cut. So, every place on this list has passed this test. These are best seafood restaurants in Bali that even my picky hubby approves of.
What fish and seafood is available in Bali?
Bali’s fish markets receive fresh catch daily, and most good restaurants work directly with local fishermen. Here’s what you’ll find on menus across the island:
- Fish: Tuna, Snapper, Barramundi, Mahi Mahi, Mackerel.
- Shellfish: Prawns, Lobster, Scallops, Clams, Squid, Octopus.
- Local Indonesian specialties: Lombok Oysters, Bali Buri (a type of White Marlin), Gurame (a local freshwater fish).
How seafood is cooked in Bali:
The traditional approach is grilling whole fish over coconut husks, seasoned with a paste of turmeric, lemongrass, galangal, and chilli. This is what you get at Jimbaran’s beachfront cafes and local warungs, and it’s hard to beat for simplicity. Balinese sambal (chilli sauce) is served on the side, along with steamed rice and water spinach.
Which area of Bali is best for seafood?
– Jimbaran is the classic answer. It’s where you’ll find the famous beachfront warungs on the beach, where you pick your fish and eat it grilled at sunset. It’s the most famous seafood experience in Bali and still worth it after all these years.
– Seminyak has the highest concentration of upscale seafood restaurants in Bali, with Seasalt and Ijen leading the way.
– Canggu is more casual and coastal, with spots like Moana and Cocomo doing fresh seafood in a relaxed setting.
– Uluwatu has Ulu Fish Market, which brings poke bowls and fish BBQ vibes to a more laid-back surf crowd.
– Ubud is inland but just as impressive, with Liap Liap and Nautilus serving wood-fired and Mediterranean seafood respectively.
The Best Fish & Seafood Restaurants in CANGGU
1. Moana Fish Eatery
A Polynesian restaurant, fresh fish market and juice bar all rolled into one, Moana is a must-try for seafood lovers. You’ll spot it by the growing queue from 7pm, so be sure to call ahead if you don’t want to keep your date waiting. Food-wise, you can fill up on allll the oceanic staples. Think poke bowls, sashimi, carpaccio, tartare and BBQ fish done just like they do it in the Aloha islands. Top tip: don’t miss their legendary Bali pokè bowl.
Address: Moana Fish Eatery, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No. 28, Canggu, p. +62 812 3815 8373; Open daily 9am – 11pm.
2. Gente Bali
Italian seafood restaurant in Berawa with handmade pasta, fresh local fish, and coastal cooking.
Gente sits on one of Berawa’s quieter streets and does one thing very well: Italian seafood, made properly. Pasta is rolled fresh each morning, fish is sourced from Bali’s local markets at dawn, and the menu reads like a pescatarian’s dream come true.
The tuna tartare with mango and avocado is a good way to start, as is the Antipasto Sapore di Mare: a plate of prawns, baby squid, octopus, clams, and green mussels with sourdough. From there, the lobster linguine in a tomato bisque is the dish you can’t miss.
This place buzzes later in the evening and is popular for date night, but I actually come here early before dark. I just love sitting on the sunlit terrace with a glass of Pinot and the zesty swordfish ceviche, all before the dinner crowds roll in.
Best for: Italian seafood dinners, date nights, long evenings with wine.
Must-try plates: Swordfish Carpaccio, Linguine all’Astice, Polpo alla Gente.
Price: Mains start from IDR 100,000++.
Address: Jl. Tegal Sari No. 21, Berawa, Canggu
WhatsApp: +62 812 3704 4454
Opening hours: Daily 5pm – 11.30pm.
3. Cocomo
A seafood-led bistro on Batu Bolong, shaped by coastal influences from the Caribbean, Pacific, and beyond.
Cocomo is one of the newest restaurants on Batu Bolong right now, and it’s quickly become one of my favourites for fresh fish and seafood. It’s an island-inspired bistro that mixes Bali’s laid-back island vibes with coastal flavours from the Caribbean, Pacific, and beyond. The menu is seafood-led, built around smoke, fire, citrus, and tropical produce.
I’d recommend the mackerel ceviche, the flame-seared scallop and the tuna tartare to start. Follow with the grilled octopus on a bed of roasted paprika purée, and the tamarind snapper. Plus, the coffee-aged Angus beef for anyone steering away from fish.
The cool air-conditioned indoor space is great spot for a casual seafood dinner, while the outdoor area is warm and intimate, with tropical, romantic vibes. You can spend hours here, people-watching over shared plates, and tucking into the sunset-to-evening cocktails.
Best for: Island bistro vibes and coastal cuisine, with air-conditioned interiors or a breezy garden setting.
Must-try plates: Mackerel Ceviche, Grilled Octopus, Tamarind Snapper.
Price: Mains start from IDR 80,000++.
Address: Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No. 99, Canggu
WhatsApp: +62 812 3078 0186
Opening hours: Daily, 11am – 11pm.
The Best Fish & Seafood Restaurants in SEMINYAK
4. Ijen
Ijen is Indonesia’s first ever zero-waste restaurant, part of Desa Potato Head, Bali’s most progressive, eco-friendly ‘village’. The seafood here is simply sublime, caught locally using a hand-reeling process, then grilled over an open fire. My husband still talks about the Giant Prawns to this day, while I’m simply blown away by the eco practices they follow.
The menus are all printed on sustainably-harvested paper and recycled truck tyres, the furniture is made from foam offcuts, and the floor is a mix of upcycled plates and glass. It’s a remarkable space, with equally exceptional dishes. Try the clams with seaweed butter, or the Bonito fish with citrus soy dressing, alongside some of the best local sambal we’ve ever tasted.
Address: Ijen at Potato Head Beach Club, Jl Petitenget No. 51B; Open daily 12pm – 10pm.
5. Bonito Fish Bar
Fresh-from-the-net sustainably caught seafood is what’s on the menu at Bonito Fish Bar. This raw bar and seafood restaurant is the second venture from Chef Maurizio Bombini, and the sister to the acclaimed Mauri restaurant in Seminyak. In comparison to its fine dining predecessor, Bonito is a casual restaurant and seafood delicatessen, celebrating the flavours of the sea with its cooked and raw fish creations.
You can choose your catch from the chilled display counter, or order the imaginative plates from the menu for a taste of Chef Maurizio’s culinary magic. From Lombok oysters and ceviche, to charcoal-grilled lobsters and even octopus rosetta sandwiches, Bonito Fish Bar gets three thumbs up from me.
Address: Bonito Fish Bar, Jl Bumbak Dauh No. 88, Kerobokan, p. +62 811 3811 888, e. reservations@bonito-fishbar.com; Open daily 12pm – 11pm.
6. Seasalt
Just as its name suggests, Seasalt is Seminyak’s ocean and salt-inspired restaurant that I’ve fallen head over flip-flops for. Maybe it’s the breezy beachfront location, the endless ocean views, or the fresh seafood seasoned with Kusamba salt from East Bali that keeps me coming back. Or maybe it’s the sublime Japanese touches.
Whatever it is, I can’t get enough of Seasalt. And it goes without saying that sundowners here are unparalleled, with exceptional cocktails that follow a strict zero-waste concept.
Address: Seasalt at Alila Seminyak, Jl Taman Ganesha No. 9, Petitenget, Seminyak, p. +62 361 3021 889 / +62 811 3867 544, e. hello@seasaltseminyak.com; Open daily 7am – 10pm.
7. Starfish Bloo
Glamorous yet casual, Starfish Bloo is the open-air beachfront restaurant at W Bali – Seminyak, and without doubt one of the very best seafood restaurants in Bali. As you sit overlooking the ocean and the designer pool areas at this swanky Seminyak resort, you’re beyond spoiled for choice. There are chef-curated tasting menus, a la carte sharing platters and the legendary Sunday brunch by the beach. As you’d expect, the quality here is unparalleled, featuring pan-Asian flavours with Western essences, from sizzling seafood to regionally-inspired recipes.
Address: Starfish Bloo at W Bali – Seminyak, Jl Petitenget, Seminyak, p. +62 817 0015 808, e. bf.wbali@whotels.com; Open daily 7am – 11pm.
The Best Fish & Seafood Restaurants in ULUWATU
8. Ulu Fish Market
I love Ulu Fish Market, not only for its seafood, but also for its vibe. Think swaying palms, communal alfresco dining and a rustic beach house feel. But back to that seafood. Ulu Fish Market brings Bali’s beachside barbecue experience to a restaurant setting, where you can order the catch-of-the-day with a selection of sides and your choice of seasoning.
It’s a little bit Balinese and a little bit Hawaiian, with a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours. Think blackened tuna sashimi, cajun-spiced mahi-mahi, scallops topped with salted egg and bountiful poke bowls. My go-to is always the Fresh Catch Plate. I order the tuna, cooked medium-rare, with cajun seasoning. You just can’t beat it.
Address: Ulu Fish Market, Jl Labuansait No. 10, Pecatu, p. +62 822 6646 9790; Open daily 12pm – 11pm.
The Best Fish & Seafood Restaurants in UBUD
9. Liap Liap
Indonesian flavours and charcoal grilling come together at Liap Liap, a wood-fired Indonesian-inspired restaurant in downtown Ubud. The kitchen takes local seafood seriously, building a bold, smoke-infused menu around age-old grilling techniques and the rich spice history of the archipelago.
Chefs grill, smoke and char the daily catch in the indigenous way, turning out standout dishes like the rujak gurita, the sour fish broth, and the seafood liwet paella. My favourite is the Jimbaran-style seafood platter, piled generously and served with pickled veggies and an assortment of spicy sambal. The cocktail list follows the same logic as the food menu, drawing on local flavours and heritage ingredients throughout.
Address: Liap Liap, Jl Monkey Forest, Ubud, p. +62 361 908 0800 / +62 812 3973 6243
10. Nautilus Seafood Restaurant & Bar
Inspired by the sea, Nautilus Seafood Restaurant & Bar brings the ocean to the Ubud jungle with a creative fusion of coastal flavours and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The restaurant sources wild-caught fish and organic ingredients, and Chef Oleksii Ogorodnichu has built the menu into a masterclass in sophisticated seafood.
A standout dish here is the Mediterranean-style octopus with tomato fondant, or the indulgent lobster with zucchini pasta. You’ll also want to dive into the barramundi with black dumplings, or go for the rich, sweet butterfish with a pumpkin cream. And with such an epic wine list (think crisp whites and bold reds to match every bite) Nautilus is the perfect spot for those ‘treat yourself’ nights.
Address: Nautilus Seafood Restaurant & Bar, Jl Suweta No. 80, Ubud, p. +62 813 7078 7888, e. info@nautilusubud.com; Open daily 3pm – midnight.
The Best Fish & Seafood Restaurants in SANUR
11. Fisherman’s Club
Sitting right on the shoreline of Sanur Beach, Fisherman’s Club is where you can soak in sea views and fresh seafood inspired by Jimbaran’s iconic beachfront barbecue ritual. It’s the seafood restaurant at Andaz Bali, with fresh-from-the-net ocean delicacies on display for you to pick your own and have it cooked your way – all given Japanese, Korean or Latin touches. Our top tip: arrive early to enjoy the laid-back beach club ambiance at dusk.
Address: Fisherman’s Club at Andaz Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 89A, Sanur, p. +62 361 320 1234, e. info.andazbali@andaz.com; Open daily 11.30am – 11pm.
The Best Fish & Seafood Restaurants in JIMBARAN
12. Kedonganan Fish Market
Want a taste of “real Bali”? Wake up early and venture down to Kedonganan Fish Market – a local Bali market just 1.4 kilometres from Jimbaran beach. You’ll get an immersive experience into Balinese culture and the hustle and bustle of a local market (AKA pasar), while restaurant owners claim their catch-of-the-day. They have everything from mahi-mahi to prawns, complete with delicious Balinese seasonings that come in little pouches. Want to skip straight to the seafood feast? Head down to Jimbaran beach at sunset where the catch-of-the-day is grilled in traditional spices with local condiments, served up on a toes-in-the-sand dining table.
Address: Kedonganan Fish Market, Jl Pantai Kedonganan, Kedonganan, Jimbaran; Open daily.
Love this list of seafood restaurants in Bali? Here are our fave vegan and vegetarian restaurants for more places to eat sans meat!