In this month’s edition of Hot New Tables: Lacasita, Ulu Cliffhouse, Indigo, Milu by NOOK, Opera, Coffee Cartel, My Warung, Konkrete & more!
This year’s high season may well be coming to a close, but Bali’s food scene isn’t showing any signs of slowing down just yet! The focus this month is well and truly on Canggu, with countless new cafes and creative concepts opening up in the Berawa ‘hood, as well as some very exciting new gourmet digs in Seminyak, Uluwatu and Ubud.
We hope you’re hungry, because almost every type of cuisine is covered this month, from swanky Japanese and Mediterranean, to cool and casual coffee shops, brunch spots and the third location for everyone’s favourite Mexican cantina. So sit back, saddle up and enjoy this culinary ride – it’s gunna be a good’un!
Ulu Cliffhouse
Beach club connoisseurs, there’s soon to be another sun soaking, cocktail sipping, ocean gazing destination in town, and this one is ready to redefine the beach club experience. With jaw-dropping views and a concept that’s been curated by a community of creative talent, Ulu Cliffhouse will be taking Bali’s beach club game to the next level. It’s a stunning 4640 square-metre clifftop oasis 35 metres above sea level, complete with a 25 metre infinity pool, an onsite spa, recording studio, curated gallery space, in-house surfboard shaper, a boutique store and a terraced restaurant and cliffside bar perched over the ocean. Yup, this clifftop playground is one to add to your bucket list – stat.
Ulu Cliffhouse, Jl Raya Uluwatu Pecatu, Uluwatu, p. +62 813 3881 2502, e. [email protected]. Coming soon.
Indigo
Hot on the lips of Canggu’s hungriest residents, Indigo is the upscale Japanese restaurant that’s slated to open any day now. You might have seen it around town, sitting on the main Berawa strip just a few footsteps from Macan Cafe with a stunning wooden structure as its frontage. The full details have been tightly held under lock and key so far, but we’ve been told to look forward to some of the best Japanese cuisine this island has ever seen – imported Japanese chef included.
Indigo, Jl Pantai Berawa No 2, Canggu, p. +62 819 9888 8018, e. info@indigocanggu.com. Coming soon.
Opera Mongio
Though cheeses and cured meats are rather hard to come by in Bali, the island has a surprising number of excellent Italians that have us coming back for “a-more” time and time again. But now, the bar has well and truly been raised with the recent opening of Opera Mongio in Berawa – the first Mediterranean restaurant in Canggu that teeters on fine dining, without the hefty price tag or stuffy atmosphere. You see, this stunning new spot isn’t only about pizzas and pastas [though they have those too, and they’re delicious FYI]. They take Mediterranean feasting up a notch with fresh oysters, roasted baby scallops, zuppe di pesce, and our favourite, the tender-to-the-touch octopus that’s drizzled with a slightly citrus tang. And did we mention there are cheese boards, cocktails, and Italian wines, too?
Opera Mongio, Jl Pantai Berawa No 29, Canggu, p. +62 812 3942 9077. Open daily 11.30am – 11.30pm.
Milu by NOOK
Now a household name on the island, the team behind NOOK is continuing to do what they do best with the recent opening of their third pinch-me-cute cafe on the island – this time in Canggu. Bringing everything we love about NOOK in Umalas and El Passo in Pererenan [like the shabby-chic interiors, delish Asian-Western fusion cuisine and family-friendly vibes and prices] Milu by NOOK has already become a hit in its new ‘hood. Try the Ocean Reef smoothie bowl or eggs benny for brekkie, the signature burger with a charcoal bun for lunch, and graze on Indonesian favourites by dinner.
Milu By Nook, Jl Pantai Berawa No 99X, Canggu, p. +62 822 4711 4441. Open daily 8am – 11pm.
Two Trees Eatery
If a tree falls in the woods, who knows if it makes a sound, but when Two Trees Eatery landed in the heart of Canggu just last month, oh boy did it make some noise! This brand new little cafe may be small in size, but it’s already making big waves in Berawa with its honest, wholesome brunch and lunch food that doesn’t waste time on instagrammable gimmicks or fussy presentations. It’s just the food you want, how you want it. Try the smoothie bowls, the smashed avo and the gooey baked eggs with toasted soldiers for brekkie, and for lunch, you won’t wanna miss the steak sandwich with its generous lashing of chimichurri, caramelised carrot, onion & beetroot relish, smoky harissa aioli and spicy rocket – YUM!
Two Trees Eatery, Jl Pantai Berawa No 99, Canggu, p. +62 361 9077 067. Open daily 7am – 4pm.
Coffee Cartel
You can’t call yourself the cartel unless you mean serious business, and luckily, this brand new boutique coffee house just off of Petitenget is living up to its name in a big way. Coffee Cartel is Bali’s latest coffee spot to join the island’s top dogs of quality brews, and with traditional Mexican aesthetics, a sweet and signature pink hue, potted cacti, golden cutlery, flower-adorned marble tables and vintage wall art that sees a retro black-and-white pic of Kate Moss, this place isn’t afraid to show you who’s boss. There’s also plenty of excellent food too, including superfood bowls, burgers and healthy takes on Indonesian classics [like a Cauliflower Nasi Goreng – hello!] and you’ll certainly want to wash each dish down with their specialty brewed coffee, too.
Coffee Cartel, Jl Lebak Sari No.8 Petitenget, p. +62 8214 525 1005. Open daily 7am – 6pm
My Warung Batu Belig
A local culinary force to be reckoned with, My Warung has gone from zero to sixty in what feels like just a few seconds. This modern day warung has managed to open three burgeoning locations in Bali quicker than we could say selamat makan – and this new Batu Belig address is the latest to join the list [after Canggu and Echo Beach]. How has My Warung grown so quickly, we hear you cry? Well, it has brought Bali’s foodies exactly what they’ve been pining for: modern Indonesian and western food that’s accessible, delicious, affordable and – most of all – genuine, alongside good coffee and cosy vibes. Watch this space folks, because there are at least five more locations to follow…!
My Warung, Jl Batu Belig No 8A, Seminyak, p +62 812 3805 9687, e. [email protected]. Open daily 8am – 1am.
Konkrete
If you’ve passed through Berawa in the past few weeks, no doubt you’ve spotted the brand new outdoor skate bowl that’s seemingly forever teeming with Canggu’s cool kids, sitting casually with a beer in hand as the sound of skateboards career through the streets. Well, wander past the crowds and at the back of this hip new hangout you’ll find an artsy, underground restaurant space that serves exceptionally delicious food and impressive cocktails. From the Vietnamese Prawn Salad to the tempeh burger and trio of ceviche, you’ll certainly want to don your best pair of Converse to get a taste of this. And don’t miss the Espresso Martinis either – trust us when we say they’re outta this world!
Konkrete, Jl Pantai Berawa No 13, Canggu. Open daily 8am – midnight.
