In this month’s edition of Hot New Tables: Dumbo, Saigon Street, Filini, Living Food Lab, Glow, & more!
Just when we thought there couldn’t possibly be another enormous batch of hot new restaurants opening in Bali, we were hit with this superstar lineup of foodie newbies in Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Ubud & beyond. We have a brand new concept from everyone’s favourite vegetarian restaurant in Ubud, a second location for a Seminyak icon, a fabulous new Italian at our fave five-star Uluwatu stay, and a handful of healthy digs full of raw cakes, expert coffees and plenty of poolside grub. We hope you’re hungry Honeys – here are the Hot New Tables for May 2018.
Dumbo
Three really is the magic number for Bali’s most treasured vegetarian restaurant group. First came Green Ginger Noodle House in Canggu, then The Elephant in Ubud, and now, the O.Gs of this conscious empire have opened Dumbo – a modern wood-fired Italian food concept that’s just as green, clean and organic as its predecessors. On the same driveway as The Elephant, Dumbo is all about good, honest food that’s as earth friendly as possible – without compromising on flavour of course. Try the tempura zucchini flowers with ricotta, lemon, mint and green chilli mayo, the polenta with braised beetroot cheeks, and whatever you do, don’t miss the thin and crispy wood-fired pizza. If that wasn’t tempting enough, 1% of all profits are donated to the protection of Orangutans in Indonesia, so you’ve a good excuse to stuff yourself silly.
Dumbo, Jl Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, p. +62 812 3838 9993, e. [email protected]. Open daily 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 10pm.
Saigon Street
Another Seminyak export coming outta the hip and happening Petitenget strip, Saigon Street is Bali’s iconic and long-standing Vietnamese restaurant that’s very recently jumped on the Canggu bandwagon. Now the second location for this vibrant cocktail-cum-nibbling spot, Saigon Street in Canggu is bringing all of our favourite bites to the ‘Gu, from the green rice-fried tiger prawns with chilli and lime nuoc cham, to the Banh Xeo with asparagus, peas, water spinach and egg. Naturally, the epic cocktail list has come along too, with daily happy hours that go just right with the Saigon-style bites.
Saigon Street, Jl Tanah Barak No 7, Canggu, e. [email protected].
Filini at Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu
Uluwatu’s restaurant scene has a new big name to add to its ever-growing list, and this one is bringing an international rep and five-star flair to the dinner table. The signature Filini restaurants of Radisson Blu Hotels worldwide has finally made its Asia-Pacific debut right here in Bali, part of the recent opening of our new fave Bukit stay, Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu. Dishing up a delish menu of upscale Italian in a totally homely environment (we felt like cuddling up by the wood fire oven despite the balmy night outside) Filini is where you’ll find Mediterranean style pastas, pizza, creamy risottos, colourful salads and the most gorgeous grazing plates loaded with deli-style bites. And with its internationally trained staff, the expert chefs can adjust the menu to suit dietary types of all kinds. Hello, gluten free bread….
Filini at Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu, Jl Pemutih Uluwatu, Pecatu, p. +62 361 3008888, e. [email protected]. Open daily 5.30pm – 11pm.
Front Cafe
A cute and quaint no-frills coffee shop along the charming streets of Pererenan, Front Cafe makes up for its miniature size with big flavoured beans, thick and creamy smoothies and a hearty menu chock full of irresistible cafe-style bites. Think big brekkie burgers, smashed avo with bacon, bursting baguettes, stuffed croissants and a vegan breakfast “salad” that’s overflowing with red rice, coconut-pumpkin satay, tempe and jicama. YUM. Settle in on the sofa benches alongside the digital nomad crowds, or perch streetside and watch the world of ceremonies, scooters and school runs go by.
Front Cafe, Jl Pantai Pererenan No.72, Pererenan. Open daily 7.30am – 2.30pm.
Living Food Lab
This plant-powered, raw food cafe first began with a flagship location at the Green School, and after gaining a solid reputation with vegans, health enthusiasts and passionate foodies alike, this second Canggu location has been born, bringing its delicious, nutritious and wholly vegan food to the ‘Gu. Try the raw Nasi Campur with urab, jackfruit soup, tofu satay and tempe, or load up on greens at the build-your-own Salad Station and create your own cold-pressed juice at the Liquid Laboratory! Extra points if you bring your laptop too, because Living Food Lab doubles up as a community co-creating space, where creative minds can get inventive while filling up on the Lab’s all-day goodness.
Living Food Lab, Jl Pantai Berawa No. 8, Canggu Square Unit 12 – 13, Canggu, p. +62 811 3801 958, e. [email protected]. Open daily 7am – 7pm.
The Pond Pool Club
Being the jungle-hugged, tropical neighbourhood that Ubud is, we can’t rely on a salty sea breeze to keep us cool here. So when a pool-and-restaurant combo opens up in the ‘Bud, you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be there with bells (and bikinis) on. Well, The Pond Pool Club didn’t disappoint. A stunning spot to sip, dip and graze to our tummy’s content, this tropi-cool watering hole is a day-out destination in itself. Sip on cocktails and coconuts in the shaded cabanas, float on beanbags in the glittering swimming pool, or munch on all-day bites like Eggs Benny for brekkie, grilled fish burgers for lunch and artisanal concoctions from the upstairs Gin 1717 bar all night long. Cheers to that!
The Pond Pool Club, Jl Pengosekan (opposite Siam Sally) p. +62 895 0908 88888, e. [email protected]. Open daily 8am – 11pm.
Botanik Cafe
What was once our fave plant-based cafe on Batu Belig has now changed hands to make way for a new name on Bali’s veg scene. The rumours were true: The Spicy Coconut has closed its doors, but as the saying goes, when one door closes, another green, organic and wholly vegetarian door opens. And that’s where Botanik Cafe comes in. A bright and breezy little space with accents of greenery all around, this vegan/vegetarian cafe is already making waves with its plant-based bowls, burgers, breakfasts and colourful collection of Kombucha on the menus. If it’s true that you are what you eat, then at Botanik Cafe you’re fresh, healthy and full of wholesome goodness.
Botanik Cafe, Jl Batu Belig No81, p. +62 821 4480 3588. Open Mon – Sat 7.30am – 3.30pm.
BGS Canggu
From Uluwatu to Canggu with love. BGS is the Bukit’s favourite one-stop shop for surf essentials, stylish threads and some of the best beans around, and now, this uber-cool coffee shop-cum-retail space has opened in Canggu. Hallelujah! Just like its flagship Uluwatu location, BGS Canggu is drawing in the crowds with grab-and-go coffees that rival some of Bali’s biggest names. Sit at the bar post-surf or pre-shopping spree with a spiced almond milk latte, or take your punchy espresso to the beach with a new pair of sunnies from the BGS collection. Don’t be surprised if this clean and bright space is still pumping after dark – BGS is known as a social institution among the island’s expats, so there’s always a friendly face and plenty of frosty beers flowing ‘til closing.
BGS Canggu, Jl Pura Batu Mejan, Gg. Munduk Catu No1, Echo Beach, Canggu. Open daily 8am – 10pm (except Sun 9am – 10pm).
Glow Juice Bar at COMO Uma Canggu
As the second F&B outlet of the brand new COMO Uma Canggu (following the opening of COMO Beach Club last month) Glow Juice Bar is a ‘grab and go’ health hub that’s soon to be stocked full of fresh, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, snacks and tasty salads – perfect for a post-workout snack or a lighter bite before hitting the beach or taking to the waves. While the final touches are still being made to this soon-to-open destination, we’ve been told to expect superfood dishes galore that are not only packed with healthy nutrients and living enzymes, but are utterly delicious too, designed to keep Canggu’s waterbabies SUPing and surfing ‘til sundown.
Glow Juice Bar at COMO Uma Canggu, Jl Pantai Batu Mejan, Echo Beach, Canggu, p. +62 361 302 2228 e. [email protected].
Like this story? Here’s four more we think you’ll enjoy:
Canggu’s 50 best restaurants for your eat list
The Bukit List: Where to eat in Uluwatu
Bali’s 19 best beach clubs
Tough gig! We tested out Bali’s best brunches