The latest new foodie doors to open on the island: Saigon Street, Spice Bali, Sate Arang, La Laguna, Char Char and more
Step right up, get your glad rags on and the taste buds at the ready with our latest list of hot new restaurants and bars to open in Bali. The summer dining and social season is well and truly sizzling, as these hip new addresses offer designer decor in every vintage to go with their cool new eats.
La Laguna, Berawa
The eclectic, vintage bohemian wonderland that is La Laguna is a hit for food, drinks, design and lazing hours away. It could be the brightly coloured gypsy caravans, the antique wooden bridge for your Instashoots from the beach entrance, the endless vintage treasure décor throughout the vast indoor and outdoor playground, the colourful floor cushions or the custom bar built around an ancient, giant tree trunk. But the Spanish, tapas menu is one to be savoured, ideally over an ice cold Pinot Grigio. For hours. Watch out for the prancing ponies to come in the not too distant future. Turn left just after the La Finca road bend, down the white laneway.
La Laguna Bali, Jalan Pantai Kayu Putih, Berawa, p. + 62 (0)361 4741 214.
Spice by Chris Salans
Spice up your inland dining life with this new legend from the man who first put foodie into Ubud with the opening of Mozaic – Chris Salans. It’s always worth visiting one of Bali’s top culinary legends in their own kitchen, and Spice is a lively, hip café with all day dining options of quick bites, beautiful dishes and decadent desserts with more than a few funky drink options from their bar.
Famous for his signature, delicious Western and Indonesian fusion together with only the freshest local produce (the menu may change pending market options), Chris Salans ensures this all-day gastrobar serves affordable but outstanding food in a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. As usual, it’s spot on.
Spice by Chris Salans, Jalan Raya Ubud No 23 Ubud, Gianyar, p. +62 (0)361 4792 420. Open daily 12-11pm.
Saigon Street, Seminyak
This colourful, fun & hip address on Jalan Petitenget brings a gourmet version of Vietnamese street food to Seminyak from one of Australia’s leading chefs. So forget fine dining, this is fun dining. Taking inspiration from the ethnic hill tribes of Sapa to the streets of Saigon, the menu (best shared for the table) doesn’t disappoint in its extensive variety (analysis paralysis, anyone?) and the quality is totally top notch. Everyone has their own famous Vietnamese faves, but we couldn’t go past even the lobster rice paper rolls and the yum pork and prawn Banh Xeo pancake. And those Bang Bang cocktails. Bookings essential.
Saigon Street, Jalan Petitenget No. 77X, Seminyak Bali, p. +62 (0)361 897 4007. Open seven days from 11am.
Char Char Bar & Grill, Seminyak
If you love Ultimo for its great food, never ending menu and amazingly good prices (ok, yes those daiquiris too), Char Char is the latest newbie to love. Just down the road on Jalan Kayu Aya and the newest addition to the Ultimo and Rumours family, Char Char serves dishes from all over the region centred around a Mongolian grill, salad and vegetable bar. Add in a big menu mixed with loads of Asian fusion – Laksa Clam, Lemongrass Dory, Banana Chicken through to Churrasco kebabs – with their two storey restaurant capacity (air-conditioned downstairs, open to the stars with retractable roof upstairs), and average main prices of IDR 70,000… and it’s no surprise you have a winner here!
Char Char Bar & Grill, Jalan Kayu Aya, Seminyak, p. +62 361 738 720.
Sate Arang, Ubud
What do you get when you mix traditional Indonesian sate with years of working internationally with marinades, skewers, grills and sambals at the best restaurants around the world? When these creations are inspired by Indonesian restaurateur and Chef Agung Nugroho – who has worked for noted New York restaurants Nobu, Spice Market, and Buddakan among others – you get a fine, new food experience not to be missed.
This stellar newbie in Ubud, Sate Arang brings together organic greens, herbs and spices from Bedugul with red meats imported from New Zealand and Australia, to its classy, brasserie-like interior (styled by Kirsten Weimar). The Classic Sate selections on the menu feature traditional takes on regional Indonesian sates such as Sate Bebek (Maduranese duck) served with roasted shredded coconut and Sate Kakul Tabanan (spiced Balinese escargot sate), both served with peanut sauce and rice cake.
Sate Arang, Jalan Raya Ubud No. 8, Ubud, Bali, p. +62 (0)361 479 2199.
Starfish Bloo, W Hotel Bali, Seminyak
One of Seminyak’s most stellar restaurants has a new Chef de Cuisine in the house, and this one is worth shouting about. Award-winning Australian chef Matthew McCool is bringing his incredible experience from working in Michelin Starred Restaurants in London, Sicily, Beijing and Sydney including Gordon Ramsey, Tom Aikens and Peter Gilmore, to the W Retreat and Spa’s signature restaurant. What does this mean for the incredible menu here? More excellence in the epicurean stakes (who knew it was even possible), with Matthew’s cutting-edge innovation and love of fresh Bali produce showcasing his famous Asian influence on the menu options.
Starfish Bloo, W Retreat and Spa, Jalan Raya Seminyak, Seminyak, Bali, p. +62 (0)361 4738 106.
The Best Brew, Kuta
We all love it when Bali gets international hot spots opening here first, of anywhere in Indonesia. First there was Jamie’s Italian opening a few months back, also in Kuta, and now Indonesia’s first The Best Brew has opened at the new Four Points by Bali, Kuta Hotel – hurrah! What’s to love at this spacious restaurant, bar and lounge in the middle of the action? Oodles of local and international beers, beer cocktails (yes – that’s right!), their Grill and Chill dinner each night, open-air and sandy-floored street bar, live music and their Triple S Sunday brunch (stellar gourmet sausage sizzle!). And all at the best prices in Bali, true story.
The Best Brew℠ Bali, Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta, Jalan Benesari, Banjar Pengabetan, Kuta Bali, p. +62 (0)361 849 6606.
il Lido Bali, Seminyak
Fine Italian dinig is now in Seminyak with the opening of Singapore’s famous ilLido brand here in Bali. ilLido Bali is the brainchild of highly acclaimed Italian restaurateur Beppe De Vito, a well-known personality and pioneer of the Italian dining scene in Singapore and a graduate of one of Italy’s top hotel schools. So you know the gold standard for Italian cuisine in Seminyak is well and truly in the best hands. Fresh pastas made daily, incredible meat delicacies and that open-air setting… it’s bellisimo.
llLido Bali, 38 Jalan Raya Kerobokan, Banjar Taman, Seminyak Bali. p. +62 361 731175. Open daily, all day from 1130am till late.
