Pony brings fire-led cooking and dry-aged steaks to Berawa, with a cocktail list that makes staying for “just one more” an easy decision.
If you know Canggu (and its food-forward Berawa neighbourhood), you know there’s no shortage of places to eat and drink. But finding somewhere that nails both dinner and drinks afterwards is another story. Pony in Berawa turned out to be one of those places for me. I went for dinner, but between the food, cocktails and atmosphere, what started as a meal turned into an unplanned night out.
Pony is a new fire-led restaurant on Jl. Raya Semat in Berawa, Canggu, serving European dishes cooked over charcoal, with subtle Japanese influences. Dry-aged steaks are a big part of the appeal, but there’s more to the menu than meat off the grill. I came for the food of course (can never say no to a good ribeye!), but I stayed long after the last plate was cleared. Here’s how my night went…
Pony at a glance
Best for: Fire-cooked sharing dinners for duos and groups.
Price: Mains start from IDR 145,000++, with steaks from IDR 575,000++.
Opening hours: Daily, 6pm – 12am
Must-try: White Anchovy Toast, Beef Tartare, 30-Day Dry-Aged Rib Eye, Pork Tomahawk, Golden Tropique.
Inside Pony: Moody vibes with a playful twist
You can’t really miss Pony at night. The terracotta building glows from the street, with a pink neon sign by the door. Inside, it’s all deep oxblood walls and low candlelight, with colourful art dotted around the room. The whole place feels like an elegant New York lounge, warm and buzzy.
I took a seat at a corner table right next to the bar. The lights are low there, with floral bar stools lined up along the marble counter. Right above the bar hangs one of my favourite paintings in the place, with big pink flowers scrawled over black graffiti-style script (unfortunately they’re not for sale… I asked!).
What to order at Pony
Everything on Pony’s menu is made for sharing, so a handful of small plates hit the table first. Their White Anchovy Toast won me over straight away, with vinegar-cured anchovies that were bright and tangy. Then came the Beef Tartare, so rich and silky I could’ve happily had a second round. Want a bit of smoke early on? Go for the BBQ Octopus.
The main event is what comes off the grill (and they show it off proudly with an open kitchen). Top of the list is the 30-Day Dry-Aged Rib Eye. It’s an Australian grain-fed Black Angus with a marble score of 4+. In other words, there’s plenty of fat running through it, so it stays rich and juicy over the coals. The 400g Pork Tomahawk is the perfect order for the table. It’s smoked then wood-fired, so it comes out tender inside with charred edges, and the herby chimichurri on top adds a fresh kick to all that smokiness.
Being right next to the bar meant I got a front-row view of every cocktail going out. The drinks list is just as good as the food, and you can tell each drink was designed to match every plate, because nothing was overpowered. I went for the Golden Tropique, made with coconut rum and a mix of mango, passionfruit and pineapple. So refreshing, especially after everything that came off the grill. If you want something bolder, the Silk Smoke is the one to try.
Keep the party going
Pony changes as the night goes on, and it happens so gradually you barely notice. The lights dim lower. Then the music slowly drifts into soulful house, with a few familiar vocals thrown in for you to sing along to. Nobody announces that dinner is over, nor are you rushed along once your plates are cleared.
Once we’d devoured our dessert, I swapped my table for a bar stool, ready to follow my cocktail with something else (read: stronger). I love that there’s no need to move venues just to get your groove on, so I stayed put at the bar while the night carried on around me.
That goes double on Saturdays, when Pony Lounge Sessions take over from 9pm till late. Guest DJs come in to run the music, and every so often there’s a bar or creative collab in the mix too. It’s the same slow build from dinner, just stretched out a little longer. Keep an eye on @pony.bali to see who’s playing that week.
Final thoughts on Pony
Pony is great for any occasion, and that includes no occasion at all. Sure, it’s an easy pick for a date night or a birthday dinner. But a regular weeknight catch-up can easily turn into a long one here. It works just as well for a big group as it does for a duo. Bring a crowd and work your way through the sharing plates or come as a pair and grab that corner table by the bar like me. Either way, you’ll wanna leave the rest of the night open, because you won’t be leaving in a hurry.
Good to know: Can’t decide what to order? Pony has three tasting menus for a minimum of two people. There’s A Taste of Pony (IDR 550,000++ per person), Chef’s Selection (IDR 800,000++) and The Pony Experience (IDR 1,300,000++). The top tier includes Murotsu Bay oysters and the 30-Day Dry-Aged Rib Eye. You can also get a cocktail or wine pairing with an extra IDR 400,000++ per person.
Local tip: Pony gets busy on weekends, so it’s best to book your table in advance.
Address: Jl. Raya Semat, Tibubeneng, Berawa, Canggu
FAQs about Pony
Where is Pony in Bali?
Pony is on Jl. Raya Semat in Tibubeneng, Berawa, in the Canggu area.
Is Pony a restaurant or a bar?
Pony is a restaurant first, with a fire-led kitchen cooking European dishes over charcoal with subtle Japanese touches. The bar and music build as the evening goes on, so dinner can carry on into drinks without changing venues.
What are Pony Lounge Sessions?
Pony Lounge Sessions run every Saturday from 9pm till late, with guest DJs and occasional bar or creative collabs. The energy builds gradually from dinner, so you can book a table and stay on.
Do I need to book a table at Pony?
Booking is recommended, especially on Saturdays, but Pony also welcomes walk-ins.
Is Pony good for groups?
Yes. Pony’s menu is built around sharing plates, so it works just as well for a big group as it does for dinner for two.