I spent the day at Uma Beach House – a beachfront restaurant and bar in South Bali – and it's my new favourite spot on Melasti Beach.
I LOVED the Sunday brunch at Oliverra. So when I heard Umana Bali had its own beach club right on Melasti Beach, I was already halfway out the door. Melasti Beach is my go-to for a perfect day out in Bali. You’ve got that scenic drive down the cliff road, water so clear you can see your own feet, soft white sand, and fewer crowds compared to other South Bali beaches.
So a new spot to park myself for the day? Say less. I went in thinking I’d stop by for a quick swim and be home by mid-afternoon. What do I know? I ended up staying the whole day, full of ceviche with a cocktail (or three) down, watching the sunset.
Spoiler alert: I think I’ve just found my new favourite spot on Melasti Beach. It’s called Uma Beach House, and here’s exactly how the day went.
Key details on Uma Beach House
The spot: A beachfront restaurant, bar and pool on Melasti Beach, part of Umana Bali.
Good to know: There’s no entry fee to the beach club, but daybeds and cabanas come with a minimum spend. There’s a small fee to enter the Melasti Beach area itself, but this is waived if you’re staying at Umana Bali.
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 9pm
Price: Mains starting from IDR 110,000 & cocktails starting from IDR 165,000
Family-friendly beach days at Uma Beach House
Uma Beach House is part of Umana Bali, so you already know they don’t play around with quality. But despite the fact it’s part of a luxury resort, the whole place felt easygoing, without sacrificing on comfort.
It’s split into a few different zones, all with direct access to the beach. Half the fun is drifting between them depending on your mood. Up for a casual hangout? The bar’s where the cocktails are shaken and stirred, throughout the day. Came hungry with your crew? There’s a full restaurant area, perfect for groups. And come late afternoon, everyone seems to migrate to the low sofa lounge for a front-row seat at sunset. There’s an infinity pool too, looking straight out at Melasti Beach, so you can cool off without ever really leaving the view behind.
The cabana is where we set up camp, and it is the best. I came with the whole gang, one of whom brought his family along, and the cabana gave us this shaded little pocket right by the sand with room for everyone to sprawl (or in my case, sneak a short nap).
The kids were darting back and forth to the water, drinks just kept appearing, and not one of us was in a rush to go anywhere. Even the little ones were properly looked after with a dedicated ice cream cart. And yes, I was lining up alongside them.
Can’t go hungry at Uma Beach House
The food is where Uma Beach House really won me over. The kitchen serves Japanese-Peruvian, which meant bold and zesty flavours served with precision. If you’re nosy like me, the good news is that they have an open kitchen, so you get to watch the action unfold. We ordered a stack of plates to share and barely came up for air. I’d recommend starting with the White Fish Ceviche, which saw barramundi in coconut lime with corn chips for scooping.
But the dish that caught me off guard was the Mushroom Anticucho which came straight off the grill all smoky with a punchy chimichurri. I’d happily go back for it alone. The tacos won extra points too, just for turning up on a cute little bamboo platter. There was plenty more where that came from too: a generous seafood platter, juicy steak, and even a kids’ menu.
Local tip: the fish comes straight from Sanur’s fishermen, so ask the team what arrived fresh that morning before you order.
The reason I go to beach clubs: The cocktails
Let’s be real, half the reason I rock up to a beach club is the cocktail list, and Uma’s pulls its weight. The one to get is the signature Yuzu Glow Sunset – kaffir lime gin, yuzu and a hit of citrus, basically golden hour in a glass (looks like it too!). If you want something with a bit more kick, their Coral by the Bay is the move, with citrus vodka, apricot brandy and tamarillo.
Time it right and you’ll have a glass in hand just as the sky goes peachy over Melasti. On the day I visited, there was a saxophone player riffing away as the sun dropped. I can’t imagine a better way to romanticise life than that. If cocktails aren’t your thing, there’s craft beer on tap and wine by the glass too.
My honest verdict
If you want a beach club that bangs until midnight, this isn’t it (but that’s the whole point). Uma Beach House is for slow Bali beach days, built around good food, a casual swim, and a long sunset with cocktails in hand. It’s also one of the few beach clubs in Melasti where you can bring the kids. Book a daybed for the afternoon, order too much ceviche, and don’t leave before the sun does.
Best for: A slow, food-led beach day for couples, groups and families.
Must-try: White Fish Ceviche, Mushroom Anticucho, Yuzu Glow Sunset.
Address: Uma Beach House, Jl. Pantai Melasti, Ungasan, Bali.
Instagram: @umabeach.house