Bagels in Bali? A Guide to Dining in Bali.

Before moving to Bali, I was excited about many things. But the food was not one of them. I’m not a huge fan of Indonesian fare. Or at least I didn’t think I was. When I last visited Bali 12 years ago, I had a ton of nasi and mi goring, which got boring real fast. I have since come to realize there’s much more to Indonesian food and some of it is delish including the corn fritters and crispy, fried tempeh. The homemade vegetarian lunch prepared at my rice farming class every Tuesday is something I now look forward to.

I’ve also come to learn, that dining in Bali is much like going to a dinner party catered by the United Nations. There’s a massive array of foods and flavors represented.

As one of the world’s top destinations, Bali attracts visitors from around the globe. Many opt to stay and open restaurants. As a result, there’s pierogis from Poland, sushi from Japan, toasties from Australia, kasespätzle from Austria and yes, numerous bagel joints.

The variety of options at affordable prices, explains why so many of us expats dine out on a regular basis. It’s often cheaper than cooking too.

Yes, you can go to local food markets where veggies and fruits can be found for rock bottom prices but when cooking, many western expats, like myself, yearn for the foods we’re used to like parmesan cheese, olive oil and whole grain bread. Those goods can only be found in pricey grocery stores catering to expats like Pepitos.

With prices similar to Whole Foods in the U.S., dining out becomes the more affordable option. It’s also a lot more fun.

On that note, here’s a list of my favorite Bali eateries. Its biased in favor of Pererenan, a part of the beach community of Canggu, because that’s where we live.

Best Breakfast Joints:

• Honey – this is the first spot my son and I discovered shortly after landing in Bali. It remains one of our favorite places for breakfast. The friendly staff at the Cali style joint just a walk away from the beach makes it a winner in our books. It serves gorgeous fruit platters, omelettes and salads.

• Copenhagen Cafe – Bali has lots of good coffee joints but I swear this danish coffeeshop makes the best cup of Joe on the island. Lucky for us, there’s an outpost just down our gang (alleyway). We’re there every weekday morning because it’s also where my son’s school bus picks him up. So convenient! They serve delicious baked goods like cinnamon rolls and lemon cake. Another outpost has a more extensive menu that includes smoked salmon and rye bread.

• Djenar – this low-key restaurant serving a combination of Indonesian and western food is hidden away from the throng and offers breathtaking views of the rice paddies right in the heart of Canggu. It’s a great spot to have a coffee and let your thoughts get swept away while watching the farmers tend to their rice fields.

Best Places for Lunch:

• Yellow Flower Cafe – finding this place is part of the fun. It’s located on a ridge in Ubud that can only be reached on foot. When we first arrived, I felt as though we had stumbled upon an oasis. The decor and art on the wall is charming. The food, which is a combo of Indonesian and western, is delish and there’s a cute boutique selling jewelry.

• Rüsters – this restaurant/coffeeshop/furniture store/boutique/performance space is one of my favorite destinations in the Ubud area. It’s got a great vibe along with a nice rice paddy view, beautiful things to look at and is a prime people watching place.

• Zali – this eatery owned by a Lebanese woman serves delicious Middle Eastern food including homemade hummus, shawarma and kafta. They play sexy French music and have an airy tropical vibe. My favorite dish is their grilled halloumi cheese with watermelon. Delish!

Best Dinner Destinations:

• Arte – this Italian restaurant in Pererenan is hands down our favorite spot for dinner. We’re there at least once a week, including Wednesday. The pasta is homemade and really tasty, the wine is decent (which is a rarity in Bali) and the atmosphere is warm and chill at the same time. On Wednesday nights they have live jazz.

• Sayan House – the view of the jungle and river below are breathtaking from this beautiful restaurant in Ubud. It’s the perfect spot for a celebration. They have fantastic cocktails and an eclectic menu that is a fusion of Latin American and Asian food. If you only have one night in Ubud, THIS is the place to go for dinner.

• The Lodge – I discovered this spot in Seseh owned by a French woman shortly after arriving in Bali. It instantly became one of my favorite restaurants. It’s nailed everything – the decor, the music and the food, which is heavily influenced by French cuisine.

Most Unique Dining Experience:

• Locavore – a meal at Locavore consists of more than a dozen modern Indonesian locally-sourced dishes. The tasting menu changes every four months and is inspired by different themes. When I ate there, the dishes took their cues from works of art. The whole experience is a feast for the tastebuds and the eyes. For foodies, this is a must do in Bali.

Top Spots for a Sundowner:

• Warung Pantai – watching the sun set on the Indian Ocean is a ritual when living in Bali. In my opinion, there’s no better place to grab a cold Bintang and plop yourself on a bean bag than Warung Pantai in the sleepy part of Seseh (sleepy for now but not for much longer, I fear)

• Times Warung – my second favorite beachside hang is Times Warung. It’s got great views of the sea and is a hot spot for surfers. It’s in the heart of the action but isn’t overwhelming and it’s got a yummy selection of food and smoothies.

Food was my last consideration when deciding to move to Bali. I’ve since come to realize its variety is one of the island’s strongest selling points – along with the endlessly fascinating people you meet.