Bali, Indonesia has long been a destination for honeymooners, backpackers, and spiritual seekers alike. One of Indonesia’s 18,110 islands, Bali is a total of 70 miles from north to south, packed with a variety of villages, cities, nature, and culture to experience.
I recently visited Bali as a digital nomad for the 3rd time, and this time, I had to record all the incredible cafés and restaurants I was able to eat, drink, and work in! So let’s explore my top picks across the island of Bali, plus a few bonus spots on the tiny neighboring island of Gili Air.
Best Spots in Sanur, Bali
Sanur is a quiet beachside town located on Bali’s east coast. I like to stop here for a couple nights when arriving in Bali before heading north, and there are plenty of local restaurants to keep you busy.
BloomWerk Cafe and Florist
Honestly, I only stepped into this café because it was nearby when I needed a break from the heat, but I’m SO glad I did. The staff were immediately welcoming and helped us pick the best coffee to cool us down, and Sam took the time to chat with us and tell us a little bit about the café. The café has an adjoining florist with cute trinkets, art, and of course flowers to peruse while you wait for your coffee.
You’ll find comfy seating for about 10 people in this café, spread between the café side and the florist side. It’s small, cozy, and has great coffee, so of course it had to be on this list.
(PS. I didn’t get to try one, but someone ordered their special grilled cheese at one point and the smell was insane, so try one for me.)
My Highlight: Butterscotch Iced Latte
Lidah Lokal
Located inside of ARTOTEL Sanur, this spot was recommended to me by a Balinese friend as a great place to try elevated Indonesian flavors. Each dish on the menu includes a location telling you where it originated from. In one sitting, we sampled traditional dishes from across Indonesian islands like Java, Sulawesi, Jakarta, Lombok, and Bali.
If you’re traveling through Bali, it’s nice to stop here and get a wider picture of Indonesian food, since there are so many islands, traditions, and flavors packed into this country.
My Highlight: Perkedel Jagung (sweet corn fritters)
Best Spots in Ubud, Bali
Ubud is the capital of Bali and a top destination for tourists, heavily popularized by its feature in Eat Pray Love. It’s a beautiful, chaotic city that’s full of restaurants and cafés to try.
Batubara Wood Fire
The vibes at Batubara Wood Fire are unmatched for a refined night out that still has that Ubud feeling. When you arrive, you’ll be brought over the menu of the day on a big chalkboard, and then examples of the day’s steak cuts on a beautiful board. We enjoyed some incredible tapas like Chorizo and Octopus before they brought over a mini charcoal grill and prepared our Wagyu right in front of us. Paired with a bottle of white wine, this was a perfect evening in the city center of Ubud.
My Highlight: Wagyu with chimichurri
Taman Dedari
You’ll find this place on so many Bali restaurant lists because of the crazy view and iconic statues. I have to say that the service and food were nothing to write home about, but I think it was still worth the trip.
Here’s a little hack to get the most out of this location: go for one of the High Tea packages you can find on their bookings website. You’ll get access to the Royal Kirana spa facilities next door, and then a small assortment of snacks and tea or coffee at Taman Dedari. For around $30USD, I was able to spend a whole day at the spa and then head over to enjoy the view over snacks. It’s great for a chill day while also checking off an iconic Ubud location.
My Highlight: The view
Pukako
This was hands-down my favorite place to work in Ubud. Located in the middle of the rice fields, accessible only by walking or scooter, it’s exactly what you picture when you think of Bali. I sat right on the edge of the wooden deck, enjoying a view of the rice fields and puppies running around while getting some deep work done.
The great thing about this spot is that it feels secluded but the internet connection is perfect for a digital nomad. It felt like I was getting work done without missing out on the beauty of Ubud!
My Highlight: Dragonfruit smoothie bowl and the adorable puppy, Milky who was hanging around
Best Spots in Sidemen, Bali
Sidemen is an under-the-radar destination in Bali, located about 2 hours north of Ubud. I heard multiple people describe this area as “what Ubud looked like before tourism went crazy,” and it truly felt like that. You can enjoy a quieter atmosphere, mountains, and vast rice fields that have been far less encroached on compared to Ubud’s.
I only spent a couple of days here, but we had the opportunity to dine at one of the area’s top restaurants.
Asri Dining at Samanvaya
Connected to Samanvaya Spa, Asri Dining was an unexpected highlight of this trip. Sidemen feels so quiet, and most restaurants are either local Warungs or connected to resorts and villas. It felt a bit more difficult to research spots in the area, but this place came recommended by a friend, so we gave it a shot.
The service was incredible, with at least 4 different people coming over to ask our names, how we liked everything, and genuinely converse with us. The bartenders made us surprise drinks that weren’t on the menu, and every dish was delicious. The appetizers were our favorites overall, especially the Gambas in Chili and Garlic Oil and the Halloumi Sliders.
My Highlight: Gambas in Chili and Garlic Oil
Best Spots in Gili Air
Gili Air is a tiny island off the coast of Lombok, located about a 2-hour boat ride from the coast of Bali. There are 3 Gili islands within a few minutes of each other: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. Most tourists head to the largest of the 3, Gili T, for the parties and nightlife culture.
I’ve always preferred the quieter island feeling of Gili Air, which is only about 5 kilometers around but full of cafés, restaurants, and lots of cats roaming around.
Mama’s Pizza Gili Air
Another iconic spot that you’ll find on many lists, Mama’s Pizza Gili Air is never empty or without a long line to get in. I know what you’re thinking–pizza on a tropical island? But seriously, this Italian spot in Gili Air lived up to the hype with incredible pizza, wine, and pasta.
We nabbed a beachside table by sheer luck, dropping in right after a bunch of rain. We ended up getting rained on again not 20 minutes later, but the good food and amazing attitude of the staff made it worth it to get soaked. Even slightly wet, the Carbonara Pizza was something to remember.
My Highlight: Carbonara Pizza (sadly not pictured as it was eaten in the rain)
Pachamama
An adorable open air café with beautiful decor, Pachamama has everything you’d want for a work day or a night out. I spent a few hours here working and sipping on cold brew, and ended with a small lunch. The internet was fast, the coffee was good, and the steak dish I had was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. With indoor and outdoor seating options and a bunch of cute cats, it was the perfect place to focus during the day.
My Highlight: This kitten who worked with me for a while
Last Thoughts on These Cafés and Restaurants in Bali
If I had to pick 2 of these spots that you absolutely should not miss, it would be Batubara Wood Fire in Ubud and Pachamama in Gili Air. In my opinion, these spots gave the best value, service, and experience overall. I’m seriously already dreaming about going back across the world to try more on each of their menus.
Check out some of the content I created in Bali using my Pocket Tripod at @pockettripod and feel free to DM us if you want more specific info about any of these spots!
