My list of the best places to eat, stay, and experiences from my 6 years of living here
Restaurants
Mudra Cafe
Delicious-ness and great for hanging out
Notes
My go to: fancy ass matcha. Rösti for breakfast, great pancakes too. Lunch - Japanese tacos and the tuna poke bowl. Shaman smoothie is awesome. Live music on Saturdays and Sundays :)
Location
Jl. Goutama Sel. No.21, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Walk there if you can. Order the rice field drink (mango mint). And the chicken or tuna sambal matah. I like getting their bubur injin with added mango. Simple cafe and great view.
Location
Jl. Kajeng, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Casa Curandera Bali
Hard to find but worth the adventure
Notes
Their arepas are the thing to get. They also have access to the river down below. All bamboo construction, cool ambience in the jungle
Location
Jl. Penestanan Kelod, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Swim in natural pools during the day down by the river, and take in the paradise of an all bamboo eco resort. A very inspiring place with good food and drinks, one of our favorite places to just hang out and take it easy for a day. Also amazing place to stay for even just a night. Super unique experience.
Location
Jl. Baung, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Best place to get a great view of Bali, it’s quiet, a little retreat to get away from it all. the food is just served to you everyday (no menu) , everything grown on the premises and all vegetarian. From here you can go on your rice field adventures. Go to the Yeh Hoo waterfall too. And nearby hot springs are a cool experience too if it’s cold, best for late afternoon.
Location
Banjar Gunung Sari Desa, Jatiluwih, Kec. Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82114, Indonesia
Love coming here, it’s glamping in the mountains, with direct access to a an amazing hike down to four waterfalls. The food is also really yummy at the restaurant. Also a great place to get away from all the noise. 2 nights is suggested
Location
Jl. Kayu Putih - Munduk, Munduk, Kec. Banjar, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81152, Indonesia
UNESCO world heritage site, most beautiful rice terraces of all of Bali. Great hiking. There’s a super nice waterfall to see. Our favorite place to stay and getaway from it all is Batukaru Coffee Estate.
Location
Village, Jl. Jatiluwih Kawan No.Desa, Jatiluwih, Kec. Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82152, Indonesia
By far the most beautiful spa experience, ambience is the best. Ask for Gusti, or Nadi - They’ll do you right :) all their staff is extremely well trained.
Message them by WhatsApp in advance as they’re quite booked up.
Location
Keliki, Jl. Markandia Jl. Bangkiang Sidem, Ubud, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Ask for Kadek if you like strong and deep tissue, she’ll get in all the right spots. Ayu has given my sister and best friend the best massage of their life, have yet to see if it’s true :)
Location
Jl. Suweta No.5, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Ask for Dewa, he’s been my go-to, and only for 200k. Super reasonable and therapeutic. Not at all the same ambience as Karsa, but it’s in town and convenient.
Location
Jl. Kajeng No.20, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
The Istana
Best Sauna / Cold Plunge / View in Bali
Notes
You MUST spend time here for self pampering. So so beautifully done
Location
Jl. Uluwatu Jl. Pantai Suluban, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Best cocktail experience in Ubud, it’s a super cool little hole in the wall on the pedestrian street. Amazing ambience and the most unique and delicious cocktails. The food is awesome too
Location
Jl. Goutama Sel. No.5, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia