Over the years, Bali has evolved with each wave of travellers and is now becoming a first-class dining destination where ones can enjoy numerous International dishes with its authenticity and rustic charm right in place. Whether you are looking for a fine dining venue to celebrate a special evening or looking to revel in a friendly place with mates, this island gives you umpteen options to conclude your culinary journey with a sinful delight.
Each high-end restaurant on this island is unique, but all share a few common characteristics. With precise attention to detail, perfect execution and exceptional service, every high-end restaurant aims for a top-notch experience. And while today’s fine-dining has evolved into an eclectic blend of cuisines and concepts, many aspects of the high-end experience remain the same.
There has been a real explosion of top quality boutique restaurants down in the south of the island, and all of them compete to be the best in the region. They offer a great range of cuisine in terms of region and sophistication, from Western to Eastern, right through to contemporary Indonesian cuisine. Some of the restaurants feature unique locations with awe-inspiring views and artistic interiors.
Here, in this article, I personally tried to compile the best high-end restaurants on the island. However, these restaurants are considered as high-end or fancy not only because of their pricing but also the taste and surroundings they try to keep up to deliver the best culinary journey. Be rest-assured the dishes served on the table are where the magic and mystery lies.
Koral Restaurant
Let’s discover the wonders of the ocean at Koral Restaurant. The bistronomic restaurant proved itself as not only the crown jewel of The Apurva Kempinski Bali, but also a must-visit restaurant on the island. This first underwater restaurant has announced its reopening by introducing an elevated Michelin chef, Andrea Astone. At Koral, you will feast on elegant dishes inspired by Indonesian coastal flavours and crafted from local ingredients, and Chef Andrea Astone is ready to add his European luxury background to the mix. The executive sous chef is excited to be working with the fresh produce of Indonesia and has been working closely with his team to experiment with the authentic flavours of the archipelago. He has also made it a mission of his to truly get to know the items he is working with, by exploring the ingredients produced by the local farmers. kempinski.com/bali
FIRE Restaurant
Savour the complex flavours of dry-aged, flame-cooked meat and sizzling seafood at the iconic Seminyak hotspot. Inspired by Bali’s striking Kecak dance, FIRE is an indulgent grill restaurant beloved for its playful twist on the island’s mysticism. FIRE features indoor and outdoor seating with soothing earth tones accented by pops of vibrant colour. At FIRE, there’s also succulent Sirloin, mouthwatering Tenderloin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Seared Sea Scallops. The chefs are proudly elevate the quality of beef cuts through meticulous dry ageing techniques, including their signature Black Angus Tomahawk.
Whether you choose to sit back and survey a phenomenal wine list under the light of a fireball chandelier or sip on some serious cocktails prepared with smoke and charcoal, as well as some lighter beverage options with ingredients from Indonesia to balance out those fresh grill flavours, dining at FIRE always delivers.
Sundara
Dining at Sundara is truly reflecting Jimbaran’s heritage as a hundred-years-old fishing village. As one of the most exclusive dining destinations in the area, this restaurant highlights the panoramic view of the exotic curve of Jimbaran Bay coastline. This area is very famous for its nightly ritual of fresh seafood dinners with coconut husk BBQs along the beach. sundarabali.com
Balique
To be considered as a cosy and homey restaurant, the interior of this restaurant is mixing French and African style, which blends perfectly with the location of the restaurant among the outstanding world-class resorts and villas. Looking humble under its whirring fan-open style roof with high-ceilinged open space, feast your eyes to the antiques and artefacts sourced from around the Indonesian archipelago. balique-restaurant.com
Jemme Restaurant & Lounge
Combining food, wine, lights and music, Jemme is an elegant and intimate dining space with a modern Baroque style decorated the interior. Draped, sheer curtains, large silver and white candle holders sparkling lights, small silk table lamps as well as pearled tablemats add to the sheer and beauty of this venue. The restaurant’s extensive list of imported wines and glamorous environment makes this restaurant as one of the most elegant dining spots in Seminyak. jemmebali.com
VIN+ Seminyak
Inspired by traditional Balinese architectural influences, VIN+ Seminyak features sky-high roof lines, extensive use of bamboo, local timbers and stone in its construction. The open layout dining and lounge areas are lined with vintage Balinese décor. You will find a pair of dining rooms are concealed behind the glass-encased premium wine cellar. The overall architecture of this place is amazingly designed to give a larger than life appeal. The retail wine store is popular among the customers who select from over 300 varieties and an in-house stock of over 18,000 bottles. VIN+ also stocks premium spirits and an impressive range of sake. vinplus.biz
Spice Sanur
Applying French cooking techniques in the locally sourced ingredients, Spice Sanur offers a package of surprising flavours and a culinary experience of Indonesia’s aromatic roots, herbs, and spices. As for the interior, the new venue in Sanur is a combination between the Indonesian archipelago and contemporary artisan styling. Famous as a gastro-bar, Spice is dedicated to providing some of the best drinks in Bali. Creative cocktails are built around fresh ingredients, whole spices, and fine imported spirits. There is also a good selection of wines. The most distinguishing feature of Spice is the concept of ‘Open Kitchen’ which makes the dining experience a lot more interactive and interesting. spicebali.com
Teatro Gastroteque
This boutique, fine dining restaurant is located in the epicentre of Bali’s best dining destination, Seminyak. Offering something completely novel, a sophisticated Asian twist on the French cuisine, they source the best products available in the market and use most of the local ingredients to deliver an authentic flavour yet alluring with a bold presentation, highlighting quality ingredients. The name of Teatro Gastroteque literally means “Theatre” where the culinary team performs their passion and love of gastronomy. Due to high dining demand, this restaurant would only hold your reserved table for 30 minutes after a confirmed booking time. Please also note that sleeveless t-shirts and beachwear are not allowed in their smart casual dining room. teatrobali.com
BLANCO Par Mandif
This ten-seat-only restaurant serves ultra-fine dining Indonesian cuisine in a refined and intimate setting. Located in Ubud, this award-winning restaurant has a very limited reservation each evening. The concept here is all about degustation. The menus are 7 or 9 courses of exquisite gastronomy, sublimely served, explained and precisely paired with fine wines and cocktails. The man behind this genius is the Indonesian celeb chef Mandif Warokka. blancoparmandif.com
Mozaic
Known as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Ubud, this restaurant has won so many awards! The chef-owner, Chris Salan, is very creative by always creating a new menu every day, which consists of à la minute creations that showcase his passion for local ingredients of the highest standard, sourced from the sea and farms across Bali. Mozaic is a legend in the world of gastronomy, and a favourite on this island. It follows the philosophy of ‘Cuisine du Marché’, which refers to a marriage of seasonal ingredients with modern French techniques – both in the cooking and presentation. All of this is then wrapped up in an elegant setting with impeccable standards of service. Prepare your palate, and also prepare to splurge. mozaic-bali.com
