Bali is one of Indonesia’s most popular travel destinations, known not only for its beaches and culture but also for its food. Balinese food is rich in spices, savoury flavours, and local ingredients.
Alongside Balinese dishes, the island also offers excellent Indonesian cuisine from across the archipelago.
For foreign tourists and expats living in Bali, exploring local food is one of the easiest ways to understand Indonesian culture. From simple warung meals to established Indonesian restaurants, Bali offers many places where you can enjoy authentic Indonesian food at reasonable prices.
Best Indonesian Food in Bali: A Practical Food Guide for Tourists and Expats in Indonesia
This Bali food guide introduces the best local food in Bali and highlights where to eat Indonesian food in Bali, from traditional Balinese dishes to well-known warungs and Indonesian restaurants in areas such as Canggu, Seminyak, Sanur, Kuta, and Ubud.
From Sate Lilit to Ayam Betutu, This is The Best Local Cuisine in Bali You Should Try
Before choosing where to eat, it helps to know what to order. These dishes are widely available and represent the core of Balinese food and Indonesian cuisine.
Ayam Betutu
Ayam Betutu is one of the most recognised Balinese dishes. Chicken is marinated with base genep, a traditional Balinese spice mix, then slow-cooked until tender.
The flavour is deep and savoury rather than overly spicy. A whole ayam betutu usually costs around IDR 150,000 and is often shared.
Plecing
Plecing is a simple vegetable dish often found at Balinese warungs. It usually consists of water spinach and bean sprouts served with a fresh tomato-based sambal. Some versions mix the vegetables with the sauce, while others place the sambal on top.
This dish is light, fresh, and suitable for vegetarians. You can usually find plecing at local food stalls for around IDR 5,000, making it one of the most affordable food options in Bali.
Serombotan
Serombotan comes from Klungkung in East Bali. It combines lightly cooked vegetables such as young botor fruit, eggplant, bitter melon, cabbage, and bean sprouts. The vegetables are served with urap and peanut sauce.
Serombotan is known for its balanced taste and texture. It is commonly sold in Klungkung Regency and costs around IDR 5,000 per portion.
Tum Ayam
Tum ayam is chicken mixed with Balinese spices and steamed in banana or coconut leaves. It is often served as part of religious offerings and traditional ceremonies.
You can find tum ayam at local markets or warungs for around IDR 6,000 per piece. Some households prefer to prepare it at home.
Lawar
Lawar is a traditional Balinese dish made from minced meat, vegetables, spices, and sometimes animal blood. Pork lawar is the most common, though chicken versions are also available.
Lawar is usually eaten with rice as part of a mixed Balinese meal. Prices start from around IDR 5,000.
Rujak
Rujak is a fruit dish served with a sauce made from palm sugar, tamarind, vinegar, and chilli. Fruits such as papaya, mango, guava, and jicama are commonly used.
Each stall adjusts the flavour based on preference. Prices usually start at IDR 5,000.
Sate Lilit
Sate lilit uses minced meat mixed with spices and wrapped around lemongrass or flat bamboo sticks. It is grilled and often served with sambal matah.
A serving of sate lilit usually starts from IDR 20,000 and is widely available across Bali.
Where to Eat Authentic Indonesian Food in Bali: 25 Best Indonesian Restaurant in Bali
Bali has no shortage of places serving Indonesian cuisine. From small warungs to established Indonesian restaurants, these are some reliable options.
1. Warung Mak Beng (Sanur)
Warung Mak Beng is one of Bali’s most famous warungs. Established in 1941, it serves a simple menu of fried fish, fish soup, rice, and sambal.
The sambal is based on a family recipe. The location near Sanur Beach makes it a popular stop for tourists and locals.
2. Ayam Betutu Men Tempeh Gilimanuk
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This restaurant is known for its ayam betutu. The chicken is tender, and the spices are well balanced. In addition to betutu, the menu includes lawar and sate lilit. It is often recommended for visitors seeking authentic Balinese food.
3. Warung Nasi Bali Men Weti (Sanur)
Warung Nasi Bali Men Weti is popular for breakfast. It serves Balinese mixed rice with shredded chicken, egg, sate lilit, urap, and sambal.
Prices range from IDR 30,000 to IDR 50,000. The location near the beach makes it convenient for early morning meals.
4. Babi Guling Men Lari
Popular with foreign tourists staying around Canggu, Babi Guling Men Lari is frequently recommended for its consistent quality and authentic flavours. The restaurant is often busy, reflecting its strong reputation among locals and visitors alike.
Each portion includes rice, tender pork, crispy skin, lawar, and spicy chilli sauce, with Balinese spices that are aromatic without being overpowering. Its location on the route to Tanah Lot makes it a convenient stop for travellers exploring the area.
5. Babi Guling Garage
Babi Guling Garage, located on Jalan Pulau Misol Gang XII No. 8 in Denpasar, is known for its lively atmosphere and long opening hours, from morning until late at night. The pork is well-seasoned, allowing the spices to fully penetrate the meat, while the skin is grilled to achieve a clean, crisp texture.
6. Warung Laota
Located on Jalan Sunset Road in Legian, Warung Laota specialises in a variety of porridge dishes. Options range from minced beef porridge to frog porridge, alongside seafood dishes and Chinese-influenced sides.
The menu also includes fried cakwe, rice, and specialty dishes such as fried shrimp and crab in Padang-style sauce. Generous portions make this warung suitable for sharing, and it is a popular choice for families and groups.
7. Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku
Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku, located in Ubud, is widely regarded as one of the area’s best places for Balinese chicken rice. Open daily from morning until evening, the warung offers several menu options, including regular, children’s, and vegetarian rice plates.
Each dish features well-seasoned chicken with traditional side dishes. Prices are affordable, making it a convenient option for visitors exploring Ubud.
8. Nasi Tempong Indra
Nasi Tempong Indra in Kuta is known for its very spicy chilli sauce, which is the main highlight of the dish. This food originates from Banyuwangi and consists of rice, side dishes, and freshly ground sambal. Customers can choose from fried chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh, and vegetables. The restaurant has a simple, semi-outdoor setting that suits casual meals with friends or family.
9. Lawar Kuwir Men Koko
Lawar Kuwir Men Koko specialises in Balinese lawar made with duck meat and traditional spices. The strong seasoning reflects local culinary traditions and offers a flavour profile that is difficult to find outside Bali. In addition to lawar kuwir, the warung also serves sate lilit and Balinese chilli sauce.
10. Nasi Ayam Bu Oki
Nasi Ayam Bu Oki or Bu Oki’s Chicken Rice, located in Nusa Dua, is known for serving several types of chicken in one plate.
A single portion includes betutu chicken, shredded chicken, sambal chicken, egg, sate lilit, urap, and sambal. The stall is popular for its generous servings and affordable price of around IDR 25,000. It is a convenient stop for travellers staying in the southern part of Bali.
11. Bale Udang Mang Engking Kuta
Bale Udang Mang Engking Kuta offers a dining experience that combines traditional design with a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant features fish ponds and traditional huts built over water, creating a calm setting.
The menu focuses on shrimp dishes, with Honey Grilled Shrimp being one of the most popular choices. This restaurant is suitable for relaxed lunches or evening meals.
12. Gabah Indonesian Cuisine, Kuta
Gabah Indonesian Cuisine in Kerobokan blends traditional Indonesian flavours with modern presentation. The restaurant has an elegant interior with strong local design elements.
The menu includes Indonesian dishes such as Bebek Betutu, Sate Lilit, Nasi Campur and Nasi Goreng Kampung/Fried Rice, all prepared using quality ingredients. A selection of desserts and drinks is also available, making it suitable for longer meals.
13. Pink Tempong
Pink Tempong, located in West Denpasar, offers rice dishes with vegetables, side dishes, and various chilli sauces. Menu options include chicken, fish, and catfish. Its location near Ngurah Rai Airport makes it a practical choice for travellers arriving or departing Bali.
14. Nasi Pedas Bu Hanip
Nasi Pedas Bu Hanip in Kuta is a street-style eatery that serves spicy rice dishes from a food cart. Customers eat at a simple roadside seating area, street food kinda vibe. Menu options include regular, complete, and special spicy rice sets. This place is popular for evening meals.
15. Sate Babi Bawah Pohon
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Sate Babi Bawah Pohon, located in Legian, is known for its sweet-flavoured pork satay seasoned with Balinese spices. The meat is thick and well-marinated, offering a different taste from typical satay. The stall is open throughout the day.
16. Warung Sate Plecing Arjuna
Warung Sate Plecing Arjuna is recognised for its plecing-style satay served with spicy tomato-based sauce. The menu includes beef and chicken satay, sate lilit, and Balinese mixed rice. The strong flavours make this warung a good option for visitors looking for traditional spice combinations in a casual setting.
17. Merah Putih Restaurant Bali
Merah Putih in Seminyak offers Indonesian cuisine in an upscale setting. The menu includes classic dishes as well as modern interpretations of traditional recipes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, along with tasting menus for dinner. The restaurant is suitable for special occasions and formal dining.
18. Warung Babi Guling Cahaya
Warung Babi Guling Cahaya in Denpasar offers a simple dining environment focused on flavour. The pork is slow-cooked until tender, with crispy grilled skin.
Each plate includes lawar, pork satay, and chilli sauce, providing a complete Balinese meal. The location is easy to access from both residential and tourist areas.
19. Kusuma Ayu Babi Guling & Siobak
Kusuma Ayu Babi Guling & Siobak combines Balinese roasted pork with Chinese-style siobak. The meat is served with crispy skin and thick, aromatic sauce. Open until late at night, the warung is convenient for late dinners. Reasonable prices and consistent quality make it a popular choice.
20. Made’s Warung
Made’s Warung has been serving customers since 1969 and is a well-known dining spot in Seminyak. What began as a small stall has grown into a busy restaurant offering Indonesian and international dishes.
Popular menu items include Gado Gado, Nasi Goreng Special, and Mie Goreng. The atmosphere is casual and lively.
21. Bebek Tepi Sawah
Looking for an authentic local dishes in proper restaurant? Bebek Tepi Sawah specialises in duck dishes, particularly fried duck with crispy skin. The meat is tender and served with sambal, vegetables, and rice. This restaurant is a good option for those looking to try duck-based Balinese dishes.
Worry not, there are also many other options for dishes in Indonesian Archipelago such as fried rice, Ayam Goreng, Iga Bakar, and many more.
22. Warung Ari
Warung Ari is known for its marlin-based dishes, including satay, pepes, and soup. The fish is prepared using base genep spices, giving it a smoky yet fresh flavour. The owner’s long experience is reflected in the consistency of the dishes. This halal warung is suitable for Muslim visitors.
23. Nasi Tahu Ni Sarti Sukawati
Nasi Tahu Ni Sarti is a long-running halal food stall in Gianyar that has operated since 1963. The stall serves only one dish: tofu rice with fried tofu, sambal matah, peanuts, coconut serundeng, and tomato sambal. Priced at IDR 13,000, it is a simple and affordable option for a light meal.
24. Warung Nasi Lawar Macho Rena
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Warung Nasi Lawar Macho Rena is a busy lunchtime spot with high ratings on Google Maps. This tasty local warung serves pork and beef lawar, making it suitable for those who avoid pork. It opens at 11:00 a.m. and often sells out quickly.
25. Warung Nasi Lawar Buk Moning
Warung Nasi Lawar Buk Moning in Sukawati is known for its authentic Balinese lawar rice. Signature dishes include lawar, sate lilit, and betutu chicken. Prices start from IDR 10,000, making it a popular choice for both locals and visitors.
Exploring Indonesian cuisine in Bali does not require expensive restaurants. From street stalls to established Indonesian restaurants, Bali offers many ways to enjoy best food food at fair prices.
Cover Photo by Tamba Budiarsana/Pexels
