Food is rarely talked about during discussions about Bali, as if the island is only well known for its amazing nature. As one of the world’s famous tourist destinations, however, this actually means that the food scene in Bali has become as rich as nature when compared to other parts of Indonesia. Seminyak, in particular, has been at the forefront of Bali’s diverse culinary delight for decades. I can even say that the restaurant industry in Seminyak is extremely competitive.
Delving deeper into Seminyak’s food scene, here are some of the best restaurants in Seminyak that are worth checking out if you’re looking for scrumptious food in the area:
- Sa’Mesa
Have you ever wondered how it feels to share food with strangers at a long table while enjoying the best of Italian cuisine? This is the concept of Sa’Mesa exactly, bringing everyone to one table just the way many Italian nonna, or grandmothers, invite guests to have dinner together. You need to reserve a table in advance along with mentioning your dietary restrictions if you have any.
What to know before booking your table at Sa’Mesa:
- There will be around 18 dishes served and everyone is free to try every dish
- They only have one seating per night, excluding Fridays when they have two
Sa’Mesa address: Petitenget St Jl. Petitenget No.1a, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361
2. Merah Putih
Merah Putih, which literally means ‘Red and White’, like the colours of the Indonesian flag, is a fine-dining Indonesian restaurant in Petitenget. Indonesian cuisine is rarely associated with fine dining, but Merah Putih breaks that stigma by elevating Indonesian food to gourmet status and, more importantly, an ambience that I can only describe as magical with its high ceilings, red and green velvet cushions, indoor garden, and translucent roof.
What to order at Merah Putih:
- Bebek Kalio, a braised duck leg and duck breast with cassava leaves as the main course to try something different
- Perkedel Jagung, a sweet corn fritter with carrot, leeks and celery as a side dish will blow your mind
Merah Putih address: Jalan Petitenget.100X Kerobokan Kelod, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Bali 80361
3. Seasalt
The charm of Seasalt lies in its setting. Part of Alila Seminyak, the restaurant sits at the beachfront of Petitenget with the Indian Ocean in the background. Unassuming is the perfect word to describe this seafood restaurant with a Japanese touch. Nothing could be better than watching the sun go down with a classy cocktail in hand and then following it up with a delightful dinner with the ocean breeze cooling off the muggy evening.
What to order at Seasalt:
- Seafood platter, best to share the goodness of sustainably harvested and wild-caught seafood, consisting of Hokkaido crudo scallops, Sumbawa oysters, and sashimi fish
- Crusted Kusamba Salt Barramundi, all the menu at Seasalt is seasoned using Kusamba salt, which is made traditionally by a small community in the north of Bali
Seasalt address: Jl. Taman Ganesha Jl. Petitenget No. 9, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
4. Biku
There is no better place in Seminyak to have brunch than at Biku. A great first impression is achieved thanks to the building-style of Joglo; a traditional Javanese house made of teak wood, which gives off a classic and timeless atmosphere. Though they open for breakfast, it’s their High Tea menus that made me speechless. It turns out that tea is their specialty so, if you’re seeking a place for brunch or afternoon tea, look no further.
What to order at Biku:
- Asian High Tea for Two is definitely an instant favourite since their Asian delights are to die for!
- Cakes – choose whatever cake they have, and you will not be disappointed!
Biku address: Jl. Taman Ganesha Gg. Bina No. 888, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Truth be told, I can go on and on listing some of the incredible restaurants in the Seminyak area because there are literally too many to mention, but those are the four that I find remarkable in delivering what they do best. If you want to find out about a similar list, for example, the best cafes in Kuta, ONBALI has numerous comprehensive recommendations you can check out.
As a foodie, my motto has always been, “Try as much as you can while travelling because it is the only way to know if you like something or not.” Happy restaurant hunting!
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