Spice

Situated in the heart of Ubud, overlooking the busy main street, Spice by Chris Salans is one of the latest additions to the Ubud food scene and the third restaurant owned by this award-winning chef. Spice by Chris Salans is a casual café and bar with affordable prices offering a wide selection of Balinese and Indonesian flavors in western cuisine cooking and presentation. The place is small yet cozy with only a few tables arranged by the massive glass window and several stools around the kitchen bar where you can watch the chef and his team in action preparing the food right before your eyes. I started with tartare of yellow fin tuna tataki. The fresh tuna is seared, still raw inside but deliciously matched with the sambal kecicang, crème fraiche and tempe croutons. Next I had the crisp...

There are not that many Indonesian fine-dining restaurants on the island and Bejana has been added to this important list of those that serve the most-favoured authentic dishes from across the archipelago. This is a swanky styled restaurant that manages to deliver a comfortably relaxed atmosphere. Situated on the edge of a cliff face, Bejana has three levels overlooking the ocean and is tastefully designed with some Balinese’s accents and traditional elements of local craftsmanship. The menu focuses on a range of very popular dishes from many of Indonesians’ regions The Indonesian rijsttafel is a good way to savour a mix of regional Indonesian favourites. Each of these is served in small portions and began for me with gado-gado, Sundanese salad and Asinan Jakarta, a sweet and sour pickl...

Republik 45 is a spectacular new Indonesian Restaurant recently opened in the heart of Seminyak, Bali. The food concept here is purely dedicated to authentic Indonesian fair, providing the customer with a true taste of the region’s finest dishes, made with traditional ingredients, recipes and cooking methods. The restaurant offers an exquisite design with a strong lean towards an urban, semi-industrial workspace. The décor is split between natural tones of teak and rubber wood, with stone, steel and marble punctuating the structure. An immense vertical garden balances the ambience and runs the full length of the restaurant, both in-door and out. Local antique decorations are set amidst designer installations, providing a truly unique and engaging location. The food itself is a pleasure t...

As more and more travelers head to Gili Islands these days, now culinary enthusiasts can savor Mediterranean-meets-new-world cuisine in a sea-breeze place at Karma Beach Club Gili Meno. Set conveniently in Karma Reef, Karma Beach Club Gili Meno is a luxurious and chic beachfront restaurant perfect for all day dining focusing on locally caught seafood, and known for its traditional Indonesian inspired dishes. One dish worth selecting is the grilled fish. One has the option to choose the fresh fish of the day, either barramundi, mahi-mahi, red snapper or tuna that is grilled to perfection served with fresh tomato slices, some green salad with a drizzle balsamic vinaigrette as well as pesto sauce. The vegetables and sauces absolutely complement the fish - very flavourful. Here, the paella ...

Established in October 2014, The Deck - Gourmet Lounge is the latest addition to the dining venues at Club Med Bali. Situated on Nusa Dua’s beach front, The Deck – Gourmet Lounge provides an a la carte menu specializing in casual easy food for late breakfast, late lunch, small bites, seafood dinner and late dinner. A day pass or a night pass is required to enjoy the fare The Deck has to offer. White and blue hues dominate the interior where one has the choice of a comfortable indoor dining area, an outdoor floating deck or an indoor bar provided for those wanting bar service and snacks. After gazing through the menu I started with tuna tartar and mango. It’s a simple and delicious dish consisting of chopped fresh tuna, fresh mango and a lime olive oil dressing. For the main course, I cho...

If you fancy dining like a Balinese regent, Raja’s Balinese Restaurant is the place to enjoy a right-regal experience. Raja’s Restaurant is located at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa and offers authentic Balinese cuisine in a royal setting. The restaurant has earned numerous awards including the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award’s (HAPA) Gastronomic Experience, the Asia Cuisine during the HAPA 2008–2010 Regional Series and it is the only certified halal Balinese restaurant on the island. The dining area is divided into two sections; a fully air conditioned indoor area and open-air wooden pavilion. The restaurant presents an exotic air of splendid Balinese grandeur without losing any of its intended elegance. The menu here is comprehensive in its range of Balinese dishes with the latest ...