My Ultimate Guide: Seminyak Restaurants, Bars & Must Do's in Bali
19th January 2020
As of compiling this list, I have been to Bali about 19 times. I’ve stayed all over; Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Ubud, Amed, Pemuteran and visited most of the main towns from North to South. However, I’d definitely say the majority of my trips have been spent in Seminyak. It’s one of the most popular areas because it’s about a 30-40 minute drive from the airport, it’s where most of the famous restaurants are, it has great shopping and some famous beach clubs. Although Seminyak is getting incredibly crowded now, I still have my favourite places that I like to go, most of which are located right on ‘Eat Street’, more commonly known as Jalan Kayu Aya. Here’s my review of the places I have been and love!
RESTAURANTS - I genuinely think the restaurant scene in Bali is one of the best in South East Asia. I prefer the food in Seminyak to Singapore! It’s cheaper and seems better quality. I sometimes talk about Seminyak as ‘if you took the food scene from an Australian city and crammed it into Asia’.
Sarong, Jl. Petitenget No.19x, Kerobokan Kelod $$$: One of my favourite restaurants in Asia. It’s a beautiful indoor/outdoor space serving delicious South East Asian food. Probably one for a more special occasion, bear in mind they require a reservation and there’s a strict dress code. I absolutely love the entire menu. Anyone I have bought here has not been disappointed.
Mamasan, Jl. Raya Kerobokan No.135, Kerobokan Kelod $$$: The sister restaurant to Sarong and another of my favourites. Think Indonesian inspired dumplings, sharing platters, big noodle dishes and the best Gin & Tonics in Bali. Best to reserve too.
Motel Mexicola, Jl. Kayu Jati No.9X, Kerobokan Kelod $$: Great tacos. Super fun, colourful interior good for lunch or drinks in the evening when it turns into more of a club. Yes, it’s open at lunchtime. At night it’s crazy, with free tequila being poured down your throat so if you just want a nice quiet meal and to take some pictures of their super ‘Instagrammable’ interior, I’d head there at lunchtime!
Nook, Jl. Umalas I No.3, Kerobokan Kelod $$: An affordable and popular local cafe with stunning views of the rice fields. Famous for their nasi campur, they’ve recently expanded and are always pretty busy! Slightly further up from Seminyak, halfway to Canggu.
Ultimo, Jl. Kayu Aya No.104X, Kerobokan Kelod $$: On the main “Eat Street” in Seminyak. Ridiculously good and cheap Italian food. Anything you order will be absolutely delicious! I highly recommend reserving as they are incredibly popular.
Ginger Moon, Jl. Kayu Aya No. 7 Seminyak Kuta, Kerobokan Kelod $$: Also on “Eat Street”. Westernised Chinese food that’s pretty delicious. Think pork baos and dumplings! Pretty easy to walk in, easy for a quick dinner if you don’t want anything too fancy.
Tokyo Skipjack, Jalan Kayu Cendana No. 1, Seminyak, Kerobokan Kelod $: This place is a little hard to find, but I randomly stumbled upon it on one trip to Bali. The food is fairly simple, but it was SO good we ate here every single lunchtime for a week! The grilled chicken and sides is so deliciously simple but really tasty. Easy to wander into after a morning of sunbathing by the pool.
Sisterfields, Jl. Kayu Cendana No.7, Seminyak $$: Aussie inspired cafe best for brunch. It’s insanely popular so expect a long wait but the food is really incredible (as are the Mimosas!)
Cafe Bali, Jalan Laksmana Kayu Aya Seminyak Kuta, Kerobokan Kelod $: A local cafe that serves delicious Indonesian and Asian food at very reasonable prices. Best for those evenings when you just want to wander into somewhere easy, and chill with some good food and a couple of Bintangs. I like their chicken satay and their nasi goreng!
BOSSMAN, Jalan Kayu Cendana No. 8B, Seminyak, Kerobokan Kelod $$: I swear, this is hands down the best burger I’ve had in my life. I always have the ‘Original Gangster’ which has a juicy beef patty accessorized with cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mustard, thousand island sauce and horseradish aioli. Their jalapeño poppers are also UNREAL. It closes at 5am and they deliver!
BARS/DAY CLUBS - No trip to Bali is complete without either a bed at a day club or a visit to one of the below for sundowners!
Potato Head, Jl. Petitenget No.51B, Seminyak: It is cliche, but it’s fine. If you want a daybed you need to get there by 11am as you cannot reserve. They also have a lovely rooftop that’s nice for sunset drinks or light bites. Not my favourite, but really popular.
Finns, Jl. Pantai Berawa, Canggu: A great spot to hang out for the entire day, as you can preorder day beds (unlike Potato Head). I personally much prefer Finns VIP which is just next door and newly expanded. I love sunsets here and all of the food is great. You can simply book a daybed on their online system, which has a minimum spend depending on which type you book.
The Lawn, Jl. Pura Dalem, Canggu: Another place to hang for the entire day if you have a day bed. Service is good and the food is yummy too! As with most day clubs in Bali, it’s very popular.
KU DE TA, Jl. Kayu Aya No.9, Seminyak: A good one for sundowners. Leave enough time to get there well in time for sunset (about 6pm). The food has improved, but I’d still eat elsewhere. It’s pretty expensive.
Red Carpet Champagnebar, Jl. Kayu Aya No.42, Seminyak: On the main strip in Seminyak. Great service and fun music. As I age, I value places like this more where you can actually have a conversation and hear each other, and it’s not too rowdy. Don’t go upstairs though, there’s a very strange club upstairs! The biggest plus point - they’ll drive you home in a massive champagne bottle! You’ll see it parked outside, just ask if you stay nearby.
La Favela, Jalan Laksamana Oboroi No.177X, Seminyak: A very popular three-floor club that closes around 5am or so. Not my favourite because it gets ultra-busy, but the best choice if you want to dance!
WooBar, Jalan Petitenget Seminyak, Kerobokan Kelod: Of course, it’s in the W Hotel. But this is another lovely spot for sunset! If you don’t manage to snag one of the sofa seating areas, there’s plenty of room at the bar.
SHOPPING - Bali is an absolute shopping mecca if you love homewares and floatly, tropical-inspired clothes! I always, ALWAYS shop when I come to Bali. You can spend a whole day going up and down Jalan Kayu Aya looking in all the boutiques, but I have a few favourites.
Kim Soo, Jl. Kayu Aya No.21, Kerobokan Kelod: An amazing homeware brand that mostly does black and white patterns, and things with texture! Expect lots of cushion covers, decorative pieces, cutlery, throws and ceramics.
Bali Boat Shed, Jl. Laksamana Basangkasa No.55, Seminyak: 75% of my wardrobe comes from this shop! A Bali institution.
Seminyak Square, Jl. Kayu Jati No.8, Seminyak: A relatively new mall on “Eat Street” that has some nice shops in, both local and branded. Most of the local products you can likely get cheaper from the markets, but it’s a nice break from the aircon if you want to do some serious hunting.
Sundays Resort Wear, Jl. Kayu Aya, Seminyak: Relaxed, comfortable linens and resort/beachwear. One of many similar types of shops down “Eat Street”.
THINGS TO DO - Depending on how long you are staying in Seminyak, you may want to simply chill out and eat or go for massages. If you’re staying for more than just a long weekend, you may want to take a day trip out and see some of the sights!
Bodyworks Spa, Jl. Kayu Jati No. 2, Petitenget, Seminyak: It’s not the fanciest spa but it’s cheap and they’re very good. You need to book before you attempt a treatment!
Tanah Lot, Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency: A famous water temple about a 45-minute drive from Seminyak. I advise going for sunset, it’s beautiful but extremely hot in the day.
Sacred Monkey Forest, Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud: The famous monkey forest in Ubud is actually a temple that is inhabited by a load of monkeys and is about a 2 hour drive from Seminyak. It has been hugely renovated and is now more ‘tourist friendly’. You are no longer allowed to feed the monkeys, but it’s still pretty fun to go and see all of them free roaming. Don’t put your hands in your pockets or have loose things on you, as they’ll steal it!
Tegallalang, Jl. Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kec. Tegallalang: If you time your day correctly, you can head to this famous rice terrace in Ubud before or after you visit the Sacred Monkey Forest. Spend a few hours wandering or grab a coffee and just enjoy the view.
TATTOOS - It’s no secret that I love tattoos, and have gotten many of them in Bali on my travels. I would ALWAYS recommend making a booking, as the good artists are never going to be available if you walk in. Always plan your tattoo on the second to last or last day of your trip, depending on your flights, as you won’t be able to sit in the sun or swim with your fresh tattoo!
Babayaga, Pantai Batu Bolong St No.77, Canggu: They specialize in fine line tattoos and have some artists doing some really cool work. It’s cash only, and roughly S$250 an hour which is their minimum spend. Their organic aftercare cream is one of the best I’ve ever used on my tattoos. The monstera leaf below is from Babayaga.
Artful Ink, Petitenget St No.1, Seminyak: Hourly rates here start from S$150 an hour and they have a wide variety of artists who all have unique specializations. Probably a better chance of a walk-in at this studio! I got my huge thigh piece below from Artful Ink. 5 hours of pain in total!
OTHER - My other tips and tricks for Bali in general…
Transport: Grab is frowned upon by the local taxi mafia and you’ll find that you won’t be allowed to pick up or drop off in certain places like famous beach clubs. It’s best to avoid it and download the Bluebird app for local taxis. They have however, recently added a Grab lane at the airport, which implies the rules are loosening.
Go-Jek: An incredible ‘do everything’ app that has a taxi and bike service, but also useful for food delivery, massages, hair washes, and manicures, etc that come to you!
Phew! That is my comprehensive list of places I love in Seminyak. What have I missed? There are so many beach clubs now, and so many new restaurants. Where should I try next?
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