Best Restaurants in Ubud: Where to Eat in Bali’s Cultural Heart

How do you pick the best restaurants in Ubud? The simplest answer is whether you crave a 50K meal of nasi campur and babi guling at the humblest warungs, or want to splurge 200 dollars at the best fine dining restaurant in Ubud. If you need a break from your regular coastal dining in Canggu, there’s no better place than Ubud to explore.

You can’t separate dining in Ubud from the landscape. Think of having the most earthy lunch with the greenest view of the rice fields, or sipping your Merlot with the sound of cicadas for your dinner. Here are all the places where you can have the best meal to eat in Ubud, from the Michelin-level restaurants perfect for special occasions to grabbing a quick and authentic Balinese lunch.

Ubud's Dining Scene at a Glance

As a food guide to Ubud goes, the view doesn’t determine the price tag. The experience does. You can have a full Indonesian meal for less than 100K with the rice field or river view. But the experience of having a degustation or farm-to-table menu at the Ayung riverside certainly gives you something unforgettable.

So, how do you pick where to eat in Ubud when you have plenty of choices? Here’s the cheat sheet to pick the best restaurant in Ubud:

• Special Occasion – Splurge at fine dining like Apéritif
• Quick and authentic lunch – Save at local warungs like Adi Warung
• Romantic dining – Fire up your evening at Api Jiwa
• International fusion – Head to Pica for the bold South American flavors
• Dining with a view – Enjoy the misty jungle view at The Upper Deck

Fine Dining in Ubud

1. Apéritif

Stepping into Apéritif, which has held a Michelin Key since 2025, the world of Balinese temples disappears to the glamorous vibe of the roaring twenties. Channel your inner Zelda Fitzgerald as you take a bite of the canapés and sip the pre-dinner drink, marveling at the antique chandelier and the checkerboard tiles inside the colonial manor.

Chef Nic Vanderbeeken brings the concept of Borderless Food. Their degustation Guided by the Moon Cycle Menu, pairs a Venison Wellington with Foie Gras alongside Indonesia's Beef Rendang. The exploration of flavors and techniques between cultures is how Apéritif creates the story. As the season defines what nature produces, no two visits to Apéritif are the same.

2. Kubu at Mandapa

Imagine having the slow-cooked pork belly served inside a bamboo cocoon, with the flow of the Ayung River as the soundtrack. That’s the romantic riverside dining scene you get at Kubu at Mandapa in Ritz-Carlton Reserve Ubud, where local ingredients shine in the hands of Chef Eka.

Every ingredient is sourced within a 100-kilometer radius. The Earth’s Harvest, their tasting menu, celebrates what the Balinese soil has to offer, blending Plaga melon with kelp, blimbi sorrel, and marigold in their Serangan Crab dish. The commitment to locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients makes sure that in every bite, you taste the freshness and richness of Bali’s incredible biodiversity.

3. Mozaic

Since opening its doors in 2001, Mozaic, the OG of fine dining restaurants in Ubud, has been showing how Indonesian ingredients deserve a place in the fine dining setting. Each meal transports you into the world of culinary adventure while surrounded by the lush tropical garden.

The Seasonal Menu at Mozaic is what happens when European techniques meet Indonesian ingredients. The Dry-Aged Duck Breast blends Base Gede, Balinese spice paste with baby starfruit, and fermented Buddha’s Hand fruit. Consistently ranked among the best restaurants in Ubud, it’s also one of the few Indonesian restaurants to become a member of Les Grandes Tables du Monde, a prestigious global gastronomic association.

4. Api Jiwa

Like the name, fire is in the soul of every dish at Api Jiwa. As the Wara open fire is lit up, the dark rainforest turns into a mysterious background, but promises an intimate and romantic dinner in Ubud. After the cocktail is served, Chef Arvie Delvo is ready for an interactive omakase where the restaurant is designed to take you back to a 19th-century camp laundry room.

The multicourse Asian dining brings the farm-to-flame concept. Tuna Tartare carries the depth of flavor of Balinese water, paired with soy sago, fresh lime, and wasabi. The smokiness and aroma as the fire touches the food, comes from the surplus of rice straws, creating a distinctive taste that sets Api Jiwa apart from other restaurants in Ubud.

5. Terracotta

No meal is perfect, unless you’re dining at Terracotta's rice terrace. As the Bajang Desa cocktails hit your mouth, you’ll notice how green the rice fields are. The Rijsttafel makes it one of the best menus at any restaurant in Ubud. The Javanese dish popularized by the Dutch during the colonial era consists of rice and small plates of vegetables, meat, and fruits served in a bale in the middle of ricefields!

Craving for Earth or Sea Feeling? Nothing that Balinese Smoked Duck or Red Snapper Escalope can’t fix. Every ingredient, including the Balinese arak of your Bajang Desa, is sourced from the farm near Bedugul and the village where Terracotta is located.

Modern & International

6. Pica

As the sharp citrus and spice of the ceviche hit your palate, you’ll know why Pica feels like an anomaly. Founded by a Chilean-born chef, Cristian Encina brought the bright and bold flavors of South America to the busy streets of Dewisita in Ubud.

Sitting at this intimate, 24-seat restaurant in Ubud, the open kitchen puts you in the front row to see how your Empanadas with the Chilean beef stew are made. The Peruvian Seafood Paella is worth sharing under the dim, amber light, while the upbeat Latin music makes the place feel like a dinner party in Ubud rather than a restaurant. Pica stays true to its roots, showcasing the culinary heritage of South American cuisine by using fresh and locally-sourced ingredients.

7. Galle Club

Walking into Galle Club feels like stepping into your favorite friend’s Sri Lankan grandma’s house. The framed photos capture the memory of sitting in the living room as the spices fill the air. The dinner menu is built around the family’s sharing dishes, and it needs to come in pairs: two Mallungs or Short Eats, two Sharing Eats, and two side dishes.

Mangalore Mutton Curry is the perfect pairing of the fragrant fennel, coriander curry, and Lamb Shank. Enjoy it with Cucumber Malung, where the peanuts bring the crunch, and the lemon brings the zest. The bold flavor of Sliced Bun Parotta and Dal Parippu, inspired by the tiffin lunches, makes it a stand out among restaurants to have lunch in Ubud.

Authentic Balinese & Warungs

8. Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku

Any local Ubud food guide will mention Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku as the one place you can’t miss. Once you pass the front entrance of the warung, you’re stepping into Balinese tradition with several bale (pavilion) compounds. It’s a full Balinese eating experience you can’t get, even at the best and established restaurants in Ubud.

Balinese chicken rice is the only menu, but Ibu Mangku has been selling this since 1963! The rice is served on a banana leaf with side dishes, from shredded chicken to mixed veggies. The standout is Ayam Betutu, a classic Balinese dish cooked with galangal, shrimp paste, and turmeric. Eating here beats the best restaurants in Ubud if you value the history of cuisine in Bali.

9. Adi Warung

Tucked in the busy Goutama Street just behind Ubud Art Market, don’t let the small entrance of Adi Warung fool you. Once you walk inside, the Balinese décor and the garden drown the endless noise of Ubud’s center. Pick a table near the fish pond, if it’s available, and wait for your Nasi Campur.

It’s tempting to order all the Balinese cuisine on the menu, as everything is below 50K. But you can’t go wrong with Nasi Campur. It’s steamed rice served with different condiments like vegetable urab, corn fritters, chicken, and tempeh. If you want something lighter but still packed with flavor, Gado-gado will make you fall in love with the combo of rice cake and veggies dish drenched in scrumptious peanut sauce

Best for Views & Sunset

10. The Upper Deck

What’s more magical than seeing the mist hanging over the dense rainforest once the sun is setting? The dinner at The Upper Deck. Have a glass of Martini Rosso in your hand as you catch the last ray of the sun over the Wos River Valley. Let the blend of modern Danish and traditional Balinese design mentioned in the Michelin Guide, welcome you to an open seating area.

Enjoy the silkiness of Chawanmushi with the asparagus, charred edamame, and dashi caviar, before the showstopping dish of Red Braised Beef of Koji-cured prime beef striploin melts in your mouth. And if a memorable dinner is what you’re after, dine under the full moonlight as you cut into the perfectly roasted 12-day Aged Duck Breast.

Ubud by Day, the Coast by Night

Most travelers are based on the coast. Once you’ve ticked off your Ubud itinerary, and after having the best lunch or an early dinner at the restaurants in Ubud, it’s time to leave the jungle and get back to the sea. Your night doesn’t have to end too soon because some of the best restaurants in Canggu stay open until late, on any day or season.

If you happen to plan your Ubud day trip on Friday, you need one last stop before you call it a night. Book a table at ESKQ for the late-night drink and jazz while having a couple of glasses of Riesling or Merlot. Opens until 2 AM, don’t let the guilt stop you from having a second dinner when the hunger strikes. Because once you slice the perfectly cooked Picanha Steak at the best steakhouse in Bali, what’s left is a full belly and the sound of the saxophone as you close the day.

FAQ

What is the average cost of dining in Ubud?

The dining cost depends on where you go to eat in Ubud. You shouldn’t pay more than 50K for a full meal in warungs. For a mid-range restaurant, the prices vary between 150K and 400K. The best fine dining restaurants in Ubud often fall between 1.2 million and over 3 million for a set menu including wine.

What food is Ubud known for?

Ubud is known for bringing the farm-to-table concepts to fine dining establishments in Bali, often sourcing all the ingredients locally. As for the Balinese specialty, some of the restaurants in Ubud pride themselves on chicken or duck betutu, though it’s not exclusively available in Ubud.

Do I need to book restaurants in Ubud in advance?

If you come to the best fine dining restaurants in Ubud, the answer is yes. They rarely take walk-ins. Tables at Apéritif, Mozaic, or Api Jiwa are often booked out in advance during special events or occasions. But if you come to mid-range restaurants or warungs, you don’t need any booking.

Is Ubud or Canggu better for dining?

If you’re looking for restaurants with jungle views and fine dining service, Ubud wins. But Canggu is a no-brainer when it comes to a variety of dining options and places that stay open late. Places like ESKQ, which opens until 2 AM, make a great example for late-night drinks.

Is Ubud good for vegan and vegetarian food?

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, Ubud is the best place in Bali to try the most delicious plant-based foods. The proximity to nature makes it possible for cafes and restaurants in Ubud to serve organic and farm-to-table vegetarian and vegan foods, more than you can find in Canggu.

Expert Opinion: How to Plan Your Ubud Food Crawl

Your Ubud food crawl should start early. Head to local warungs or restaurants for a proper Balinese breakfast in Ubud. Come to Apéritif after you book the table at least 24 hours in advance, for a luxurious and luscious lunch in Ubud. Enjoy your sundowners with the jungle view at The Upper Deck, before heading back to Canggu.

But don’t rush to your villa until you book a table at ESKQ to have the juiciest Pork Ribs, and pair it with the wide selection of European or Latin American wine for dinner. Keep your tab open until you hear the last jazzy tune from the saxophonist on Friday, because you may need another bottle of Pinot Grigio before calling it a night.