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Header image courtesy of Lovacore via Facebook
Known for its white sandy beaches and tropical vibe, Bali is also a culinary heaven where you can find a hodgepodge of degustation in every nook and cranny. While the vegan lifestyle had been picked up quickly across the island, there are still a handful of eateries that provide vegetarian options (read: for those who can’t live without dairy products). From high-end restaurants to cosy joints, here are the best places that serve distinct vegetarian menus in Bali.
Don’t be fooled by the seafood fares when you flip open Seasalt Seminyak’s menu, as this elegant eatery inside Alila Seminyak also offers a plethora of vegetarian meals. For appetizers, start with either the Pumpkin Tempura or Kyoto Hummus, while more filling options range from Spinach Ramen, Roasted Pumpkin, and Mushroom Risotto to Tempe Tahu Kare (tofu curry), among others. You can also make other dishes vegetarian upon request.
Seasalt Seminyak, Jalan Taman Ganesha, Jl. Petitenget No.9, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia | (+62) 361 3021889
Bali’s Michelin-Star Locavore uses eco-friendly and local ingredients, what's more, this Ubud restaurant also includes a separate ‘herbivore’ menu for vegetarians. Their tasting-menu has six to nine dishes with drink pairings that are said to elevate any dining experience. Meanwhile, Chefs Ray and Eelke also incorporate plant-based options in their other menus. For example, take a peek at the Indonesian Nusantara menu, which includes heaps of leafy ingredients: Tempe Bacem (spiced tofu), Sayur Lodeh (vegetable soup with coconut milk), and Pecel Madiun (Javanese salad with peanut sauce).
Locavore Bali, Jl. Dewisita No.10, Banjar Padang, Tegal, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia | (+62) 361 977733
Have a craving for extra spices? Then a trip to Queen’s Tandoor should satiate. The Jakarta-based restaurant offers a myriad of North Indian cuisines (Paneer Tikka, Malai Kofta) along with popular Chinese-fusion items, such as Tofu Rica Rica (spicy tofu) and Pangsit Cah Santri (stir-fried dumplings). With four outlets sprawled around Bali, its Ubud outlet stands out with its spacious outdoor seating and regal interiors, and, of course, famous Bollywood songs blasting throughout.
Queen’s Tandoor, Jl. Pratama, Tanjung Benoa, No 65B | (+62361) 771344
A cosy house-turned-cafe, Soma in the Ubud area conjures a relaxing dining experience perfect for friends and family. Their expansive menus cover everything from raw vegetables, tapas, soups, salads, burgers, and lasagna. Drinks include a roster of healthy juices, smoothies, and even Indian lassis—ideal for health-conscious foodies out there.
Soma Cafe Ubud, Jl. Gootama, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80515, Indonesia | (+62) 361 8493655
Another of Bali’s famed healthy eateries is located in the pristine Canggu area. Bali Buda cooks up organic meals in its two-storey joint, encompassing a zero-waste shop on the ground floor where you can find healthy treats. The café itself serves eclectic dishes made up of Western (Eggplant Enchiladas, Gourmet Burgers) and Indonesian fare (Nasi Campur, Gado Gado), while its drinks menu has everything from smoothies to kombucha to red rice milk.
Bali Buda Cafe, Jl. Banjar Anyar No.24, Kerobokan, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia | (+62) 361 8445935
Indulge in a high-end plant-based meal while gazing at the serene Ayung River and lush greenery at Sakti Dining Room. The award-winning restaurant is tucked inside the Fivelements Retreat Bali and provides two dining options for patrons—tasting menus (with three, five, or seven courses) and an à la carte menu with tantalizing dishes like Chickpea and Cassava Flatbread, Spicy Avocado Nori Roll, and Vegetarian Lasagna.
Sakti Dining Room, Puri Ahimsa Banjar Baturning, Mambal, Abiansemal, Badung Regency, Bali 80352, Indonesia | (+62) 361 469260
Having Mexican food on the Island of the Gods might seem odd to some, but Taco Casa in the Seminyak area has amassed a loyal following since its opening in 2012. Its abode on the busy Petitenget Street looks simple, and its menu is packed with extensive vegetarian Mexican delicacies—Wet Burrito, Crispy Tacos, Cheesy Enchiladas, Sizzling Fajitas—that keep you coming back for more.
Taco Casa Seminyak, Jl. Petitenget Kerobokan, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia | (+62) 81 224222358
Business graduate turned writer, Umesh spent the last decade writing for luxury lifestyle magazines in Jakarta that allowed him to travel the globe and live a good life. With Bali as his favourite island and Tokyo as the most magical city, he loves visiting new haunts, local bars, and scouting for the next vegetarian sensation. When he is not writing, he can be found in a movie theatre or at nearby art exhibitions. Find his musings on @cosmiknaga.
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