Let’s face it, Bali is a foodies paradise. Where else in the world will you find so many quality food options at such affordable prices? If you find yourself staying here and looking for places to eat in Uluwatu, you’ve landed on the right guide. There are truly some awesome restaurants and cafes in Uluwatu to explore.
Today we are absolutely spoiled for choice because there is truly just so many places to eat in Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak…and now Uluwatu (also known as the bukit). With each area offering its own distinctive list of quality places to try, it’s no wonder we’re finding more and more traveling nomads choosing to stay Bali for longer and longer periods of time.
It’s taken a little longer for Uluwatu to expand, always having been the quieter and luxurious part of Bali. Unlike other parts of Bali like Canggu and Ubud where the food scene has literally exploded with so many new places opening up what feels like every week, Uluwatu has taken a more chilled out approach over the years, slowly opening its doors to more and more development. Today Uluwatu has become a plethora of flavours for every kind of traveler – offering budget friendly to luxurious options.
When looking where to eat in Uluwatu, there are more and more cafes and restaurants to pick from. But like with any place, no two places are created equally. So after much exploration from our many trips to the bukit, here’s a roundup of the best cafes in Uluwatu that have use coming back for more. And hey, we’ll keep this one updated with every trip we make to the bukit.
Table of Contents
Bukit Cafe
A Delicious Crowd Favourite
The Bukit Café in Uluwatu is the favourite of the bunch. Whilst I am an absolute meat lover, similar to the Shady Shack in Canggu, Bukit Café has the ability to draw me into their vegetarian and vegan selections, and makes me forget that I haven’t eaten an ounce of meat.
The menu offers a delicious selection that is both hearty and healthy. And if you’re one to come back a few times, Bukit Café offers a range of specials to tickle your fancy. Start off with a health shot of wheatgrass (or you could even go with a flight of 3 shots), followed by a must try of one of their sugar cane drinks.
Try their Green Burger, which is a fill your belly vegan burger served with a side of sweet potato fries. I also love the bowls here, with several on special such as their Tempeh Bowl, served with a colourful variety of vegetables, a dukkah hummus, and green rice.
The Loft
A Healthy Dose of Bondi
Sister to The Loft, one of the many cafes in Canggu to explore, at The Loft in Uluwatu, you won’t be disappointed. For dinner, the menu is hearty with a variety of meats, and some vegan and vegetarian selections.
The meatballs are a winner, served with mashed potato and French beans. Or for a lighter fare, try the seared tuna salad, served with a rocket and mango pickle salad – delicious.
The space is also beautiful, a lot bigger than their Canggu version, introducing an open-air pavilion style venue. We like sitting inside amongst the high ceiling and cosy wooden features and splash of greenery.
Drifter Surf Cafe
Drift Your Way into Food
Another favourite, set behind a great surf shop is Drifter Surf Cafe. Sit amongst the back garden with a calming nature that surrounds, wooden features, and friendly house-cats to say hello. This is one of those spots you can easily drift away to and spend the afternoon relaxing.
Perfect to enjoy for two, and great for a group of friends, the menu features everyday favourites including bowls, tacos, burrito, as well as some local dishes such as Balinese curry.
And whilst you’re here, make sure to drift through their store – a great selection of surf-ware from boards to clothes to towels…you name it. Makes for great gifts, or even to just spoil yourself.
Mana
Eclectic Flavours with Ocean Views
Inspired by South American flavours, Mana Restaurant is tucked away at the Uluwatu Surf Villas and boasts stunning cliff-top views over the ocean. With views over the surf in the distance, you’ll be sitting in a gorgeous open-air restaurant set with modern wooden features and good vibes.
The menu offers a delicious selection of flavours from the land and sea, and the best option is to share a variety of dishes with your eating companion/s. The ceviche is a must, as well as their tacos which are perfect for sharing. And to pair, a jug of sangria goes down nicely here.
Gooseberry
Doing it for the gram’
This one is a darling for the gram, and tucked just above Bingin Beach. Sit amongst the tropical oasis in their outside garden that overlooks a small pool. Or sit inside Gooseberry Cafe where it’s cooler and enjoy a beautiful space with its tropical interior. One of the more instagrammable cafes in Uluwatu!
Ooo and definitely check out their bathroom, it’s an instagrammable one that’s for sure. Serving up a modern international fare including a make-your-own-poke bowl options, plus tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and a range of salads.
Ulu Cliffhouse
Beach Club Vibes
Cliff-top views over the ocean and great DJ sounds is the flavor every day at Ulu Cliffhouse.
Soak in the beach club vibes all day long at Ulu Cliffhouse where you can chill out by the pool on one of their day beds, or head over to their clifftop restaurant for a casual lunch with a modern food fare. From seafood to pizzas to grills to burgers, their modern menu offers a little something for everyone.
Sugar Rock
Stay For the Great Service
This one’s a hidden gem. The service is probably the best we have experienced in Uluwatu. The staff are so friendly, helpful and attentive it’ll make you want to stay around longer and enjoy the evening filled with good food and cocktails. During happy hour, enjoy 1-for-1 cocktails and soak in the garden vibes of Sugar Rock. When I consider all the cafes in Uluwatu, this one by far offers the best and friendliest service in town.
The menu is filled with an array of food from Indonesian favourites, to healthy soups and vegetarian options, to hearty plates such as their rib-eye fillet.
Mango Tree
If You Don’t Like Tacos, I’m Nacho Type
Tacos and burritos are the name of the game here, and the portions are definitely generous. Set outdoors under the shade of a mango tree at Padang Padang, Mango Tree offers good vibes and delicious food that is perfect for sharing or after a big day of surfing, definitely will feed the hungry.
This gem is part of Uluwatu’s history, being one of the first cafes to open up in the bukit. Delicious Mexican flavours is what you will get and enjoy here, with great vibes and good service. It can get quite busy here especially for lunch and dinner, so do make a booking to avoid a wait, especially if you are a bigger group of people.
Suka Espresso
Coffee Ahoy!
Dare I say one of the best coffees in the bukit? Made with a lot of love using small batch coffee beans sourced locally in Indonesia, as well as imported from places in South America, on a hot day nothing beats Suka Espresso’s iced coffee. Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s refreshing and delectable. Of all the cafes in Uluwatu, I have to say this one makes one of the best coffee.
Moving on to the main fare, the food… Suka Espresso is best known for their breakfast and brunch selections. For the healthy, the Morning Greens is a great vegan option served with Tuscan kale, quinoa, broccoli, avocado, French beans, and a lemon and basil pesto.
The Cashew Tree
For Those Healthy Cravings
Garden vibes will have you relaxing and enjoying a healthy meal at The Cashew Tree, located just around the corner from Bingin Beach. Surrounded by a lot of nature with plenty of space to roam, the vibe at The Cashew Tree is mellow, so you can take it easy and relax. Inspired by the Indonesian-style warung, the space finds alang alang roofs (Indonesian grass thatched roofs), batik designed pillows, and plenty of wooden features. And in your search for the best cafes in Uluwatu, this one is definitely one to add to the list.
The menu boasts healthy cravings including selection of salads, sandwiches, burgers you name it… perfect for those looking for healthier options. It is also a great place for families as there’s plenty of space for the little kiddies to run around, with also a kids corner to keep them busy.
Tarabelle Donuts
Donut worry!
Sometimes a moment calls for a donut, and why waste those precious calories on a terrible donut? When you’re facing those donut cravings, head to Tarabelle Donut to get your donut fix. Tarabelle Donut is a quaint little café located on the main Uluwatu Street leading up into the bukit.
Swing by early as they do run out of favourite flavours come afternoon time. The donuts are beautifully fluffy with toppings to indulge yet not be completely overwhelming. Just take a bite into one of their donuts… come on, we dare you to.
Campur Campur
For Them Indonesian Flavours
If you are looking for Indonesian food, you’ve come to the right place. Campur Campur is a small Indonesia restaurant located on the main Uluwatu Street as you are heading up into the bukit. The selection of food is good, with a good amount of vegetarian options. Just choose your rice, white, yellow or red, and then start picking those dishes to pair.
A good selection of dishes from fried tempeh to tofu to chilli eggplant to jackfruit curry to fried chicken to Balinese curries you name it. And it’s inexpensive so it’s a pocket friendly meal that’s delicious.
Single Fin
A Sunset Dream.
Single Fin is one of the best cliff-top bars offering A-one views over the Uluwatu surf break and direct view of the sunset over the bukit. Spread over a few levels on the cliff, there is a lot of seating outdoors with views over the ocean. The vibe here is great with DJ sounds and an atmosphere that is happening.
The cocktail selection is delicious, with some exotic flavours such as the Tumeric Margarita. The menu is modern with a selection of burgers, salads, pizzas – all the comfort modern classics so everyone will be happy. Come sunset, these spots get booked out quickly so make sure to book yourself in. It will come with a minimum spend, but usually once you gave a cocktail or two and some food, it’s easy to meet the minimum spend.
Rock Bar
Don’t Live Under a Rock
Ride down the gondola from the top of the AYANA Resort over to Rock Bar. Set 14 meters above the water with direct views over the Indian Ocean, Rock Bar has been into the rock formations along the cliff line coast. Opens daily from 4pm onwards, the Rock Bar is definitely a unique experience with a fantastic sunset, great music, and excellent vibes.
The drink menu offers all the usual favourites, plus a tapas menu that is perfect to pair with your sunset drinks. Unless you are staying in the resort, you have to book yourself in advance for sunset with a minimum spend applicable, otherwise it is likely you won’t be able to get in.
Botol Biru Bar
A-One Views Minus The Crowds
Perched atop the cliffs of the Anantara Resort is the Botol Biru Bar, a cliff-top bar boasting direct A-one views of the Impossibles surf break and the sunset to the left. Translating to “blue bottle” the name of the bar is inspiring by the bluebottle jellyfish, which features on the bar’s logo.
Leave the crowds behind and tuck yourself on the high table bar and soak in the azure of the ocean right in front of you. Best to visit at sunset where you can catch all the wave action down below and watch the magical sunset paint the sky beautiful shades of pink and orange. There’s a delicious selection of cocktails to pick, created by Anantara’s very own mixologists. And if you are feeling a bit puckish, there’s a selection of food inspired by Mediterranean flavours.
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I'm Soraya, travel & food blogger and sunshine chaser at Hello Raya. You know that travel bug? I have been well and truly nipped, infinite times.This is my online nook to share my lifelong experiences of travel & food in hopes to inspire you to explore our beautiful world.