Stuck for date night ideas? Book a hot-seat at these helplessly romantic restaurants in Bali, where love is always in the air…
Lovebirds, this one’s for you! Whether you’re on your honeymoon or just vacay-ing with your other half, Bali is a top destination when it comes to romantic getaways – and for good reason. This magical island is oh-so dreamy, with its lush jungles, enchanting nature, paradisal beaches and breathtaking sunsets – not to mention, allll the couples spa treatments, and of course, the finest wining and dining destinations around. Add to that some sunset cocktails by the sea and an intimate candlelit dinner on the beach, and you’ve got yourself one helluva dreamy date night.
So, whether Valentine’s Day is around the corner or you’re simply planning a special date, we’ve got you covered. From Ubud and Seminyak, to Canggu and Uluwatu, here are our favourite romantic restaurants in Bali that are worth your Rupiah…
Romantic restaurants in SEMINYAK
1. Uma Garden
With the starry sky above and a magical, candle-lit garden all around, we can’t think of a more romantic setting than a date at Uma Garden. This fire-based restaurant is nestled on the outskirts of Seminyak in the charming Umalas neighbourhood, with rice field vistas and a stylish, rustic ambiance. With such a dreamy setting, you’ll want to arrive before the sun sets for a pre-dinner aperitivo, before making your way to the garden dining area, past the theatrical open-flame grill. Sip your way through the stellar cocktails, and graze on flame-kissed recipes, like the wood-fired USDA prime Black Angus Tomahawk, or the juicy jumbo prawns, ember-grilled to perfection. While Uma Garden is our top pick for a romantic date night, it’s also a great place to bring a group of friends to swap, share and get a taste of all the different wood-fired flavours.
Uma Garden, Jl Umalas 1 No. 8, Umalas, p. +62 821 4736 9323, e. [email protected]; Open daily from 1pm.
2. The Restaurant
At this multi-award-winning dining destination at The Legian Seminyak, you can expect fine dining cuisine, seamless service and the most gorgeous brasserie-style interiors. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef, Stephane Gortina, the menu at The Restaurant features Asian influences, French cooking techniques and local ingredients with a European twist. For a truly exquisite dining experience, try the Indonesian-inspired tasting menu that showcases The Restaurant’s very best dishes of the moment – perfectly paired with a glass of wine and views of the shimmering Indian Ocean. Our fave? Don’t miss the steamed Barramundi with saffron potato caviar in a fragrant crustacean broth, which just so happens to pair perfectly with a Californian Sauvignon Blanc…
The Restaurant at The Legian Seminyak, Bali, Jl Kayu Aya, Seminyak Beach, p. +62 361 730 622, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7am – 10pm.
3. Merah Putih
A stunning cathedral-like restaurant serving high-end Indonesian cuisine, there are so many reasons to dine at Merah Putih. This iconic fine diner has stood the test of time, showcasing the true flavours of Indonesia with recipes that are handed down through generations. Try the fried tofu and mushroom dumplings served with coconut and local greens, or the Lombok-style spring chicken with spinach, chives and kaffir lime. We say, go all-out with Merah Putih’s tasting menu to get a taste of it all, and wash it down with the ‘Flavours of Indonesia’ cocktail flight. Top tip: for an uber romantic dinner, snag a seat in one of the teak pods to score an elevated view of the breathtaking interiors.
Merah Putih, JI Petitenget No. 100x, Seminyak, p. +62 361 846 5950 / +62 813 3857 8815, e. [email protected]; Open daily 12pm – 3pm & from 5.30pm.
Romantic restaurants in UBUD
4. The Sayan House
A foodie gem just ten minutes from downtown Ubud, The Sayan House is where you can treat your date to a breathtaking feast with gorgeous views to boot. Overlooking the jungle and the dramatic Sayan valley, expect casual fine dining and a fantastic fusion of Latin-Japanese cuisine. We’re talking tacos stuffed with Teriyaki chicken, and grilled Japanese Kagoshima Wagyu beef served with wasabi-Chimichurri. Top tip: to up the romance, swing by the breezy bar teetering on the edge of the gorge for an exceptional sunset and pre-dinner cocktail.
The Sayan House, Jl Raya Sayan No. 70, Sayan, Ubud, p. +62 822 4737 0344; Open daily 12pm – 11pm.
5. Apéritif
With a stellar reputation and exceptional cuisine, you’ll want to dress your best for Apéritif – a 1920s-inspired fine dining destination where modern gastronomy meets native Indonesian ingredients. To really get to know the kitchen’s expertise, try the signature “Romantic Candlelight” degustation menu featuring elegant dishes like Hokkaido scallops with sweet and spicy pineapple sambal, or the Tokusen roast Wagyu carpaccio with black garlic, bone marrow and mustard seeds. Want to truly impress your date? Book a candlelit dinner in the private dining room, and don’t leave without wandering next door to Apéritif Bar for a 1930s-inspired cocktail…
Apéritif at Viceroy Bali, Jl Lanyahan, Banjar Nagi, Ubud, p. +62 361 908 2777 / +62 813 5326 6678, e. [email protected]
6. Kubu
Head to the Ubud jungle for an intimate dining experience at Kubu. This romantic destination at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, serves up Mediterranean-European fine dining inspired by its natural surroundings. Nestled right by the enchanting Ayung River, settle into one of the nine private bamboo cocoons and get a taste of the culinary genius that is Executive Chef Bayu Retno Timur. Go all-out with the multi-award winning chef’s gourmet degustation menu, which includes 10 courses of the most luxurious ingredients, like truffles, yellow-fin tuna, and Wagyu beef – all best enjoyed with flawless wine pairing…
Kubu at Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Jl Kedewatan, Ubud, p. +62 361 479 2777, e. [email protected]; Open daily 6pm – 11pm.
Romantic restaurants in ULUWATU
7. The cave
Dining inside a cave should be on every couple’s bucket list, and where better to tick it off than within Bali’s very own thousand-year-old cave in Uluwatu? A meticulous concept by Chef Ryan Clift, this 22-seater, subterranean restaurant serves up modern gastronomy within age-old rock formations that become the backdrop for visual projections in-between courses. The multi-award winning chef showcases his creativity through this theatrical dining experience and a seven- or ten-course menu with optional wine or cocktail pairing. During the half-way intermission, you can even don a hard-hat to explore the cave’s wonders. And psst – the chef regularly reinvents his menu, so you’ll definitely want to come back for more…
The cave at The edge, Jl Pura Goa Lempeh, Banjar Dinas Kangin, Pecatu, Uluwatu, p. +62 361 847 0700, e. [email protected]
8. Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin
With its soft lighting, reflecting pool and breathtaking views over the cliffs of Uluwatu, let Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin set the stage for the most romantic and luxurious date night destination. Following in the footsteps of its Michelin-starred predecessor in Tokyo, this fine dining restaurant has made its way to this six-star Uluwatu address at Bulgari Resort Bali. An intimate restaurant of just 36 seats, Chef Luca Fantin brings his award-winning classic Italian cuisine to Bali, uniquely blending refined, contemporary techniques with fine local ingredients. Select either the five- or seven-course degustation menu, and add-on a carefully curated wine pairing that features the finest grapes from the vineyards of Italy.
Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin at Bulgari Resort Bali, Jl Goa Lempeh, Banjar Dinas Kangin, Uluwatu, p. +62 815 5800 1969
Romantic restaurants in NUSA DUA
9. Koral
If an underwater escape sounds like your kind of hot date, then you’ll want to take your Honey to this aquatic dining destination at The Apurva Kempinski Bali in Nusa Dua. The iconic Koral Restaurant is the first aquarium restaurant on the island, giving you a fine dining experience surrounded by tropical fish and even reef sharks. As for the menu, expect skillfully prepared artisanal dishes in a signature degustation menu, inspired by Indonesia’s coastlines. Top tip: book a tunnel table for a magical dinner date in the underwater world…
Koral Restaurant at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, Jl Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Benoa, p. +62 361 209 2288, e. [email protected]; Open daily 12pm – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm.
Romantic restaurants in CANGGU
10. Santanera
With a menu that spans continents and cultures in a sleek and stylish venue, Santanera is Canggu’s Latin-American fusion restaurant slinging contemporary tapas plates to swap and share. Organic, farm-to-plate produce takes centre stage, as does the enormous spiral staircase that leads from the bright and spacious lounge, to the breezy ocean-view rooftop. Graze on smoked, whipped and marinated delicacies by day, and feast on foie gras parfait, beef tartare tostadas, wood-fired dry-aged duck and strawberry and geranium gazpacho by night. Sip on a sunset aperitivo, and top it all off with a fine wine from the bountiful cellar.
Santanera, Jl Tanah Barak No. 55 – 57, Canggu, p. +62 812 4665 8896, e. [email protected]; Open daily from 12pm.
11. Skool Kitchen
Sitting above Canggu’s hottest oceanfront destination (AKA The Lawn) Skool Kitchen honours a primitive cooking styles, where every dish is touched by fire. Contemporary culinary excellence is infused into the honest and modern menu, powered by natural wood and charcoal embers. Start early with a sunset cocktail overlooking Canggu’s famous waves, before tucking in to grilled Flores oysters with Szechuan vinaigrette, or the wood-fired gnocchi with burgundy truffles. Even the desserts get a taste of the flames, like the charred strawberries with smoked yoghurt and toasted meringue – the perfect fiery finale to your smoking-hot dinner date…
Skool Kitchen, Jl Pura Dalem, Canggu, p. +62 361 620 0603 / +62 811 3800 4952; Open daily from 5pm.
12. Luma
A Mediterranean showstopper, Luma is the collaborative work of two award-winning chefs. The menu itself combines rustic flavours with classic elements of Southern Europe’s dining traditions, topped off with indigenous ingredients from Bali and beyond. Think salt cod croquettes, burrata and peperonata, and Angus rib-eye with mash for two. And the jewel in the crown here is the charcoal grill and the custom-made, see-through wood fire oven, taking centre stage in the dazzling Luma kitchen. Unsurprisingly so, the carefully curated wine list is second-to-none, while the cocktail list follows the menu’s lead by using local ingredients for a tropical twist on the classics.
Luma, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No. 91, Canggu, p. +62 811 3941 4999, e. [email protected]; Open daily 12pm – 11pm.
Source: https://thehoneycombers.com/bali/romantic-restaurants-in-bali/
