Fresh fish, colourful veggies and gourmet toppings – these are the top 18 restaurants in Bali to get your poke bowl fix…
A firm fave for Bali’s healthy eating crew, poke bowls (pronounced poh-keh) are a Hawaiian specialty that are as addictive as they are delicious. A traditional poke bowl begins with a base of warm rice, later loaded with organic vegetables and Japanese dressings, like ginger, scallion, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The crown jewel? Raw fish, often Ahi tuna that’s been lightly marinated and garnished with a sprinkling of spring onion…
But true to form, Bali’s best restaurants have taken this Hawaiian staple and made it their own. Some have recreated the classic, while others have gone above and beyond with creative twists on the traditional – and the results are “ono” (that’s delicious in Hawaiian, FYI). So without further adieu, here are the best places in Bali to get your poke bowl fix. Spoiler alert: this might be our most colourful restaurant guide yet….
Bali’s best poke bowls: CANGGU
1. The Avocado Factory
As one of Canggu’s very best cafes, it’s no surprise that The Avocado Factory is also where you’ll find a knockout poke bowl. While you can probably guess that avocado makes a grand appearance (as it should), there are a few variations to choose from. We can’t get enough of the classic poke bowl with raw tuna or smoked salmon. It’s given a tropical (and healthy) twist by using red rice as the base, before being loaded with avocado, grilled tofu, quinoa, edamame and chives. Or, go for a total twist: the Aceh Fried Rice Bowl with a slow-cooked 64-degree omega-3 egg, avocado, pickles and furikake. All of this, served up within an enormous, easy-breezy industrial-style space, overlooking one of Canggu’s greenest rice fields…
The Avocado Factory, Jl Batu Mejan Canggu, Canggu, p. +62 812 6688 4463; Open daily 7am – 10.30pm.
2. TYGR Sushi
Primarily a hand roll sushi bar, this epic little treasure in Canggu (and Ubud) also knows how to knock out a solid poke bowl. Select from either salmon or tuna tataki, or a vegan option of spicy jackfruit and tofu, and away you go. Even better news – the prices are reasonable here, so there’s no need to break the bank during date night.
TYGR Sushi, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No. 55 (p. +62 881 1965 635) & Jl Pantai Berawa No. 999x (p. +62 813 3916 3894), e. [email protected]; Open daily 11am – 11pm.
3. Moana Fish Eatery
One for the pescatarians, Moana is an authentic little Polynesian seafood restaurant at the top of Jalan Batu Bolong in Canggu, decked out with tropical jungle vibes. Food-wise, you can fill ya boots with allll the Hawaiian faves, like sugarcane juice, sashimi, carpaccio, tartare, tataki and BBQ fish, not forgetting that legendary Poke Bowl. With lightly marinated raw tuna, avocado, edamame, cucumber and cabbage (dressed with sesame seeds, scallions and ginger) there’s a reason there’s a queue out the door every evening here…
Moana Fish Eatery, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No. 28, Canggu, p. +62 812 3815 8373; Open daily 9am – 11pm.
4. Poke Poke
A super cute little eatery right in the thick of Canggu, Poke Poke offers creative bowls and custom-made options to order (just pick out what you’d like and chow down). Mix up that butter-soft tuna with sesame crusted tempeh, quinoa, edamame beans and super delish dressings for bowls bursting with flavour. The best bit is, whilst you wait for your food, you can dress up in grass skirts, hula necklaces and have a go on their swing (yes, swing) that sits right in the middle of the little resto. Good vibes all round!
Poke Poke, Jl Munduk Catu, Canggu; Open daily 10am – 9pm.
5. Poke Theory
“Bangin’ food gone healthy” is Poke Theory’s promise, and we can’t get enough. From poke bowls to acai bowls to cold-pressed juices, Poke Theory not only values fresh and sustainable produce for its poke, but is also on a journey towards being 100% plastic-free. Originating from Singapore, Poke Theory is proving that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring, with its signature poke bowls or build-your-own creations. Load up on fresh tuna or salmon cubes, and if raw fish ain’t your thing, just add in some tempeh. As for the veggies, we say, paint the rainbow!
Poke Theory, Jl Pantai Batu Mejan No. 82, Canggu, p. +62 813 5369 5139; Open daily.
6. Matcha Cafe
Welcome to the first dedicated matcha café in Bali! This cosy lil’ neighbourhood café serves up (no points for guessing) a menu of matcha-infused goodness, alongside some matcha-less treats too. Sitting pretty on the sensational menu is their Balinese take on the classic Poke Bowl, with grilled local mahi-mahi and tamari tempeh, rainbow of vegetables, brown rice and spicy sambal matah. Whichever you choose, you’ll love it so matcha!
Matcha Cafe, Jl Pantai Berawa No. 99, Berawa, p. +62 895 2896 0628; Open daily 8am – 5pm.
7. Unibowl
The poke bowl at Unibowl is worth the trip of its own. Using unique and contemporary ingredients to create the perfect poke recipes (from sashimi and meat to vegetables and grains) each bowl is well-balanced and undeniably delicious. Try the Salmon Bowl with flamed-torched Aburi fillet, or the more traditional Ahi Poke with sashimi tuna, nori, avocado, sesame seeds and wasabi-ginger soy. There’s even vegan and vegetarian options here (we LOVE the Tempeh Bowl!) or you can build-your-own-bowls too, with umami-loaded Japanese toppings like onsen eggs, furikake, miso eggplant and allll the spicy ponzu.
Unibowl, Jl Sempol No. 17, Pererenan, Canggu; Open daily 12pm – 9.30pm.
8. Nüde
We love this little gem of a Canggu café, with its half-raw food half-naughty food menu just up the road from buzzy Berawa beach, and another outlet in the quieter bit of Pererenan. The tuna poke bowl here is uh-mayyyyy-zing, knocked out with sashimi-grade seared tuna, turmeric rice, sesame soy dressing and creamy chipotle aioli. You’ll want to get the Insta-feed at the ready for this one too, she’s a true Canggu beauty.
Nüde, Jl Raya Pantai Berawa No. 33, Berawa (p. +62 852 3821 4003) & Jl Raya Tiyingtutul No. 19, Pererenan (p. +62 853 3771 3840); Open daily 7am – 10pm.
Bali’s best poke bowls: SEMINYAK
9. Sea Circus
Roll up, roll up, to our fave little Seminyak restaurant, cocktail & coffee den. There’s a whole circus of delish dishes on the menu here, but one of the total standouts is Sea Circus’ Summer Poke Bowl. It’s a heady, gluten-free mix of sashimi-grade tuna marinated in a citrus ponzu dressing, served with quinoa, edamame, avocado, radish and wasabi mayo. For the vegetarians out there, switch up the tuna for marinated tofu and you’re all set for a vegan feast of epic proportions.
Sea Circus, Jl Kayu Aya No. 22, Seminyak, p. +62 361 738 667 / +62 811 2890 0311, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7.30am – 11pm.
10. Seasalt
Turn up the Poke swank at Seasalt – the super-chic beachfront restaurant at Alila Seminyak. Inspired by the sea, you can expect a whole host of fruits de mer here, including a scrummy selection of poke bowls. For the poke-loving purists, their tuna bowl is simply divine with wasabi mayo, cucumber, and ginger pickled gel.
Seasalt at Alila Seminyak, Jl Taman Ganesha No. 9, Petitenget, Seminyak, p. +62 361 302 1889 / +62 811 3867 544, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7am – 10pm.
11. Coffee Cartel
Coffee Cartel is Seminyak’s boutique cafe and coffee house that means serious business. These top dogs deal a mean cafe menu of fresh and healthy bowls, including the classic Poke Bowl – a generous portion of sashimi tuna, edamame, avocado, cherry tomatoes, greens, cucumber and corn, sitting on a bed of rice and topped with mirin dressing. The cafe’s signature pink hues and cute potted cacti can be seen on almost every Instagram feed, with subtle Mexican aesthetics and golden cutlery. In fact, Coffee Cartel has become such a cult cafe, they have a second location in Legian…
Coffee Cartel, Jl Lebak Sari No. 8 Petitenget, p. +62 812 3707 4458; Open daily 7.30am – 6pm.
12. Neon Palms
Sitting directly above Bali Boat Shed (Seminyak’s ever-famous technicolour beach shacks), Neon Palms is a jungly hideaway decked out in wildlife murals, hand-tiled terrazzo flooring, and of course, an exceptional menu from the same Aussie chefs who gave us Sea Circus. The all-day menu is all about brunch-style bites, as well as tacos and tapas inspired by both Asian and modern Australian cuisine. Try the house-smoked salmon on quinoa and bulgur wheat, or the poke toast that you can easily grab and go! Sample your way through the sugar-free brunch cocktails, healthy potions and drool-worthy thickshakes, and did we mention, these guys have an epic selection of vegan creations too?
Neon Palms, Jl Kayu Aya No. 22 (above Bali Boat Shed), Seminyak, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7.30am – 11pm.
Bali’s best poke bowls: UBUD
13. Mudra Cafe
An Ayurvedic café in Ubud for conscious foodies, Mudra brings enlightened lunches, vegan treats and beautiful Poke Bowls brimming with goodness to Bali’s cultural capital. Using only the freshest Sulawesi seafood, you know it’s gonna be good here, and the Tuna Poke Bowl and the Vegan Poke Bowl with gluten-free satay and housemade kimchi don’t disappoint…
Mudra, Jl Goutama Sel. No. 22, Ubud, p. +62 878 8868 8622; Open daily 8.30am – 10pm.
14. Milk & Madu Ubud
This much loved Canggu café has made a second home in Ubud, bringing with it all of our fave Milk & Madu fare. Come for the skillet eggs, stick around for the Madu Poke Bowl. It’s a dreamy mix of seasonal avocado, spring onion, tempura ginger, coriander, edamame, nori, toasted sesame, with sushi rice and a choice of tuna sashimi, teriyaki chicken or golden tofu – and of course, that tasty ponzu dressing drizzled all over. Say aloha to YUM!
Milk & Madu Ubud, Jl Suweta No. 3, Ubud, p. +62 813 2975 6708, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7am – 10pm.
Bali’s best poke bowls: ULUWATU
15. Ulu Fish Market
We found Ulu Fish Market by chance, and wow, we are so happy we did. This breezy Uluwatu restaurant is laid-back and oh-so cool, with swaying palms, communal alfresco dining and a rustic beach house feel. As for the food? It’s bringing Bali’s beachside seafood barbecues to a restaurant setting, where you can order up the catch-of-the day with a selection of sides and your choice of seasoning. It’s a little bit Balinese and a little bit Hawaiian, with a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian touches. Think blackened tuna sashimi, cajun-spiced mahi-mahi, scallops topped with salted egg and bountiful poke bowls. We love!
Ulu Fish Market, Jl Labuansait No. 10, Pecatu, p. +62 822 6646 9790; Open daily 12pm – 11pm.
16. Drifter
Head to the back of this vintage surf shop and you’ll find a peaceful garden café area with excellent coffee and healthy dishes throughout the day. One of the menu highlights is of course the Tuna Poke Bowl – a reinvention of the classic done right. It’s loaded with Mother Nature’s finest creations (avocado, mango, edamame and marinated local yellow fin tuna) on a mixed bed of brown rice, finished off with a dash of ginger miso dressing. Not to mention Aloha vibes all around. Right on!
Drifter, Jl Labuansait No. 52, Pecatu, p. +62 877 7755 0001; Open daily.
17. The Loft
The Loft had us at hello with its baby pink decor and scrumptious signature dishes imported from its original Bondi location. The Loft’s much-loved Poke Bowl is one of those Bondi-born signatures, voted as the best in Sydney by Timeout Magazine. Well, this award-winner has come to Bali in all its glory, complete with chunky sashimi grade tuna, mango, wakame, arugula, tobiko, edamame and pickled red cabbage on top of white rice, drizzled in homemade wasabi mayo.
The Loft, Jl Labuansait No. 52, Uluwatu; Open daily 7.30am – 10pm.
18. He’enalu
Full of tropical vibes and Hawaiian touches, this beaut Bukit nook serves up an all-day brekkie, brunch and lunch menu that is packed full of Polynesian treats – including their signature Poke Bowl. Meaning ‘to ride waves’ in Hawaiian, He’enalu is the perfect spot for some après surf grinds, not to mention super healthy drinks and ace coffee.
He’enalu, Jl Raya Uluwatu Pecatu No. 70x, Pecatu, Uluwatu, p. +62 895 2988 1815, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7am – 8pm.
FAQs about on poke bowls
What is a poke bowl?
A poke bowl is a Hawaiian dish of raw or marinated fish, vegetables, and seasonings served over rice.
What ingredients are used in a poke bowl?
Expect a vibrant medley of fresh, locally sourced fish (often tuna or salmon, even tofu for a vegan version), typically tossed with avocado, cucumber, spring onions, seaweed, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onions and crispy garlic. Sauces are inspired by Japanese cuisine, so think shoyu, ponzu, wasabi-mayo, and so on.
What are the best spots for fresh salads and raw fish in Bali?
Bali’s trendy cafes and health-focused eateries in Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud and Uluwatu almost always features a poke bowl, salads and raw fish on the menu.
Is it safe to eat raw fish in Bali?
Yes, provided you’re mindful with where you eat. Many Bali restaurants take pride in their hygiene standards and source only the freshest seafood from local markets and fishermen.
Are there options to make-your-own poke bowls?
Absolutely! Restaurants like Poke Poke, Poke Theory and Unibowl all let you choose from a variety of bases, proteins, toppings, and sauces, so you can craft a poke bowl that’s uniquely yours.
How much should I expect to spend on a poke bowl in Bali?
Prices are often budget friendly and varied between restaurants, but a hearty poke bowl typically ranges from IDR 70,000 to IDR 150,000, depending on your choice of ingredients.
What sets Bali’s poke bowls apart from those elsewhere?
Bali’s poke bowls blend international trends with local flair – think locally-caught seafood, seasonal vegetables and tropical twists like a dash of coconut, lemongrass, or indigenous herbs and spices.
Source: https://thehoneycombers.com/bali/best-poke-bowls-bali/
