Uncover the latest and greatest dining destinations in Bali this October. From Seminyak’s contemporary grills to Ubud’s creative kitchens, here are five places you’ll want to reserve a table this month.
As Bali enters one of its best stretches in October, the culinary expression of the island is alive and well. Whether the smoky depth of Indonesian flavours or Mediterranean breezes and Southern Italian warmth, here are five spots that capture the mood of October — the new and the more-than-a-little daring.
BARA
In Seminyak, BARA launches as a modern bistro around fire, flavour, and shared plates. A welcome addition to a dining scene often focused on more familiar preparatory and flavour combinations, BARA is led by head chef Cliff Benardo Wijaya (Le Cordon Bleu, Indonesian & Australian kitchens) and focuses its menu around local herbs, spices, and that raw flavour of flame cooking. Some signature dishes already getting attention include: Grilled Chicken Maryland with Soto Sauce & Coconut Cream, a contemporary play on Indonesia’s famously loved soup with body and smoke; Whole Market Fish with Bonito Pepper Sauce & Sambal Pecak, the sustainably sourced fish of the day cooked in flames, enlivened with a punchy, yet flavorful grilled sauce; Banana Ganache Piscok with Chocolate Cream Cheese & Praline, an ever-playful dessert version of street food.
- Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.6, Kerobokan Kelod, North Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
- Contact: +62 812 8969 2888
- Instagram: @barabistrobali
SKAI Bar & Grill
Perched above Legian Beach, SKAI Bar & Grill feels as if the golden hour has decided to come to life. The newly refurbished restaurant marries Mediterranean and Levantine-inspired fare with breezy sophistication and wide views of the ocean, while you sip your drinks to the sounds of live music as the sun dips down the horizon. Menu highlights: Lamb Cotelette with Dukkah & Herb Salsa Verde — charred lamb, herb-finish perfection; King Prawn Hot Plate — garlic, citrus, and chilli flavour complemented with coastal freshness; Marinated Olives & Baba Ganoush — mezze done right for a casual start to celebrate. Arrive early for the best seat to enjoy the golden hour.
- Location: Padma Resort Legian, Jl. Padma no. 1, South Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali
- Contact: 0811 3821 9512
- Instagram: @skaibarandgrill
Zia Tina
If comfort could be plated, it would look like Zia Tina. This new Italian eatery, from chef Maurizio Bombini, known from Mauri, brings the pureness of Puglia to Bali’s most hyped culinary destination. The interior is adorned with rustic wood, soft lighting, and gentle hums of Italian chatter. The intention is honest food, made from scratch, meant to be shared, enjoyed with wine, and complemented with homey warmth. Menu highlights: Fresh Burrata & Grilled Vegetables, a bright starter with olive oil glory and sunshine on the plate; Tagliatelle al Ragu, a slow-cooked, silky, and unforgettable pasta; Melanzane Alla Parmigiana, a stack of love, cheese, and homeliness.
- Address: Jl. Petitenget no. 9, Seminyak, North Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali
- Contact: 0811 3990 8905
- Instagram: @ziatina_eatery
Bonnie by Suka
As the sun drops below the horizon, Suka Espresso will transition to Bonnie by Suka, Ubud’s nightlife version of itself — where low jazz weaves around the air and the smell of open fire cooking wraps around you. Bonnie by Suka has a vibe that feels like grill-meets-groove, with some truly bold, yet beautifully balanced dishes. Dishes to try: Tuna Crudo with Coconut Gel & Basil Oil — light yet so complex; Whole Grilled White Fish with Tarragon Verjuice Glaze — smoky, but light; Wood Fired Red Snapper — with char and citrus layer.
- Address: Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud no. 108, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
- Contact: 0811-2802-1177
- Instagram: @bonniebysuka
Flairs Ubud
Nestled among the rice terraces of Ubud, Flairs offers the heat and freshness of modern Thai cuisine in Bali’s lush interior. Stylish and open-air but also a little edgy, it’s where you go for cocktails that bite back and dishes that play with your senses. Recommended dishes: Mango Sticky Rice Crème Brûlée — just like comfort food, but upscale; Tom Yum Splash Cocktail — yoghurt made sexy by the addition of lemongrass, chillies, coconut, and vodka in one tropical kick; Charred Prawns & Kaffir Lime Curry — flavour-packed and all about aroma. Flairs is the ideal final stop on your Ubud night: romantic, relaxed, and full of soul.
- Address: Jl. Raya Kelusa, Keliki, Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
- Contact: 0812 3733 9353
- Instagram: @flairsubud