Best Restaurants in Uluwatu: A Local’s List
Uluwatu has gone from a surfers’ outpost to one of Bali’s best eating destinations. You can still get a ten-dollar plate of nasi campur from a roadside warung, but you can also book a clifftop tasting menu with an ocean view.
This list of the best restaurants in Uluwatu is built around how locals actually eat here: warungs for breakfast and lunch, a good cafe for the afternoon, a proper dinner with a view, and a drink to close.
Venues change quickly in Uluwatu. Check opening hours and book ahead before you go.
Breakfast and Coffee
- Bingin and Padang Padang cafes. Smoothie bowls, eggs, sourdough and good coffee in surfy spots with cliff views. Go early, before the sun gets fierce. (Staying nearer Ungasan? Try our best coffee spots in Ungasan.)
- Local warungs. For an Indonesian start, try bubur ayam (chicken porridge) or nasi goreng. Warungs along the main Uluwatu road serve it fresh and cheap.
Lunch
- Neighbourhood warungs. Order nasi campur, gado-gado, ayam betutu or grilled fish. Locals eat here every day for a reason. Bring cash.
- Beachside at Padang Padang. Simple, relaxed, and good for fruit juice and snacks. Watch your bag: the Padang Padang monkeys are cheeky and will steal anything that looks like food or glints in the sun.
Sunset and Dinner With a View
- El Kabron. Mediterranean-inspired cooking on the clifftop. Book a sunset table.
- Ulu Cliffhouse. Casual dining, cocktails and an infinity pool for an afternoon that turns into dinner.
- Single Fin. Burgers, pizzas and drinks with surf culture and a famous Sunday crowd.
- A warung with a sea view. Ask your driver for a favourite. The best warungs aren’t always on maps.
Want the full sunset rundown, with timings? See our guide to the 10 best Uluwatu sunset spots.
Date Night
For something special, look for a restaurant with a tasting menu or a clifftop setting. Reserve early, dress smart-casual and arrive before sunset to enjoy the light.
Late Bites and Drinks
When the night keeps going, head to a late-night spot for martabak (sweet or savoury stuffed pancake), sate or a bowl of noodles.
For a bigger night out, Seminyak is the usual next stop, with beach clubs by day and Mexicola for tacos and margaritas by night. Just plan transport home in advance.
What to Order Like a Local
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Nasi campur | Rice with a mix of small dishes. Great value. |
| Sate lilit | Minced fish or meat satay wrapped around lemongrass sticks. |
| Ikan bakar | Grilled whole fish with sambal. |
| Es kelapa muda | Fresh young coconut. Cold and perfect. |
| Sambal matah | Raw shallot and lemongrass sambal. Spicy, so ask for it on the side. |
Local Tips
- Book ahead for sunset tables, especially Friday to Sunday.
- Carry cash. Plenty of warungs don’t take cards.
- Check tax and service. Many restaurants add a service charge and tax on top of menu prices.
- Mind the monkeys. Around Uluwatu Temple and Padang Padang, keep food, hats and sunglasses out of reach.
- Tell staff about allergies. Peanuts appear in many Indonesian sauces.
A Food Day That Ends in a Massage
If you want a day that tastes as good as it feels, try this.
- 8:30 am. Coffee and breakfast in Bingin.
- 11:00 am. Swim and walk the cliffs at Padang Padang.
- 1:00 pm. Warung lunch of nasi campur and coconut.
- 3:30 pm. Head to the temple or take a lazy cafe stop.
- 5:30 pm. Sunset drinks and dinner at a cliff venue.
- After dinner. Go straight into a slow massage at Rika Spa. The spa is on Jl. Raya Uluwatu in Ungasan, open every day until 9 pm, and its Uluwatu spa page shows what’s on offer for guests staying nearby. If you’re based in Bingin or Balangan, you’re only minutes away.
A full stomach and a long day of walking are exactly what a Balinese massage loves (from Rp 200K for 60 minutes, excluding 15% tax). After a big night out, nothing is more restoring than this kind of reset, so give yourself a treatment the next afternoon too.
Going Further Out
If you’re staying a few days, make the longer drive to Ubud for the temples and rice terraces, with great lunch stops along the way. Or head to Seminyak and Canggu for beach clubs and nightlife. Both make fantastic day trips, but the Bukit is where you’ll want to come home to. More ideas in our list of things to do in Uluwatu.
Eating Well on a Budget
Uluwatu can be as cheap or as indulgent as you like. Warungs offer the best value, with a full plate of rice, vegetables and protein often costing a fraction of a cafe breakfast. Look for places with a steady local crowd and food cooked to order.
Set lunch menus and happy-hour deals at beach clubs stretch the budget, and fruit stalls sell mangosteen, snake fruit and papaya for pennies. Carry small notes, because many small vendors can’t change big bills, and always check whether tax and service are included before you order. (More money-saving tips in Bali on a budget.)
Dietary Needs in Uluwatu
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free travellers are well catered for. Many cafes along the Bukit offer plant-based bowls, tempeh dishes and dairy-free smoothies, and traditional Balinese cooking makes heavy use of vegetables, tofu and tempeh.
If you have an allergy, learn the Indonesian words for what you avoid, such as kacang (peanuts), udang (shrimp) and susu (milk), and say them clearly when ordering. Street food is a delight but choose busy stalls where food is cooked fresh and hot, and stick to bottled or filtered water.
Best Restaurants in Uluwatu: Quick Answers
What’s the best cuisine in Uluwatu?
A mix of Indonesian warungs, Mediterranean clifftop dining and surf-cafe comfort food.
How much should I budget?
Warungs are inexpensive, cafes are moderate, and clifftop dinners are premium.
Do I need a reservation?
For sunset and dinner, yes, especially Friday to Sunday.
Where can I get a massage after dinner in Uluwatu?
Rika Spa on Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Ungasan, is open daily until 9 pm, and walk-ins are welcome.
Eat Well, Wander Far, Finish Right
When you’re ready to unwind after a day of exploring, Rika Spa is just down the road.
Yurika
About Rika Spa
Rika Spa is your sanctuary in Uluwatu. We offer professional treatments in a serene space, using high-quality products and traditional techniques.
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