Honeycombers Bali
Restaurants, Bars, Fashion, Style and Things to Do in Bali.
by • Oct 07, 2022
As Bali’s OG neighbourhood that first put the island on the international map, Kuta was the one-and-only holiday destination before the rise of Canggu and Seminyak. Known for its looooong golden beach, the countless activities for kids, the buzzing bars and nightlife, and all the value-for-money hotels and resorts, it’s no surprise that this southern ‘hood is still packed full of from all over the world to this day. As a melting pot of cultures, that’s exactly what you can expect from Kuta’s food scene too: everything from Japanese izakayas and Indian restaurants, to epic pizza places and cute cafes too… this ‘hood has it all!
So, we munched our way through the very best restaurants and cafes in Kuta to bring you a shortlist of the very best. From beachfront breakfasts and casual family lunches, to fancy dinner restaurants and bustling cocktails bars – here’s where to eat in Kuta and Legian.
If like us you take brunching oh-so seriously, you’ll want to check out Brunch Club – AKA the place to eat for a mid-morning or late afternoon feast – or any time in between. Everything here is made from scratch, from the creamy eggs benny, loaded salads, huge burgers and gourmet pizzas, to the waffles, French toast and the club’s Insta-famous Porncakes, AKA the ooey-gooey soufflé pancakes. Spend a whole day here brunching within the brick walled, two-storey cafe with modern, Melbourne cafe vibes. In fact, Brunch Club is such a popular institution, that it called for other locations in Canggu and Pererenan too!
Brunch Club, Jl Raya Legian No. 457, p. +62 819 5247 4063, e. [email protected]; Open daily 8am – 6pm.
Coffee Cartel is Bali’s boutique cafe and coffee house that means serious business. These top dogs have dominated the ‘hood’s breakfast and brunch scene, with a mean cafe menu of poke bowls, burgers and even vegan hotcakes that come with candy floss, mixed berries and pink strawberry cocoa over custard (yes, you read that right!). Their signature pink hues and cute potted cacti can be seen on almost every Instagram feed, laid out alongside top quality cappuccinos, subtle Mexican aesthetics and adorbs golden cutlery. Hungry in Seminyak? You can stop by Coffee Cartel in this trendy ‘hood too!
Coffee Cartel, Jl Werkudara No. 8, Legian, p. +62 812 3899 7101; Open daily 7.30am – 6pm.
On the outskirts of Legian bordering Seminyak is Dusty Cafe – a coffee, breakfast and brunch spot by day, and a charming bistro by night. Here you’ll find sweet brekkies like the Bubble Waffle and fluffy pancakes, best paired with one of the lattes from the Latte Lab (our fave is the pink beetroot latte). As for lunch, you can’t go wrong with the classics like sandwiches, burgers and healthy bowls – there’s even a vegetarian pasta for the kiddos!
The Dusty Cafe, Jl Camplung Tanduk No. 4, p. +62 821 4645 2051; Open daily 8.30am – 10pm.
What started out as a charming deli stocking imported cooking ingredients, Dijon Cafe has become a go-to for casual hangouts, meetings and lunch pitstops. It sits at one of the main intersections into Kuta, with comfy sofas, cold air-con and great customer service. On the menu, you’ll find brunch staples like buttermilk pancakes, sandwiches and burgers, and light lunches like the vegetarian friendly halloumi salad and grilled snapper salad. Psst – before you leave, make a stop at the deli right next door and stock up on Dijon’s special sauces and dressings to take home.
Dijon Cafe, Jl Setiabudi, Simpang Siur Square, p. +62 361 759 640 / +62 821 2700 0200, e. [email protected]; Open daily 9am – 9pm (to 10pm Fri, Sat & Sun).
We thought we’d accidentally transported to Canggu when we first saw Crumb & Coaster – one of the most stylish cafes in Kuta where you can sip on signature cold brews and specialty hot coffee the whole day long. Browse through the breakfast and brunch menus ‘til 6pm, and stick around for a delish lunch or dinner. The menu caters to everyone: from The Yoga Breakfast and The Big Surfer Breakfast, to classic sandwiches, burgers, salads and wraps. The kitchen offers vegetarian and gluten free options too!
Crumb & Coaster, Jl Benesari No. 2E, p. +62 819 9959 6319; Open daily 7.30am – 11pm.
A rooftop bar and restaurant beside a glittering infinity pool, cabanas and daybeds – Kuta Social Club is where it’s at for hip poolside cocktails and fresh seafood, sitting high up above the buzz of Kuta beach. With the bar’s long list of signature cocktails and refreshing juices, there’s always something to sip on as you kick back and wait for the sky to turn golden. All of this, best paired with Mediterranean signatures, like charcoal-grilled king prawns, seafood platters and the showstopper: the dry-aged and chunky Tomahawk steak.
Kuta Social Club at Mamaka by Ovolo, Jl Pantai Kuta No. 32, Legian, p. +62 361 849 6500, e. [email protected]; Open daily 11am – 11pm.
Overlooking the bright white sands of Padma Beach, this sprawling bamboo tree-house sits on Legian’s seafront with cosy yet breezy nooks across three floors. The mid-level al fresco bar is the epitome of tropical cool, with its balcony seating bays, eye-catching bar motifs and comfy furnishings. For daytime hangs, graze on specialities from the land and sea, then head out the back to grab a lounger and soak up the sun around the pool. Then as dinner swings around, head down to the ground floor to the crown jewel: Azul’s casually chic restaurant with Bali’s first Tiki Bar. Cheers!
Azul Beach Club, Jl Padma No.2, Legian, Kuta, p. +62 361 765 759, e. [email protected]; Open daily 7am – 11pm.
Described as the “quirky, adopted Chinese cousin” to the surrounding restaurants in Kuta (their words not ours!), Fat Chow isn’t your average eatery. For starters, almost everything in the restaurant is recycled, from the decor to the wallpaper. As for the menu, expect not-so-typical pan-Asian creations from age-old family recipes, sprinkled with modern twists. Start with the Chow Pao (BBQ pork slices in Chinese Pao), and feel right at home with one of Chow’s Comfort Foods, like Mama’s chicken noodles or the Thai Tamarind Stir-Fry.
Fat Chow, Poppies Lane II No. 7C, Kuta Beach, p. +62 877 6133 0661, e. [email protected]; Open daily 8am – 10pm.
Bali’s first and most authentic Japanese restaurant, Take is committed to shining a light on the freshness of the produce they serve. Expect only the very best ingredients here, since chef Kiyomi Okamoto takes it upon himself to visit the fish market each morning to hand-pick his ocean delicacies and fine meats. With over 500 items on the menu, from sashimi and sushi to live seafood, there really is something for every palate here. Psst – “Take” is Japanese for “bamboo”, and so it’s used in the cooking philosophy as well as in the restaurant’s island-style furniture and decor. Love!
Take Japanese Restaurant, Jl Patih Jelantik, Legian, p. +62 361 759 745 / +62 896 0267 3570; Open daily 12pm – 10pm.
Whether we’re hanging on Kuta Beach or we’re on the other side of the island, we always make time to visit Spice Mantraa – yes, it’s that good. This casual Indian restaurant is arguably the best around, with Indian chefs helming the kitchen to ensure every dish is as authentic as they come. You can’t go wrong with any of the dosas, or the Delhi-style samosas. Then if you dare, try the fiery Tandoori delicacies, like the chef’s special Tandoori Aloo Tikka. Not into too much spice? Go for the paneers and butter chicken or even the creamy kormas. We’ve tried it all, and we can’t get enough.
Spice Mantraa, Jl Kartika Plaza, p. +62 361 750 158 / +62 811 3960 7808, e. [email protected]; Open daily 1pm – 11pm.
A firm favourite for Bali’s Teppan fans, the chefs at Tenkai Japanese Restaurant whip up a performance as engrossing as the feast they lay in front of you. There are flips, tricks and explosive stunts, and that’s before we even mention the food. The tuna medallion alone is worth making the trip into town, as is the Bamboo lobster that’s as big as it is juicy. Wrap it all up with stunning interiors and an uber romantic setting and you’ll see exactly why Tenkai has hit this list.
Tenkai at Padma Resort Legian, Jl Padma No. 1, Legian, p. +62 361 752 111, e. [email protected]; Open daily 6pm – 11pm.
If it’s authentic Indonesian food you’re after, you simply cannot miss Made’s Warung. What started out as a roadside local food stall (AKA warung) back in 1969, this family-run business has grown into a modern and iconic restaurant serving a variety of local staples. Our favourites have to be the Nasi Campur (rice served with a number of Indonesian dishes) and the Ayam Goreng Bumbu Bali (fried chicken with Balinese spices and sauces). Made’s Warung has reached legendary status with multiple restaurants in Bali, Jakarta and all the way to Amsterdam. It’s no wonder that even Indonesia’s president – Jokowi himself – has tasted the magic at Made’s Warung…
Made’s Warung, Jl Pantai Kuta, Kuta Beach, p. +62 361 755 297; Open daily 10am – 9pm.
Sitting on the outskirts of Legian is Sushimi – a colourful and buzzing restaurants that’s taken Japan’s iconic sushi train concept and turn it into something cool and quirky. We’re talking sushi, sushi and more sushi – the chefs whip up the classic sas well as signature rolls from the freshest ingredients, delivered via the rotating carousel. Choose from the a la carte menu, and if you’re feeling adventurous, try Sushimi’s own creations like the sushi burritos and sushi donuts. Or, let your creativity go wild and customise your own rolls, complete with vegan and vegetarian options too.
Sushimi, Jl Camplung Tanduk No. 4X, p. +62 361 737 816, e. [email protected]; Open daily 11am – 11pm.
Big bowls, small bowls, healthy bowls and gourmet bowls – Fat Bowl is a delicious fusion of East meets West, serving Asian specialities in a classic sports pub setting. The menu itself is just as diverse too, with steaks, pastas, pizzas and burgers, alongside sushi, satay and nasi goreng. And once you’ve filled up on international signatures, head upstairs to the sports bar where you’ll find expats and locals streaming live matches with ice cold beers and cocktails in hand.
Fat Bowl, Jl Padma No. 2, Legian, p. +62 361 766 247; Open daily 11am – 11pm.
Perhaps Kuta’s most iconic and longstanding restaurant (it’s been around since 1973!), Poppies is where you can dine on fresh seafood, Indonesian classics and international cuisine beneath a canopy of flowers. This bucket-list restaurant has garnered cult status over the years, welcoming visitors from around the world who come back year after year. You’ll want to go all out with a complete Rijsttafel and the restaurant’s famous Poppies Pina Colada (pictured above), with light rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice – served in a hand-carved Bali-style coconut. Even if you don’t fancy it, you simply have to order one!
Poppies Restaurant, Jl Legian Poppies Lane 1, p. +62 361 751 059; Open daily 8am – 11pm.
This internationally-renowned destination is where great food, drinks and music merge for a rock ‘n rolling dining experience. Since 1993, this iconic cafe (home to a double-neck giant guitar) treats music lovers to a hearty menu of Hard Rock’s Legendary Steak Burgers, specialty entrees (hellooo twisted mac, chicken and cheese), and a variety of Balinese-inspired dishes, alongside carefully crafted cocktails. With its convenient location (right across the street from Kuta Beach), you’ll never far from an after-surf recharge.
Hard Rock Cafe, Jl Pantai Kuta, Kuta Beach, p. +62 361 755 661 / +62 821 4737 8845, e. [email protected]; Open daily from 12pm.
Happy munching, Honeys!
Love this list of restaurants and cafes in Kuta? Check out these fine dining destinations for an extrea special occasion…
Vici is a born and raised island girl, originally from Timor, Indonesia. She moved around for a few years, getting a taste of the big city life before coming back to Bali. Her dream vacation includes exploring nature, sunbathing at the beach and learning about different cultures through eating lots of food. Bali life suits her perfectly!
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