Five Restaurants to Check Out in Seminyak, Bali - Amazing Food and Great Drinks!
When I visited Bali a couple of months back, I checked out the regional business class product on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Denpasar and I stayed at the Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort. Since it was my first visit to Seminyak in Bali (I have always stayed within the confines of Nusa Dua only), I made it a point to check out some pretty famous restaurants and cafes in the area to find out for myself what the fuss was all about - here are my top five places to check out if you are Seminyak (most of them can be accessed by foot if you stay at the Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort).
Day Beds
Potato Head Beach Club Bali
1. Potato Head Beach Club Bali
Number one on my list is the legendary Potato Head Beach Club Bali (for some reason there are two entries on Google Maps so make sure you go to the one that is closest to the beach). I was initially a little skeptical about the Potato Head Beach Club Bali since it is extremely touristy but I have decided to give it a go to see what the hype is all about. About a month prior to arrival, I contacted my trusty VOYAGE Exchange Concierge (a little perk you get for holding an OCBC VOYAGE Card) to make a restaurant reservation - while they were not able to get me an outdoor seat, I did get an amazing seat that overlooks the ocean (and an impressive sunset).
Ceviche
Potato Head Beach Club Bali
The first thing you will notice as you walk into the Potato Head Beach Club Bali is the people - everyone looks amazing. Obviously it is due largely to the fact that the place attracts a lot of Australians (and everyone knows what good genes they have!) but when you look past that, the place itself is just thumping with energy, the food is absolutely delicious and the drinks are great too!
Cocktails
Potato Head Beach Club Bali
Honestly, I was not prepared to be impressed by this place since most touristy places always end up being overrated but the Potato Head Beach Club in Bali is truly the best restaurant that I have been to this trip. The food were all of excellent quality, the drinks were special and potent and more importantly the atmosphere makes you want to work on your summer body. I simply can't recommend this place enough - make sure you come on a sunny day though!
2. Motel Mexicola
Resembling a set out of Narcos (yes, the show on Pablo Escobar!), Motel Mexicola serves up delicious tacos, okay beverages but definitely an atmosphere to remember. Reservations are highly recommended if you are coming here for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night so be sure to plan in advance. I really enjoyed the beef tongue tacos but since I got here immediately after spending a lazy evening at the Potato Head Beach Club Bali, I was not particularly hungry.
Beef Tongue and Fish Taco
Motel Mexicola
The Piña Colada was quite delicious but it paled in comparison to the cocktails over at Potato Head Beach Club Bali where I was at just an hour ago.
Cerviche and Piña Colada
Motel Mexicola
The overall vibe here at Motel Mexicola is definitely something to take in though - the crowd is fun (once again, kudos to Australians for making everything sexy and fun) and it gets quite noisy (in a good way) - be prepared to dance your night away!
3. Nalu Bowls
If you are looking for a place to detox (socially and physically), Nalu Bowls offer a beautiful spot to reconnect with your inner self. Honestly, munching down this delicious bowl of açai smoothie with fresh fruits make me want to stop drinking, take up yoga and possibly travel the world backpacker-style.
Nalu Bowls
There are multiple Nalu Bowls locations and if you are staying in Seminyak, this is possibly the closest one - there is an actual backpackers located nearby. There is no air-conditioning here so make sure you wear something appropriate but the space is truly beautiful. If I ever relocate to Bali, this is where I want to spend my mornings with a book in hand.
The place is open daily from 7:30AM so you can start your day right and it generally closes at 6:00PM. They also sell other healthy dishes like granola bowls, fresh coconut and other desserts if you are craving for something different.
Nalu Bowls
4. Corner House
Looking for an Instagram-worthy spot for a cup of delicious coffee? The Corner House in Seminyak offers a great spot (with amazing air-conditioning to beat the sweltering heat) for food and drinks. Choose from an all-day breakfast menu, smaller plates and larger plates to share.
Corner House
The restaurant has a grungy industrial look but somehow managed to make you feel right at home.
Corner House
5. Tamade Cafeteria
As I was looking for recommendations on where to eat in Seminyak, Tamade Cafeteria came out top across various blogs and websites - I was told to find the fortune cat and so I did (with the help of Google Maps nonetheless). It is definitely worth noting that Tamade Cafeteria has the most humble interiors as compared to all the places that I have listed out - you come here for the food and nothing else.
Umami Bowl
Tamade Cafeteria
In fact, I was slightly disappointed at how simple the place looks but once the food was served, all disappointment dissipated slowly - the Umami Bowl is delicious and it comes with a decadent salted egg yolk sauce. You might argue that the whole salted egg yolk craze is done to death but don't dismiss it here because it is done so right.
Bakmie Ayam
Tamade Cafeteria
The Bakmie Ayam here is also quite delicious but I wish they served it with kecap manis and chilli instead. If you are looking for an affordable place to indulge in delicious and homely Indonesian food, this is the place to check out!
Alila Ubud is a hideaway resort that is perched high above the Ayung River - the property which is well-known for its incredible pool has increased the average room rate by close to 70% for 2024 and this might be a good time to redeem your World of Hyatt Points for an award stay.