Escape from the bustle of the streets below and climb up the stairs to Shelter. This open aired cafe serves up health conscious dishes like Hawaiian inspired acai bowls, salads, smoothies and abundance bowls.
EAT | SARI ORGANIK (Ubud, Bali)
Its been a long time between blog posts, so I thought I would start with a tranquil stroll through the rice paddy fields of Ubud. At the tail-end of a girls' trip, I scheduled in a few days of solitude to unwind and rest the liver. Fuelled by the encouragement of my dear friend Andjelka of Life Curator, I found solace in dreamy Ubud bidding farewell to the bustling streets of Seminyak.
I followed in my friend's footsteps; wandering the markets, slurping a PB&J smoothie at Alchemy, stocking up on coconut kefir and alkaline water, finding guidance at AmrtaSiddhi (an Ayurvedic Health Centre), and seeking out Sari Organik. Home to organic food and the best nasi campur of my life! Make sure you order a cold ginger tea and soak up the sunshine with a good book in hand.
To discover soul nourishing adventures in this corner of the world, check out Curated Ubud: A Travel Guide With Soul.
EAT | PISON COFFEE (Petitenget, Bali)
Avocado with your coffee? Sure why not! 🥑🥑
You'll find this little cafe in the same 'hood as Texan Smokehouse and Taco Casa in the upcoming Petitenget area.
EAT | SMOKEHOUSE (Seminyak, Bali)
Every night the firepits are cooking tomorrow's brisket and pulled pork. You'll find BBQ that's low and slow... Texas style here at Smokehouse. Try all the meats and stock up on sides, it won't disappoint. Get in early as it often sells out.
MOTEL MEXICOLA (Seminyak, Bali)
Motel Mexicola
Jalan Kayujati No 9
Petingenget Beach
Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 736688
LELLO LELLO GELATO (Seminyak, Bali)
Imagine a life without gelato? That's right ... you can't!
*Sadly Lello Lello Gelato is no longer open*
Lello Lello Gelato is the sweetest little gelato shop in Seminyak. The good folk have been operating for over six months now and always scoop with a smile. You can tell that Lello has been a long labour of love. Gorgeous little sayings adorn the walls, beautiful mosaic tiles lay cool under your feet as you peer into the length of the freezer bursting with bright colours and seductive folds. With plenty of room to lounge about, you choose your weapon, find a pineapple cushion and snuggle on in.
Flavours range from traditional Stracciatella (vanilla and choc chips) to the stunning flavours of local fruits, see the pretty hues of my scoop of Dragon Fruit below. You can dream away the afternoon with a bowl of Mojito or Gin & Tonic or drop in for an outrageous dose of Green Smoothie (yes, gelato - parsley included) after your morning yoga.
Coconut, Tangerine & Mint + Dragonfruit
A true taste of Italy, with a Messina twist, on the busy streets of Bali. They even serve a shot of water with your gelato to cleanse the palette. Next time I am definitely going to stop in for a roti at their pop up curry stall and end the night with a gelato degustation. Life just ain't complete without gelato.
The gorgeous little curry pop up at Lello Lello. Next time I am definitely hitting up a serve of roti.
BALI BAKERY (Seminyak, Bali)
Smack bang in the middle of Seminyak, you will find Bali Bakery relaxing under a thatched roof. A bakery come lazy eatery with a typical 'Eat Street' menu, heavy with Australian influences. The servings are generous, the service is friendly and boy do they offer some fine traditional Indonesian fare.
Gado gado is an Indonesian staple and I crave it when I need a decent dose of fresh veggies. Each warung serves their own variation but its common to just find a plate of blanched and raw vegetables with a dollop of peanut sauce. Bali Bakery's take comes with potataoes, fried tempeh, tofu, vegetable rolls and a boiled egg. The hefty serve of peanut satay sprinkled with fried shallots was just made to dunk in a welcome serve of krupuk (fried crackers).
I usually arrive home from Bali thinking I didn't chow down enough Mi Goreng. It is so easy to get swept up in the romance of modern eateries, and forgetting the dishes that Bali has to offer. The Mi Goreng at Bali Bakery is one of the best, a healthy serving of chicken, crispy vegetables and the yummiest pickled chillies you will ever find. Forget the oily noodle boxed variety. When it comes to traditional Indonesian fare, Bali Bakery knows how to deliver.
STREET FOOD (Seminyak, Bali)
Tempeh is a traditional soy product which you can find all over Indonesia. I really need to brush up on my Bahasa as the street vendors cater for the local workers and don't speak much English. This guy with the awesome mullet was just gorgeous but all I could gather was that he was serving up tempeh and various other deep fried goods for lunch.
THAI CORNER (Seminyak, Bali)
Hungry in Bali? Rule number 1: if the restaurant is not full of people, it is best not to eat there.
I am glad that we rode past Thai Corner last night, a little shack on Jalan Petitenget bustling with happy faces. Whilst it was empty for lunch, our quest for rice noodles was made that bit easier. Pad Thai with all the good stuff for about $3.
A CONVERSATION WITH Charlie Hunton - Sea Circus, Bali
Let's run away with the circus or just straight to Sea Circus, a quirky little space in Seminyak serving coffee, cocktails and gorgeous eats. Here is my conversation with the lovely Charlie Hunton.
Who are the ringmasters behind Sea Circus?
Charlie Hunton {London} and Josh Herdman {Melbourne}
The food at Sea Circus is amazing. Who is the brains in the kitchen?
We have a lot of fun curating the circus menu. Both Josh and I are voracious travellers. We collect flavours from sleepless stateside cities, sleepy mexican beach towns and everywhere in between. Since opening we have worked with a few key chefs {from Australia & New York} to keep the menu fresh and the food fun.
What other adventures have the owners had with venues?
Josh owns a retail shop just next to Sea Circus, called Bali Boat Shed.
Do you have anything else bubbling?
Maybe... just maybe!
It feels as though Mister Zimi breathes the perfect Sea Circus attire! Are the businesses related or just really good friends?
Mister Zimi are close friends of ours in Bali. Josh knew Jimi from Melbourne. Charlie became Bali besties with Zoe. We pretty much arrived here at the same time and instantly bonded over island life and growing businesses ... and maybe a few cocktails too!
Your Rocket Fuel coffee was the best icy cold coffee I have ever tasted! What is the process?
We got hooked on this one too during to a Five Senses barista trip to Bali earlier this year. The bean is a custom roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. The process is an 8 hour cold extraction. The taste: light and floral.
What are your favourite dishes on the menu at the moment?
Easy. The pulled pork taco, the snapper ceviche and the churros. {yes, i may have Mexico on my mind}. Although I am super excited about a dish we are about to get onto the menu: acai bowls. My fiance lives in Hawaii and when i'm over there this is my daily breakfast. The acai bowl is to Hawaii as the croissant is to Paris. Excited to get this superfood into Bali!
Where are your favourite 3 Bali haunts other than Sea Circus ....
For a drink at Sunset for blow your mind cocktails?
Potato Head
For coffee?
Revolver
For traditional Indonesian fare?
Any local 'Padang 'joint if i'm wearing havaianas. Or Mamasan/Sarong if i feel like putting on my Chloe heels.
For an escape?
Raw food at Yoga Barn in Ubud.
LA LUCCIOLA (Seminyak, Bali)
breakfast by the sea
Weave your way through the parking lot of Petitenget Temple, past the laughing children and street carts spilling coconuts onto the pavement and will find an open aired haven.
Revered as one of Seminyak's original hotspots, La Lucciola boasts a relaxed dining experience. Chef offers a Italian and Mediterranean menu full of classics and some featuring a touch of Asian spice. Take in the waves crashing on the sprawling beach as the warmth of the breeze takes you to that bliss you can only feel on vacation.
Our morning here was a delight with crunchy grated hash cakes, pillowly cheese souffles and some damn good french toast drowing in caramelised bananas and bacon. A lazy breakfast by the sea as its best.
Find La Lucciola at:
Jalan Petitenget 80361
TACO CASA (Petitenget, Bali)
Just a little bit out of Seminyak you will find the red washed walls of Taco Casa. Swimming with friendly staff, you can order jugs of sangria and find all the usual Tex mex finds. They only use super fresh local produce and great cuts of meat. Definitely a place I will be going back to.
Taco Casa
Jl. Petitenget (North End of Seminyak)
Kerobokan, Kuta Utara
Badung, Bali 80361
Tlp. +62 361 9161919
SEA CIRCUS (Seminyak, Bali)
'Sea Circus is not an actual circus*. It’s also not on the sea. It’s kinda near the beach… and probably as entertaining as a circus. OK, Sea Circus is an odd name. But it’s a really good restaurant, bar & coffee den thingy. So there.'
Sea Circus will have you dreaming of pastel coloured coffee cups with gorgeous notes of fortunes long after you say goodbye to those balmy nights.
This colourful gem is one of my absolute favourites in Bali. The pretty rainbow window panes welcome you in with the bright décor begging you to nestle in all day long. They offer a simple menu for breky, lunch and dinner, delicious cocktails and bangin’ good coffee by Five Senses.
I tucked into corn fritters with feta, chili jam and rocket with a side of avocado. So refreshing to not be lining up at some buffet eyeing off strange looking bacon. The 'rocket fuel' was the Danny Zucko of ice coffees, lovingly cold dripped over eight hours.
Vibrant chevron stripes and quirky touches adorn every inch of this merry eatery. You just can't help but make you fall in love, especially when you leave with a happy tummy.
Complimented by friendly staff and great food, you would rather stub your toe on the wonky Bali pavement then miss out. Make sure Sea Circus is your first stop on your next Bali adventure.
Sea Circus
22 Jalan Kayu Aya [Oberoi Rd]
Seminyak, Bali.
Tell your taxi: next to Bodyworks
Phone: +62 361 738 667
Check out their Facebook page!
MADE'S WARUNG (Seminyak, Bali)
Made's Warung has been going strong since 1969. Simple, tasty and authentic Indonesian food. We went to the one along Jalan Raya Seminyak. Cheap and delicious and just feels like Bali should.
