For Fine-Dining Foodies, Culinary Travellers & Everyone Who Googles Menus Before Booking Flights
Bali may be laid-back in vibe, but when it comes to food?
It’s bold, globally influenced, and increasingly Michelin-worthy.
While the Michelin Guide has not officially launched in Indonesia yet, many Bali restaurants have earned Michelin Plate or Michelin-recommended status through international acclaim, chef pedigree, and consistency in service and innovation.
So, whether you’re craving a degustation dinner under a canopy of stars, refined renditions of Indonesian classics, or a surprise course featuring fermented jackfruit and edible flowers, these are the places to dress up for.
Here’s your curated list of Michelin-recommended or internationally acclaimed fine dining restaurants in Bali for 2025:
1. Locavore
📍 Ubud
Locavore is Bali’s flagship for fine, sustainable dining, known for creative tasting menus that spotlight local ingredients and modern Indonesian storytelling.
Highlights:
7–10 course degustation menus
House-fermented sauces, wild-foraged greens, and protein alternatives
Vegetarian-forward “Herbivore” tasting available
Sustainability: Everything is locally sourced, no imports.
Best for: Culinary purists, conscious travelers, and anniversary dinners.
2. BLANCO Par Mandif
📍 Ubud
Helmed by Indonesian celebrity chef Mandif Warokka, this intimate 8-seat restaurant offers high-end Indonesian gastronomy with French finesse.
Expect:
Elegant reinterpretations of dishes like rendang, rawon, and soto
Optional wine or mocktail pairing
Personalized chef interaction
Insider Tip: Reserve at least 1 week in advance, it’s tiny and always booked.
3. Apéritif Restaurant & Bar
📍 Ubud
Glamorous, 1920s-style interiors meet global tasting menus. Apéritif offers a multi-sensory dining experience, perfect for special nights.
Highlights:
8-course tasting menu
Dishes span Europe, Indonesia, and beyond
One of Bali’s most photogenic dining rooms
Don’t skip: Their in-house cocktail bar for pre-dinner drinks.
4. Kubu at Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
📍 Ubud
Fine dining in cocoon-shaped bamboo pods overlooking the Ayung River. Kubu specializes in Mediterranean–European cuisine and impeccable service.
Menu Faves:
Lobster ravioli
Beef tenderloin with truffle jus
House-made pastas
Ideal for: Romantic dinners, honeymooners, and luxury lovers.
5. Mauri
📍 Seminyak
Run by Puglian chef Maurizio Bombini, this modern Italian restaurant blends southern Italy with island ingredients, think burrata with jackfruit chutney.
Highlights:
Seasonal tasting menus & à la carte
Wine cellar with 100+ labels
Sleek interiors and rooftop herb garden
Perfect for: Date nights with a modern twist.
6. Kayuputi at The St. Regis Bali Resort
📍 Nusa Dua
Overlooking the beach, Kayuputi is an elegant pan-Asian fine dining experience inside a luxury resort.
Best Known For:
Sunday Champagne brunch (legendary)
Caviar tasting
Lobster and wagyu mains
Dress Code: Resort chic or formal. This is not your flip-flop dinner.
7. Cuca
📍 Jimbaran
A creative tapas-style restaurant using 100% Indonesian ingredients, served with flair. Expect flavor bombs on small plates, meant for sharing.
Signature Dishes:
BBQ octopus
Bali-grown mushroom croquettes
Coconut-based desserts
Kid-friendly: Surprisingly, yes. They even offer a “Cuca for Kids” set.
8. Room4Dessert
📍 Ubud
Created by El Bulli-trained chef Will Goldfarb, this dessert-first restaurant is a global sensation.
Format:
Multi-course plated desserts
Garden-grown herbs, edible flowers
Natural wines & wild fermentation
Tip: Try the full tasting journey, it’s sweet, savory, weird, and genius.
9. Sushi Ichizawa
📍 Seminyak
This omakase-style sushi bar offers Tokyo-level precision and uses both Japanese and Balinese seafood in an intimate, minimalist setting.
Why It Stands Out:
Limited 10 seats
Chef Ichizawa personally crafts each bite
Sea urchin, toro, and pickled bamboo perfection
Best For: Sushi lovers, anniversary splurges, and luxury nomads.
10. Mejekawi by Ku De Ta (Reopening TBC 2025)
📍 Seminyak
This fine-dining arm of Bali’s legendary Ku De Ta beach club brings modern technique to traditional Indonesian dishes when it’s open.
Keep an eye out: It’s been undergoing changes, but could return in 2025 with a reimagined tasting experience.
Bali’s Top Fine Dining Restaurants Worthy of a Michelin Star (But Not Officially Starred)
| Restaurant | Location | Recognitions | Why It’s Worth the Hype |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locavore NXT | Ubud | Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, Sustainable Restaurant Award | Ultra-creative tasting menus, local ingredients, food forest, fermentation |
| Room4Dessert | Ubud | Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Asia’s 50 Best Bars | Multi-course dessert tasting, jungle vibes, unique cocktails |
| Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique | Ubud | Previously in Asia’s 50 Best, reopened with new tasting experiences | French-Balinese fusion, chef’s table, seasonal produce |
| BLANCO par Mandif | Ubud | Known in fine-dining circles, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice | High-end Indonesian tasting menu in an intimate riverside setting |
| Cuca | Jimbaran | Recognized by critics & Asia-based foodies | Creative tapas, garden setting, sustainability-focused |
| Koral Restaurant | Nusa Dua | Instagram-famous, luxury hotel dining | Bali’s first underwater-themed fine dining restaurant |
| Apéritif | Ubud | Asia’s 50 Best Discovery List, Luxe Awards | 1920s colonial-inspired, 8-course degustation, wine cellar |
| Merah Putih | Seminyak | Stylish ambiance, acclaimed by food press | Elevated Indonesian cuisine in a dramatic architectural setting |
| Sardine | Seminyak | Frequently listed in gourmet travel mags | Organic ingredients, open-air dining, rice field views |
Why Doesn’t Bali Have Michelin Stars?
Because the Michelin Guide has not launched in Indonesia, and Michelin only awards stars in countries it officially covers.
Michelin Star ≠ Food Quality Alone
Michelin awards are based on anonymous inspections, consistency, and specific standards across categories. Until Indonesia is added to their covered destinations (like Thailand, Singapore, or Japan), no restaurant can earn a Michelin star here, even if it’s world-class.
Where to Book for a Michelin-Level Experience in 2025
| Diner Type | Go To… |
|---|---|
| Foodie on a mission | Locavore NXT, Mozaic, Apéritif |
| Dessert lover | Room4Dessert |
| Romantic dinner seekers | Koral, Sardine, BLANCO par Mandif |
| Group dining with style | Cuca, Merah Putih |
| Sustainability-focused eaters | Locavore NXT, Cuca |
Insider Dining Tips for Bali
Book in advance — top-tier restaurants get reserved weeks ahead, especially in Ubud and Seminyak.
Dress smart casual — flip-flops and boardshorts are not welcome at most fine-dining venues.
Ulacab it smart — skip the scooter stress and use a private Ulacab transfer so you can enjoy wine pairings and arrive right on time.
Michelin May Not Be in Bali, But the Flavors Are
If you’re chasing stars, don’t wait for Michelin to catch up. Bali’s chefs are already delivering bold flavors, fine-dining atmospheres, and global recognition.
Book that table. Order the tasting menu. And let Ulacab get you there without the hassle.
Need a ride to Bali’s top restaurants?
Use Ulacab for seamless, stylish transport across Ubud, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and beyond.
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