For Flavour Hunters, Curious Foodies & Anyone Who Believes in Spicy Sambal and Second Helpings
Forget Instagram cafés and fusion bowls.
If you want to eat like a local in Bali, you go to a warung, humble, family-run eateries that dish out soul-satisfying Balinese food, often straight from grandma’s recipe book.
Think rich babi guling, smoky sate lilit, crunchy lawar, and that unbeatable combo of sambal and steamed rice on a banana leaf.
Whether you’re in Ubud, Seminyak, or somewhere off the beaten path, these 10 warungs are where flavour comes first and frills don’t matter.
Let’s dig in
1. Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka
📍 Ubud
The Michelin-star equivalent of Balinese suckling pig. Ibu Oka’s spicy, crackly-skinned babi guling (roast pork) has been a rite of passage for hungry travellers for decades.
🍴 Don’t Miss:
Babi Guling Special Plate
Blood sausage (urutan)
Crispy pork skin
Family-Friendly? Yes, but get there before the lunch crowd.
2. Warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku
📍 Kedewatan, Ubud
Locals drive for miles for this spicy nasi ayam (chicken rice). It’s fiery, fragrant, and layered with textures: shredded chicken, sambal matah, fried peanuts, and eggs.
Pro Tip: It’s spicy. Really spicy. Order less sambal if you’re not a heat-lover.
Ambience: Simple and homey with garden views if you’re lucky.
3. Warung Wardani
Denpasar & Tuban
An iconic spot known for clean, consistent, flavorful nasi campur (mixed rice). Think of it as a tasting platter of everything delicious in Bali.
Best For:
First-timers who want to try a bit of everything
Clean, airier environment compared to street-side warungs
Good stop after visiting temples or before a flight (near the airport branch).
4. Warung Mak Beng
📍 Sanur Beach
One dish. One legend. Mak Beng serves crispy fried fish and spicy fish-head soup, the same since 1941. That’s it. That’s the menu.
Why You’ll Love It:
Lightning-fast service
Perfect after a Sanur sunrise walk
A spice kick you won’t forget
Expect a wait. Locals and expats love it.
5. Warung Makan Teges
📍 Ubud outskirts
Run by a warm Balinese family, this spot is famous for authentic home-style nasi ayam, in a low-key setting surrounded by rice fields.
What to Order:
Nasi Campur Ayam
Tempeh + sayur urap (veggie salad with coconut)
Off-the-map, but worth the mini detour.
6. Warung Men Weti
📍 Sanur
Beachfront and beloved, this local legend is known for crispy skin chicken, sambal matah, and spiced rice combos that pack a punch.
Early Bird Alert: Go before 10 a.m. or it sells out.
Solo Traveler Tip: Grab takeaway and eat by the beach.
7. Warung Lawar Kuwir Men Koko
📍 Abiansemal, Badung
For adventurous eaters: lawar kuwir is a spicy mix of duck meat, grated coconut, blood, and herbs, a staple in Balinese ceremonies.
Local Tip: It’s not for the faint-hearted but offers one of the most purely Balinese food experiences.
Sells out fast during temple days.
8. Warung Nasi Bali Men Weti (Sister Branch)
📍 Renon, Denpasar
The downtown version of the Sanur classic, slightly modernized, but the nasi Bali combo still slaps. Generous portions, tender meat, and killer sambal.
Great for: Digital nomads staying around Renon, or lunch on the go.
9. Warung Sate Plecing Arjuna
📍 Denpasar
This place does sate babi (pork skewers) and plecing kangkung (spicy morning glory) like no one else. The sate is juicy, sweet, smoky, and dipped in a sambal that’ll wake up your soul.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Best Combo: Sate + Plecing + White Rice
10. Warung Ibu Andika
📍 Kuta
A 24-hour warung serving mix-your-own nasi campur buffet-style. From spicy eggs and tofu to curried chicken and sambals, it’s all here, fast, cheap, and delicious.
Open late = perfect after a beach day or party night.
Budget-Friendly: One of the cheapest good meals in Kuta.
Insider Tips for Warung-Hopping:
✅ Cash is king. Most warungs don’t take cards.
✅ Don’t expect menus. Point, smile, and trust your nose.
✅ Go early. The best dishes tend to sell out quickly, especially before noon.
✅ Respect the vibe. These are often family kitchens, dress modestly and keep voices low.
Don’t Just Visit Bali. Taste It.
Craving crispy pork? → Ibu Oka, Men Weti
Love spice? → Sate Arjuna, Nasi Ayam Kedewatan
Want seafood? → Mak Beng, Plecing combos
Looking for local charm? → Warung Teges, Lawar Kuwir spots
Don’t let your Bali trip be just smoothie bowls and beach clubs.
Let it be sambal-stained, coconut-scented, and full of warung wisdom.
Need a ride between warungs without sweating on a scooter?
Book your private Ulacab — air-conditioned, polite, and hungry-traveler approved
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