Local Girl Guide: Ubud

As someone lucky enough to call Ubud my hometown and to be a true Ubudian, I’ve put together a guide for friends and kindred travelers who want to experience the soulful, slow-living side of Bali—beyond social media and the Internet.

GO-TO Cafés

Casa Luna – My family’s cafe, an Ubud institution, still keeping the authentic vibe and serving comfort dishes since 1992.

Seniman Coffee Studio – Ubud’s original coffee geek haven. Great cold brews, single origin beans, and a cozy upstairs for reading or working.

Suka Espresso Ubud – A favorite Aussie-style brunch spot. Delicious eggs, strong coffee, and consistently buzzing.

Kafe – A go-to laid-back OG Ubud café. Always dependable for a healthy bite and drinks

Lazy Cats Café – Art, coffee, and antiques collide in this loft-style hangout.

Kebun Bistro – French Mediterranean café in a rustic colonial-style setting. Try the quiche or charcuterie board.

Plant Bistro – Actually really good plant based food in a cozy pretty ambiance and find my fav guilt free Cola!

Yellow Flower Cafe – A hidden hilltop gem in Penestanan!

Casa Curandera – Colombian & Italian comfort food!

Home Cafe – Healthy brunch & comfy space.

Ame Bistro – Aesthetic interiors & artisanal coffee.

Seniman Coffee – Locally roasted beans, barista classes, and innovative brews in a funky, artistic setting.

Bali Buda – A long-standing wellness café with an organic market next door.

Muse Bali – Indian-influenced cafe and great bohemian and bright ambience.

Tucky – Tucked away and tiny but big on flavor.

Rusters – My favourite place to hang out for pastries & coffee in front of the rice fields.

Alchemy – Build-your-own salad bar, cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, and a holistic store next door.

Must try DINing

Locavore NXT – Elevated cuisine, reimagined. A must visit for those looking for a unique dining experience.

Room4Dessert – Not just desserts—an avant-garde experience curated by chef Will Goldfarb.

Indus – Has the best view of the Tjampuhan ridge and Gunung Agung on a clear day but the fusion-modern Asian food is seriously delicious.

2 Bulan – It’s brand new but already my favourite Thai dining in Ubud!

Galle Club – Next door to 2 Bulan is a must-try Srilankan restaurant that will satisfy you with bold flavors.

Syrco Base – By 2-Michelin-starred Chef Syrco Bakker, blends Indonesian heritage with modern artistry, rooted in local ingredients and cultural respect.

Mozaic – An Ubud classic, known for refined French-Indonesian fusion cuisine served in a romantic tropical garden.

Nusantara by Locavore – Dedicated to authentic regional Indonesian dishes.

Hakkoku – A refined omakase experience hidden in the lushness of Ubud.

Kubu at Mandapa – Zero-waste refined dining with ingredients less than 100 km by Chef Eka.

Healthier sweetS

Tukies Coconut Shop – A must-try for coconut lovers. Coconut gelato, coconut coffee, coconut everything.

Ubud Kitchen – My fav juicer in town but they also serve yummy smoothies and natural coconut soft serve.

Acai Queen & The Acai Shop - I love a sweet and healthy treat. If you know me , you know I love my Acai.

De La Vega Organic Artisanal Desserts - Their cakes are a delicious and guilt-free indulgence.

LOCAL EATS

Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka – Bali’s famous OG babi guling (suckling pig) served with rice, crackling, sambal, and spiced vegetables. Best visited before noon—it sells out fast.

Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku – They have been serving nasi ayam (Balinese chicken rice) for decades.

Warung Makan Teges Peliatan – A hidden gem for nasi campur (rice with a mix of small dishes), just outside the Ubud center.

Warung Men Juel – A true local’s favorite. Their nasi campur are full of spice and authenticity.

Babi Guling Gung Cung – A babi guling spot in Ubud—just how the locals love it.

Buin Warung & Grill – A newer spot focused on grilled seafood, rice, and satay.

chILL & SIP

Sayan House – Modern Latin-Japanese cuisine with dramatic sunset views over the Ayung River.

Kawi – My favourite quiet speakeasy bar in Ubud.

Ambar – Enjoy the sunset & amazing view while sipping on great cocktails (apparently they have the best Negroni in Ubud!)

Apéritif Bar – Step into 1930s glamour in this ultra-elegant bar just next to Apéritif Restaurant.

Luxury Escapes

COMO Shambhala Estate – A holistic sanctuary for mind, body, and soul.

Bambu Indah – Eco-luxury meets jungle dreams. Stay in restored Javanese teak houses.

Bumi Kinar – A design-forward boutique above the Petanu River, blending minimalist architecture with immersive nature.

Amandari – Understated elegance with spiritual roots. Inspired by a traditional Balinese village.

Four Seasons – A lush retreat with rice paddies, river views, and deeply restorative energy.

COMO Uma – A contemporary retreat offering refined comfort, curated experiences, and access to Ubud’s cultural heartbeat.

Capella – A luxury escape designed by Bill Bensley—complete with private saltwater pools and dramatic jungle settings.

Hoshinoya – A Japanese-Balinese fusion retreat, elegant wooden pavilions, water gardens, and an atmosphere of meditative calm.

SPA

Mandapa Spa by Ritz-Carlton – A sanctuary by the river offering holistic Balinese treatments in a luxurious jungle setting.

The Spa at Four Seasons Sayan – Ultra-refined treatments, private suites, and sacred river energy make this a top-tier experience.

Aman Spa at Amandari – Discreet, calming, and set among rice terraces and stone temples—a true escape.

Bali Botanica Day Spa – Tucked away in nature and connected to Oneworld Retreats. Excellent Ayurvedic treatments and personalized packages.

Fivelements Retreat Bali – Sacred and sensual, this riverside spa blends traditional Balinese healing with sacred rituals.

Inka Spa Ubud – A beautifully designed space with modern interiors and consistently good service.

Jaens Spa Ubud – Great value, modern Balinese spa with multiple locations and well-trained therapists.

The Face Ubud – Chic, photogenic, and offering a range of face and body rituals in a boutique setting.

Rob Peetoom Ubud – Known for high-end hair styling, but they also offer luxe spa treatments in a riverside glass pavilion.

TO DO

Early morning walks & hikes – A popular and beautiful choice is the Campuhan Ridge. The light, the stillness… its magic. Check out these routes.

Watch a cultural performance – Weather its Balinese dancing, Kecak or Wayang, your Bali experience isn’t complete without one.

Visit Threads of Life – Learn about textile traditions and take home something cool.

Get some Ubud style movement – Ground yourself, stretch out, and reconnect at a yoga or pilates class.

Hike a waterfall (Tibumana or Tegenungan) – A beautiful hike and (can be) spiritual experience.

Try sound healing or meditation – Something you might doubt... until you try it.

Shop beyond the Ubud Market – Explore artisan shops on Jalan Goutama, Monkey Forest and Dewisita for slow browsing and beautiful artisanal finds.

Melukat – Try a Balinese water purification cleansing ceremony to cleanse negative energy and restore spiritual balance.

Ubud Story Walks – Learn about Ubud by foot on a walking tour.

Bali Bird Walks - Not just for bird watchers & aspiring naturalists.

Visit Temples & The Palace – Take in all the Balinese Hindu culture and tranquil powerful energy.

Special Events & Festivals — Ubud hosts many special events like Ubud Open Studios & International festivals like Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Ubud Food Festival, Ubud Village Jazz Festival & Bali Spirit Festival throughout the year.