What to Eat in Bali: 20 Must-Try Dishes & Where to Find Them

Balinese Food Is Different from Indonesian Food

Bali has its own unique cuisine influenced by Hindu culture (unlike the rest of Muslim-majority Indonesia). You'll find pork dishes that are rare elsewhere in the country, distinctive spice blends, and ceremonial foods you won't see outside the island.

The Must-Try Dishes

1. Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)

Indonesia's national dish. Every warung makes it differently — sweet soy sauce, shrimp paste, egg, and chili are the base. Fair price: 15K–30K IDR ($0.90–1.85) at a warung. If you're paying 80K+ IDR, you're at a tourist restaurant.

2. Babi Guling (Suckling Pig)

Bali's signature dish — whole roasted pig stuffed with chili, turmeric, and lemongrass. Ibu Oka in Ubud is famous (made popular by Anthony Bourdain), but locals say Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen in Seminyak is better. Fair price: 40K–60K IDR ($2.50–3.75) per plate.

3. Nasi Campur (Mixed Rice)

A plate of rice with 4–6 small portions of different dishes — vegetables, meat, sambal, peanuts, eggs, tempeh. Every warung's version is different. This is the best value meal in Bali. Fair price: 20K–35K IDR ($1.25–2.15).

4. Satay (Sate)

Grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce. Sate Lilit is the Balinese version — minced fish or chicken wrapped around lemongrass sticks. Different from Java's beef satay. Fair price: 15K–25K IDR ($0.90–1.55) for 5–8 sticks.

5. Lawar

A traditional Balinese salad made with shredded vegetables, coconut, and minced meat mixed with spices and sometimes fresh blood (yes, really). It's rich, complex, and unlike anything you've tried. Fair price: 15K–25K IDR.

6. Mie Goreng (Fried Noodles)

The noodle cousin of Nasi Goreng. Egg noodles wok-fried with vegetables, soy sauce, and your choice of protein. Fair price: 15K–30K IDR.

7. Ayam Betutu (Slow-Cooked Chicken)

Chicken stuffed with traditional spice paste and wrapped in banana leaves, then slow-cooked for 6–12 hours. The meat falls off the bone. It's a ceremonial dish that's become a restaurant staple. Fair price: 35K–50K IDR.

8. Bakso (Meatball Soup)

A street food staple — beef meatballs in a clear broth with noodles, tofu, and greens. Listen for the distinctive "tok tok tok" sound of the bakso cart rolling through your street. Fair price: 10K–20K IDR.

9. Gado Gado

Steamed vegetables (bean sprouts, cabbage, potatoes, tofu, tempeh) smothered in a thick peanut sauce. The best vegetarian meal in Bali that even meat-eaters love. Fair price: 15K–25K IDR.

10. Bebek Goreng (Fried Duck)

Crispy fried duck, often marinated for 24 hours in Balinese spices before deep-frying. Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner) in Ubud started the trend. Fair price: 45K–65K IDR.

Street Food & Snacks

Pisang Goreng: Fried bananas — 5K–10K IDR. The perfect afternoon snack.
Martabak: Stuffed pancake (sweet or savory) — 15K–30K IDR. Best late-night food.
Jaje Bali: Traditional Balinese sweets made from rice flour and palm sugar — 2K–5K IDR each.
Klepon: Green rice flour balls filled with liquid palm sugar — 5K IDR for a bag. Addictive.
Es Campur: Shaved ice with fruit, jelly, and condensed milk — 10K–15K IDR. Perfect for the heat.

Drinks

Bintang Beer: 25K–35K IDR at a warung, 50K–80K IDR at a bar.
Fresh Coconut: 10K–20K IDR from street vendors.
Kopi Bali: Traditional Balinese coffee — 5K–10K IDR. Strong and unfiltered.
Jamu: Traditional herbal health drink (turmeric, ginger, honey) — 10K–15K IDR. An acquired taste but great for digestion.
Arak: Local rice wine spirit. Be cautious — counterfeit arak has caused deaths. Only drink at reputable bars.

Where to Eat

Best Warungs (Local Restaurants)

Warung Biah Biah (Ubud) — Authentic Balinese with rice terrace views.
Warung Murah (Canggu) — "Murah" means cheap. Lives up to its name.
Nasi Ayam Kedewatan (Ubud) — Famous for its chicken rice.
Warung Makan Bu Rus (Seminyak) — Locals' secret spot for Nasi Campur.

Food Safety Tips

1. Eat at busy warungs — high turnover means fresh food.
2. Avoid raw vegetables at cheap places for the first few days.
3. Don't drink tap water — ever. Bottled or filtered only.
4. Ice at established restaurants is factory-made and safe. Street stall ice — skip it.
5. Carry Imodium — "Bali belly" hits most visitors in the first 2–3 days.

Related Guides

💰 See fair prices for food and drinks on our price guide.

🎒 Eating cheap? Read Bali on $30/day for food budget tips.

🏘️ The best food areas: Canggu vs Seminyak vs Ubud.

🆕 More practical tips in 25 things to know before visiting.