Eating my way through Bali – that’s exactly what we’ve just spent the last month doing. It was my 4th trip to the Indonesian Island, yet one that was very different from each of my previous experiences.
I’ve been traveling gluten free for some years now and discovering new places to eat and explore is one of my favourite things to do, especially when it involves being overseas.
Here’s a list of my top Bali Health picks (yep all Gluten Free!), based on my hoping about the island.
Criteria Checklist:
– Gluten Free options a MUST (if this doesn’t get the first tick I go elsewhere)
– Delicious & Real Food
– Must serve Fresh Coconuts
– To die for desserts! (yep that are Gluten Free)
First Stop: Bingin
Bingin is this little hidden beach getaway between Uluwatu and Jimbaran Bay. Popular with surfers this place is much quieter than the hustle and bustle of Kuta/Seminyak with no party life. I’m not much of a partier so was perfect. Nothing but the surf crashing on the reed to put you to sleep.
Cashew Tree
This was my first health discover since arriving in Bali and it was like finding gold.
Clean, very well priced (ie. Bargain), so very fresh – and for the meat eaters, there’s a few things for you too. We loved it so much we went there 3 times in our 2 day visit.
Kelly’s Warung
Kelly’s was a walk by spotting. Located right down on the beach it’s the perfect view for surf spotting. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We visited here for breakfast purely as they made smoothie bowls! Yes I could of married the chef when I saw their menu. (I went to Kelly’s before Cashew Tree, otherwise would of been the other way around!)
Next Up: Jimbaran Bay
SEA-food. Jimbaran Bay is know for one thing – seafood. Being a fresh seafood lover I had to go back to relive memories here. There are so many restaurants lined along the beach that you simply pick a chair, get comfy in the sand and watch the sunset. Plus you can entrée it up with a fresh grilled corn on the comb, cart style!
if you’re looking for fresh health food, resort style check out: They’re right on the beach, private day beds in the sand and poolside too.
My FAV: Ubud
Yoga Barn – KAFE
18 months ago was my first visit to the Yoga Barn and still to date it is my favourite health cafe in the whole world. Yes it’s spelt with a ‘K’ but that’s how it rolls in Bali. Last time I was at the Yoga Barn I juiced for 6 days, while I was at the cafe everyday (nearly all day) I didn’t get to eat the food. I saw it all day long and it looked amazing. So this is the first thing I had on my list as soon as we put our bags down… and it tastes as good as it looks.
Kafe is always busy but they have meals for EVERYONE – Raw menu, Alkaline Menu, Cleansing Menu, Main meals, Share Meal, Smoothies, Juices, Desserts… literally everything. I was in Heaven and on average meals are $5 AUD each…. go all out get a drink, meal and dessert $10 AUD average. AMAZING!
You can read up on my last adventure to Bali in 2013 here.
Sari Organic
Think of eating right on a farm surrounded by rice patties. I was determined to find this place, so much so we walking in a thunderstorm to get there as we learnt the road into Sari is for scooters only. Yet it was all well worth it. This little eco hub hidden about 1.5 km’s walk from the centre of Ubud is beautiful. Filled with laughing staff, fresh grown yummy’s (meat too), and organic wine they make themselves for those who want to indulge while over looking the rice patties.
Atman Kafe
Yum, clean, vegetarian options, meat for meat lovers, raw foods, drinks menu and all on comfy cushions – oh plus they make their own gelato!
Canggu – Home away from home!
Canggu aside from Ubud has to be my all time favourite spot on Bali at the moment. I’m sure this will change but the last two times I’ve been, it’s hit the spot every time. Canggu sits north of crazy town Seminyak. Once Seminyak was the quieter and more chilled out version of Kuta, however over the last decade it’s boomed up. Today it’s Canggu that’s the quieter western side nook of Bali. It’s changed significantly in the last 18 months so I’m sure it’s got at least 5 more years left in it before the next quiet nook is discovered by westerners.
Why do I love Canggu? Well it’s simple, your surrounded by farms and rice patties – the beach is at your door step, there are no police, it’s extremely quiet and safe. Place the food is AMAZING! (not as good as my fav Yoga Barn KAFE, but it comes very – very close!)
**MUST VISIT** Betelnut Cafe
For Gluten Free Travellers – this place even has it’s own coeliac diseases ‘no’ list. Yep they know what coeliac’s is and they cater for it. Veg and Meat, anything from Juices, Smoothies, Salad’s, Asian Meals, raw and Gluten Free Desserts. I was literally in heaven. We were here 6 times during our 5 night visit. Delicious! Plus the rooftop outdoor setting overlooking the rice patties is perfect.
Avocado Cafe
A health lover’s paradise, on one of the main streets this place is perfect for vego’s. Has some meat and eggs for breakfast yet delicious real food. A little more pricey than the regular but yummy all the same.
Alkaline Resturant & Serenity Eco Yoga
This place was a 200 meter walk from our villa so coming across this place was inevitable. You’ll have to check out the menu and go there yourself to understand but they have all health aspects covered! From clean drinking water (alkaline – cleanest you can find in Bali), raw desserts, fresh made Jamu, Coconuts, Indonesian foods, raw and it’s mostly all grown in Canggu. We also took advantage of the fact they do takeaway.
Ithaka Warung
If you’re after local, real and fresh cooked Indonesian this gem is awesome. They don’t have alot of Gluten Free options (I was eating vego), but when I asked them to make a salad I created they went over and above to deliver. My partner ordered an Indonesian meal and after month of eating Indo and health food he said this was the best meal he had the whole trip. Definitely recommend – plus their organic juices!
Crate Cafe
Open for breakfast and lunch this place is the bustling centre of Canggu, run by a lovely Australian lady this place is simple but the food is not. Australian breaky favourites! I kind of wish we had of discovered this place earlier and not on the morning before we left.
(don’t have images of all places… food was so amazing sometimes I forgot to snap)
Been to Bali or any of these places mentioned? Would love to hear your fav’s and expereinces.
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