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The major reasons Bali has been in the limelight all these years range from magnificent beaches and vibrant culture to green landscapes. But what makes this island special is the best food in Bali. It’s a treasure trove of culinary delicacies, a treasure trove of culinary delights reflecting its rich heritage. Bali will soothe your soul and take you from traditional food to international cuisine. The Bali food scene is diverse and ebullient, holding out promises for contrastingly unforgettable culinary escapades at every turn for any foodie or traveller.
10 Best Food In Bali
Here is the list of the best food in Bali you must have when visiting the place. The geographical location and climatic conditions have shaped Balinese cuisine, emphasising fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Check out the most famous food in Bali that will tempt any foodie:
1. Babi Guling
Photo: Alex Anderson / Wikimedia Commons
Babi Guling is the most iconic non-veg food in Bali, traditionally made only during some special ceremonies, but now you will find it almost everywhere. This dish features a whole pig marinated in a rich mixture of ground turmeric, lemongrass, coriander, and other spices before being slowly roasted on a spit. The result will be crispy skin and juicy meat, both very tender and flavoured with the unique Balinese taste. Most frequently served with rice, sambal, and vegetables, Babi Guling is a requisite try to taste the real flavour of Balinese cuisine.
Where To Eat: Ibu Oka, Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen, Babi Guling Candra
Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 500-700
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2. Nasi Campur
Photo: Fei Tan / Wikimedia Commons
Nasi Campur is Indonesian for ‘ Mixed Rice.’ The rice is to be served with many other side dishes on a plate, making it one full-of-varied-flavours dish of Bali. Various side dishes, including meats, vegetables, eggs, peanuts, and sambal surround a mound of hot steamed rice. These may vary from region to region and often include everything from grilled chicken or satay to some tofu or tempeh. The best thing about Nasi Campur is its diversity—it gives you a bit of everything Bali offers, so you can taste various flavours.
Where To Eat: Warung Wardani, Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku, Warung Nasi Ayam Bu Oki
Timings: 8 AM – 8 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 200-300
3. Bebek Betutu
Photo: casey yancey / Wikimedia Commons
Bebek Betutu is one of the prestigious Balinese dishes prepared from a marinated duck in a spice blend of turmeric, garlic, shallots, ginger, and chilli. Afterwards, the duck is wrapped with banana leaves and then cooked for some hours—sometimes even 24 hours—to make it tender and yummy. Slow cooking affords deep penetration of flavours into the meat, exploding with every bite in Balinese spices. It is usually served with rice and traditional vegetables, providing a taste of real Bali.
Where To Eat: Bebek Tepi Sawah, Bebek Bengil, Warung Murni
Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 800-1000
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4. Lawar
Photo: ybr / Wikimedia Commons
Lawar is a traditional Balinese dish with mincemeat, grated coconut, vegetables, and a mix of spices. It could be made of many things. Lawar kuning is cooked with coconut and can be found in other less obvious versions with meats like pork or chicken and, in some cases, with added blood for flavour. This dish dominates Balinese ceremonial meals served as an accompanying side dish, typical of showing the island’s culinary diversity. Properly using fresh, aromatic spices and textures in the last mix will revamp Lawar to be a truly exceptional exploration of authentic Balinese cuisine.
Where To Eat: Warung Lawar Kuwir Men Koko, Warung Lawar Bali Made, Warung Janggar Ulam
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 150-250
5. Satay Lilit
Photo: Crisco 1492 / Wikimedia Commons
Satay Lilit (Balinese Satay) is a form of Indonesian satay originating in Bali. While the latter simply skewer a piece of meat, the Balinese grind it, mixing it with grated coconut and lime leaves and finally a blend of spices before wrapping it around bamboo sticks. The satay is well-grilled: juicy and flavorful with a tender interior but slightly charred skin from the outside. This crowd-pleaser, the Satay Lilit, is aromatic and satisfying; generally, it’s made from fish or chicken.
Where To Eat: Warung Nyoman, Warung Sate Lilit Men Ngaen, Warung Satay Maranggi
Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 200-300
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6. Ayam Betutu
Photo: Gunawan Kartapranata / Wikimedia Commons
Ayam Betutu is more or less similar to traditional Balinese cuisine like Bebek Betutu but made with chicken instead of duck. The chicken is marinated in a rich spice paste of turmeric, garlic, shallots, chillies, and other local spices. These are wrapped in banana leaves, which are then slow-cooked until tender. It requires the process of slow cooking, and thereby, flavours are retained inside. It comes out to be aromatic, spicy, and full of flavour. Ayam Betutu is very popular at many ceremonies and feasts in Bali.
Where To Eat: Ayam Betutu Khas Gilimanuk, Warung Men Tempeh, Warung Makan Nyoman
Timings: 8 AM – 9 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 500-700
7. Nasi Goreng
Photo: Indonesiagood / Wikimedia Commons
Nasi Goreng is Indonesia’s famous fried rice dish, and here in Bali, it is a staple found in every warung and restaurant. The dish is created by stir-frying stale rice with garlic, shallots, sweet soy sauce, and an assortment of meats or vegetables—one can even find some seafood there—and topping it with a fried egg for extra richness. Nasi Goreng can be taken for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This easy and delicious meal enhances the repertoire of Indonesian comfort food.
Where To Eat: Made’s Warung, Warung Indonesia, Warung Murah
Timings: 10 AM – 11 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 200-300
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8. Sate Babi
Photo: Gunawan Kartapranata / Wikimedia Commons
Sate Babi is a traditional dish of Balinese street food origin, done on skewers and grilled. The meat is marinated in a savoury and sweet sauce of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and palm sugar, all caramelising so well on the grill to result in tender pieces of pork juicy with the perfection of sweetness-balance in savoury umami flavours. Sate Babi, often complemented by spicy sambal and crispy rice cakes, becomes an indulgent yet approachable way to experience rich heritage on the island of Bali.
Where To Eat: Sate Babi Bawah Pohon, Sate Babi Nyoman, Warung Sate Babi Made
Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 100-200
9. Tipat Cantok
Photo: Gunawan Kartapranata / Wikimedia Commons
Tipat Cantok (Rice Cake Salad) is a famous Balinese dish that is a traditional salad consisting of rice cakes, boiled vegetables, and a rich peanut sauce. Flavorful, the peanut sauce is with peanuts, cloves of garlic, chillies, lime, and palm sugar in its intermingling dance of sweetness, spiciness, and tanginess, covering the rice cakes and vegetables. This preparation is a vegetarian-friendly, fresh one that ensures a lighter but equally impressive flavour profile. People seeking a healthier option in Bali enjoy Tipat Cantok as a side dish.
Where To Eat: Warung Sanglah, Tipat Cantok Pak Nyoman, Warung Satria
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 100-200
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10. Pisang Goreng
Photo: Indonesiagood / Wikimedia Commons
Pisang Goreng is a typical Balinese snack made from mature, ripe bananas coated in a light batter and deep-fried until golden brown. The bananas become soft and sweet, while the batter forms a crispy, crunchy shell. Pisang Goreng is often served drizzled with palm sugar syrup or sprinkled with a little grated coconut and is an easy, delightful treat to enjoy any time of day. It’s one of the favourites among locals and tourists for getting a good taste out of Bali’s tropical flavours.
Where To Eat: Pasar Sindhu Night Market, Warung Pisang Goreng, Warung Mina
Timings: 6 PM – 11 PM
Cost Per Person: INR 50-100
From the savoury depths of Babi Guling to the sweet simplicity of Pisang Goreng, the best food in Bali is sure to tantalise your taste buds. Whether you’re exploring street food in Bali or dining in a local warung, make sure to sample these ten iconic dishes for an unforgettable taste of Bali. So pack your bags and let TripXL guide you through Bali’s best food spots.
Cover Photo: Yun Huang Yong / Wikimedia Commons
