Whether you’ve come for your wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or even your first date, Bali is an island that celebrates romance. From sunset cocktails to endless rice field views, private dining overlooking the ocean to quiet corners in chic restaurants where the food and wine flow as freely as the conversation, Bali is full of memorable moments that warm the heart and fill your feed.
Here we offer the ten most romantic places to dine out in Bali.
ULUWATU
Lunch at Le Club 22 at Karma Kandara
Karma Kandara is best known for the stunning Karma Beach Club and the ride down the inclinator is a great way to set the mood for an afternoon of wining and dining with a front-row ocean view. With a delicious Mediterranean-style menu including sparkling fresh salads and grilled seafood, Le Club 22 is a delicious way to spend an afternoon of romance. Linger for a sunset swim or cocktails on the beach with smooth tunes played by their DJ. This is one of Bali’s most beautiful beach settings and sings with all the romance of Bali in a setting that brings to mind the Greek islands.
The Cave
The adventure here begins with a list of dos and don’t’s, but when you get past that you’ll enjoy an evening submerged underground in a cave that has been formed over centuries but only recently discovered. With a maximum of 40 diners and a menu created by award-winning chef, Ryan Clift, The Cave is one of Bali’s most romantic restaurants offering a gourmet experience, impeccable service and a world-class menu. You will need to book ahead as this is currently one of Bali’s hottest reservations.
Akasa at Jumeirah
Begin your night of romance on the terrace at Akasa, Jumeirah Bali’s flame-grill restaurant that offers views that rival anywhere in Bali. As the sun sets, enjoy a menu of signature cocktails made with top-shelf ingredients, many of them prepared in-house. Dine on the terrace or in the sophisticated air-conditioned interior. With an open kitchen and a menu that combines the best French techniques with Asian flavours, Akasa is a night to remember. For those who want to scale up, Jumeirah also offers private cliff dining for truly special occasions, a proposal perhaps?
SOUTH BALI
La Lucciola
An incredible location on the beach, a soaring bamboo structure cooled by the ocean breeze, incredible sunsets and great food have kept La Luciola a favourite for both locals and travellers for over 25 years. Bookings are now accepted which makes getting a romantic table upstairs easier than ever but do plan ahead. Begin with cocktails overlooking the lawn as the sun sinks into the ocean before heading up to dine on delicate Italian-inspired favourites. Service here is crisp yet discreet. Finish up with dessert under the moonlight and seal your romance with some Bali magic.
Bale Udang Mang Engking Kuta
Take your loved one by surprise and book a private bale set amongst fish ponds in this unique Kuta restaurant. Feast on fresh seafood, grilled or fried and served with Indonesian spices and sides. The twinkling lights in this garden setting create and the privacy of your own bale is part of the magical experience. The seafood includes fresh local lobster and giant prawns, sparkling fresh fish grilled or fried and warm, graceful service. Bale Udang Mang Engking in Kuta is slightly off the tourist track so you’ll get extra points for choosing something so uniquely romantic.
Kuta Social Club
A bar, pool club and an excellent restaurant run by Chef Ben, a London chef with a career that includes Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen, Kuta Social Club is a lively dinner venue. Grab a front-row seat for sunset and begin with some of their excellent cocktails before booking an ocean-view table and enjoying a menu that offers excellent steaks and grilled seafood all cooked in the open kitchen. If Kuta Beach is on your itinerary, stop in for a romantic dinner at this excellent rooftop restaurant.
Shelter Pererenan
An open kitchen and flavours of the Middle East are the perfect way to get the conversation started at Shelter. With a pretty dining room and intimate garden tables, Shelter is among Pereranan’s most romantic dinner destinations. Begin with some of their famous house-baked flatbread and flavoursome dips before diving into wood-fired favourites like their fresh king prawns and slow-cooked lamb served on flatbread topped with spiced yoghurt and pomegranates. Make sure to leave room to share one of their delicious desserts. The long cocktail bar is a perfect spot to enjoy a post-dinner drink overlooking the open kitchen.
UBUD
Room 4 dessert Ubud
If chocolate is the language of love then Room4Dessert serves up romance in spades. However, there’s a lot more to this dining experience than simply some of this restaurant’s world-famous desserts. A moveable feast begins in the bar with cocktails infused with fresh herbs and spices from the garden accompanied by savoury canapes that start the evening. From there the dinner moves into the rustic dining room where music serenades diners through the main courses accompanied by paired cocktails. To finish the dinner moves to the verandah overlooking the garden to enjoy the final courses. Room4Dessert is more than simply a restaurant, it’s an experience that many consider among Bali’s best.
Aperitif
Aperitif at The Viceroy is a very dressed-up affair that moves from the moonlit terrace to the formal dining room to the atmospheric bar. Steeped in the atmosphere of Bali’s Dutch colonial heritage and the artists who discovered Ubud in the 1920s the old-world charm of this dining room is matched by a stunning degustation menu. Crisp white tablecloths, discreet service and a delicious menu are matched by an excellent wine list which can be paired by the sommelier so that nothing is left to chance. Retire to the bar after dinner to enjoy some acoustic jazz and cocktails created by their award-winning mixologist.
The Sayan House
Spice up your romance at the stunning Sayan House in Ubud where Japanese food meets South American cuisine on the ridge high above Sayan terrace in Ubud. With sweeping views of the surrounding jungle and the rushing river far below, Sayan House has magic all its own. With a modern, contemporary menu that includes specials like their foie gras nigiri, roasted duck teriyaki and mouth-watering steak, there’s plenty for food lovers to discover. Begin at The Sunset Bar, a stunning jungle setting where the sun sets over the ridge before heading to your table to discover what makes this Ubud restaurant so unique.
Romantic Dinner at Le Cielo
Staying with us at Le Cielo? Our team can create a romantic in-villa dining experience tailored especially for you. Enjoy the intimate environment of your own private villa together with a menu of your choosing. Our staff can suggest dine-in options that best suit your taste, purchase the wine for you and prepare everything in advance. Everything will be set up so that you can enjoy uninterrupted time with your loved one.