Bali food mixes two things: traditional Balinese dishes such as babi guling, lawar and sate lilit, and Indonesian classics such as nasi goreng, gado-gado and rendang that are served everywhere on the island. This guide covers 20 dishes from both groups, from nasi campur to Bali street food, plus warungs, desserts, Bali coffee, costs and tips for vegetarians, so you know what to eat in Bali and where to try it.
What Food Is Bali Famous For?
Bali is best known for babi guling (spit-roasted suckling pig), ayam and bebek betutu (slow-cooked chicken and duck in Balinese spices), lawar (a chopped salad of vegetables, coconut and sometimes meat), sate lilit and sambal matah. Many visitors also eat nasi campur, nasi goreng and fresh grilled fish, which are Indonesian dishes rather than strictly Balinese ones.
Balinese Food vs Indonesian Food
Balinese cuisine is the regional cooking of Bali, built on a spice paste called base genep, coconut and lots of fresh herbs, and tied closely to Hindu ceremonies. Indonesian cuisine is the national picture, with dishes from Java, Sumatra and beyond, and it is the base of most warung menus on the island. Rendang, for example, comes from the Minangkabau of Sumatra, while sate lilit and lawar are Balinese. In this guide the first section covers Balinese dishes, and the second covers Indonesian dishes you will meet in Bali.
Bali Food at a Glance
| Dish | Type | Main ingredients | Spice | Where to try it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babi guling | Balinese | Roast suckling pig, herbs and spices | Medium | Specialist warungs |
| Ayam betutu | Balinese | Chicken slow-cooked in spices | Medium | Restaurants and warungs |
| Bebek betutu | Balinese | Duck slow-cooked in spices | Medium | Restaurants |
| Lawar | Balinese | Vegetables, coconut, sometimes meat | Medium | Warungs, markets |
| Sate lilit | Balinese | Minced meat or fish on a stick | Mild | Warungs, restaurants |
| Sambal matah | Balinese | Raw chili, shallot, lemongrass | Hot | Served with many meals |
| Nasi campur Bali | Balinese | Rice with several side dishes | Varies | Warungs |
| Balinese sweets | Balinese | Rice flour, coconut, palm sugar | Mild | Markets |
| Nasi goreng | Indonesian | Fried rice with egg and seasonings | Mild to medium | Everywhere |
| Mie goreng | Indonesian | Fried noodles | Mild to medium | Everywhere |
| Gado-gado | Indonesian | Vegetables with peanut sauce | Mild | Warungs, restaurants |
| Rendang | Indonesian | Beef slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices | Medium | Restaurants |
| Soto ayam | Indonesian | Chicken soup with herbs | Mild | Warungs |
| Bakso | Indonesian | Meatball soup | Mild | Street vendors |
| Pepes ikan | Indonesian | Fish steamed in leaves | Medium | Restaurants |
| Ikan bakar | Indonesian | Grilled fish | Medium | Coastal restaurants |
| Pisang goreng | Indonesian | Fried banana | Mild | Street stalls |
| Es campur | Indonesian | Mixed iced dessert | Mild | Cafes, warungs |
| Es cendol | Indonesian | Green jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar | Mild | Stalls, cafes |
| Bali coffee | Balinese | Coffee from the Kintamani highlands | Mild | Cafes, farms |
Traditional Balinese Dishes to Try
Balinese food is the heart of Bali food culture. Balinese food uses a rich spice paste, coconut and fresh herbs, and the best Balinese food is often cooked for ceremonies and sold in simple warungs. Here are the Balinese food dishes worth seeking out.
Babi Guling
Babi guling is one of Bali’s most famous dishes: roasted suckling pig seasoned with a mixture of herbs and spices. It is traditionally linked to ceremonies but is also sold at specialist warungs and restaurants. It contains pork, so it is not suitable for everyone.
Ayam Betutu
Ayam betutu is chicken cooked slowly in a rich Balinese spice mixture until the meat is tender and aromatic.
Bebek Betutu
Bebek betutu is the duck version of betutu, slow-cooked with spices and herbs for a tender, strongly flavored result.
Lawar
Lawar is a traditional Balinese mix of vegetables, coconut and seasonings, and some versions include meat. Recipes differ between regions and families.
Sate Lilit
Sate lilit is Balinese satay: seasoned minced meat or seafood is wrapped around a bamboo or lemongrass stick instead of being threaded in chunks. It is usually served with rice.
Sambal Matah
Sambal matah is a raw Balinese sambal made with chili, shallots and lemongrass, served alongside meat, seafood and rice. It can be very spicy, so try a little first.
Nasi Campur Bali
Nasi campur Bali is rice served with small portions of different side dishes. A Balinese nasi campur can include vegetables, meat, sambal and local specialties, which makes it a good way to taste several flavors in one meal. Nasi campur is eaten across Indonesia, so this guide counts it once, in its Balinese form.
Balinese Sweets (Jaje Bali)
Bali has many traditional sweets and snacks made from rice flour, coconut, banana and palm sugar. Markets and food stalls are the best places to find them, so do not limit yourself to restaurant menus.
Indonesian Dishes You Will Find in Bali
Much of the Bali food you eat day to day is Indonesian rather than Balinese food, and these dishes appear on almost every warung and restaurant menu.
Nasi Goreng
What is nasi goreng? It is Indonesian fried rice, cooked with egg, vegetables and seasonings, often topped with a fried egg and served with chicken or seafood. It is one of the easiest dishes to find on the island, and many people eat it for breakfast.
Mie Goreng
Mie goreng is Indonesian fried noodles with egg, vegetables and chicken or seafood, a quick and inexpensive meal.
Gado-Gado
What is gado-gado? It is a vegetable dish served with peanut sauce, usually with tofu, tempeh and boiled egg. It is a light, filling option for vegetarians.
Rendang
Rendang is a slow-cooked beef dish from the Minangkabau cuisine of Sumatra, cooked in coconut milk and spices until the sauce is thick and intense. It is not Balinese, but it is widely served in Bali.
Soto Ayam
Soto ayam is an Indonesian chicken soup with herbs and spices, served with noodles or rice. It is a good warm, light meal.
Bakso
Bakso is Indonesian meatball soup with noodles and vegetables, often sold by street vendors as an inexpensive meal.
Pepes Ikan
Pepes ikan is fish seasoned with herbs and spices, wrapped in leaves and steamed or grilled, which gives it a distinctive aroma.
Ikan Bakar
Ikan bakar means grilled fish: fresh fish seasoned with spices and grilled over a flame. It is especially good on the coast, and our Jimbaran travel guide covers the area’s seafood scene.
Indonesian Desserts and Snacks
Sweet snacks round off Bali food, and many of them are classic Bali street food, sold from carts and stalls. Bali street food desserts are cheap and easy to try.
Pisang Goreng
Pisang goreng is fried banana, a common snack served plain or with toppings.
Es Campur
Es campur is a mixed iced dessert with shaved ice, fruit, jelly and syrup, ideal in Bali’s heat.
Es Cendol
What is cendol? Cendol is a sweet cold dessert drink with green rice-flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar, popular across Indonesia.
Bali Coffee and Kintamani Coffee
Bali coffee deserves its own stop on any Bali food trail, and Bali coffee is easy to find at cafes across the island.
Bali coffee grows in the Kintamani highlands, and Kintamani coffee is the best-known Bali coffee. Visit local cafes or a coffee farm to taste it and see how it is grown, and compare it with other Indonesian coffees on the menu.
Bali Street Food and Warungs
Warungs are small family-run eateries and the cheapest and most authentic places to eat Bali street food, Balinese food and traditional dishes. Markets and street stalls sell Bali street food such as snacks, fruit and prepared meals, but hygiene varies, so choose busy stalls with fast turnover and food that is freshly cooked. Local restaurants offer a wider menu in a more comfortable setting, and tourist restaurants serve Indonesian food next to international dishes, usually at higher prices. If you would rather try several dishes with a local guide, a guided Bali food tour in Ubud covers starters, mains and desserts, with vegetarian options.
Where to Eat Bali Food by Area
Ubud and Canggu have especially large selections of vegan and plant-based restaurants, while Jimbaran is known for seafood. You will find warungs in every area, so if you are choosing where to base yourself, our guide to where to stay in Bali helps you pick the area, and our 7-day Bali itinerary and Bali bucket list help you build food stops into the trip.
How Much Does Food Cost in Bali?
Food costs vary a lot by where you eat. A simple meal at a local warung is inexpensive, mid-range restaurants cost more, and upscale restaurants and beach clubs can be expensive. Eating local Indonesian food is one of the easiest ways to keep a daily budget low.
Is Balinese Food Spicy?
Some dishes are very spicy, but not everything is hot. Sambal is often served on the side so you can control the heat. If you cannot take chili, ask about the spice level before you order.
Is Bali Food Safe for Tourists?
Safety depends on the individual restaurant or stall. Choose places with good hygiene and many customers, make sure cooked food is served hot, and be careful with raw ingredients if you are unsure how they were prepared. Drink bottled or properly treated water if you are not used to the local supply.
Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Bali
Vegetarian travelers have plenty of choice: gado-gado, tofu, tempeh, vegetable and rice dishes, and many modern menus can be adapted. Bali has a large plant-based scene, especially in Ubud and Canggu. Traditional dishes can contain egg, fish sauce or shrimp paste, so always explain your requirements and ask about ingredients rather than assuming a vegetable dish is vegan.
Final Advice on Bali Food
Do not spend your whole trip on international food: Bali food is one of the best reasons to visit. Start with nasi goreng, nasi campur, sate lilit and ayam betutu, then explore less familiar dishes. For the wider picture of the island, see our Bali travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bali Food
What food is Bali famous for?
Bali is famous for babi guling, ayam and bebek betutu, lawar, sate lilit and sambal matah, along with Indonesian favorites such as nasi goreng and nasi campur.
What is nasi goreng?
Nasi goreng is Indonesian fried rice cooked with egg, vegetables and seasonings, often served with chicken or seafood.
What is gado-gado?
Gado-gado is a vegetable dish with peanut sauce, usually served with tofu, tempeh and boiled egg.
What is babi guling?
Babi guling is Bali’s famous roast suckling pig, seasoned with herbs and spices and traditionally linked to ceremonies. It contains pork.
What is cendol?
Cendol is a sweet cold Indonesian dessert drink with green rice-flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar.
Is rendang a Balinese dish?
No. Rendang comes from the Minangkabau cuisine of Sumatra, but it is widely available in Bali.
How much is food in Bali?
It depends on where you eat: warung meals are inexpensive, mid-range restaurants cost more, and upscale restaurants and beach clubs are the most expensive.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Bali?
Yes. Gado-gado, tofu and tempeh dishes and many modern menus work, and Ubud and Canggu have many plant-based restaurants.
