French fries and My Mom’s Terong
Warung Bintangbali is the cheapest place we ate in Ubud—it was only a few minutes’ walk from our house so we ate here a lot.
It’s a lovely setting with colourful fabrics draped from the bamboo structure and lovely views of the rice paddies.
It does serve meat but there’s a whole page of vegetarian options at bargain prices and everything is organic with vegetables from a nearby garden.
We liked the vege curry, My Mom’s Terong (an eggplant, tempeh and pineapple stir fry), sweet and spicy grilled corn, and the excellent french fries which are proper chunky chips.
On Monday nights there’s live music.
Cuisine: Meat, fish and vegetarian Indonesian.
Cost for a Main Dish: 25,000-80,000 IDR + 5%.
Details: Jalan Tirta Tawar, Junjungan village. Closed Sundays.
11) Abe-Do Organic Warung
Abe-Do is a tiny art-filled warung run by very friendly owners who took the time to chat with us.
Their menu includes lots of juices (and they deliver for juice detoxes), salads, and a number of vegetarian Indonesian dishes.
The tempeh satay was the best we had in Ubud and is served with rice, sayar urub (beansprouts and green bean salad), and a tasty peanut sauce.
All the vegetables come from an organic farm 2 km away and everything is cooked fresh to order.
Cuisine: Meat, fish and vegetarian Indonesian.
Cost for a Main Dish: 25,000-37,000 IDR.
Details: Jalan Tirta Tawar.
12) Umah Pizza
Umah Pizza has great value pizza—just 44,000 IDR for a large margherita, when everywhere else charges at least 50,000 plus tax.
We didn’t expect much for the price, but we actually preferred it to Mamma Mia, which is generally considered to have the best pizza.
In truth, although we enjoyed all the pizzas we tried in Ubud (Pizza Bagus also does great value pizza and pasta), they lacked the wow factor—for that you’ll have to travel a few hours away to Classico Italiano on the tiny island Gili Air.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian Italian.
Cost for a Main Dish: 44,000-70,000 IDR.
Details: Jalan Bisma.
13) Siboghana Waroeng
The family compound where Siboghana Waroeng is located
Siboghana is one of the best vegan restaurants in Ubud. It’s set in a family compound south of the centre and the Balinese dishes feel like home-cooking.
Everything is plant-based and cooked in coconut oil with no MSG. The food is flavourful, delicious and incredibly good value. The only downside is that the food takes a while but that’s because everything is cooked to order.
You can’t go wrong but the nasi campur is a highlight with red rice, vegetable curry, sayur urap vegetables, tempeh, satay, crispy mushrooms, begedil potato cutlet, and a dollop of spicy ginger sambal.
Cuisine: Vegan Balinese.
Cost for a Main Dish: 20–30,000 IDR.
Details: 36 Jalan Made Lebah.
14) Sawobali Cake and Coffee shop
Sawobali is another welcome addition to the Ubud vegan scene and we were regulars at their all-you-can-eat vegan buffet.
I’m not usually a buffet fan, but the food here is fresh and tasty and it’s perfect for a quick, inexpensive meal. For 50,000 IDR you can choose from 10 hot dishes, a soup, rice, and salad. Water is also included.
They describe the food as Indonesian fusion so there are classic local dishes like tempeh, tofu, curry, and vegetables, and more international dishes like a delicious tomato eggplant dish that tastes like an Italian melanzane parmigiana without the cheese.
Everything is vegan, gluten-free, and made without onions or garlic.
Sawobali also has a range of cakes including vegan and gluten-free options.
Cuisine: Vegan Indonesian Fusion.
Cost for a Main Dish: 50,000 IDR for the buffet.
Details: 19 Jalan Sukma Kesuma. Buffet from 1pm – 10.30pm every day.
15) Mumbai Station
Based at The Shala Bali Yoga Retreat and Spa, Mumbai Station has just a few tables in a small garden (bring mosquito repellant!).
They serve a couple of curries but their speciality is masala dosas (Indian crispy rice pancakes stuffed with spicy potato) with a choice of chutneys.
We love dosas and these are authentic and delicious. All the food is vegan and gluten-free.
Cuisine: Vegan Indian.
Cost for a Main Dish: 58,000 IDR for a dosa + 17% tax.
Details: 90 Jalan Raya Sanggingan.
Best Setting
In addition to these, The Elephant has a lovely view of Camphuan Ridge and Warung Bintangbali overlooks rice fields.
16) Clear Cafe
Love lasagna and tropical twister juice
Clear is a multi-storey restaurant with stylish decor, tables decorated with flowers, a pond and a fireman’s pole (!).
They serve organic, locally sourced food with many vegetarian options and something to suit everyone from raw dishes like the love lasagna to veggie burgers and burritos.
There are plenty of healthy drinks—I like the tropical twister with pineapple, orange and passionfruit.
Cuisine: Meat, fish, vegetarian and raw International.
Cost for a Main Dish: 50,000-95,000 IDR + 20%.
Details: Jalan Hanoman 8.
17) Yellow Flower
Vegan nasi campur
Yellow Flower is hidden away down a pedestrian path amongst the rice fields in the village of Penestanan.
There isn’t exactly a view but it’s a lovely, quiet space surrounded by trees above a lush valley. The bamboo building is decorated with colourful cushions and bamboo chairs.
Most menu items are vegetarian but there is the option to make dishes with chicken instead. We really enjoyed the vegan nasi campur , corn fritters, and tempeh candlenut curry.
It’s near the Intuitive Flow yoga studio so makes a good stop after a class. They have a buffet on Sunday nights.
Directions: Coming from Ubud it’s a five-minute walk up the Penestanan steps from Jalan Campuhan. Turn right when you reach the sign for Intuitive Flow. Alternatively, from the centre of Penestanan follow the signs down the pedestrian path across the road from Alchemy restaurant. It’s a seven-minute walk this way.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian Indonesian and International.
Cost for a Main Dish: 45,000-75,000 IDR + 10%.
Details: Penestanan Steps.
18) La Pacha Mama
La Pacha Mama is a stylish vegetarian Mexican restaurant in a dramatic high-ceilinged bamboo structure in Penestanan. With cool decor, regular live music, and attentive staff who learn your name, it doesn’t feel like anywhere else in Ubud.
The Mixed Platter is the best way to try a little bit of everything—nachos, guacamole, quesadilla, burrito, flauta and cauliflower buffalo wings. Perfect for sharing with friends over a cocktail (Simon recommends the espresso martini).
I didn’t enjoy the mains quite as much. The tempeh tacos were small and the filling wasn’t very exciting (the tempeh tacos at Sage are far better).
They do make their own authentic corn tortillas, though—the only place we’ve found in Ubud that does. The jackfruit burrito was good but just felt like it was missing something.
Dessert was fun—a chef came out and flambeed my bananas in tequila in front of me.
We enjoyed our meal at La Pacha Mama—the decor, service, cocktails and some dishes are excellent—but it’s expensive and the food didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
We will definitely return, but not as regularly as we do for Mexican at Sage and Taco Casa.
Cuisine: Vegetarian Mexican.
Cost for a Main Dish: 69,000-120,000 IDR plus 16%.
Details: 1 Jalan Raya Penestana Kelod.
Raw Vegan Food in Ubud
Ubud has to be the best destination for raw food in Asia, if not the world, especially if you take price into account.
There are plenty of raw restaurants, raw cooking classes, and many of the vegetarian-friendly places have a choice of raw mains (and not just salads) and desserts.
19) Moksa
Raw lasagna
Moksa is a vegan restaurant in Sayan, just beyond Penestanan. Produce comes from their onsite permaculture garden which you have a view of as you eat.
The food is a mix of raw and cooked vegan and everything is creative, delicious, and beautifully presented. The raw lasagna, eggplant redang, and tofu curry were all very good.
The amuse-bouche was a nice touch—a tumeric jamu shot on our first visit, and a raw bruschetta on our second.
The service is excellent and the staff make an effort to remember your name. If you are vegan, or just enjoy farm to table cuisine, don’t miss it.
Cuisine: Raw and cooked vegan.
Cost for a Main Dish: 70,000-90,000 IDR plus 15%.
Details: Puskesmas Ubud II.
20) The Seeds of Life
Mexican raw lasagna
The Seeds of Life serves raw vegan food and a huge range of healthy elixirs and juices.
Their Mexican raw lasagna is my favourite in Ubud and very different from the usual layers of zucchini—it felt creamier and more substantial. It’s a mix of creamy cashew cheese and beetroot pate with layers of corn tortillas, greens and a seed and avocado topping. It’s served slightly warm (but still raw apparently).
Simon’s vege wrap was a little boring. Their raw desserts are highly recommended but we didn’t try them.
They also have Mysore ashtanga yoga classes here.
Cuisine: Raw vegan.
Cost for a Main Dish: 25,000-75,000 IDR + 15%.
Details: 2 Jalan Gautama.
21) Taksu Garden Cafe
Almond tostadas
Taksu Spa has an upstairs restaurant with a varied menu including one that is entirely vegan and mostly raw.
It’s hard to choose from the innovative menu, but everything we ate was flavourful and presented like a work of art.
We love the hidden jungle setting right in the heart of Ubud. Make sure you look around Taksu after your meal, or do a yoga class or spa treatment—it’s an incredible place. The cafe looks down into a jungle gorge in the centre of Ubud.
Cuisine: Meat, fish, vegetarian, raw and cooked vegan International
Cost for a Main Dish: 50,000-115,000 IDR + 15%.
Details: Jalan Gautama.
22) Alchemy
Alchemy is one of the most well known Ubud vegan restaurants. It has a small raw vegan menu, but the real highlight is the salad bar with many interesting toppings like pink sauerkraut, curry rawmesan, and kale sprinkle.
They also serve juices, sweet treats, and health food items in their shop.
Cuisine: Raw vegan.
Cost for a Main Dish: 65,000-85,000 IDR + 16%.
Details: 75 Jalan Penestanan Kelod.
23) Soma Cafe (Update 2023: Sadly, now closed)
A mostly raw vegan restaurant (you can add fish) with lots of healthy drinks and raw desserts.
It was all a bit too healthy for Simon and his rainbow coco curry was very bland. I enjoyed my live love pasta—raw zucchini noodles with cashew cheese, pesto, olives, tomatoes, and capers.
Cuisine: Fish, raw and vegan.
Cost for a Main Dish: 52,000-74,000 IDR + 17%.
24) Sayuri Healing Food Cafe
High-vibowl with “cheese” croutons
Sayuri is one of my favourite raw vegan restaurants in Ubud with a bright space, fast WiFi, and delicious healthy food.
I love the bowls that come with lots of veggies, sauerkraut, and a choice of dressing and toppings. The “cheese” croutons are amazing and I couldn’t believe they were made from coconut (sadly on my second visit they weren’t crunchy though).
I’m a fan of the Pick Me Up green smoothie with berries and pineapple so it doesn’t taste too “green”. You can also have it as a smoothie bowl with a choice of toppings—the coconut cinnamon chips are delicious. The raw desserts look tempting.
If you are looking for a flavourful, creative, and healthy meal, then give it a try.
Cuisine: Raw vegan with a few cooked dishes.
Cost for a Main Dish: 35,000-79,000 IDR plus 15%.
Details: 2 Jalan Sukma Kesuma.
Best Cafes in Ubud for Working
In addition to Lazy Cats, we often worked at Sage.
25) Lazy Cats Cafe
Lazy Cats is one of the best Ubud vegetarian cafes for digital nomads
Lazy Cats is an Instagrammable cafe with cool artwork and comfy armchairs overlooking the main road of Ubud.
The WiFi is fast (10 Mbps down/20 Mbps up) so it’s the perfect place to work over a leisurely breakfast or lunch.
The coffee is excellent and all the food is vegetarian with vegan options available (they have cashew-coco milk and yoghurt).
Breakfast includes delicious pancakes—both the Chocoholics and Colada (pineapple and coconut) were delectable, as were the hash browns topped with caramelised onions and sour cream.
The green smoothie bowl was good, but not quite as good as my favourite at Sage.
Lunch options include wraps, salads, quesadilla, and a BBQ tofu bowl. From 7pm they serve interesting-sounding cocktails and tapas—we’ll be back to try those.
Cuisine: Vegetarian and vegan International
Cost for a Main Dish: 40,000-70,000 IDR + 16%.
Details: 11 Jalan Raya.
Something for Everyone
These are Ubud institutions that offer a wide range of Indonesian and Western dishes, mostly vegetarian but with some chicken and fish.
26) Kafe & Garden Kafe
Kafe serves everything from nachos to healthy salads and tasty raw cakes. We found the food good, but not exceptional.
Their second branch, Garden Kafe, is at The Yoga Barn so is convenient for after a yoga class. The menu is a little smaller and more health focused, with Ayurvedic, macrobiotic, and raw vegan menus. I enjoyed the tofu scramble (ask for some sambal).
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian Indonesian and International.
Cost for a Main Dish: 45,000-155,000 IDR + 15%.
Details: 44b Jalan Hanoman.
27) Bali Buda
Garden salad
Bali Buda is another vegetarian-friendly restaurant with a bit of everything—salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta, Mexican, and Indonesian.
Our favourite dish is the creamy tofu and cashew curry, full of chickpeas and vegetables.
We often went to their health food shop a few doors down for good rye and wholemeal bread, kombucha, and bulk buy nuts, seeds, and lentils.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian Indonesian and International.
Cost for a Main Dish: 55,000-98,000 IDR + 15%.
Details: 1 Jalan Jembawan.
Best Special Occasion Ubud Restaurants
Ubud has some very fancy restaurants if you are looking for somewhere to celebrate.
Most of these have vegetarian tasting menus and can cater for vegans if you let them know in advance.
They’re expensive but it’s much less than you would pay for fine dining elsewhere. Just be careful with your drinks—alcohol is pricey in Indonesia and you can end up doubling your food costs.
28) Locavore
Locavore creates contemporary European cuisine using local ingredients. Eating here was one of our most memorable restaurant experiences.
We chose the five-course vegetarian tasting menu (seven courses is also an option), but ended up being served 12 small bites in addition to the courses—the stream of food lasted hours.
We never knew what to expect—my berry cocktail was served with a side of thyme set on fire so the aroma would enhance the flavour; the flowers arranged on the table were part of the meal; and when we finished dessert and thought it was all over, we were brought five more sweet treats including potato doughnuts balanced on a log.
It was all simple but flavourful and beautifully presented.
Reservations are essential—Locavore usually books up a month in advance.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian European tasting menus.
Cost for a Main Dish: 1,250,000 IDR + 20.5% for seasonal tasting menu.
Details: Jalan Dewi Sita.
29) Mozaic
Tofu, curry puree and popcorn
Mozaic feels much more formal and fancy than Locavore with ultra-attentive service and a romantic candle-lit garden setting.
Each course was a work of art—creative and delicious, mixing European and Balinese flavours.
Highlights were the tofu with curry puree and popcorn, melt-in-the-mouth linguine with parmesan foam, and an excellent coconut sorbet with coconut chips.
It was another special experience that lasted hours and was the perfect place to celebrate Simon’s birthday.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian European tasting menus.
Cost for a Main Dish: 650,000 IDR + 21% for 6 course vegetarian tasting menu.
Details: Jalan Raya Sanggingan.
30) Uma Cucina
Uma Cucina is the best Italian in Ubud but at Italy prices (ask for the vegetarian menu).
Based at COMO Hotel the restaurant has outdoor terraces and a large communal table at the heart of the dining space.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian European.
Cost for a Main Dish: 90,000-300,000 IDR + 21%
Details: COMO Uma Ubud, Jalan Raya Sanggingan.
31) Kubu
For a real treat go to Kubu at the Ritz Carlton where you can enjoy a vegetarian tasting menu in a private bamboo cocoon overlooking the river, the perfect intimate setting for that special occasion.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian European.
Cost for a Main Dish: 750,000 IDR + 21% for 6 course vegetarian tasting menu.
Details: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Jalan Kedewatan.
Restaurants with Swimming Pools
If you fancy a swim after your meal, the restaurants below offer free use of their pool. You can also use the pool at the hotel next to The Elephant for a small fee.
The infinity pool at Jungle Fish looks amazing and they have vegetarian options, but there’s a minimum spend of 500,000 IDR.
For somewhere central, Folk on Monkey Forest Road has an attractive pool and good Western and Indonesian dishes.
32) Swasti Beloved Cafe
Monster salad
The organic cafe at Swasti Eco Cottages uses vegetables from their garden. It’s not entirely vegetarian but they label the menu with vegan, raw, and gluten-free options.
The setting is lovely in a bamboo building overlooking the garden, or you can eat by the pool.
My monster salad was fantastic with lots of interesting ingredients including tempeh, edible flowers, kimchi, and coconut chips. Simon was less impressed with his veggie burger.
They also serve great smoothies (2 for 1 from 5.30-7pm) and raw desserts.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian Indonesian and International.
Cost for a Main Dish: 45,000-80,000 IDR + 21%.
Details: 3 Jalan Nyuh Bojog.
33) The Onion Collective (Delicious Onion)
The Onion Collective is a co-working space with a cafe and swimming pool (with slide!). It has a cool vibe and often hosts live music.
Half the menu is vegetarian and although we enjoyed our burgers, especially the bean burger, mine was completely cold and the service was flaky.
Cuisine: Meat and vegetarian Indonesian and International.
Cost for a Main Dish: 52,000-98,000 IDR + 15%.
Details: Jalan Raya Pengosekan.
Best Coffee and Sweet Treats in Ubud
Cappuccino, almond croissant, and pain aux raisins at Monsieur Spoon
My favourite treat is the vegan cakes at Sage. You can also find raw cakes at the restaurants listed in the Raw section above, and many of the others. Some contain honey so if you’re a strict vegan, you’ll need to check.
Seminan Coffee Studio – A hipster cafe that takes its coffee seriously. Simon loves the coffee here and also buys freshly ground beans to use at home. The french toast, smoothie bowl, and croissants make it a great option for breakfast.
Room4Dessert – Innovative (but pricey) desserts and cocktails in an ultra-cool bar that feels more New York than Ubud.
Monsieur Spoon – The best croissants in Ubud.
Caramel Patisserie – Simon’s favourite cakes, especially the trichoc and red velvet. They can custom make birthday cakes.
Gaya Gelato – Our favourite gelato in Ubud. The chocolate, pistachio, and coconut are especially good and took us back to Italy.
Kokolato – Vegan ice cream made with healthy ingredients. I like the moringa mint chip. Many of the above restaurants sell it.
Summary
Ubud is definitely one of the most vegetarian and vegan friendly places in Asia. There is an absurd amount of choice—I left many restaurants off this list that in most other places we’d love. If you are vegetarian or just love healthy food, don’t miss it.