A Local's Guide on What to Eat in Bali!

Originally published on March 21, 2025 | Last updated on March 30, 2025

You’ve arrived in Bali now. Maybe you are here for 5 days, 10 days or 14 days. Maybe you’re here on honeymoon (perfect choice!). Regardless, you’ll need to eat something while you’re here. And you don’t want to eat McDonalds or other fast food in Indonesia – you want delicious Balinese or Indonesian cuisine. Well, let an Indonesian tell you what to eat here in Bali! (if you haven’t – don’t forget to read this guide on where to stay in Bali!)

PS: I know that Bali belly is a big concern – I’ve written a comprehensive guide on how to avoid getting Bali belly and other sickness!

Balinese Specific Dishes

Let’s start with Balinese-specific dishes. The Balinese are known for spicy dishes, and especially their Babi Guling. Unlike the rest of Indonesia, which is predominantly Muslim and avoids pork, Bali is Hindu, meaning pork is widely available and used in traditional cooking.

Babi Guling

Spicy level: spicy (4/5) especially the meat, sambal (chili sauce) and lawar (Balinese dish with vegetables and minced meat). But the heat is worth it as it tastes so nice!

Babi Guling is a must-try Balinese traditional roast suckling pig. Picture succulent roasted pork, seasoned with a blend of local spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic, then spit-roasted until it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The flavours are out of this world—savoury, spicy, and with a hint of sweetness.

Babi Guling is usually served with a side of steamed rice, crispy pork skin, spicy sambal (chilli paste), and sometimes lawar (a traditional Balinese vegetable and minced meat dish). It’s a true Balinese culinary experience, and you can find some of the best Babi Guling at local warungs (small eateries) or specialty restaurants across the island. Trust me, if you’re a fan of flavourful and satisfying dishes, Babi Guling won’t disappoint! Try to have them in the morning, because the best Babi Guling food stalls will run out by early afternoon.

A platter featuring Babi Guling, Balinese roast pork with crispy skin, accompanied by steamed rice, spicy sambal, lawar (vegetable mix) and a bowl of soup. There is a glass of mango juice at the background. The food is placed on a wooden table with bamboo forest in the background. — You’ve not visited Bali if you haven’t had any babi guling.

Bebek Betutu

Spicy level: can be quite high (4/5). Worth asking how spicy it is before ordering as it may vary between different restaurants.

Bebek Betutu is a must-try dish in Bali, especially if you’re a fan of flavourful and tender duck. It’s a traditional Balinese dish where a whole duck is stuffed with a mixture of local spices like turmeric, ginger, galangal, garlic, and chilli. The duck is then wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked for hours until it becomes incredibly tender and infused with all those aromatic spices.

Bebek Betutu is usually served with steamed rice (what is not served with rice in Indonesia?), crispy fried peanuts, and fresh vegetables—a perfect combination that will leave you craving more. If you’re looking to dive into Bali’s culinary delights, Bebek Betutu is definitely worth trying!

A whole Balinese Bebek Betutu (slow-cooked duck) laid on banana leaves. — Bebek Betutu! FYI they are quite spicy.

Nasi Campur

Spicy level: the meat can be quite spicy in Bali (3/5). Worth asking how spicy it is before ordering as it may vary between different restaurants.

Nasi Campur, or literally “mixed rice”, is a dish where you get a little bit of everything (hence the name). A plate of steamed rice is served with a mix of meats, vegetables, peanuts, eggs, and sambal. The Balinese version often includes spicy shredded chicken, lawar, sate lilit (minced meat’fish satay), and crispy pork. It’s perfect if you want to taste a variety of Balinese flavours in one dish.

A plate of Nasi Campur Bali, showcasing steamed rice surrounded by spicy shredded chicken, sate lilit (minced meat satay), lawar, and crispy pork with a bowl of clear broth. The food is laid on a banana leaf supported by a plate beneath. — Would kill for nasi campur right now.

Sambal Matah

spicy level: high. it’s sambal. sambal is chili sauce.

Sambal Matah is Bali’s iconic raw sambal made with finely chopped shallots, lemongrass, chilli, and lime juice. Different regions of Indonesia have different sambal – and Balinese have their Sambal Matah. Unlike other Indonesian sambals, this one is fresh, citrusy, and packs a punch. Other sambals in Indonesia are quite often fried, but Sambal Matah is raw. It’s often served with grilled meats, seafood, or rice dishes. If you love spice, this will become your new favourite condiment!

A plate with fried fish, rice and a small bowl of Sambal Matah: Bali’s raw sambal made with chopped shallots, lemongrass, chilies, and lime juice. — So the sambal at the bottom of the plate is sambal matah.

Ikan Bakar Jimbaran (and Seafood)

Bali is an island, so of course, seafood is a must! Jimbaran Bay is famous for its seafood restaurants serving freshly grilled fish known as Ikan Bakar Jimbaran. The fish is marinated in a blend of spices and grilled over coconut husk fire, giving it a smoky aroma. It’s served with steamed rice, sambal matah, and a side of vegetables. This is one of the best ways to enjoy Bali’s beachside dining experience.

A plate of Grilled fish marinated in spices. — Yummy grilled fish

A plate of razor clam cooked in red sauce. — Razor Clams

a plate of grilled giant shrimps. — beautiful, beautiful grilled shrimp

Indonesian Dishes

Indonesia has a rich culinary scene, and while in Bali, you can also try some classic Indonesian dishes that are popular nationwide.

Bubur Ayam

A comforting breakfast dish, Bubur Ayam is a rice porridge topped with shredded chicken, crispy fried shallots, soy sauce, and savoury chicken broth. It’s light yet flavourful and a great way to start your day.

If you happen to have Bali belly despite all the precautions, rice porridge is easy to digest and often what Indonesians eat when we have upset stomach.

A comforting bowl of Bubur Ayam, Indonesian rice porridge topped with shredded chicken, fried shallots, and soy sauce. a pack of prawn crackers on the side. — Bubur ayam with all its toppings. Including prawn crackers!

Soto

Soto is a traditional Indonesian soup made with clear broth, shredded chicken or beef, and various spices. It’s often enjoyed with rice, lime, and sambal. Every region in Indonesia has its own version.

Sate/Satay

Sate (satay in English) is Indonesia’s famous skewered meat dish, grilled over an open flame and served with peanut sauce or spicy sambal. In Bali, make sure to try Sate Babi (pork satay), which is not commonly found in other parts of Indonesia. The meat is marinated in a sweet and savoury sauce before being grilled, making it incredibly flavourful.

Skewers of Sate Padang, Padangnese beef satay grilled over an open flame, served with saucy gravy. — This is Sate Padang – which I think is the best satay.

Ayam Goreng Kremes

Ayam Goreng is Indonesia’s take on fried chicken, but it’s quite different from Western-style fried chicken. The chicken is marinated in a blend of spices, slow-cooked until tender, and then deep-fried to achieve a crispy golden exterior. The ‘kremes’ is definitely unique —light, crunchy crumbs made from seasoned batter, sprinkled generously over the chicken. It’s usually served with rice, sambal, and fresh vegetables, making for a deliciously satisfying meal.

A serving of Ayam Goreng Kremes, Indonesian fried chicken topped with crispy 'kremes' crumbs, accompanied by rice and sambal. there's so much kremes on top of the chicken that the chicken is almost not visible anymore. — Where’s the chicken you asked? drowning in the delicious kremes.

Nasi Goreng & Mie Goreng

Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Mie Goreng (fried noodles) are Indonesian staples and beloved by foreigners. While delicious, these are everyday foods for Indonesians and not considered particularly special. You’ll find them everywhere, from local warungs to high-end restaurants, but if you want something truly unique to Bali, opt for the dishes above!

A plate of Nasi Goreng, Indonesian fried rice mixed with vegetables and proteins, topped with a fried egg. Beautiful green, lush rice terrace on the background. — nasi goreng in Ubud.

A dish of Mie Goreng, stir-fried noodles with vegetables and choice of meat, seasoned with Indonesian spices. — mi goreng for breakfast!

Bakso

Bakso is Indonesia’s beloved meatball soup, consisting of chewy beef meatballs served in a savoury broth with noodles, fried shallots, and a dash of chilli sauce. It’s a street food favourite and can be found in small carts or local warungs all over Indonesia, including Bali.

Indonesian Snacks & Desserts

Indonesia has some amazing traditional snacks and desserts. Here are a few you should try while in Bali:

Cendol

A refreshing dessert made with pandan-flavoured rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup. It’s served over ice. Perfect for cooling down in Bali’s heat.

Klepon

These bite-sized green rice cake balls are filled with palm sugar and coated in grated coconut. When you take a bite, the palm sugar bursts in your mouth—absolutely delicious!

Kue Lapis

A layered cake made with coconut milk, rice flour, and sugar. It’s soft, chewy, and slightly sweet, making it a great snack with coffee or tea.

Lemper

Lemper is sticky rice filled with seasoned shredded chicken or fish, wrapped in banana leaves. It’s savoury, filling, and perfect as a grab-and-go snack.

Martabak

Martabak is a popular and indulgent street food that holds a special place in the culinary traditions of Indonesia, Malaysia, and other parts of Southeast Asia. It comes in two distinct varieties: savory and sweet. The savory version, often called “martabak telur,” is a stuffed pancake filled with a mixture of eggs, minced meat, vegetables, and flavorful spices, then pan-fried to golden perfection. On the other hand, the sweet version, known as “martabak manis,” resembles a thick, fluffy pancake and is generously filled with sweet toppings such as chocolate, condensed milk, cheese, peanuts, or even sesame seeds, creating a rich, dessert-like treat. Both types are commonly served hot and are a go-to comfort food, loved for their irresistible combination of textures and flavors. Martabak is not just food—it’s an experience that brings people together, whether on bustling streets or at home with family.

Drinks in Bali

Coconut water in a coconut husk on the beach — Coconut water is an excellent way to keep hydrated on a hot day on the beach.

Bali offers a variety of refreshing drinks to beat the tropical heat. Some must-try beverages include:

Es Kelapa Muda – Fresh young coconut served chilled, perfect for hydration.
Jamu – A traditional herbal drink made from turmeric, ginger, and tamarind, known for its health benefits.
Teh Botol – Sweet jasmine tea in a bottle, a favourite among Indonesians.
Bali Coffee – Strong, rich, and locally grown, perfect for coffee lovers.
Arak Bali – A traditional Balinese liquor made from distilled rice or palm sap, often enjoyed in cocktails.

bir bintang – local Indonesian beer brand if you’re into beer.

Fruits in Bali

Bali is home to a variety of tropical fruits that you shouldn’t miss:

Salak (Snake Fruit) – A sweet and slightly tangy fruit with a scaly skin and crunchy texture.
Mangosteen – A juicy, sweet fruit known as the ‘queen of fruits’.
Rambutan – A hairy-skinned fruit with a sweet and juicy flesh.
Durian – The infamous ‘king of fruits’ with a strong aroma but creamy, custard-like flesh.
Passion Fruit – A tangy, aromatic fruit that’s great in juices or eaten fresh.

fruit stalls in Indonesia selling a variety of fruits including mango, mangosteen, dragon fruits, and so many more. — fruit stall! you can see all sorts.

a roadside fruit stall with a lady sitting beside it, selling banana, mangosteen and durian. — the king of fruit – Durian ! worth trying if you are adventurous and couragous.

So there you have it! Bali is a paradise not just for its beaches and temples but also for its incredible food. Whether you’re indulging in a plate of Babi Guling, sipping on Cendol, or savouring grilled seafood by the beach, your taste buds are in for a treat. Happy eating!

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A Local’s Guide on What to Eat in Bali!