Top Five Restaurants in Bali — Worthy of a Michelin Star?
While it’s always been interesting, Bali’s fine dining scene was once perhaps not big enough and competitive enough to produce truly world class experiences. But luxury travelers are discovering Bali in greater numbers every year and the restaurant offerings have grown in response, delighting discerning travelers. The best restaurants in Bali have recently started earning a bit of world-wide acclaim.
Award winning chefs flock from around the globe to take inspiration from the incredible energy here and ride the wave of luxury tourism, but some of our favorite future contenders and current award winners got their start in Indonesia.
Spectacular design and careful and vibrant presentation define the scene, reflecting the colorful and picturesque nature of this magic island and the Hindu culture that animates its spirits. Restaurateurs on the Island of the Gods have yet to win a Michelin Star, but there are over a hundred fine dining options in this maturing luxury travel destination.
Here are five of our favorite fine dining restaurants in Bali, and some guesses as to which Chef might be the first to win a Michelin Star for Bali. As luck would have it, while runners up in Nusa Dua and Canggu got some consideration, all five of our favorite restaurants in Bali are in Seminyak and Ubud.
Mozaic — Shooting for a Michelin Star
Perhaps Bali’s top contender for a Michelin Star, Mozaic offers two degustation menus : Asian fusion with local ingredients or a selection of international cuisine based on carefully procured imports. Whether you choose the six or eight course configuration, you can’t go wrong — the bold flavor combinations and stunning presentation in the tranquil garden setting are sure to create strong memories. Unlike some prix fixe establishments, Mozaic is very flexible regarding dietary restrictions.
Interested in a more exclusive dining experience? By special arrangement, Mozaic offers private dinners with the chef in the dining room adjacent their teaching kitchen. You can opt for a surprise or collaborate with the chef to create your own menu. The restaurant, conceived by Chef Chris Salans, is now led by Chef Renaud Le Rasle, who has several years Michelin Star experience. Le Rasle will even share his cooking secrets with you as he prepares your meal.
Mozaic made Restaurant Magazine’s prestigious list of top 50 restaurants in the world, an honor rarer than three Michelin Stars. As yet, the Michelin Guide has not awarded stars in Indonesia, but we expect when the day comes, Mozaic may be the first. Mozaic’s impossibly long list of awards, including accolades from Wine Spectator, bode well. Alone in entire Southeast Asia region on the Traditions e Qualité list and the only restaurant in Indonesia to make it onto the San Pellegrino 100 Best list, Mozaic is a strong contender.
Would we bet on Salan and Le Rasle to win the first Michelin star in Indonesia? Well, that depends on the odds. But it’s certainly not a gamble choosing to dine at Mozaic, located in Ubud. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your meal at what may be Bali’s best restaurant: it’s a lock.
Teatro Gastroteque — Warokka’s Bold Manifesto
Salon Culinaire gold medalist Mandiff Warokka offers a sophisticated Asian twist on French cuisine in his cozy living room-like restaurant in Seminyak. Warokka has travelled a long way from his home in Papua New Guinea; he has been a guest chef at Michelin-starred Eisvogel in Germany. Now he has returned to Indonesia to the helm of what many agree is Seminyak’s best fine dining restaurant.
Neither Germans nor Papuans are known for being “shrinking violets” and Warkokka boldly asserts his ambition to win a Michelin Star. Will Warkokka be the first? It’s Indonesia. It’s not a race. Warkokka will be glad when he gets there, and if you decide to dine at his casually elegant spot while his star rises, you’ll be glad too.
Teatro means theater and it is clear Warokka views the plate as his stage. The presentations emphasize the purity and texture of the fundamental ingredients, cutting and shaping to create striking sculptural Art Deco arrangements where the negative space makes the food appear to leap off the plate.
Asian cuisine typically offers more flavor contrast whereas French cuisine is more about pairing. Warokka’s walk down the middle of this line results in more subtle combinations than we often find in “Asian Fusion” restaurants. For instance, a dish such as the Barracuda with Miso Glaze and orange might elsewhere be overwhelmingly sweet and salty, but in Warokka’s kitchen the flavors lay back and mingle with burnt leek and the subtle, almost bitter fern leaf. Head to Seminyak and choose one of the six different eight course menus, including a vegetarian menu. It’s worth the trip!
Merah Putih — Hometown Hero
Decorated Balinese Chef Maxie Millian Chef brings his gold medal (Salon Culinaire International) creativity to Merah Putih from his former home at Teatro Gastroteque. This visual stunner is located in Bali’s chic design center, the Petitenget neighborhood in Seminyak.
Those looking for high concept interior and exterior design won’t be disappointed. Translucent columns, glowing with natural light, form in the contours of the ceiling the ceiling and disappear into the floor, where they connect to advanced UV filters, allowing the restaurant to use filtered rain water. Glass walls and a veritable indoor forest complete the look.
The Menu offers a focus on small plates, contrasting traditional and modern dishes. Large plates are also on offer, and we recommend you try the local delicacy — Babi Guling — roast suckling pig. The presentation is as magnificent as the crackling skin fat is delicious.
Merah Putih’s innovative mixologist offers refreshing new takes on old standards. Try the Pomelo Gimlet marrying citrus vodka with sweet and tart pomelo liqueur or a cool cucumber and mint martini with a touch of Elderflower.
CasCades Bali — Take in the View
Perched on a ridge looking over the Valley of the Kings near Ubud, the high-ceilinged thatched roof restaurant offers magnificent views. European dishes, featuring imported ingredients such as Canadian Lobster and Japanese Wagyu beef offered al la carte compete for your attention with an Indonesian degustation menu.
Metis — For Traditionalists
Chef Nicolas Tourneville of Kafe Warisan and co-creators Desayanto Nugroho aim to “raise the eyebrows of the palate fatigued” with their Mediterranean and French inspired cuisine on Petitenget in Seminyak. Browse the foie gras menu and sip a selection from the formidable wine list on the spacious outdoor dais overlooking a rice paddy for a taste of Europe with a distinctly Balinese ambiance. The effect is simple, breathtaking elegance. Unlike most of other recommendations, Metis emphasizes an a la carte rather menu rather than prix fixe degustation options.
Coming Up
In our next article, we’ll be covering a substance more expensive than diamonds that’s almost impossible to get. It’s so exclusive, only one designer is allowed to use it, and you literally can’t see it.
Find out more about the arrival of the new black for luxury goods next week and stay tuned for one of the world’s most expensive watches, featuring parts that are sometimes invisible and a priceless Rolex. Follow us here on Rascal Republic — Medium for more articles for the discerning luxury traveler in South East Asia.
