Eat Street: Your guide to the best day out
How to find Eat Street: Site of the best food, shops and clubs
At the heart of Seminyak lies Eat Street. This street is crammed with restaurants, bars and shops. It is a great place to start your exploration of the local food scene. Otherwise known as Kayu Aya (and sometimes, confusingly, as Jalan Laksmana), Eat Street runs about 2km from Cornerstone right up to Jalan Petitenget and Petitenget Temple, and then sweeps down towards Ku de Ta beach club. Take your time wandering down this buzzing street so you can take it all in. Enjoy the huge choice of places to take a break from the heat and bustle while you grab a coffee or get a bite to eat, whatever your tastes. Eat Street can take you from breakfast, through lunch, afternoon coffee, dinner and drinks and leave you still dancing till the early hours. (To find out the 25 best restaurants in Seminyak click here.)
Where to eat on Eat Street: your guide to the best food
1. Kynd: Plant based paradise
Hungry for breakfast? If you’re vegan, or if you just want some deliciously healthy food, don’t miss Kynd. This insta-friendly all-vegan café excels in smoothies, salad bowls and waffles. Breakfast is where Kynd really shines, so get here early to avoid the queues.
2. Revolver Espresso: Not just great coffee
Need to take a break from the crowds and sit down with a coffee? Try Revolver Espresso. This café, tucked away down a little alleyway just off Eat Street, has arguably the best coffee in town. The beans are sourced from around the world including partnerships with local farmers. The folks at Revolver take things even further and roast and blend the beans themselves in their own roastery. What’s more, they’ve taken things up a notch, opening in the evenings too for dinner and cocktails.
3. Warung Nia: Eat like the locals
If you want more of a local style experience, Eat Street has around a dozen warungs where you can try Balinese food at an excellent price. Our pick is Warung Nia, where we recommend you try their house speciality, pork ribs, or the satay. If you can’t choose, go for one of their platters which allows you try a range of different small dishes. And if you want to take things a step further, Warung Nia also runs regular cooking classes.
4. Sisterfields: The Insta hit
Head to Sisterfields near Seminyak Square for some of the most Insta-worthy food in Seminyak village. Iconic dishes include their polenta fries and pulled pork charcoal buns. One thing is sure, you’ll be spoilt for choice whether you visit for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Just be prepared for queues out the door – this place is popular.
5. Char Char Bar & Grill: Peak people watching
Whether you want a full meal or whether you just want to sit with a drink on the terrace and watch the world go by, Char Char Bar & Grill is a great choice. The bank of tiered seating, amphitheatre style, looks right over on the bustle of Eat Street, so you can sip your cocktail, cool off, and enjoy the view. If you want dinner, there’s a full restaurant indoors specialising in local style dishes such as nasi goreng as well as steak and seafood.
6. Tiger Palm: New kid on the block
Relative newcomer Tiger Palm specialises in Asian street food favourites, from banh mi to steamed buns, noodles and curries – plus pizzas and burgers with an Asian twist for the less adventurous. Sharing is the ethos and eclecticism the décor theme. Tiger Palm is the latest in a line of ventures by the team that brought Bali Mamasan and Sarong. Despite a recent blip, it’s now back on track with a revised menu and a refreshed take on creative Asian dishes.
7. Chandi: Local food, elevated
Of course, you’re in Bali, you want to eat Balinese food. Look no further than Chandi. This isn’t a local warung, this is a high end twist on pan Asian dishes, including satay and rendang. Committed to quality ingredients, Chandi sources all its greens and spices from local farmers. And the attention to detail doesn’t stop there – with creative cocktails borrowing from Indonesian flavours, like the tamarind and turmeric margherita, you’ll see local tastes in a whole new light. If you really want to treat yourself, go for the 10 course tasting menu – you won’t regret it.
8. Ultimo: Old school Bali with Italian theme
Stalwart of the Seminyak scene, Ultimo is a legend among the locals thanks to its extensive, well priced menu of pastas and pizzas, its beautifully affordable wine list, its live background music and its huge frozen daiquiris. Great value, great fun and great service, whether you stay all night or just pop in for one last drink.
9. Motel Mexicola: The party starts here
If you’re in the mood to dance on the tables and do tequila shots, you’re in the mood for Motel Mexicola. Seminyak’s liveliest restaurant-slash-night-club is a retro delight of bright colours and 1960s styling. The delicious menu features fish tacos and Mexican sharing plates, but the fun doesn’t end when you stop eating. Pick up a margherita, head to the dance floor, and dance the night away.
10. Mejekawi at Ku De Ta: An evening of elegance
Special occasion? Or maybe you’re just a keen foodie? Either way, the brilliant Mejekawi is a real treat. Located above popular beach club Ku De Ta and enjoying stunning views over Seminyak Beach, Mejekawi is a tasting kitchen serving a degustation menu of either 5 or 12 courses, with optional curated wine pairing. The emphasis here is on cutting edge, innovative cuisine with a constantly evolving menu. At the time of writing, dishes include the classic Indonesian oxtail soup sop buntut with a Japanese twist, and an elevated take on Hainanese chicken, with corn custard and chilli. (More on Ku De Ta here.)
Where to shop on Eat Street: Your guide to the best buys
Contrary to its name, Eat Street isn’t just about eating – it’s also great for shopping. Whether your’re looking for fashion, homewares, art or jewellery, this is the place to be.
Where Eat Street really shines is casual resort fashion. Try Uma and Leopold on Jalan Cendana (just off Kayu Ayu opposite Seminyak Square) for summery, beachy fashion at a great price. The clothing and accessories here stand out from the rest thanks to original detailing like embroidery and beading. While you’re there, make sure to stop in at Sundays Resortwear, another of our favourites for bright coloured dresses, tops and kaftans. Its style really borrows from Camilla’s, but in cheaper fabrics so it’s much easier on the pocket. If it’s surf style you’re after, drop into Drifter Surf, which caters for both men and women. Towards the other end of Eat Street, find bigger names like Havaianas and Australian label Auguste the Label – this boho brand has proved to be a resounding success in Bali thanks to its floaty, feminine style and gorgeous prints. (More on shopping in Bali here.)
If you’re after a bargain, try the clothes market at Seminyak Square (although expect to pay a little more here than you would in Kuta).
After some accessories? Kapal Laut has a great range of inexpensive silver jewellery, while Flipper is your go-to shop for all your thong needs.
Maybe you’re more interested in homewares? Try Mercredi, up by Cornerhouse. Its vibrant colour palette is totally Bali, while its designs pay homage to Parisien style. Mercredi is great for linens, crockery, cushions and lamps. At the other end of Eat Street, there’s Kim Soo, who design their own unique pieces using a creative array of materials from wood to grass. You can pick up ceramics, rugs, chopping boards or even hats here – there’s a great range of products.
Where to party on Eat Street: Your guide to the best nightlife
Eat Street doesn’t stop at midnight – you can carry on partying till dawn. We’ve already told you about Motel Mexicola, but you need to also know about our other favourite night spot, La Favela. This quirky bar and restaurant has a vintage style all of its own, with antique furniture, old bikes, a Volkswagen and some pretty overgrown plants. This is where the beautiful people come to party. Try out one of their weekend parties – it’s the best fun in town.
If you want ocean-side glamour and world class DJs, give Ku de Ta a try. While DJs are a given every evening, keep an eye out for special events and parties if you want a real buzz. We particularly recommend trying their Day and White Parties, if you get the chance.
Where to stay near Eat Street: Your guide to the best villas
Now you know what Eat Street has to offer, you must be wondering where you can stay to so you can have a slice of the action. We’ve got a great choice of villas scattered around the heart of Seminyak so all this is just a stone’s throw away. (More on the best private pool villas in Seminyak here.)
Located in a leafy street just a few minutes’ walk south of Eat Street, Villa Maria 4bed villa is the epitome of luxury and perfect for special celebrations, with its outdoor barbecue terrace, glass sided bar and living room with Dolby surround sound. Come home from your night on the town and collapse into your own sunken bathtub, or maybe open a few beers around the pool in your own tropical garden.
If you prefer to be north of Eat Street, in the Petitenget area, have a look at Villa da Vinci. This 4bed villa has a raw, edgy style all of its own, with industrial design mixed with tropical planting. With a large pool, state of the art kitchen, and a huge living and dining area, make sure you don’t fall into the trap of never leaving your villa – there’s so much to do just a short walk away!
Uluwatu 3bed villa is a great option for a family. With 3bedrooms, it offers all home comforts including a private pool, fully equipped kitchen, living room, dining area and luxurious en-suite bathrooms in all bedrooms. Currently it comes at a great price of 105 USD including a huge 50% discount for 2021. You also get the benefits of a villa complex such as daily room service, restaurant, bar, spa and a 2nd communal pool at your feet. A shuttle service that drops you to the heart of Seminyak is also at your disposal for free if you want to find out what the Seminyak craze is all about.
