Bali Getaway: Where to Eat and Drink in Seminyak (Part Two)

Seminyak beach sunsets are so captivating that no photo editing is needed!

 

Seminyak is a haven for foodies and one post about its diverse and unique dining scene surely doesn’t do it justice. That’s why, I’ll be taking you on an all-inclusive tour of the must-visit spots and original beach bars where you can watch magical sunsets like these…

Magical Seminyak beach sunset at Ku De Ta Bali

Ku De Ta Bali isn’t my kind of place to be honest. I visited the popular venue just before sunset and I thought for a second that I was back in Dubai at some expat hangout like Barasti! The place was packed with groups and couples drinking by the pool and waiting for the sunset to take pictures with their phones or professional cameras. The vibes were the opposite of classy and sophisticated. You could say the Japanese restaurant/bar attracted a touristy crowd and has become very mainstream. Having said that, all of the appetizers that I tried were very tasty and of great quality, I managed to take stunning sunset shots from my beachfront seat and the service was OK to say the least. Would I recommend this spot? I think if you’re not too picky with your surroundings and don’t mind a lot of noise and loud music, then give it a go. But if you’re looking for somewhere quiet with a civilized and sophisticated feel, then this is not the place to go.

Ku De Ta Bali is a great spot for watching the Seminyak beach sunset

 

WooBar at the W Bali  is another highly touristy and tacky hangout that I didn’t really like. The crowd was a combination of pretentious hotel guests, hyperactive tourists who were obsessed with taking pictures with the ‘W’ pillar at the front of the beach bar and arrogant visitors who are there to people-watch! I was there to explore the place and add it to my list of Seminyak beach bars, but I don’t think it’s the ideal place to relax or even have a good drink by the ocean. The hotel is too commercial and attracts a mostly young crowd (20-somethings who think they are hip and cool because they’re at the W!). Definitely not my kind of beach bar.

Purple sunset hues at the W Bali’s WooBar

Beach bar vibes at the W Bali’s WooBar

 

If you’re looking for a laid-back rooftop bar with live music and decent Asian dishes, then you should check out MoonLite Kitchen and Bar at Anantara Seminyak. I decided to go there after I visited another spot which had very cheap and tacky vibes. Luckily, the concierge guy at the hotel where I was staying told me about this place when I was asking about directions for my original spot. The venue has two separate sections: a restaurant one and a bar area. The seating at the bar is very formal and I felt awkward sitting at a table by myself since this was more of a lounge. The food and drinks were excellent and the live cover band were good as well. I had a lovely evening at MoonLite Kitchen and Bar and I would definitely consider going back when in Seminyak. The crowd was mainly residents and locals, apart from very few tourists. I think this was a huge plus for me, as I tend to enjoy more authentic places than commercial ones. The only thing that was missing was comfortable lounge chairs or sofas in the rooftop area. Apart from that, the place is worth a visit.

Chilled vibes and elevated views at MoonLite Kitchen and Bar Seminyak

 

I had the chance to visit Metis Bali despite the hotel’s concierge describing it as a romantic place for couples. Basically, I read about it online and on the hotel’s restaurant recommendations’ list and I felt that the classy concept matches my style. Especially since the setting involved a spacious garden and a high-end dining experience. But after I was warned by the Legian Hotel staff member that this was a place mostly visited by couples, I changed plans and removed Metis Lounge from my bucket list. Until I met a lovely jewellery designer who happened to be friends with the Metis Gallery Director, Henya Mekki. Sadly though, I only made a brief tour around the place during the day and so I can’t comment about the food or the bar ambiance. But I can assure you that it’s where the trendy Bali residents hang out since my new friend is a frequent guest and told me about the buzzing party vibes there and how it’s one of her all-time favorite weekend spots. She actually told me about a lot of cool local spots that I plan to check out on my next Seminyak visit.

Metis Bali has a spacious, beautifully-landscaped garden

Stunning views from Metis Bali’s water lily pond garden

Metis Bali offers a unique dining experience

 

Another Seminyak beach dining post which I thought was highly over-rated was the fine dining Italian concept La Lucciola. Despite the various recommendations from everyone to dine at this spot, I was honestly disappointed when I had an early dinner here at around sunset. The service was rushed and to me, the restaurant was operating more like a factory. Their main goal was to get in as many guests in and out to make as much profit as they could in one day! It was too obvious by the way the supervisor and the waiters acted and communicated with guests. The food might have tasted better if I could see it, as it was too dark when I ate my dinner there right after the sun set on the facing Seminyak beach. It’s definitely a great spot to take good sunset pictures, since it’s a two-floor venue. But I wouldn’t go back at night, just to have a better dining experience and be able to see my expensive dishes!

La Lucciola Bali’s top floor offers a perfect spot for watching the beautiful Seminyak beach sunset

 

For a more laid-back, casual setting, head to La Laguna during the day and stay to catch the sunset – when it’s not raining. I went there on a Saturday and the place was packed with local families spending quality time together on a weekend. That’s until it started to rain and everyone rushed to the indoor area. The venue occupies a very big outdoor space and is home to a number of artistically-inspired huts. It’s the kind of place you go to for a taste of the real Balinese culture and lifestyle.

La Laguna Bali’s unique design make it a must-visit when in Seminyak

A magical sunset moment at La Laguna Bali

 

From all of the classy restaurants and hip beach bars that I’ve visited during my ten-day Seminyak stay, my favorite has to be Alila Seminyak‘s trendy and happening beach bar. In fact, I loved Alila’s beach bar vibes so much, that I decided that this is where I want to stay on my next trip to the magical island. I didn’t discover this spot with my own research or with the hotel’s restaurant and bar guide, my new jewellery designer friend was the one who told me about it. The bar has ocean-front comfortable seating, good vibes and an even better DJ playing lounge music. A haven for chilling out by the pool with friends and catching up over drinks and nibbles.

Alila Seminyak’s Beach Bar is number one on my list!

My last Seminyak beach sunset had to be at Alila’s uber hip beach bar!

 

In the next post, I let you in on another great Seminyak secret: the island’s top day spa. Stay tuned!

Saudi Diva signing off XXX

Bali Getaway: Where to Eat and Drink in Seminyak (Part One)

Authentic Thai fare at Warung Siam in Seminyak

As I mentioned in my earlier post, what makes Seminyak an ideal place to visit for holiday or even to move to is its wide range of independent restaurants, bars and cafes. Despite having a long list of recommendations from friends and The Legian hotel where I stayed, I wasn’t able to visit all the places that I intended to check out. I was also introduced to another world when I met a lovely Seminyak-based jewellery designer who told me about all these cool spots that she hangs out at. Hopefully I’ll visit all those interesting places in my next Bali trip and I will of course document all of it on the blog.

For Lunch:

Warung Siam for authentic Thai food in a warm and cozy setting. If you’re a Thai food lover, then this spot is a must visit when in Seminyak. It seems that they have a branch in Ubud as well, but I can’t comment as I haven’t tried it. The Phad Thai at this lovely little Seminyak eatery is probably the best that I’ve had in my entire life! It was full of flavour, tasty, fresh and spicy (just like Thai food should be).

Authentic Thai fare at Warung Siam in Seminyak

A hidden gem in Seminyak, Warung Siam is a Thai food lover’s haven

Highly-Instagrammable interiors at Warung Siam in Seminyak

Authentic Thai food in a relaxed and warm space in the heart of Seminyak

 

Earth Cafe & Market Bali is a super healthy vegan and vegetarian cafe and shop in a busy Seminyak shopping street. The vibes at this bustling healthy organic cafe are so positive and the food so good that I visited twice during my ten-day stay. I also believe that if I were living in Seminyak, this would be my go-to lunch spot. The place is always packed and it can be difficult to get a seat, but I was lucky to find one on both visits. The green juice at Earth Cafe is unlike any other that I’ve had. It’s so pure and full of nutrients that you can actually taste the rich greens so strongly. The dishes are so wholesome and delicious that you will want to try every single item on the menu! I honestly can’t recommend this place more.

Earth Cafe Bali serves the best green juice in the island

Bright, airy and buzzing with positive energy, Earth Cafe Bali is a must visit when in Seminyak

Wholesome vegetarian and vegan fare make Earth Cafe a Seminyak hot spot

Earth Cafe Bali is a healthy food lover’s haven

 

For Dinner:

Chandi Bali is a legendary and top restaurant in Seminyak. It’s located on a main shopping street, so it’s very easy to get to. Yet, the place is very classy, sophisticated and serves the best Asian fusion food in the island. I would say if you could afford to dine at one high end restaurant in Seminyak, then Chandi should be your number one choice. I took some I-phone pictures of my appetizer and meal at the upscale dining spot, but I had to use flash since it was too dark. And so the pictures didn’t come out good enough to post here.

Located in a boutique hotel, Shiro sushi bar serves modern Japanese creations by a renowned Japanese Chef. Chef Hiroki Mimaki prepares perfect Japanese culinary creations in front of guests and serves the dishes to the bar where guests are seated. The interiors at this intimate space consist of intricate woodwork-designed walls and a matching warm ambiance. Here’s  a rundown of some of the dishes that I tried at Shiro Bali:

Shiro Bali offers an original fine dining experience

Miso black cod made to perfection at Shiro Bali

Watching Chef Hiroki prepare top Japanese culinary creations is an experience in itself

Exquisite intricate woodwork designs cover the walls of Shiro Bali’s intimate dining space

Shiro Bali’s concept is simple: top modern Japanese cuisine by a highly talented Chef

Creme Brule made to perfection at Shiro Bali

 

In Part Two of ‘Where to Eat and Drink in Seminyak’, I highlight the top places to watch the magical Seminyak beach sunset while chilling with a drink or two 🙂

Saudi Diva signing off XXX

Earth Cafe’s green juice is one of its top-selling menu items and it’s not a surprise!