City Secrets | Ubud, Bali

Today?s Ubud, Bali City Guide comes from the well-traveled Kate Challis, an interior designer and stylist and author of the blog Urban Kaleidoscope. She lives between Melbourne, Australia, and Ubud, Bali, with her husband and three-year-old son. When she is not blogging, chasing her son around the house or helping clients transform their homes, she can be found on her yoga mat. Today Kate shares the beautiful shops, restaurants and wonders that make Ubud her second home.

Ubud is the cultural heart of the magical island of Bali. Surrounded by rice fields, it?s a mecca for yogis, writers and a place for rest, relaxation and holistic living. For anyone who has been to Ubud, it is not surprising that this is where Elizabeth Gilbert found inner peace and love in her internationally acclaimed memoir Eat, Pray, Love. There is a world of beauty to explore in Ubud, whether you find it in the streets and temples and the smiles of the locals or gazing across rice fields and eating a wonderful meal made of fresh local ingredients. It is a deeply spiritual place that inspires quietness and reflection, which is why Ubud is now my second home.

 

 

It?s easy to find your way around Ubud, as there are really only four main streets. Nevertheless, I have customised this Google Map, which has everything signposted.

 

Eat

Alchemy: The latest addition to the Ubud health scene is this juice bar, raw food cafe and health store. It?s become a mecca for raw foodies with offerings including Almond Feta, Cumin Biscuits and Kale Chips. Even if you are not a raw-food devotee, it?s still worth visiting for the juices on offer. Jln Penestanan Kelod, 0361 971 981

Bridges Bali: It?s not just the stunning views of the Campuhan River, comprehensive wine list, stellar service and romantic atmosphere that makes Bridges a must when you are in Ubud, but also the exceptional menu. Head chef Nicholas Lazzaroni produces visually stunning and delicious food. For a romantic dinner in Ubud, this is the place to go. Jln. Campuhan, 0361 97 0095

Casa Luna: An Ubud institution on the main street of the town. Owned and run by an Australian-Balinese couple, Casa Luna has a relaxed raj-style atmosphere with swirling ceiling fans above, marble-topped tables and teak chairs. Famous for its bakery and the menu consisting of both Balinese and Mediterranean food. Jln Raya, 0361 977 409

Clear Cafe: If you are searching for some healthy Western alternatives, head straight here. With its soaring cathedral-like-ceiling, menu full of tantalizing elixirs and variety of raw, vegan, vegetarian and carnivore food, it?s the perfect place to sit and relax for a while. If you turn up with a child, the staff will supply toys, paper and pencils. The little shop at the front sells treats and raw cookies. Jln Hanoman 8, 0361 88 9437

Kafe: Almost legendary in status. If you sit long enough, you?ll bump into pretty much the entire expat community. Great food, snacks and juices, which are healthy and delicious. Jln Hanoman 44b, 0361 970 992

Kue: This bakery sells organic European-style cakes, breads including sourdough and rye as well as divine chocolates. Afternoon tea is served every day at their cafe. They have two locations: one in Jln Raya, 0361 975 249 and a brand new smaller cafe in Jln Penestanan Kelod.

Mozaic: This award-winning restaurant is consistently included in international best-restaurant lists. Serving an eight-course degustation menu with optional wine, the dining room is in a candle-lit palm garden. Jln Sanggingan, 0361 197 5768

Sari Organik: A 15-minute walk through the rice fields and you end up at Sari Organic, an organic permaculture farm with an open-air restaurant serving refreshing drinks and mouth-watering breakfasts and lunches. The Raw Thai Soup and the Babaganoush served with freshly made pita bread and salad are worth the trip. 0361 780 1839

Seniman Kopi: They are serious about their coffee here. Single-sourced Indonesian beans are on offer, and coffee is made using the syphon technique, regarded by coffee connoisseurs as the superior way to extract flavours. Not surprisingly, Seniman attracts coffee lovers from all over the world. With your coffee you get a glass of water and complimentary Balinese cake. Antiquities and found objects from Java and Bali, which are for sale, decorate the space. Jln Sriwedari, 0361 972085

Siam Sally: Atmospheric Thai restaurant on the south side of Ubud, near the Monkey Forest. The authentic dishes include a Vegan Curry with a sauce made from ground cashews and coconut (to die for). For meat eaters, the Roast Duck Curry with Lychee and the Pandanus Chicken served with a tamarind dipping sauce are musts. For dessert, it is pass up the Siam Sundae (coconut ice cream with black sesame seeds, coconut cream and toasted coconut). Jln Hanoman, Pengosekan, Ubud, 0361 980777

Warung Sopa: A humble cafe with simple, freshly made wholesome food. It is one of my favourite places to eat in Ubud. Their main offering is nasi campur, and you get to chose which morsels of deliciousness you want with your rice: banana flower curry, bitter gourd sitr-fry and the best tofu I have ever eaten. Jl Sugriwa 36, 0361 276589

Organic Farmers? Markets can be found in Ubud most days of the week. You have to go when they open at 9am, as only half an hour later most of the produce has been snaffled by those in the know. Saturday at Pizza Bagus, Jln Hanoman; Sunday at Sisi Bag Shop, Jln Nyuh Kuning; Tuesday at Warung Alami, Jln Penestanan Kelod; Wednesday at Arma Museum Jln Hanoman.

 

 

Retreat

Iman Spa: A Balinese-owned and run massage centre famous for its intuitive massage. The spa itself is humble and spotlessly clean, with its main focus being on healing. Iman also offers a home service where a therapist will visit you at your hotel or villa with their own massage table. Treatments from $15. Jln Sri Wedari, 0812 3600 9610

Cantika Spa: A stylish cluster of massage and beauty huts set in the middle of the rice fields. A wonderful place for relaxing beauty treatments and gentle massage and offering homemade beauty products. It?s a 10-minute walk through the rice fields on the way to Sari Organik. Jln Penestanan, 0361 970 135

Como Shambhala Estate: This the ultimate wellness resort. Each of the residences was designed using local stone, wood and traditional Balinese elements, and the buildings nestle into the jungle of the 23-acre site. With its international award-winning spa, resident yoga and pilates instructors, Ayurvedic doctor and nutritionist, this place is the ultimate in rejuvenation and relaxation. This sort of luxury does not come cheap, costing $500?$3500 per night. 0361 978 888