MY FAV BEACHES & TOP VEGAN FOOD SPOTS IN ULUWATU, BALI
After an incredible week of soul-soothing yoga amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Uluwatu, Bali, I finally sat down to finalize my ultimate guide for my personal tips for the best sunsets, hidden beaches, vegan brunch & dinner places, go-to speciality coffee shops and favorite spots here in Uluwatu.
I’ve saved all of my recommendations in a dedicated google maps list here so that it’s easier for you to navigate in the area. Another tip: download the google maps offline map so that you always have the orientation where you are and where the next speciality coffee / lunch spot is.
Make sure to check out all my other Bali tips such as the following here:
Please note that I will constantly work on this blog post as I’m discovering new places around Uluwatu - if you have any spot in mind that I need to check out just hit me up via Instagram or leave a comment here!
Lots of love,
Magda
how to get around in Uluwatu
If you arrive to Uluwatu via Gojek/ taxi you will quickly want to get around yourself and thus want to rent a motorbike. The first time I went I rented a bike at Sunshine Shop & Motorbike rental and was really satisfied with their service. They were actually the first one’s who gave me a proper contract and even wanted a deposit (fair enough) - so everything was really well organized. The other times I went to Uluwatu for either day trips or weekend getaways I either drove myself with my scooter from Canggu (around 1h) or we all rented a taxi (e.g. when a DJ played at Savaya). I would, however, not recommend to drive there by car if you can as it just takes way longer than driving via scooter. Also you kind of need a scooter in Uluwatu as distances are a bit „further“ and you want to be flexible to explore the beaches and local hot spots which are a bit spreaded out.
my favorite beaches in Uluwatu
Bingin beach
Thomas beach
Nyang Nyang beach
Melasti beach
Karma beach
Suluban beach
Green bowl beach
Pantai batu barak
where to go for (vegan) breakfast, brunch, coffee & more
Alchemy
I was lucky enough to be one of the first guests of the newly opened up beautiful second Alchemy branch in Bali last year, and what can I say, it even topped my experience to the Ubud location! The architecture is just stunning and you can get all of your favorite Alchemy vegan plates such as the customized breakfast waffle or smoothie bowl. They also have a lovely packaging free shop and there is an AC area for getting some work done. Make sure to visit my favorite vegan spot in Ulu and try their vegan cheesecake.
BGS
You might have already enjoyed the super delicious BGS coffee in Canggu - if not make sure to check out my all time favorite coffee place in Uluwatu too! There is a cue little outside seating area in the back and fitting the Ulu vibe they’re also selling some surf gear too. They actually have two locations in Ulu so you can be sure to get your high-quality caffeine fix.
Nourish
The amazing brunch & dinner spot has actually two locations in Uluwatu and one in Canggu. If you literally want to nourish yourself then this place if for you! My favorite salad is the “Nourish Power Salad” with roasted pumpkin & avocado and they serve breakfast all day long.
Chela
Located next to the beautiful „space“ yoga studio, chela is for sure one of my favorite spots to enjoy delicious (vegan) breakfast and coffee. The offer a great brunch menu with many healthy options and also their coffee is delicious! You can also work from their and thus spend a few hours in this beautiful architectural coffee shop.
The Loft
If you’re looking for a delicious brunch spot located in the center of Bingin, you need to check out the Loft. The open air café is super cute and the menu includes many vegan friendly options (the acai bowl is simply perfect but also the avo on multigrain toast with scrambled tofu was amazing!
Suburbia Cafe
I just recently discovered this newly opened café and had such a great experience from the super lovely staff to the amazing plant-based salad bowl (with veggies and pomegranate!) and speciality coffee - everything was exceeding my expectations in this beautiful spot.
Suka Espresso
One of the most popular spots for breakfast and lunch is for sure Suka espresso. This is due to their strategic location in the heart of Uluwatu but also because of their great brunch and coffee options. I’ve been several times and really liked their smoothie bowls, salads for lunch and their avocado bread. If you come to a popular time you might have to wait for a table.
Drifter Surf Shop Cafe & Gallery
This is actually an institution in Uluwatu and a coffee shop, organic grocery store, souvenir shop, restaurant, surf shop or simply put an experience in one place! I’ve already heard a lot of things about Drifter before coming here for the first time and was not disappointed by their super chill & laid back vibe. It’s really a place where you immediately feel like home!
Gelato Factory Uluwatu
When it comes to gelato I can be super super picky. That’s why I was so happy when I found gelato factory with their amazing high quality gelato flavors. The pistachio as well as the dark chocolate was so delicious which is why you can find me there as a regular guest - upsi.
Son of a baker
When it comes to gelato I can be super super picky. That’s why I was so happy when I found gelato factory with their amazing high quality gelato flavors. The pistachio as well as the dark chocolate was so delicious which is why you can find me there as a regular guest - upsi.
where to go for (vegan) lunch, sunset & dinner
Ulu Garden
This is actually one of my favorite spots both for vegan brunch and dinner. For breakfast they have a great selection of smoothie bowls and also their dinner menu is offering a great selection of healthy and vegan dishes (the oven roasted veggies bowl is one of my fav!). Ulu garden also hosts great weekly events such as live acoustic music, special dinner nights such as their delicious curry evenings and on the first Sunday of the month there is even a market happening!
Mana Uluwatu Restaurant & Bar
If you’re looking for a special dinner experience for a decent price this spot shall be on your list! There is also a weekly jazz night happening and if you want to make sure to have the best sunset spot you should reserve a table beforehand. You can also already come during the day and soak up the sun when enjoying their great pool/ amenities.
Ours Uluwatu
If you ask me where my favorite dinner spot in Uluwatu is for a special night out, then I would always say Ours. The place is not only beautiful but also offers a great menu (their hummus and chocolate cake are in particular amazing). I haven’t tried their brunch yet but it’s very high on my list! Also they played „all night“ from Parov Stelar the first time I went (he’s from my hometown, Linz) - so I don’t have to explain more right?
Il Salotto Bali
If you crave authentic Italian food such as delicious pasta in a beautiful atmosphere, you should plan a dinner at Salotto. We ended up here actually by coincidence as we confused the entrance with their neighbor restaurant (la baracca, which is a chain) and were so happy we did als we really enjoyed our dinner! Their cocktail menu is also really nice!
Jimmy Beach
If you’re looking for a great lunch spot directly at the beach then Jimmy Beach should be high on your list! Located at the very accessible balangan beach (not as many stairs as for example bingin beach) you can enjoy their delicious menu either in their restaurant or directly at the beach. Their vegan options include tacos, spring rolls and my favorite dish: a colorful and tasty tofu buddha bowl with loads of veggies & cilantro rice.
Habitat Village Uluwatu
This is one of my favorite places to enjoy delicious food for a really decent price! I really love their tasty gnocchi and wood-fired pizza with fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is super relaxed and the staff was exceptional! Check out their weekly events as there is also live music happening several times per week! You can also come for breakfast and refreshing smoothies!
Asian Spoon
Located close to bingin beach this new restaurant is a great spot for lunch or dinner as they offer tasty buddha bowls. The staff is super lovely and the nourishing bowls (mine was the vegan one with tempeh) are really delicious and filling! I would highly recommend it checking out!
The Cashew Tree
One of my favorite spots for a healthy dinner is for sure this beautiful place with it’s lush garden. The menu includes a great variety (I love their falafel and green smoothie) and they also have a lot of cool events going on - just check out their website/ Instagram page for their schedule.
Single Fin
Every Sunday this spot turns into the place to be with many people even from Canggu coming to watch the surfers catching the waves for sunset before the sun disappears and the party music is turned on. You can also check out this institution during the day, chill on their pool - the prices are however a bit higher compared to other spots in Ulu.Ulu Cliffhouse
This is for sure one of my fav spots for a relaxed afternoon and enjoying the sunset. During the week you do not need to reserve a spot and there is no minimum consumption. On the weekend, the place gets busies, however, as it is also very popular for partying and there are often really cool DJ’s playing, so make sure to check their schedule on their website/ Instagram page.Lolas Cantina Mexicana
One of the newest openings in Ulu is the sister restaurant of the popular restaurant/ spot in Canggu. As the name suggests you will find authentic Mexican food and their margaritas shall of course not be missed especially during the happy hour!MASON. Uluwatu
If you want to enjoy a special dinner night out, MASON. will soon come across your research. The restaurant actually has another spot in Canggu, so if you only have a few nights in Ulu, I would recommend to check out some of the „local“ spots. Still, if you are in Ulu more often or have skipped Canggu, this spot should defiantly be on your list!
further tips for uluwatu
Spoil yourself in a beach club
There are endless beach clubs in Uluwatu where you can spend your day not only in a beautiful location directly on the beach with a pool but also enjoy delicious food and drinks. The minimum consumption varies highly on the selected area (day bed vs. restaurant table etc.) and I would thus advise you to check the social media accounts or text with the beach clubs directly to understand what the prices (don’t forget the tax and service often +20%) is for your beach day. I haven’t tried too many but can recommend for sure Minoo beach club at Melasti beach and Canna Bali.
Get sweaty and hit the gym
If you want to stick to your workout routine there are many spots for you to discover for example taking classes at the Bali Training Centre or you can also check out one of the probably best gyms on the island, Bambu Fitness Bali.
Flow in beautiful yoga spots
One of my favorite places to practice yoga are the space bali, morning light yoga (next to Mana) and la Tribu - the art of movement. In the latter the famous Daniela Mandala is teaching - I haven’t managed to go to her classes yet but it is very high on my list!
Enjoy great DJs with a view
You might have already seen videos of famous DJ’s playing at the incredible cliff spot Savaya. From Eli & Fur, Ben Böhmer etc. the creme de la creme is playing at Savaya and the crazy thing is that you most likely get the „entrance“ for free as there are many people (on Instagram) who are more than happy to put you on the guest list (I can also share the contact with you).
