I love food. No, I mean, I reeeallly LOVE food. BUT, I’m a very finicky eater, I have texture issues, and some would say my eating habits are a bit er um…strange. Given this, it sometimes makes me a bit apprehensive when visiting other countries because my first thought is always, what am I going to eat? My recent trip to Canggu, Bali had me even more apprehensive because Bali belly is real and ain’t nobody got time for that I know the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle is widely popular, and I am the absolute furthest thing from either of those. However, to my surprise, Canggu is a foodie’s haven, even the most finicky foodies, such as myself. Here you’ll find warungs (small family-owned business) serving up cheap, traditional, Indonesian eats; vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-friendly restaurants by the dozens; as well as chic and swanky eateries with Hawaiian and Australian influences. This place has something to satiate all palates. Here is my finicky foodie’s guide on where to eat in Canggu, Bali.

BREAKFAST

Desa Seni

Whether Desa Seni is your chosen accommodation for your stay, or you’re just dropping in for a Sunrise Hatha Yoga session, be sure to stop by their restaurant for a healthy and organic meal to start your day. The restaurant grows 80% of their own produce, and also works with local farmers to provide the freshest ingredients and an amazing farm to table experience.  My favorite breakfast item was the Banjar Breakfast, which included fresh fruit, tangerine juice, coffee or tea, and an a la carte choice. I usually stuck with the blueberry smoothie bowl or the mango and blueberry pancakes. Both were exquisite!

Desa Seni
Jl. Subak Sari #13 Pantai Berawa

Nalu Bowls

You can’t come to Bali without having an infamous smoothie bowl. Bali and smoothie bowls are essentially synonymous, despite smoothie bowls not necessarily being a traditional Balinese food. None the less Bali does smoothie bowls well, and Nalu Bowls may very well do them best. These nutritious-packed Nalu bowls are made with locally sourced ingredients and homemade granola. I tried the Maverick bowl made with acai and topped with granola, bananas, strawberries, shaved coconut, and honey. It was absolutely DIVINE!!

Nalu Bowls
52 Jl Pantai Berawa (Attached to Milk & Madu)

LUNCH

Swich Sandwiches

We were treated to these sandwiches the night I arrived in Bali. It was so good I virtually inhaled it. I had to try the sandwich again just to make sure it was really that good or if I was just famished after 24+ hours of travel. Let me tell you, it was really just that good! I had the Chooken sandwich with roasted chicken, cheese, lettuce, and Swich Mayo on a baguette. Usually I would NEVER eat mayo on a sandwich because gross, but their mayo was not half bad and the sandwich wasn’t slathered in it. If meat isn’t your thing, they also have sandwiches that caters to vegetarians.

Swich Sandwiches
Jl. Pantai Brawa No. 49B,
Banjar Tegal, Brawa-Canggu

Lacalita Bar y Cocina

This place was hands down my favorite restaurant in Canggu. I have a love affair with tacos, margaritas, and aesthetically appealing places; so when all three come together it’s just like one big nomgasm. This cute and colorful cantina is in a perfect location, just a few minutes walking from Echo Beach. There was so much yummy-looking goodness on the menu it was hard to decide on just a thing or two, so my friends and I had a mini feast betwixt the 3 of us.

We had the grilled corn, tortillas and salsa, the infamous beef quesadillas (deluxe), carnitas tacos, pescado tacos, and we may or may not have ordered another full-sized beef quesadilla. I can’t really vouch for the pescado tacos because there were way too many tomatoes to pick off, and I didn’t want to be wasteful, but everything else ways AMAZEBALLS! This place is a must try! Oh, and don’t forget to try one of their signature margaritas to wash it all down. My recommendation, the Margarita of Love ‘N’ Joy. I mean c’mon…the name alone is pretty darn awesome, and describes my sentiments for Lacalita perfectly!

Lacalita
Jl. Batu Bolong No. 68, Beach Road, Canggu, Bali.

Kinoa Clean Eating Bar

This place is a little off the beaten path, but it is a true gem. It’s a small cafe with a huge view of the adjacent rice fields. I discovered this place while having manis and pedis at Maria Curaua’s nail salon. The Kinoa staff was ever so gracious to deliver our meals next door while at the salon. I had the chicken satay and it was absolutely delish! Kinoa is a clean eating bar/cafe, meaning they only use local, organic produce, no palm oil, no refined sugar, only free-range eggs, and gluten free options.

Kinoa
Jl. Munduk Kedungu, Pererenan, Canggu

Warung Heboh 

DINNER

Marakuja Cafe

Photo courtesy of Marakuja Cafe Facebook

Named after a species of passion fruit, this French cafe is an absolute MUST! No questions asked. The name is so fitting. Passion seeps from every breadth of this restaurant, from the delectable dishes to the palatable pastries; all stemming from the artisanship of a passionate owner, Katrine. Let me just say, Katrine is like no other. She has a boisterous personality, a giving spirit, and an energy that sticks with you long after you have left her restaurant. Speaking of the restaurant, the warm and inviting ambiance and atmosphere here will draw you in, but it’s the food that steals the show. It’s the kind of place where you go to meet up with friends and the next thing you know you’ve been sitting chit chatting for hours, and you’ve tried every desert on display. The first time I visited this restaurant (I went here 3 times) was on a food tour with the Hello Adventure group. It was a feast! Katrine, served us every salad and savory pie in the case. However, my favorite dishes were hands down the garlicky pita bread with an assortment of dips such as a tumeric and ginger, beetroot, and my favorite edamame and avocado; as well as the most buttery and garlicky, most delicious garlic bread I have ever had the joy of eating.

Our next visit was a dessert fest. We ordered one of each dessert in the case and let me tell you, each dessert, each bite was better than the last. I’m not a huge sweets person, but I can’t even put into words how good these decadent desserts were. For our final visit to Marakuja’s I ordered the Jerk Chicken Wrap, and not surprisingly it was amazing! This place can do no wrong in my book. I hear the breakfast is also great, and they have the best croissants. Unfortunately, I never made it here for breakfast, only dinner.

Jalan Subak ambengan (ON THE CANGGU SHORTCUT ROAD)

The Savage Kitchen

Photo courtesy of The Savage Kitchen Facebook

Live and Let Live @ Voyager 

Koi

Green Ginger

Photo courtesy of Green Ginger Noodle House Facebook

Betelnut Cafe

LATE NIGHTS

El Jefe Jose Cubanos

Photo courtesy of El Jefe Jose Cubanos Facebook

When you’re stumbling walking from Old Man’s in a $3 Margarita Wednesday, drunken stuper, and you’re looking for some late night eats, this is your place. A small little shack not far from Old Man’s serving up some damn good Cubano sandwiches. I can’t tell you exactly what’s in said sandwich because too many said $3 Margaritas, but I had the pork sandwich and it was absolutely divine! I like options so I got both the BBQ sauce and the spicy sauce on the side and both were finger licking good! You won’t be disappointed with this place.

El Jefe Jose Cubanos
Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu, Bali

HONORABLE MENTION

Karsa Kafe

I’m giving this place an honorable mention because it’s not actually in Canggu. It’s in Ubud. So if you make a trip there, and/or hike the Camphuan Ridge Walk be sure to check this place out.  Have lunch in an open air hut overlooking Ubud’s idyllic rice fields, and choose from a wide selection of menu options.

Karsa Kafe
Jl. Bangkiang Sidem, Keliki, Tegallalang Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

There you have it. A finicky foodie’s guide on where to eat in Canggu, Bali.

Have you been to Canggu, Bali? What are some of your favorite restaurants? Drop some suggestions in the comment section below!