As if the stunning scenery, beautiful resorts and pristine beaches weren’t enough, Bali offers travellers an incredible cafe culture. Instagram is flooded with images of the island’s picture-perfect cafes, replete with perfectly symmetrical smoothie bowls and carefully plated brunches. The only problem? You’re spoiled for choice. Here’s a breakdown of the best cafes in Bali so that you don’t miss out on your perfect coffee moment.
Disclaimer: this post may contain some affiliate links. When you make purchases through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
Thanks to its large population of digital nomads, chilled-out Canggu contains a myriad of enchanting cafes to explore. Some of the best cafes in Bali are here, from stylish working spots where you can build your empire to relaxed venues to unwind in.
Despite its chic, minimalist decor, Nude doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a laid-back spot serving an array of picture-perfect Bali smoothie bowls as well as devilishly good burgers. All of the dishes here are so aesthetically pleasing that you almost won’t want to eat them. Almost.
An organic, plant-based, poolside cafe? It doesn’t get more Bali than that.
Part of the Chill House surf resort, Cassava is without a doubt one of the best cafes in Bali. There’s a huge emphasis on ethical consumption and sustainability here. The cafe takes its name from the nutrient-dense cassava root, which plays a big role in vegan cooking. In fact, the use of cassava in their cooking has eliminated the need to import ingredients from outside of Indonesia. This dramatically cuts the cafe’s carbon footprint and supports local farmers.
Ethics aside, the food here is insanely good and the friendly atmosphere will make you want to stay all day. You’re free to cool off in the pool, so don’t forget your swimming costume. There are plenty of sun loungers for chilling on, as well as desks and plug sockets for travelpreneurs like myself.
The concept of Parachute is simple: relax and dine under a giant parachute in the middle of a rice paddy. If that’s not enough to draw you in, they’ve got delicious coffee, pastries and homemade bread, as well as fancier food and wine at dinner time. There are also lawn games like giant jenga to indulge your inner child. Best of all, you can enjoy craft cocktails at sunset as the sky glows orange over the emerald green fields.
You’ll be shakin’ too once you set foot in this gorgeous cafe. Pretty much everything’s pink – even the table water, thanks to the use of dragonfruit. This might just be Bali’s most Instagrammable cafe. It’s so pretty I guarantee you’ll never want to leave.
The milkshakes and smoothies at Lola’s are the stuff of Canggu legend. This place is very affordable, despite the uber-stylish decor, so it’s a total win-win. Honestly, you can’t come to Canggu and skip out on a visit to Lola’s – it would be rude!
This Canggu cafe takes coffee seriously. I advise you to come early because caffeine-lovers flock here in droves. Hungry Bird is famed for its single-origin brews and the beans are roasted on site. If you’re interested in learning more about Indonesian coffee, the owner is always happy to chat to you about it. Many of the baristas are award-winning – in fact, one of them represented Indonesia in the World Latte Art Championships. Who knew that existed? Western-style coffee is available too and if you’re feeling peckish, there’s an extensive all day brunch menu, too.
Uluwatu is a quieter area of Bali that’s famed for its picturesque beaches and lavish clifftop resorts. It’s not as frequented as some areas of the island but there’s handful of fabulous cafes to check out.
The Gooseberry Cafe and Boutique is one of the most luxurious cafes in the Uluwatu area. It features an inviting pool area and a boutique where you can shop for stylish new intimates and swimwear. From indulgent marshmallow toasties to poke bowls, Gooseberry has got you covered from breakfast until dinner with their aesthetically pleasing eats.
It doesn’t get much more eco-friendly than growing your food on site, which is exactly what happens at the Tara Cafe. Most of the menu here is vegan, although a few items contain egg. Take a stroll through the greenhouse during your visit, and be sure to sample the premium chrysanthemum tea.
Seminyak is the most fabulous part of the Island of the Gods. Known for its luxury resorts, world-class spas and stylish beach bars, Seminyak is naturally home to some of the absolute best cafes in Bali.
Three words: red velvet pancakes.
That’s right. Fat Turtle’s signature offering should definitely be on your Bali bucket list. Located just opposite the legendary Potato Head beach club, this is an ideal place to grab an energy boost before partying the day away. Like all the best cafes in Bali, Fat Turtle is cute and relaxed, but the pancakes are what earns it a spot on my must-visit list.
Coffee Cartel’s extraordinarily chic decor and photogenic food are enough to make it stand out from the crowd, but that’s only a small part of it. It’s easily one of Bali’s most Instagrammable cafes, but its signature Coffee Ripple in 2019 really takes the cake.
What’s the deal with the Coffee Ripple? Well, essentially it allows you to turn any photo into latte art. All you have to do is download an app to your phone and choose a photo to “print” onto your coffee. It takes latte art to the next level.
The Kynd Community cafe sums up everything that’s fantastic about Bali. Committed to an ethos of sustainability, ethical consumerism and cruelty-free food, this Seminyak hotspot is beautiful inside and out. The playful, tropical-chic decor is irresistibly photogenic but it’s the small touches that really make this cafe stand out. The gilded, pineapple-themed cutlery is a particularly cute detail. The menu, meanwhile, is impressively extensive and includes vegan ice creams and freak shakes amongst other tempting, plant-based treats.
A floating breakfast is the ultimate Bali bucket list experience, and Cabina is where that dream comes true. Here, you enjoy breakfast in – that’s right, IN – the pool on a floating table. Is it a little difficult to eat? Yes. But is it 100% worth it? Also yes. It might seem gimmick-y but the food here is genuinely delicious and there’s a selection of yummy cocktails to wash it down.
Mouthwatering croissants and to-die-for speciality coffee earn Livingstone Cafe and Bakery its reputation as one of the best cafes in Bali. Head here for breakfast after a cocktail-filled evening at one of Seminyak’s many glittering beach clubs. Opt for the Baker’s Breakfast Croissant: scrambled egg, hollandaise sauce, tomato and grilled bacon on a warm, buttery croissant.
With its cool, leafy decor and sophisticated vibe, Livingstone’s Bakery is also one of the best places in Bali for afternoon tea. As well as a generous offering of their signature croissants and strawberry tartlets, you’ve got the chance to mix your own tea from some classic Bali blends.
Last but not least, we have Ubud, the spiritual capital of Bali. It boasts stunning rainforests and rice paddies, as well as an abundance of cultural sites, spas and yoga retreats. Famed for self-discovery and wellness, Ubud is filled with stylish spots to sit back and relax.
Just a short walk from Ubud’s famous monkey forest, Folk Pool and Gardens is a beautiful poolside eatery. You can enjoy food and drink from several beautiful poolside spots, including sun decks, teepees and pergolas. It’s a blissful oasis where you can enjoy both local and western cuisine xin style, as well as coffee, smoothies and cocktails. There are plenty of other places in Ubud to explore but it’s tempting to just let the days slip away here…
Plant-based cuisine is all the rage in Ubud, but Alchemy stands out as Bali’s first 100% raw vegan cafe. There’s a huge emphasis on health here; Alchemy is not just a cafe but also an organic health food store and holistic clinic. They prepare all of their food without sugar, flour, dairy or wheat and there are no chemical additives in anything. Raw veganism never looked so good.
Curl up like a cat in one of the comfy armchairs in this boho-chic Ubud institution. It’s a creative space filled with vintage furniture and cat-themed artwork – it sounds kooky, but it works. The philosophy behind this popular hangout is that it’s important to be lazy sometimes, and I think that’s a message we can all get behind.
If you enjoyed this post, why not check out my list of the top Asian destinations for a luxury girls' trip
?