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Ubud is Bali’s cultural heartland, a small town where yogis, artists and spiritual nomads descend in their numbers to do downward dogs in jungle paradise and eat earth-friendly food. It’s a place where vegans and vegetarians reign supreme and meat eaters are left as an afterthought if given a thought at all. Going plant-based will never be as effortless and even the most prolific meat eater will find it easy to abstain, due to the wide variety of options and flavours on offer. Eating out in Ubud – where barefoot is better – is fun, ridiculously affordable and you’ll find that no two places have the same charm. We’ve picked our top 10 favourite places to eat in Ubud, and suggestions of what to order first. Now all you need is to book that plane ticket…

Clear Cafe

CLEAR CAFE

Go for: Eye-catching interiors

Order the: Sunshine Tuna

Behind an intricately carved, circular wooden door, lies the casual chic decor of Clear Cafe. Walk up the mesmerising spiral staircase to sit and watch time stand still, whilst enjoying delicious cuisine. The intricate sights could almost distract you from the enticing menu – almost. The food is just as spectacular as the indoor-outdoor design, and the ambience is cool and calm – a stark contrast to the bustling street outside. Expect vegan and vegetarian options created with world flavours; incorporating dishes from the Middle East, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico and India. Side note – their homemade Kombucha is some of the tastiest we’ve ever tried!

The Elephant Ubud

THE ELEPHANT

Go for: Food full of soul

Order the: Side of polenta chips with pesto aioli

One of our favourite eateries in Ubud, The Elephant is perfect for a lazy lunch or quiet dinner, served with spectacular views overlooking the Tjampuhan Ridge. 100% vegetarian and 100% delicious, the atmosphere is as soulful as the food and the staff are a delight. Pick from curries to pasta and if you feel so inclined, the cocktail list is well worth a look. Finish with a mouthwatering dessert (you will never regret the raw chocolate pie) and you’ll leave full and happy.

yellow flower cafe

YELLOW FLOWER CAFE

Go for: Coffee with sweeping views

Order the: Açai Bowl

Tucked away at the top of a steep set of stairs from Camperhan road, and away from the crowds of central Ubud, you will find Yellow Flower Cafe with some of the most picturesque views around. Unlike some of the more modern cafes that have more of an LA minimalistic feel to them, Yellow Flower is brightly coloured and owned by a friendly Balinese family, who are passionate about honest good food and local tradition. Sustainability is at the heart of the cafe with locally sourced, organic ingredients including palm nectar from small nearby family farms, and heritage rice varieties. Next door is Intuitive Flow yoga studio, so it’s perfect for a post-yoga smoothie or lunch.

SAYURI HEALING FOODS

SAYURI HEALING FOODS

Go for: Raw dessert wizardry

Order the: Caramel Dream Torte

A go-to fave for Ubud expats, Sayuri has a real community feel. Its laid-back yet upbeat atmosphere has a positive energy that’s contagious – and there’s usually a workshop of sorts going on behind the eating area which adds to the buzz of the place. It’s predominantly raw-living food on offer, but there are also simple cooked options incorporating Ayurvedic, Chinese and Macrobiotic principals and ancient wisdom. Excellent for a sit-down meal or just a quick bite sitting cross-legged on their cushions; they also offer a takeaway service.

dumbo bali

DUMBO

Go for: Sundowners and vegan pizza

Order the: Giallo pizza with roasted pumpkin, courgette flowers, nasturtium, pine nuts and chilli

Earthy friendly Italian food at it’s best, DUMBO is the sister restaurant of next door The Elephant, so you can except the same focus on quality, sustainable ingredients. Perch at the window seats and watch the sun go down over the rice fields, or sit and admire the kitchen team whip up a culinary storm next to the ginormous wood fire oven. All the pizzas are made from a 48-hour sourdough recipe, but some will argue the homemade pasta takes the centre stage, an ever-changing cast of fettuccine, caramelle, testaroli, ravioli, tagliatelle, crespelle and gnocchi…

Mudra bali

MUDRA

Go for: Conscious coffee and vegan treats

Order the: Polyamorous Juice Blend

Right in the heart of Ubud, this little Ayurvedic cafe concept could be easily missed, and with only a few tables it feels like a real find. A super cute spot for brunch or a light lunch, Mudra serves up epic coffee, cold-pressed juices, hearty poke bowls and so.much.more. The front of the cafe has luscious green vines cascading down and hanging plants draping over the open air window. Sit in comfy seats amongst the awesome artwork or upfront on stools and watch the world go by.

ALCHEMY bali

ALCHEMY

Go for: Healthy holistic nourishment

Order the: Smoothie bar bowl

Walking into the high ceiling minimalistic Alchemy is immediately calming in contrast to the busy streets outside. It radiates wellbeing – and you practically feel healthier just by being there. If raw food is your thing, you have plenty of options in Ubud but chances are you’ll be coming back again and again to Alchemy. A big menu with big flavours, refreshing cold pressed juices and make your own smoothie and salad bars, where you choose substance and toppings at your preference. The WiFi is good and there are big communal tables that are perfect for catching up on emails or having a working lunch.

SARI ORGANIK

SARI ORGANIK

Go for: Lunch in the rice fields

Order the: Coconut Crusted Barramundi Fillet

Sari Organik is an absolute culinary gem, set amongst the tranquil rice paddies on an organic farm with a strong focus on sustainability. Only accessible by bike or foot, you can’t exactly stumble across it – but those in the know will be rewarded by the panoramic views and hearty meals. The open-air design of the restaurant adds to the unique experience and the menu is VAST, with an incredible selection of salads, small dishes and Indonesia fare. Delicious and nutritious – you just can’t go wrong.

SEEDS OF LIFE

SEEDS OF LIFE

Go for: A boost of health

Order the: Ibu Mashti Madu Tonic Elixir with blended Reishi mushroom, cinnamon, raw chocolate and nut milk

Passionate about raw food not being boring, you can expect big flavours and a plethora of crowd pleasers from raw vegan lasagna (a must try) to burritos and bruschetta. It’s wholesome vegan food made from scratch a la minute. Check out the list of refreshing Taoist tonics and soulful elixirs, before diving into the vast menu of delicious vegan food. If it’s your first experience with tonics – the menu is informative but if you’re overwhelmed with the choice, the staff are really helpful and can help you pick the right one for your body and mind.

EARTH CAFE bali

EARTH CAFE

Go for: A family-friendly favourite

Order the: Mediterranean Platter

100% plant-based, organic and based on macrobiotic principles, Earth Cafe has a mission to create a peaceful world through nutrition and are firmly committed to promoting compassionate non-violence and health-conscious living. Menu-wise – the large platters are delicious and easily big enough for two people, or one very hungry person! It’s also a great place for kids as there is a play area, and the whole restaurant has a real family feel to it. Sit on the balcony to watch Bali life go by underneath you. Earth Cafe is attached to its own marketplace selling everything from fresh fruit and spices, to clean cosmetics and clothing – plus possibly some of the best cookies in Ubud.

words by Mea Perkins

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