Kuta Indonesia – Best Places to Eat and Dishes to Try

Aromatic, appetising and bountiful, the food in Kuta ranges from local to international; and restaurants, cafes and eateries are found by the masses.

Known locally as a warung, these small family-run cafes or restaurants are scattered across Indonesia in mouth-watering abundance and form a significant part of everyday life. Here in Kuta, warungs offer bold, flavoursome local flavours and travellers would do well to sample and relish the traditional dishes served from these small street canteens.

For those craving western cuisine, Kuta caters for tourists by the truckload and streets are lined with prominent international restaurants selling pizza, pasta, burgers and even nachos. Food prices range from dirt-cheap dishes eaten out of polystyrene tubs all the way to expensive, 5-star meals served on white linen tablecloths. The choice really lies with each individual’s culinary preferences and the limitations of one’s purse strings.

Dishes to try in Kuta

While there is no one specific food dish that is native to Kuta, there are a couple of superb Balinese meals that travellers should definitely attempt sampling during their stay here in the centre of Bali’s action.

Rice is the predominate ingredient in Balinese meals, food is generally wrapped in banana-leaves (known as pepes) and sometimes steamed in the stitched together leaves for added aromatic flavour (known as tum). A popular tasty meal is Nasi Ayam (chicken rice) or Nasi Campur (mixed rice). This is a lovely introduction meal for foreigners as the delicious combination of rice, egg, peanuts, sambal, meat and vegetables is easy on the palate and contains familiar ingredients. Vegetarians can opt for no meat and those who don’t enjoy spicy food can ask for no sambal to be added. Nasi Goreng, Indonesian fried rice (and staple dish) is also sold here in Kuta in wonderful, greasy abundance. For those with a sweet-tooth keep your eyes peeled for Pisang Goreng (friend banana) best eaten with your fingers from one of Kuta’s many roadside stalls.

Cheap eats

Travellers on the hunt for cheap local food would do best to look for foodstalls and small warungs located in the small alleyways that connect Poppies Kuta 1 and Poppies Kuta 2 with the bigger streets of Gang Ronta.

Kuta Night Market is also a firm favourite with those wanting to eat hot-off-the-wok local dishes and experience the Balinese food culture up close and personal. With the many stalls selling cooked and fresh food, the bustling atmosphere and a random assortment of wobbly plastic chairs and tables, this is the ideal spot to be for the hungry or budget conscious.

Must try market snacks include the famous and delicious tempe (tofu) which comes deep-fried, stuffed, battered and can be served as a savoury snack, a side dish to a main and even as a protein-rich meal in itself.

Another excellent snack to scour the stalls for while in Kuta, is satay. These are marinated meats that are skewered, grilled and served with sauces, spices or alone and make for a quick, filling and delicious snack before heading into the whirlpool of Kuta’s nightlife. A snack or a meal from a stand at a market or street corner will usually set you back around IDR 20,000 – IDR 80,000 depending on what you buy.

Local restaurants

For those who are looking for a sit-down meal in a local establishment, as already mentioned previously, the warungs in Kuta offer visitors excellent value for money meals and the fascinating chance to personally experience the local food scene. Meals in warungs are priced very similarly to market dishes and travellers should expect to spend about IDR 30,000 to IDR 15,000 per person.

If the lunch time crowds and our raving reviews are not enough to encourage you to visit Masakan Indonesia situated in Gang Ronta between Poppies 1 and Poppies 2, then we’re not sure what will. This local restaurant offers diners the option to choose a dish off the menu or to head to the ready-made meals in a large display at the back of the eatery and to sample whatever their heart desires. Not only is this experience as local as it gets, but it also allows travellers to taste dishes that they might not otherwise have tried. Rice is first added to your plate and then a scoop of whatever meat or vegetarian side dish you decide to point at.

Travelers staying around Kuta’s interconnecting side streets of Jalan Bakung Sari and the Jalan Pantai beach street, should head over to Warung Nikmat for inexpensive and delicious local fare. The concept is similar to Masakan Indonesia and customers can fill up their plates with as much food as they desire. The ‘soto iga’ beef-rib soup is the talk of the town and customers seldom end up paying more than IDR 50,000. These hearty dishes and generous servings are perfect for surfers who have spent a day on the waves or for backpackers who have been exploring Kuta’s sights and charms.

Western and International

For travellers missing the cuisine from home or who want to temporarily replace rice with a good ol’ burger or cheesy pizza, Kuta’s vibrant tourist scene has meant that the locals have made provision for this. Although a bit more expensive than the local fare, western food can be found aplenty in Kuta and the city offers a variety of restaurants selling international food.

Stakz Bar & Grill, located on Poppies 2, is one of the most popular western restaurants and the enthusing reviews and repeat business seem to say it all. This is a great spot for those craving a steak, burger, baguette and an icy, fruity cocktail. Service is warm, friendly and informative.

Fat Tony’s is another must-visit for those who fancy American-style fast-food and it’s well worth it to arrive hungry. Inexpensive, delicious and highly recommended, this western restaurant is much loved by hungry backpackers seeking a perfectly cooked burger and shake. A double-pattie burger with fries costs around IDR 45,000.

Cafes and coffee houses

Needing a caffeine pick-me-up? Coffee houses, coffee shops and cafes abound here in Kuta and coffee lovers will be spoilt for choice on where to grab a cup of joe.

A ten minute walk from Kuta Beach will find you inhaling the delicious java aroma outside Bemo Corner Coffee Shop. The menu includes local dishes, sandwiches, pancakes and a variety of different coffee drinks. Coffee prices vary from IDR 5,000 for an espresso to IDR 32,000 for a caramel latte.

For travellers wanting a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Poppies Lane, Bene Lane Café is a prime spot for those wishing to relax in a cosy café with a charming atmosphere. Grab the Wi-Fi code; select a coffee drink, fresh juice or milkshake; and pair it with the scrumptious ‘breakfast burrito’ and you’ll be all set to start the day.

Bars and nightlife

Famous for being the party-centre of Bali and luring in many travellers soley based on the vibrant, colourful and extravagant nightlife scene, Kuta is filled with places to grab a drink once the sun goes down. From backpacker bars to rooftop lounges, the choices are as extensive and varied as the travellers who frequent them.

For a fun night out without breaking the bank, our personal favourites include, Hard Rock Café, Paddy’s Pub and Apache's Bar & Restaurant.

Yasa The Pub is also a bizzare and entertaing pub that is themed around Harry Potter and makes for an interesting night out and a fun story to tell your friends back home.

For those with generous wallets who are seeking glitz and glamour, head over to Sky Garden Rooftop Lounge or Bounty Discotheque for a wild night out spent rubbing shoulders with the elite and dancing the night away.