A warung in Bali Indonesia is typically a small family business in the form of a cafe or restaurant. While traveling in Bali you’re sure to see many spots to eat starting or ending with that name. For us, the word “warung” became synonymous with the awesome veggie buffets we found all over the island. So what makes a Bali warung so good? While there are many Bali food options to choose from, we found that the warung buffets were both cheaper and better tasting than any restaurant. So get ready for some of the best food in Bali!
Bali Warung Culture
Healthy food in Bali has been catching on for quite some time now, and can be seen in popular towns like Canggu and Ubud. The healthy culture came with tourism, and people flocking to the Indonesian islands for something more than a vacation.
The yoga, surfing, and overall healthy lifestyle that’s represented in Bali is a movement that gained steam and has never looked back. With that, comes all types of cafes and restaurants for us to enjoy!
More Expensive Bali Food Options
Most of the new age Bali food options combine western food with local flair and ingredients. Usually this will involve hip Balinese furniture and decor with funky beats bumping in the background.
While these are often fun places to hangout and mingle, for us the food left something to be desired. The Bali food at these establishments looks very appealing, but the taste doesn’t always stack up.
What we’re trying to say is that it might look great for an instagram picture, but it never tasted as good as it looked. This is part of what led us to our first warung in Indonesia!
With that said, some of our favorite restaurants in Bali are in the town of Uluwatu. Here’s our 17 favorite places to eat including digital nomad cafes and warungs.
Warung Bali Prices
Just so we’re clear… When we say expensive we don’t mean it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg to eat at non-Bali warung places. Instead, we’re just talking comparatively with the buffet style places we’re going to tell you about next!
The Best Food in Bali
When you first roll up to a local warung in Indonesia you’ll typically see a big glass case with all the food lined up inside. The good ones are self serve or buffet style so you’ll get to pick out as much delicious Bali food as you can handle!
Most of the tempe, tofu, and other goodies are smothered in some type of tangy or spicy sauce. While the vegetables may not be amazing on their own, once you mix them together it creates a plate that’s bursting with flavor.
Oh, and one last thing. If you’re not vegan or vegetarian there are often some meat options available at most of the Bali warungs too!
Typical Veggie Items at a Bali Warung
- Tempe
- Tofu
- Eggplant
- Bok Choy
- Bitter Melon
- Beans/Green Beans/Bean Sprouts
- Potato Curry
- Cabbage
- Veggie fritters
- Spicy Peanut and Chili Sauce
Cheapest Warung Bali
When it comes to the pricing at a Bali warung it can get kind of confusing. Rarely are the prices labeled, and we have zero idea how they count up what you owe. However, as much food as we piled onto our plates it always came out insanely cheap.
How cheap? Well, I don’t think we ever paid more than 25,000-35,000 Indonesian Rupiah (around $2 USD) for a meal! To sum it all up, this is the healthiest, cheapest, and best food in Bali… So dive in and enjoy!
Have any questions about the Bali warung in Indonesia, or want to share your own foodie experiences? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Helpful Indonesia Articles
Bali: Uluwatu Beaches – 20 Facts About Bali – Kecak Fire Show
Nusa Islands: Nusa Penida – Nusa Ceningan – Nusa Lembongan
Gili Islands: 20 Gili Islands Tips – Gili Islands Ferry – Gili Air – Bali to Gili T Ferry
Where To Stay In Canggu Bali
Ultra Luxury –Theanna Eco Villa and Spa – Luxury eco villas with massive bedrooms, indoor & outdoor living, and private pools. Quick drive to the beach and free shuttles around the area.
Fun Vacation – Kano Canggu – Situated just off the main street, Kano has comfortable rooms and a delicious breakfast. The pool will be a great spot to relax before you head out to explore.
Hostel Stay – Dip & Doze Boutique Hostel– With beds starting as low as $8 a night, this is the perfect hostel to hang out and meet friends before you head out to start surfing Canggu.
For more places to stay in Canggu Bali you can explore the latest prices here!
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Indonesia Travel Planning
Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Singapore to Bali for $60 USD, and Bali to Surabaya for less than $40!
Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Transportation: 12Go is where we look first in Asia for ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! From speed boats to the Gili Islands and bus transfers around the country.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Bali. We recommend taking a sunrise Mount Batur hike with breakfast, an authentic cooking class in a local village, and the Ubud waterfall tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
Warung Dapurdede in Tabanan is absolutely brilliant. The food is excellent
Looks amazing!
I don’t think we ever paid more than 25-30 Indonesian Rupiah (around $2 USD)
**it’s 25,000-30,000 rupiah
Thanks for letting us know this typo Craig. Fixed!