Tandjung Sari Hotel
Unbeatable for the old-school Bali experience, the restaurant at the Tandjung Sari Hotel is just that – unbeatable. Serving international favourites and authentic Indonesian cuisine, this spot is perhaps less about the food (which is nevertheless great) and more about the setting. Right on the beach, right next to the bijou pool and bar, right underneath the mighty Mount Agung. Simply a stunning setting with exceptional service and old-world charm. Reservations are a must.
FriendSip - French
Tucked away down a gang off Jalan Tamblingan sits the diminutive wine bar and restaurant FriendSip. This is a real class act, backed by the pedigree of former staff from much-loved Seminyak eatery Sip, sadly no more. With a spectacular wine list that includes some of the world’s best, FriendSip has just five tables and a few counter seats and serves distinctly French-leaning fare that includes superb cold cuts, hot stone steaks and cheeses. A small outdoor terrace completes the picture. Wagyu, Duck Margret and Chicken are offered with a choice of Béarnaise, Black pepper, Blue Cheese or Spicy Tomato Harissa sauces, and the Cheese Fondue is to die for
The Fire Station – British
The Fire Station is a gastro pub with an emphasis on English-style food and styled after a New York brasserie. Popular for its Sunday lunch offerings, this jovial venue on the end of Jalan Danau Poso has a newly extended balcony terrace and large-screen TVs for sporting events. Starters of note include an excellent Duck Liver Pate and Truffle Mac ‘N Cheese followed by steaks, burgers, seafood and pasta dishes. Take in the wall art that includes dozens of classic celebrity photographs, they’re sure to keep you amused. Great cocktails and a solid range of beers.
Trattoria - Italian
Like many tourist centres in Bali, Sanur is spoiled for choice when it comes to decent pizza and authentic Italian food so be sure to check out other restaurants in town. For us, however, Trattoria sits head and shoulders above the rest. Not because it is fancy, or overly European, or even that popular, but because the menu in our opinion hits the spot at the right price point. Italian-owned, this roomy and light-filled spot serves thin-crust pizza, great salads and a variety of pasta. Eschewing MSG and trans fats, Trattoria also boasts a breezy streetside terrace set back from the road on which to enjoy the company of friends and passing footfall flotsam. All in all, this cucina italiana lives up to its ad line tag: casually exceptional.
Warung Kecil Infinity - Indonesian
Ain’t nothing special about Warung Kecil Infinity’s location on the busy bypass at Sanur, but this highly popular Indonesian warung simply serves the healthiest and best variety of local classics. Choose from white, red or yellow rice, point to what you want to eat behind the glass counter and order a delicious local orange juice before sitting yourself down on the terrace. The perfect place to have a quick and affordable lunch either on your own, with family or workmates. Epic sambal. Ideal for vegetarians.
Parisi - French
Parisi is a hidden gem run by a Frenchman cooking French food. It’s as simple as that – so why is it so hard to find a decent brasserie in Bali? Parisi serves up home-cooked favourites, farmhouse stews, charcuterie, steak frites and amazing deserts. Something not on the menu that you fancy for next time? Simply have a chat with the Chef and he’ll make sure it’s waiting for you when you return. A good wine list – of course – a decent range of classic French sauces and the friendly feel of eating at a Frenchman’s home. There’s no view to speak of – although there is a cosy garden setting out back – Parisi is hidden away across the bypass in Jalan Batur Sari. Don’t expect sweeping rice field terraces or anything other than what it is: solid, intimate and homey with a great cheeseboard.
Jalapeno - Mexican
“I’ve spent time in Mexico,” a friend told us, “and the food at Jalapeno is the real deal.” Can’t get a better recommendation than that! Jalapeno on Jalan Danau Tamblingan is a small but excellent Mexican eatery serving fresh tacos, salads, burritos and bowls, with also a decent selection of tequilas and other Mexican favourites. Right opposite sits Ryoshi, Bali’s longtime Japanese hang, and further up the road Tate, a British bangers-and-more café. A few more yards and you’re at a French bakery and a short walk to the breezy beach brings you to a bunch more restaurants, spas and hotels. Sometimes it’s hard to understand why more people don’t live in this sleepy enclave.
Tapha - Beachside
Sanur boasts a thriving beach scene made busy by a cycle and walkway that runs the full distance of its beach. This is no Canggu though – you won’t find the same digital nomad vibe here – yet there are myriad restaurants worth visiting. If we had to pick then we’d head to Tapha, not only because there is parking on offer but because its international, Asian and Indonesian menu is full of surprises. Salads and seafood, pasta and burgers. You get the drift. Watch the waves crash on the offshore reef or head over in the evening for live music that always brings a crowd, even if the average age is more Sanur than Seminyak.
Naga Eight - Chinese
You’re in the mood for a Chinese meal that reminds you of Hong Kong? Head to Naga Eight, set in a gorgeous garden and old-style pavilion with an extensive menu of Oriental favourites including Peking Duck, Hot and Sour Seafood Soup, Hainan Chicken, Char Siu Pork and a hundred other great dishes. Internationally owned and run, this grand old dame of Sanur has had a great facelift and a new lease of life, yet still manages to feel local and welcoming. Check out their Sunday Yum Cha and bring the kids.
Hanoi by MeVui – Vietnamese
What a luxury to live or visit a place that has cuisine from almost every culinary corner of the world… and in Sanur that includes Vietnam. Hanoi by MeVui is an exceptional eatery with big portions, tasty food and a deeply delicious pho. The Vietnamese owners have a big rep in Saigon, and the food here 100% reflects the food culture of that country. If you need further encouragement, reflect on the fact that the restaurant is named after the mother of one of these owners – yep, these are her recipes. The culinary Gods agree that this alone is a reason to visit. Terrific.
BONUS ENTRY
Roti Canai & the Tarek Warung Baruna – Indian/Malay
Frankly, this is not the most aesthetically elegant of restaurants in Sanur, situated awkwardly as it is on the corner of the bypass and Jalan Danau Poso. But we’re a food-first site and we call it as we see it. If you’re a fan of the Malay-Indian phenomenon of Roti Prata with perfectly prepared chicken curry sauce and hand-pulled Teh Tarek, then this is your go-to. Ignore the white people-speak on Trip Advisor. Some people just aren’t set up for good Asian street food, and to hell with them. Take some mossie repellent and slurp up the good times.
For more Sanur updates check our blog.
