Pizza, pasta panini – we’re all familiar with the favourites but these Italian restaurants in Bali go beyond the familiar to bring something new to the table. From the glamorous to the home-style, feast on these favourites.
Mauri is as fabulous as you’ll find anywhere, including in Italy itself. Chef Maurizio Bombini brings a taste of his hometown in Puglia to fine dining at Mauri, where everything is polished and the restaurant itself sings with cool tones and incredible food. A team of chefs prepare dish after dish which is presented to diners at white-clothed tables and booths in the cool-toned dining room.
Feast on the Signature Tasting menu, which includes the stunning Parmigiano Ravioli and finishes with Mauri’s spin on Tiramisu; the Discovery tasting Menu; or order a la carte dishes that are simply a joy to eat. Taking a minimalistic approach, the dishes are full of flavour and created with skill. The wine list hits all the high notes and little extras like amuse bouche to start and palette cleansers create a dining experience that earns Mauri a place at the top of Bali’s bucket list. Try the themed Sunday Brunches for a meal the whole family will enjoy.
A much-loved Seminyak Italian, Zibiru has undergone a stylish renovation revealing a side to Chef/owner Luigi Calcagno that we haven’t seen before. A Japanese-inspired audio bar is central to the restaurant, with a collection of music that sets the tone for the dinner hour and steps it up later in the evening. The menu plays on regional Italian cuisine with Chef Gianluca Visciglia taking the reins and expressing his culinary journey throughout the regions of Italy. The contemporary interiors mirror classic Balinese architecture while the menu plays on contemporary classics starting from the Cecchina ( small bites) that include polpette and delicate, crisp stuffed zucchini flowers. A series of antipasti dishes include a divine creamy polenta with gorgonzola, swiss chard and poached egg, followed by a trio of delicious risotto, hand-made pasta, premium meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes served up in a pretty garden setting with an open kitchen.
The recent opening of Amici in Jl Petitenget ( the old Sarong site) sees an incredible team hit our shores led by an Executive Chef with 4 Michelin stars to his name and an award-winning pizza chef. The team behind Amici are professional and sometimes a little too slick, not to say there aren’t some stand-out dishes on the menu. With a beautiful terrace and bar to entice you to order another Aperol Spritz and chow down on bite-sized arancini, and an open kitchen overlooking the stylish dining room and bar, Amici has Italian roots, it’s exciting and fuelled by years of experience in Italian restaurants. Amici is a great addition to Bali dining and best of all it’s approachable, with options to dress up or keep it casual.
Fancy meeting some people and sharing dishes inspired by Nonna’s table? Samesa brings us communal communal dining in two fun-filled locations. Samesa first opened in Canggu during the Covid lockdown and it was an instant hit. Fuelled by free-flow limoncello and a playlist full of favourites, Samesa serves up a feast of up to 40 dishes, spread over 4 courses. The sharing concept means diners interact early, passing plates, discussing dishes and Bali tips. Following the second course, an intermission is called as the tables are laid for the main event. From amuse bouche through appetisers, pasta and pizza courses, conversation flows along with the limoncello and wine for those who choose the pairing. During the break the music kicks in, classics from 80’s R&B soundtracks get the crowd moving and the timpo turns up. Mains include dishes like salt-encrusted who fish, along with a course of protein and sides – all rich with the scent of an Italian kitchen. By dessert the 40+ crowd has is sharing life stories, dancing at the table and exchanging contact details. Run by a team of Italians with an all-female local crew in the kitchen, Samesa is a celebration.
Da Maria launched 8 years ago and is one of Bali’s most stylish Italians. Executive Chef, Lorenzo (Lolo) DePetris has spent the last two years polishing up the menu and adding his personal spin, and it’s better than ever. While the party nights dominate the social media feed, it is the food, the excellent cocktails and the curated wine list that remains the star of the show. The retro capri design is beautiful while the long open kitchen captures the heart of Da Maria. Bubbling charred pizzas are among the best on the island, the fresh pasta made daily is delicate and silky and topped or stuffed with delicious fillings – the spinach and ricotta raviolini with sage butter and the pappardelle with a slow-cooked beef ragu flavoured with shiraz are best sellers. Mains, salads and small plates are all beautifully served and a night at da Maria is always a popular choice.
Chef Diego Martinelli has worked in some of the world’s best kitchens for resorts like Aman, Bulgari and Four Seasons and award-winning restaurants around the world. Cibo is his homage to home. A casual diner that serves incredible Italian food with a focus on regional cuisine from Emilia Romagna. From freshly-made pasta to aged tomahawk steaks and a casual lunch menu, you can taste the love in these dishes, served with style and personality. With his trattoria-style eatery, Cibo is open all day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a pastry kitchen that delivers authentic Italian favourites.
