If you’re plugged into local legend, Sanur is known as Bali’s sleepy seaside town. A little too quiet, a little too early to bed. But things have changed; if you haven’t checked in lately, it’s time.
The food scene here has quietly levelled up. What used to be a safe zone for resort breakfasts and nasi goreng platters is now home to floating sushi, smoky brisket burgers, handmade pasta, and some of the most thoughtful Indonesian food on the island. It’s still calm, still charming, but now there are places worth planning your day around.
These are the best restaurants in Sanur right now, the ones making this side of the island a proper food destination.
Sanur’s getting hungry, and Rue is a big reason why; the smell alone is enough to tempt you inside. While Canggu and Seminyak have been locked in a brunch arms race, this all-day café quietly set up shop on the East Coast and gave locals a reason to swap soto for sourdough.
Rue walks the line between laid-back and legit. We dropped in for a choco croissant and cold brew, then somehow ended up ordering lava-stone pizza and a fried chicken situation we didn’t plan for but don’t regret. It’s casual, unpretentious, and run by people who care about what’s coming out of the kitchen, we feel a Frenchman lurking behind the stoves!
The space has a soft, clean aesthetic that just works. Laptop corners, terrace tables, a kids’ zone that doesn’t scream, and yes, a claw machine for good measure. It’s fun without the chaos, stylish without the scene.
Weekly promotions keep things exciting, featuring two-for-one pizzas on Tuesdays and
Sundays (5-10 PM) and 100K loaded salad specials on Mondays and Wednesdays (11 AM-4
PM).
For those feeling lucky (or impulsive), there’s even a claw machine available until May
19th.
SALA Bistro
SALA has been holding it down in Sanur long before the East Side started trending. It’s a proper bistro with a real following, mostly thanks to food that’s as solid at 8 am as it is at 8 pm.
Breakfasts here are no-fuss but spot on. We feasted on smashed avo, eggs done right, and a near-perfect coffee. But don’t sleep on lunch and dinner. The menu leans towards modern international cuisine with local flourishes, and it’s deliciously professional. Think pulled pork tacos, truffle pasta, generous salads, and steak sandwiches that spell generous.
And then there’s the Sticky Date Pudding. A hot, sticky mess in all the right ways, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that barely stands a chance. It disappears fast. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
The space is bright, easygoing, and always buzzing with regulars. SALA feels familiar but never tired. It’s the kind of place we end up in twice a day without planning to.
Jalapeño brought proper Mexican to Sanur, and not the tourist-trap kind with sad nachos and jarred salsa. This place knows what it’s doing, making it a local favourite. The tortillas are made in-house, the margaritas come strong, and the guac is a creamy, garlicky mass you’ll write home about.
This menu ticks the right boxes. Baja fish tacos, smoky pulled pork, loaded burritos, and grilled street corn that gets messy in the best way. They also offer vegetarian offerings as interesting as they are delicious, which isn’t always the case at places slinging tacos. Don’t miss their house hot sauces either. They’ve got kick and loads of flavour.
It’s bright, buzzy, and fun; the sort of place where happy hour turns into dinner without much effort. Jalapeño brings a slice of authentic Mexico to the East Coast, and Sanur’s better for it.
Tsune is one of those places that makes you do a double-take. Yes, that’s sushi floating past your table. No, you’re not dreaming. This Japanese spot in Sanur is off the beaten track but well worth discovering.
The floating sushi belt is the hook, but the quality is what keeps people coming back. Their Indonesian sushi chef spent years in Japan mastering the craft, and it shows. Everything’s fresh, beautifully balanced, and plated with care. From classic nigiri and rolls to crispy tempura and melt-in-your-mouth salmon belly, there’s a fine balance between fun and finesse.
The space is stylish and minimal, on the rooftop of a pretty boutique hotel, with views across the harbour. Service is fast, prices are fair, and it’s easy to lose track of how many plates you’ve grabbed. If you’re feeling extra, the à la carte menu has hot dishes and donburi bowls worth checking out.
Tsune isn’t just a gimmick. It’s proof that Sanur’s stepping up, and doing it with style.
When 2080 Burger and CIBO! Pasta House decided to join forces in Sanur, they didn’t mess around. One’s a beast in the burger game, the other is all about handmade pasta! Together, they’ve created a spot that makes everyone happy.
Set on Jalan Danau Poso, this laid-back joint serves up the best of both menus. 2080 brings the heat with signature burgers like the Metaverse, stacked with double brisket, double cheese, and a smoky espresso BBQ sauce. CIBO! delivers comfort, with daily-made pasta, creamy carbonara, grissini, and gelato that tastes like it came straight out of Rome.
It’s a casual setup, no fuss, just seriously good food. Whether you’re into saucy burgers or al dente spaghetti, this place has you sorted. It’s kid-friendly, group-friendly, and you can get it delivered too — just hit up GoFood or GrabFood when you’re planning a night in with Netflix.
Roso isn’t trying to modernise Indonesian food for clout. It’s doing something better — honouring heritage recipes with real depth and a sharp kitchen. Part of Bali Beach Sanur, The Heritage Collection, Roso is one of the few spots in Sanur where Indonesian flavours are treated with the respect they deserve.
The menu is based on family recipes from Chef Prima’s grandfather, and you can feel the heart in every dish. You kick off with crispy Kembang Goyang, Serombotan Kelungkung, and a punchy Brengkes Ikan. Then comes the Soto Betawi Ayam, rich, layered, and honestly one of the best bowls we’ve had on the island.
For mains, it’s hard to go wrong. Smoked Tuna Jaw is a standout, but the Wagyu Short Rib Dendeng Basah Balado, Chicken Satay Klopo Surabaya-style, and Bebek Goreng Bumbu all hold their own. Finish with the Deconstructed Es Podeng, nostalgic, playful, and properly good.
Pro tip: don’t skip the cocktails. They’re as well-thought-out as the food.
Massimo
You don’t talk about food in Sanur without mentioning Massimo. It’s been here for years, and it still pulls crowds every single night, for good reason. This is old-school Italian done right, with no shortcuts and no need for reinvention.
The pasta’s fresh, the pizzas are wood-fired, and everything tastes like it’s made with passion. The man himself, Chef Massimo, still shows up and keeps the place ticking like clockwork. It’s hearty, honest food with that proper trattoria energy, busy, loud, and full of regulars who know exactly what they want.
Go for the burrata, the ravioli, or a thin-crust pizza straight from the oven. But whatever you do, don’t leave without getting in line for gelato from the little cart out front. That queue is just worth it.
Massimo isn’t trying to be trendy. It’s just consistently good, and that’s exactly why it’s still one of Sanur’s most loved spots.
Curry Traders
Curry Traders is a Lembongan favourite that crossed the pond to become Sanur’s low-key MVP. They’ve brought some of their signatures, including a lively bar and a great menu of starters and curries that do exactly what they’re supposed to do. Don’t even think about missing their famous water bubble shots and anything cooked in the tandoor oven!
More than just a curry house, Curry traders got their name importing spices to Australia, and they cover the gamut of South Asian cuisines from Indian to Sri Lankan, all washed down with a selection of tropical cocktails. Everything’s made to order, so expect a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it. Portions are generous, spice levels are customisable, and the team running the show is genuinely lovely.
The space is breezy and cosy, with an indoor and outdoor section and two bars. It’s the kind of place you go once and then crave again two days later. Great for takeaway too, if you’re posted up in Sanur and need something solid after a beach day. If you love it as much as we do, check out their curry kits!
Curry Traders isn’t trying to impress with flash, just flavour and warm hospitality. And honestly, that’s more than enough.
Dimattina isn’t just another café with good coffee, it’s the café because of the coffee. This Melbourne-born roastery brought its beans to Bali and set up shop in Sanur, giving the East Coast a proper caffeine fix beyond the usual flat white.
The space is slick and functional, with an industrial edge that still feels warm. It’s part roastery, part café, and part coworking pitstop, with serious coffee gear on display and baristas who know exactly what they’re doing. Beans are roasted in-house and available to take home if you’re the type who travels with an AeroPress.
Food-wise, it leans brunchy and modern. Expect eggs, avo, bagels, pastries, and a few Indonesian touches here and there. Drop in at night to check out their excellent pizzas and pastas. It’s the kind of place you go to “grab a quick coffee” and end up stacking on the calories because it all looks so good.
Dimattina has helped raise the bar in Sanur, not just for coffee, but for café culture in general.
Lava is proof that Sanur can turn up the volume. It’s slick, grown-up, and built for nights that start with cocktails and end with steaks. Part gastrobar, part modern grill, Lava brings big city energy to the East Coast, but without the attitude.
The menu is all about big flavours and solid techniques. Think wagyu burgers, grilled octopus, tomahawk steaks, truffle fries, and a few Asian-fusion curveballs that actually work. The portions are generous, the plating’s clean, and the kitchen clearly knows its way around a flame.
The space is moody but polished; dark walls, glowing embers, good lighting, and music that tempts you to stay for a second round. Service is sharp, and the drinks list covers everything from classic negronis to signature spritzes.
Lava’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It just does dinner properly, with good food, strong drinks, and a vibe that makes you linger a little longer than planned.
