Where Indonesia's culinary heritage meets fine dining.
By Sarah Dougherty.
Whether you’re new to Indonesia’s culinary playground or a convert, there are 5 Indonesian restaurants in the heart of Seminyak that impress from the moment you enter. From sleek spaces that channel Balinese elegance to modern kitchens pushing the boundaries of regional cuisine, these five restaurants have reimagined Indonesian food that remains true to its roots yet impressive in its interpretation. Here’s where to book if you’re craving a taste of the archipelago with style.
Settle back and enjoy a glass of wine in some of the most beautiful dining rooms on the island, and embark on a culinary journey through Indonesia’s archipelago. Seminyak is home to some world-class Indonesian restaurants, and we’ve collected our favourites to share with you: elegant dining rooms that serve authentic Indonesian food.
KAUM at Potato Head
Celebrating Indonesia’s culinary DNA
KAUM isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a culinary journey with really, really good food. Part of the Potato Head family, this bold dining concept is led by Chef Wayan Kresna Yasa, whose passion for Indonesian food is very personal. Chef Wayan opened the first Kaum in Hong Kong before this one, and his return to Kaum is a story of passion and skill. The Nusa Penida native has written a comprehensive cookbook and travelled the world promoting Indonesian food. Every dish on Kaum’s menu champions sustainability ( this is Potato Head after all), featuring indigenous ingredients and traditional cooking methods, from tribal smoking techniques to ancient fermentation. The menu spans 17,000 islands, serving dishes such as babi panggang from North Sumatra or spicy sambal dabu-dabu from Sulawesi and naturally, the best of Balinese cuisine.
The setting is earthy and elegant—think wooden communal tables, mood lighting, and a menu full of footnotes (the good kind). Floor-to-ceiling windows that capture views over the beach club and the sea are spectacular, but once the food is served, the views soon disappear, as you traverse an archipelago that offers incredible tastes, textures and stories. You’ll leave with a new respect for Indonesia’s complex geography of food.
Check out the menu HERE
Top tip: Begin with Chef Wayan’s version of the local favourite, rujak, it says everything about street food transformed by a talented chef.
Bambu
Stylish plates and timeless flavours
Bambu is what happens when you take Indonesian home-style cooking and give it a designer’s touch. From the crew behind Seminyak institution La Lucciola, Bambu has quietly become one of Bali’s most refined Indonesian restaurants. At the centre of the restaurant is an antique joglo set in a stunning pond, the tiled floors are a tribute to Indonesian artisans, soft lighting and ambient music seduce the diner, and the staff decked out in beautiful sarongs give a sense of place. It’s as much about ambience as it is about flavour.
But don’t let the calm fool you, the food is spiced to order, and each plate shines with creativity. Think rolled babi guling with super crispy skin, and an array of sambals. Dishes like pepes ikan (spiced fish wrapped in banana leaf), sate lilit, and beef rendang sing with tradition, served with a minimalist aesthetic that lets the ingredients shine. As with the best Indonesian menus, each dish is labelled with its origin and the wait staff are happy to share their knowledge of regional cooking with you, along with their personal favourites.
Visit Bambu Bali Website
Top tip: Book a table in the joglo for the best seat in the house and explore the cocktail menu for a taste of Bali with booze.
Sangsaka
Where smoke, fire and flavour meet
If you’ve been around Bali’s dining scene, you’ll have heard whispers about Sangsaka. This is the place chefs go when they’re off duty. Run by Melbourne-born Chef Kieran Morland and his Javanese wife, Yunika, Sangsaka is intimate, smart, and all about fire, literally. Recipes from Yunika’s family’s warung in Surabaya mingle with Chef Kieran’s inspiration from his travels around Indonesia to create a menu filled with flavourful dishes and an excellent wine list. “I think Indonesian food should be regarded as highly as going to a fancy French restaurant, where you can have a nice glass of wine with your Wagyu beef cheek rendang,” he tells us.
Here, you’ll find clever takes on classics: duck leg slow-cooked in Balinese spices, eggplant given a satay makeover, and sambals that feel like they’ve been crafted with tweezers and tenacity. Sangsaka is an intimate candle-lit restaurant, casual yet refined, with dishes so loved they can never be taken off the menu – slipper lobster dumplings to name just one. He’s also got some must-try satays and meltingly tender curries that will draw you back to this local favourite time and again. It’s modern Indonesian, but not in a try-hard way—just smart food with serious soul served in an atmospheric dining room just off Oberoi Road.
Check out the menu HERE
Top tip: Start your dinner with the incredible mud crab crumpets and then finish your meal at DiAtas, the hidden rooftop bar above Sangsaka.
John Hardy Gallery Seminyak
A long table worth lingering at
This might be the most unexpected foodie stop in Seminyak. Located in an elegant setting beneath a jewellery gallery and boutique, the John Hardy Long Table Lunch is inspired by the legendary team lunches at their Ubud workshop. Chef Tomy Saputra has taken that legacy and built something fresh in Seminyak, using childhood recipes and giving them new life through modern plating and sustainable sourcing.
Expect dishes and ingredients you won’t find anywhere else—things like cassava with sambal kelapa or grilled fish paired with smoky eggplant, all served on ceramics so beautiful you’ll want to take them home. The menu pairs drinks based on heritage recipes that complement the meal beautifully. Chef Tomy loves to highlight unique local ingredients, and items on the menu will change according to what’s available on the day. The final dish of the day is served from an es campur cart – ice is shaved to order and a kaleidoscope of toppings is available to mix and match, showcasing Indonesia’s street food at its best. John Hardy is all about low-key luxury; the combination of rustic food in this stunning boutique and garden makes this one of Bali’s most memorable Indonesian dining experiences.
Top tip: Book early – seats at the Long Table are limited and well worth the wait. For something more casual, stop by for afternoon snacks at the jamu bar.
Merah Putih
Architecture that stuns, food that surprises
You walk into Merah Putih and instantly look up. Towering glass columns, lush greenery growing indoors, and soaring ceilings create a sacred space for serious eating. But this isn’t just about good looks. The kitchen is led by a team of Indonesian chefs who are fiercely proud of their craft, delivering a menu that honours tradition while adding technique.
Come for the smoked duck with kluwek, the West Sumatran beef, or the beautifully reimagined Gado-Gado. It’s a restaurant that balances grandeur with grounded flavours—familiar if you grew up on these dishes, exciting if you didn’t.
Top tip: Bring a crew and order sharing plates—the more variety, the better the experience.
Hungry yet?
From the fire-kissed dishes at Sangsaka to the gallery-worthy plating at John Hardy, Seminyak proves that Indonesian food can be every bit as elegant as it is soulful. Whether you’re deep diving into sambals or just here for the design vibes, these spots deliver a dining experience worth adding to your list, whether you are staying in Seminyak or not.
