The Plantation Grill Seminyak ranks as one of the best steakhouses in Bali and offers a taste of elegance rarely seen in Bali.
Talk about making an entrance. Arriving at The Plantation Grill at the Double Six Resort Seminyak feels special from the start. A dedicated lift whisks you to the upper floors of this beachside hotel; there’s a sky lounge with sweeping views, and a floor below, The Plantation Grill transports you to another age.
The 1920s were all about architectural elegance and dressing up. Perched above Seminyak Beach, The Plantation Grill celebrates the Art Deco era in the best possible way. This two-storey room with its mezzanine bar and grand staircase offers beautiful views across the ocean, if you can tear your eyes away from the opulent dining room.
A meticulous eye for detail runs through everything at this elegant steakhouse, from design and service to the classic cocktails and menu. It had been a few years since my last visit, and I was reminded how much I loved this restaurant the moment I walked in. I left it too long between visits, a mistake I won’t repeat.
We began at the mirrored bar, splendid with soaring ceilings, chandeliers and sparkling glassware. Bubbles felt obvious, and the list delivered an excellent Italian Prosecco — dry, crisp and perfectly chilled. A classic Martini would have worked too, as would any of the old-school cocktails.
Beyond the floor-length curtains, the dining room beckoned: a romantic space with booths lining the windows and sweeping down the centre and soft lighting. I envied the couples who had snagged those ocean-view booths. This room is built for intimate moments.
Fleeting thoughts of romance disappeared as menus landed on crisp white linen and a basket of warm rolls with cultured butter arrived. It had to be steak; the dry-aged display and the heady aromas from the grill sealed it. Seafood was the logical opener, with oysters, salmon and scallops on offer. I chose the smoked salmon tart — salmon on a crisp pastry base, spread with cream cheese and topped with fresh dill. Lovely. My partner went for steak tartare, a little rich for the evening, but it arrived artfully plated and bright with herbs.
By-the-glass options included a very nice Pinot Noir at a surprisingly fair price. Our mains arrived with a flourish. I chose the rib-eye — a beautiful cut cooked perfectly — with a crisp green salad and a choice of sauces. I went for Béarnaise, the right tangy foil to a medium-rare steak. Delicious. My partner chose the lamb chops: two blushing cutlets with a minty gravy and green peas. We shared the potato purée with thyme gravy, creamy and smooth, plenty for both of us despite the modest price.
The Plantation Grill looks expensive and feels expensive, yet prices compare well with Bali’s top steakhouses. A rib-eye sits at Rp 545K, and wine by the glass starts from Rp 145K, which is excellent value for this level of show.
Mid-meal, the room fell silent as an apparition appeared on the staircase. Dressed in sequins, the resident soprano launched into a perfectly pitched Puccini aria — not an everyday sight in Bali restaurants, which made it even more impressive. The volume was just right. Daisy introduced herself and delivered three short excerpts of much-loved arias. A treat for opera lovers and brief enough for anyone who thinks opera is not their thing. It sets the scene perfectly.
Desserts weren’t as classic as I’d hoped, but the Baked Alaska was a performance worthy of the room. A silver-service waiter appeared with a cart, doused the meringue mountain in liqueur and set it alight before serving. The burnished shell gave way to ice cream and sour cherries, which cut the sweetness nicely.
The Plantation Grill is a Seminyak favourite that deserves every accolade. It opened under Australian celebrity chef Robert Macchetti. He has since moved on, yet the kitchen has maintained the high standards he set, as if still under his watchful eye.
We closed the night back at the bar for an after-dinner drink. No surprise to spot the resort’s Executive Chef and F&B Manager sharing a quiet moment there. If I worked at the resort, I’d end my day in this room too. The Plantation Grill is a destination restaurant offering a glittering experience. Polished to perfection, it belongs among Seminyak’s best restaurants.
