November has that in-between energy, the lull before the festive storm. The weather’s teasing us with a little rain, the island’s slowing just enough to breathe, and yet somehow, the calendar keeps filling up. New restaurants are dropping, chefs are playing with seasonal menus, and parties are still rolling from sunset to sunrise.
This month, it’s all about discovery. The soft launch spots that become the next big thing. The pop-ups that only the locals know. The rooftop takeovers and secret dinners where word travels fast but reservations don’t last long. From new restaurant openings for the festive rush to the cooler corners still clinking glasses, November in Bali feels like the calm with just enough chaos to keep it interesting.
An Evening of Elegance & Empathy at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
On Friday, 14 November, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort will host An Evening of Elegance & Empathy, a charity gala that blends fine dining with heartfelt purpose. Set in the resort’s stunning Kecak Ballroom, this black-tie affair brings together Bali’s business leaders, philanthropists, and tastemakers for one meaningful night in support of Bali Life Foundation.
Guests can look forward to Sofitel’s signature French art de vivre hospitality, a four-course set menu, free-flow alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and live entertainment throughout the evening. The live and silent auctions will be a major highlight, featuring exclusive items up for bidding, from a stay in Sofitel’s Presidential Villa to luxury resort escapes across Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi, and Sydney, as well as flight tickets and other curated experiences.
More than just a glamorous night out, the GALA is built on genuine compassion. Every bid, toast, and plate served directly supports education, housing, and empowerment programs for underprivileged children and families across Bali.
As Sofitel’s General Manager Jean-Pierre Joncas says, “Luxury means little without purpose.” This November, purpose takes centre stage, and you’re invited to be part of it.
Perth’s Wildest Chef Joins Bali’s Favourite Natural Wine Bar at Mosto Bali
Things are heating up at Mosto this November as the team joins forces with Elliot “Chef Macbeth” Sawiris from Nextdoor in Perth for one night only. On Thursday, 27 November, Macbeth brings his Egyptian–Italian roots and no-rules approach to the island for a fire-fueled kitchen collaboration with Mosto’s own Chef Lorenzo De Petris.
Loud plates, smoky air, and wines flowing from the first pour. The menu is pure chaos in the best way, an à la carte lineup that heroes flame, fat, and flavour. From Australian OP rib and Southern lamb flown in straight from Perth, kissed by the grill, and finished with that irreverent Mosto twist.
This isn’t the night for restraint. It’s for those who like their dinners with edge, their chefs with attitude, and their wine glasses rarely empty. Perth meets Bali, fire meets finesse, and the result is one hell of a feast.
Uma Garden Courts Couples With a New Romantic Dinner Set Menu
There’s something magical about Uma Garden at night, the open fire glowing softly, the scent of smoke and spice in the air, and a table set just for two. This month, the restaurant introduces an exclusive Romantic Dinner Set Menu, designed for couples who want something more than just dinner, an evening that feels personal, warm, and a little bit cinematic.
The night begins with a signature amuse-bouche, followed by starters like Beef Carpaccio with truffle cream and pickled shallot, or Charred Seabass with coriander and caper sauce. For mains, it’s a choice between Black Cod with peas purée and mint, or an indulgent AUS Wagyu Striploin MB 6/7 with truffle pomme purée and rich beef jus. To end, the Strawberry Lover dessert brings together lemon sable, strawberry curd, and raspberry sorbet, light, sweet, and perfectly balanced.
Priced from IDR 2,300K including two glasses of sparkling wine, or IDR 2,500K with a full bottle of red or white wine, the evening also includes a flower bouquet for that extra touch of romance.
It’s Uma Garden at its most intimate, fire, flavour, and connection, all under Bali’s night sky.
Community Assist 2025 Brings Bali Together for a Game That Gives Back
Bali’s favourite community day is back, and it’s bigger yet full of heart. On Saturday, 15 November 2025, the courts at Canggu Community School will come alive for the 5th Annual Community Assist 3×3 Charity Basketball Tournament, brought to you by Indosole and PNNY. It’s part basketball showdown, part block party, and all about giving back.
This year’s goal is to raise IDR 480 million for the Ragam Foundation Educational Scholarship Program, the Green School Foundation Agricultural Scholarship Program, and Bali Flood Relief efforts. From the first tip-off at 9am till the final buzzer at sunset, it’s a full day of friendly competition, music, local food, and that unbeatable Bali community spirit.
Anyone can get involved, sponsor a team, play with your crew, donate prizes, or join the marketplace and showcase what you do best. Or just turn up, grab a drink, and cheer courtside for a good cause.
Now in its fifth year, Community Assist has become more than just a tournament. It’s a reminder of what Bali does best, showing up for each other, sweating it out for something bigger, and proving that the community really can change the game.
Galungan & Kuningan: Bali’s Sacred Celebration of Good Triumphing Over Evil
Every six months, Bali comes alive with one of its most meaningful and colorful spiritual festivals, Galungan and Kuningan. This sacred celebration symbolizes the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil), a time when the Balinese honor their ancestors and the divine forces that protect balance in life.
From November 18 to November 30, the island transforms beautifully, streets are adorned with “penjor”, tall bamboo poles decorated with coconut leaves, fruits, and offerings.
Each penjor reflects the family’s creativity and devotion, and you’ll see them gracefully lining almost every road across Bali.
During this festive season, Balinese families gather to pray at temples, prepare traditional dishes like lawar and pork satay, and participate in Melasti, a sacred purification ritual that differs from one region to another.
The spirit of the island becomes even more vibrant as children perform Barong dances, moving from village to village, especially around Ubud and Denpasar, bringing joy, blessings, and the playful energy of Bali’s mythology to the streets.
If you’re visiting Bali this November, don’t miss the chance to witness this living tradition. From the rhythmic sound of gamelan echoing through temples to the smiles of young dancers in their Barong costumes, Galungan and Kuningan offer a heartfelt glimpse into the soul of Balinese culture.
New openings keep rolling in, It feels like every week Bali’s adding another reason to eat out, and we’re not complaining.
Bara Ignites Modern Indonesian Dining in Seminyak
Seminyak’s dining scene just got hotter, literally. Bara has officially opened its doors, bringing a fresh, fire-led take on Indonesian flavours. It’s a modern bistro built around the grill, where every dish carries the soul of local herbs, spices, and smoke. Led by Head Chef Cliff Benardo Wijaya, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with roots in both Indonesian and Australian kitchens, Bara reimagines the familiar through technique and flame.
The menu reads like a love letter to Indonesia with a contemporary twist. The Grilled Chicken Maryland comes with sauce soto and coconut crema, comfort food reborn. The Whole Market Fish with bonito pepper sauce and sambal pecak hits the perfect balance of spice and heat. And for dessert, the Banana Ganache “Piscok” turns the humble street snack into something rich, smooth, and addictive. Bara’s signature Makan Tengah invites you to dine the Indonesian way, sharing, tasting, and gathering around the table. It’s simple, communal, and made for good company.
With its warm atmosphere, spice-forward dishes, and the unmistakable glow of the open grill, Bara feels like the missing link between tradition and modern bistro dining. It’s Indonesian at heart, Seminyak in spirit, and designed to be shared.
Farmer’s Daughter Blooms in Legian
Legian’s got a new heart, and it smells like freshly baked pastries and good coffee. Farmer’s Daughter Bali has just opened, a café, pastry house, and eatery that feels like stepping into something honest and beautiful. Built from 70% eco-friendly bamboo and inspired by the raw curves of a natural cave, it’s rustic in the best way, warm, earthy, and quietly stylish.
The food is what makes it special. From flaky croissants, silky coffee, and hearty plates that give the perfect spot between comfort and craft. The menu comes from one of Bali’s celebrated chefs, the culinary mind once behind Métis Restaurant, who’s brought his love for home-style cooking to a space that feels like a breath of fresh air.
It’s the kind of place you wander into for breakfast and end up staying through lunch. Easy, inviting, and simply flavourful, Farmer’s Daughter is proof that simple things done right can still feel extraordinary.
Cantina Classe Brings a Taste of Italy to Ubud’s Jungle
Hidden in the green heart of Ubud, Cantina Classe feels like one of those rare places you stumble upon and instantly want to stay awhile. It’s Italian at heart but wrapped in Ubud’s calm, all dappled light, warm wood, and the smell of something wonderful coming off the grill. There’s a kind of quiet romance to it, the kind that makes you want to linger over another glass of wine just to stretch the evening a little longer.
The food is honest and soulful, the kind you’d expect from an Italian countryside kitchen, but with a Bali twist. The Tomato Burrata is sunshine on a plate, creamy cheese, sweet local tomatoes, simple, perfect. The Spaghetti Aglio Olio gets a rustic remix with roasted herb pesto, tender chicken leg, and a handful of nuts for crunch. And if pizza’s your love language, the Truffle Mushroom Pizza is a must: earthy, cheesy, rich, and just indulgent enough to make you sigh in satisfaction.
Cantina Classe isn’t just another Italian restaurant; it’s a mood. Think slow meals, easy laughter, and that feeling that time moves differently here. Ubud’s got a new secret worth sharing.
Athenian Street Food Shines at this new Seminyak Eatery
Seminyak’s dining scene has a new heartbeat, and it’s coming straight from the fire. Estia, the island’s newest Greek eatery on Jalan Kayu Cendana, is serving up wood-fired soul food with a touch of Athens street flair. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t try too hard, the glow of the grill, the scent of smoke, the laughter spilling out into the night, everything feels natural, easy, and a little bit magic.
The menu is built around the flame. Expect grilled souvla skewers, smoky meats, and rustic plates that taste like summer by the sea. Each dish feels familiar but alive, like something passed down and reborn for Bali. It’s Mediterranean warmth meeting island rhythm, fresh, unfussy, and full of heart.
Estia isn’t a place you rush through. It’s where you linger over a late dinner, glass in hand, the air thick with spice and good music. And when the night deepens, the kitchen keeps the fire going to 2 am. For Seminyak, it’s a breath of something new, relaxed, soulful, and unapologetically Greek.
Legian Seaside Diner Has Us In The Throes of Anticipation.
For years, the Lokal 80361 has been a Legian favourite – a bar and restaurant that welcomes us like friends. Where locals mingle with travellers, where the beer is always cold and the plates are fresh and generous.
We’ve been waiting, eagerly anticipating the opening of Lokal Beach House – an elegant white pavilion that leads directly onto the sands of our favourite beach. Here, the same generous hospitality is served up with unbeatable views of Legian Beach, and we’re excited about enjoying long lunches, moonlit dinners, and sunsets with a cold bevvie and a plate of prawns, while watching the world go by. How about you?
