What’s New in Bali: Nature-Inclined Stays, TikTok-Approved Coffee Havens, & Partying in True Balinese Fashion

PUBLISHED June 7th, 2022 10:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:36 pm

Also known as Islands of the Gods, Bali is where we feel no less than a supreme being. A sweet spot in the Indonesian archipelago, the magical free-spirited land never fails to amaze us with a skyline studded with dramatic mountains and volcanoes, beaches, and hillside temples. Looking to fill your itinerary with countless adventures? Or just dreaming of a destination that will gratify your foody heart? Here’s your guide of all things new awaiting your arrival in Bali in 2022:

Hotels & Stays

Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape

An adults-only resort, sink into serenity at the peaceful Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape. Surrounded by one of Bali’s most untouched greenery,  your villa here will swoon you with private pools, open decks and unobstructed views over Bali’s seven peaks. A myriad of activities and adventures will also keep you occupied – think hiking and trekking trails, cooking classes, yoga, and loads of opportunities to immerse into local Balinese culture.

Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape is located at Jl. Banjar Selat, Buahan Kaja, Payangan, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80572, Indonesia, p. +62 3616208181. Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape opens on June 14, 2022.

Andaz Bali

Mimicking a modern Balinese village in Sanur, Andaz Bali balances the old and the new well enough. Carefully built around existing mature landscape, the resort offers a cozy and lush ambience with the beach only a few steps away. Here you’ll find rooms and suites with spacious balcony and plenty amenities. For relaxing, head to the resort’s ten spa villas, yoga studio or three hydrotherapy pools. End the night by indulging in a romantic intimate beachfront dining, seafood and grill delights for a family feast. 

Andaz Bali is located at Jalan Danau Tamblingan 89a, Sanur, Bali 80228, Indonesia, p. +62 3613201234.

Ecozy Dijiwa Canggu

A contemporary getaway for young travellers, the Ecozy Dijiwa Canggu delivers elegant surroundings, a cosy venue, and warm service. The minimalist hotel with pops of blue is complete with a pool and an in-house café serving all day breakfast and a range of international cuisine. For your sleep haven, expect Wantilan-styled spaces with fresh linens, big balconies and accoutrements. Opt for the Deluxe Room with Pool for a premier, intimate holiday experience that is ought to make everyone at home jealous.

Ecozy Dijiwa Canggu is located at Jl. Padang Linjong, Canggu, Badung,  Bali 80351, Indonesia, p. +62 3616205588.

Yama Balian

Perched in Tabanan overlooking the holy Balian river, Yama Balian is prime for exploring Bali’s west coast. A four minute walk from Balian Beach, this property is a well-deserved treat after a long day of surfing. Expect Mediterranean styled interiors, finished with graceful handmade Balinese touches, and featuring open-air showers and private terrace with daybeds, to bring a sense of connection to the outdoors. The culinary experience here is also based on of conscious nutrition and offers farm to table delights.

Yama Balian is located at Jl. Pantai Balian, banjar penjasahan, Lalanglinggah, Kec. Selemadeg Bar., Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82164, Indonesia, p. +62 81138211411.

Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort

New in Ubud, the Gdas Bali resort provides hospitality services for physical, mental, and spiritual health based on Balinese fundamentals – but with a modern twist. Besides the usual spa and fitness facilities, the Bali Eden experience also offers traditional techniques, therapies, and the latest technology from both scientific and Usadha Bali medicine to bring you one step closer in your wellness journey, and have a better understanding of body, mind, and soul. Russian Bath House and Cryotherapy treatments are also available, among others.

Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort is located at Jl. Cempaka Mas, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia, p. +62 82236091420. Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort opens in August 2022.

Restaurants & Cafés

Huge Restaurant

Chef Edik Kanaryan serves modern European cuisine with Asian influences. Lush leather and velvet chairs, LED lights and a moody industrial ambiance accompany dishes like Riceless Eel, with fresh salmon and eel, truffle tamago, cucumber, tobiko caviar and gold powder, and Pistachio Cannoli, boasting textures of crunchy pistachios and pops of tangy raspberry. Complete the meal with Halva Smoothie, loaded with halva, ice cream, banana and almond milk. Not to miss out on an opportunity to quote Pretty Woman here, but if you miss out on this, “big mistake, huge!”,

Huge Restaurant is located at Jl. Batu Belig No.4, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia, p. +62 81337536604. Open daily 9am-11pm.

Bonito Fish Bar

A fresh new concept bringing you fresh oceanic cuisine! You won’t have to double-guess quality or do away with your environmental ethos here. 80% of all the fish and seafood here sustainably caught from the outer ocean regions in the archipelago, along with imported premium crustaceans. We can’t recommend the Set of All Six Bruschette enough, that comes with an assorted selection of smoked salmon, crab, octopus and more. The charcoal grilled Barramundi Fillet is also utterly tender and smoky.

Bonito Fish Bar is loacetd at Jl. Bumbak Dauh No.5, Kerobokan, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia, p. +62 8113811888. Open daily 12pm- 11pm.

Skool Kitchen

A fire kitchen sitting at the heart of Canggu’s Batu Bolong beach, Skool Kitchen offers a modern culinary experience in an intimate space. The menu has a burning edge to it, with food cooked over natural wood and charcoal embers. Try the highly raved local Fireplace Pumpkin, slow roasted in its skin, grilled to order and garnished with hazelnut crumbs and coconut yogurt. The Slow-roasted leg of lamb is easily a house favourite marinated with yogurt, lemon juice, and spices. The best part? The gorgeous golden-hued sunset that accompanies your wine and dine experience.

Skool Kitchen is located at Jl. Pura Dalem, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia, p. +62 81138004952. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-12am.

Yuki Bali

A new gem in Canggu, Yuki Bali is a modern Japanese Izakaya serving out-of-the-box fusion and traditional cuisine. Say arigato to the Nori Ahi Taco of ponzu watermelon, avocado, sushi rice, and sriracha mayo –  so good that you wouldn’t believe it’s vegan. For a more filling dish, the Grilled King Prawns with corn are a new special with smoked bacon, and fermented chilli butter. The cocktail drinks are to die for too! Give the Pulau Merah a try, a fruity-herbaceous drink with watermelon, raspberry, and hints of ginger.

Yuki Bali is located at Canggu, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia, p. +62 82145099706. Open daily 11am till late.

Okuta Bali

Situated on the hillside of Batur, Okuta café is an extension of nature, offering spectacular views. The cave-like café is complemented with natural elements like plank wood, rocks, rattan furnishings and exposed walls instead of windows. Along with your jaw-dropping view, sip on piping hot tea, coffee curations and indulgent sweet and savoury treats like Steak Frites, Okuta Tom Yum Noodles, White Choco Tiramisu, and Basque Cheese Cake. An instagramable café with a contemporary culinary selection, and a view, what more could we ask for?

Okuta Bali is located at Penelokan Main Rd, Central Batur, Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali 80652, Indonesia, p +62 87849580650. Open daily 8am-7pm.

PinkU

A cosy space, with darling pink interiors and neon signs, the Pinku Milk Bar is the newest hotspot for Gen Zs and millennials alike. Created with premium and fresh ingredients, sans preservatives and artificial flavours, quench your thirst with the likes of earthy and nutritional Banana Oats Hokkaido Milk and the sweet Banana Berry Shake. For munchies, the Korean sandwiches are heaps of fun and deliciousness. We recommend the Gyeran Cheezu, and the Tuna Mayo with fluffy scrambled egg and melty cheese.

PinkU is located at K-Square, Jl. Raya Kerobokan, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia, p. +62 81297411393. Open daily 9am-9pm.

Hot Sugar Cafe at Bedugul Hills

A serene spot surrounded by flora, Hot Sugar Café is located amidst a jungle forest. Connect with nature as you swing on an outdoor swing and whet your appetite with local Indonesian dishes. On the menu are Bakso Anti Lapar (local meatball soup), Lumpiang Crispy (crispy spring rolls), Mie Panas Pedas (an Indomie dish with eggs and sausages), and Churros with strawberries and ice cream. Theres a blend of different cocktails also available to cool off in the heat. The breezy river air and the casual atmosphere of the space are proverbial cherries on top.

Hot Sugar Cafe at Bedugul Hills is located at Jl. Raya Denpasar, Candikuning, Bedugul, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82191, Indonesia, p. +62 85857936288. Open daily 10am-7pm.

Penny Lane

Already famous on TikTok and Instagram, Penny Lane needs no introduction. Decked out in Boho-chic interiors, the open-air venue has natural exposed walls, fountains, and lots of photo opportunities. Expect a modern menu with burgers, loaded fries, local dishes, salads and schnitzels with Mexican and Mediterranean influences. In terms of cocktails, the Kimmy Karpassion Porn Star Martini is a mouth-watering blend of vanilla vodka, passionfruit & lime, served with a shot of prosecco. Indulge in the Pablo Escobar Loaded Fries, with beer battered fries, melted cheese, beef, tortilla chips and lashings of sauces.

Penny Lane is located at Jl. Munduk Catu No.9, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia, p. +62 085238777786. Open daily 12pm-11pm.  

Bars

Platonic Bar

A speakeasy hidden in a small alley at Jalan Tanah Barak, Platonic is spicing up the nightlife scene in Bali. The young spot with antique counters and cabinets, plastered walls and bare cement floors sports a weekly line up of DJs that spin your time here into a good one, alongside a laidback ambience and a refined yet playful cocktail menu. Signatures worth a try include the interestingly named The Plan B (gin-based, bitter and citrusy), Ay, Dios Mio, and Purely Platonic (think lemon, honey, and ginger).

Platonic Bar is located Jl. Tanah Barak No.31, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia, p. +62 82144788810. Open Wed-Mon 7pm-late. Closed on Tues.

Bar Souvenir

This Tokyo-tiny-bar inspired concept goes big in service and drinks. Amidst the minimalist, modern interior, expect seasonal cocktails, artisan snacks and an exceptional wine and spirits list. The floral yet fruity Shibumi⁠ cocktail is a must-try with Japanese chamomile gin, yuzu, passion fruit and sparkling wine, whilst the Peach Boy⁠ is one for ice tea lovers looking for a refreshing tipple on a balmy Balinese evening. The Cheese & Bread platter with an affordable price tag, makes the perfect accompanying treat to pair.

Bar Souvenir is located at Gg. Jalak VIB No.4, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia. Open daily 5pm-late.

Raja’s Bar Bali

An elegant watering hole, Raja’s is a slice of India to Bali, decked out with Indian art and tokens of traditional artefacts. Be it in the main lounge, or on the rooftop oasis, the cocktails here bring just the spicy mix you would expect it to, including the sharing gin teapots! In our opinion, The Raja 75, their take on the classic French 75, is the ideal drink this summer – crisp, citrusy and effervescent. The Tamarind Margarita on the other hand is just as delicious with simple, tropical flavours.

Raja’s Bar Bali is located at Petitenget St No.16, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia. Open Tues-Sat 7pm-late. Closed on Mon & Sun.

Behind the Green Door

A cocktail lounge and music emporium in Bali, Behind the Green Door is the new secret place to be! They require a password for entry, which can be gotten via a. direct message on Instagram or Whatsapp. Dive right into the nice selection of cocktails and drinks and groove to the beat of R&B classics, golden hits to jazz. Pick your poison from a rotating menu featuring a wide range of seasonal, classic, and unique concoctions made using only the finest of Bali fruits.

Behind the Green Door is located at Jl. Subak Sari No.90a, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia, p. +62 81353680981. Open daily 8pm till late.

Top image: Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape