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What Food To Try in Bali and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Bali for 2024.

National currency: Rupiah, symbol — Rp (international currency code IDR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Bali cafes and restaurants
$1.7 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $1
$22.6 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $16.63
$4 
Combo Meal
Starting from $3.33

What to Try in Bali

Must-try Dishes
Bubur Ayam - Chicken Porridge - A comforting rice porridge topped with shredded chicken, garnished with fried shallots and cilantro. It’s commonly enjoyed for breakfast, often served at bustling food stalls where locals meet before starting their day.

Satay Lilit - Minced Fish Satay - Spiced minced fish wrapped around lemongrass sticks and grilled to perfection, creating a smoky flavor. A popular street food option, it’s typically sold by vendors near beaches and is perfect for a quick snack on the go.

Nasi Campur - Mixed Rice - A vibrant platter of rice served with small portions of various dishes like beef rendang, fried chicken, and sambal. You’ll often see this served in warungs during lunch, where it’s customary for locals to choose their favorite components.

Lawar - Spicy Vegetable Salad - A traditional dish made with finely chopped vegetables, coconut, and minced meat seasoned with rich spices. Locals love to pair it with rice during family gatherings, celebrating its cultural significance and freshness.

Rujak - Spicy Fruit Salad - A surprising mix of fresh, diced fruits seasoned with a spicy tamarind sauce. Often sold by street vendors, it’s a favorite among locals during hot afternoons as a refreshing snack—don’t be surprised by the kick!

Jajan Pasar - Market Snacks - A collection of colorful, bite-sized traditional snacks made with rice flour, coconut, and palm sugar, perfect for sharing. Available during local festivals and markets, indulging in these treats is a beloved custom to celebrate community spirit.

Gado-Gado - Mixed Vegetables with Peanut Sauce - Steamed vegetables, tofu, and hard-boiled eggs drizzled with a rich peanut sauce. Typically enjoyed for lunch, locals often eat it with rice, especially during family gatherings or picnics.

Tempeh Mendoan - Fried Tempeh - Crispy and slightly chewy fried tempeh served with a side of sambal for dipping. This popular snack is best enjoyed hot in the late afternoon and is often a favorite at local food stalls.

Desserts & Drinks
Kopi Bali - Kopi Bali (local coffee) - A robust brew made from locally grown Arabica beans, often prepared using a traditional drip method. This aromatic coffee is typically enjoyed in the morning, paired with sweet fried snacks for a delightful local breakfast experience.

Es Campur - Es Campur (shaved ice dessert) - A refreshing medley of shaved ice topped with colorful fruits, coconut, and sweet syrups. Perfect for the hot afternoons, locals often grab this at street stalls to cool off and enjoy a break from the tropical heat.

Bali Booze - Arak (local spirit) - A traditional Balinese spirit distilled from fermented rice or palm sap, usually enjoyed neat or in cocktails. Perfect for social gatherings, you'll often find locals sipping it during temple ceremonies or after a long day of work.

Klepon - Klepon (sticky rice balls) - Bite-sized green rice balls filled with palm sugar, rolled in grated coconut for a chewy texture. Commonly served during celebrations, these sweet treats are best enjoyed fresh and warm, and a little trick: pop them into your mouth for a surprise burst of sweetness!

Teh Botol - Teh Botol (bottle tea) - Sweetened jasmine tea served cold in glass bottles, it’s a popular drink for picnics or beach days. Locals love it for its refreshing taste, especially after a day in the sun; just a heads up, it's often sweeter than you might expect!

Food and Groceries in Bali

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $1.65
Bananas $1.63
Oranges $2.26
Potatoes $1.82
Apples $2.72
Beverages
Water 1.5L $0.55
0.5L Local Beer $2.32
Imported Beer $2.49
Wine Rating >4.0 $19.96
Milk 1L $1.67

Various Groceries
Meat (Beef or Pork) $10.14
Chicken $4.61
Cigarettes $2.13
Rice $1.01
Local Cheese $9.13

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

In the mornings around Bali, the hustle and bustle of local markets comes alive as vendors set up their stalls with vibrant fruits, freshly caught fish, and aromatic spices. Breakfast is typically enjoyed between 7 AM and 10 AM, with the most common choices being nasi goreng or bubur ayam. It’s quite normal to see locals grabbing a quick bite from a warung before heading off to work.

When it comes to dining areas, Ubud is known for its health-conscious eateries, while Seminyak offers a more upscale dining scene. In Ubud, you can find a hearty local meal for around 50,000 IDR to 80,000 IDR, whereas in Seminyak, similar dishes could reach 150,000 IDR to 250,000 IDR. It’s a stark contrast, reflecting the varying demographics and tourism levels of these districts.

Payment customs often lean toward cash, predominantly in IDR, though some higher-end restaurants may accept credit cards. It's important to note that sharing a meal with friends and family is common, reflecting the communal culture here. However, tourists sometimes overlook this custom, opting for individual dishes instead. Tipping isn’t mandatory, but leaving a small amount, around 10% if service is exceptional, is appreciated.

Mealtime can be particularly hectic during lunch hours, typically between 12 PM and 2 PM, especially in busy areas like Kuta and Legian. If you want to avoid long waits, consider dining a bit earlier or later. During the rainy season, which peaks in December and January, many locals shift their eating habits to favor heartier, warm dishes. You might find places serving comforting soups and porridges become increasingly popular.

Restaurants often expect a reservation for dinner, especially in Seminyak or during high tourist seasons. A little planning can save you from long waits or finding no tables available. Also, note that most dining spots close around 11 PM, with some bars staying open later.

As the local food scene continues to evolve, there's a noticeable trend of younger generations intertwining traditional Balinese cuisine with modern techniques and global flavors, offering fresh twists that reflect their diverse influences. It's an exciting time to explore the flavors of Bali!




Tourist Reviews

All photos and texts belong to their authors
@natali_knyazeva
« Once again, we're talking about love, and for me, it’s all about those delightful fruits and a little piece of Baltic charm! 🍓

Rambootan and snake fruit! Rambootan reminds me of lychee, and if Vera loves them, she simply devours them! The snake fruit, named so because of its scaly skin, tastes like a mix of pear and apple. It's a real treat! 🍏🍐

As for prices, if you want to buy them at the local market, they usually go for around 5-10 USD per kilogram. That's about 10-15 USD if you're in the central market. Snake fruit ranges from 15-20 USD per kilogram.

In stores, they can be 20-50% more expensive. »
@marinedemina
« 517000 IDR per 1 kg = 38 USD - and this is the price of HAPPINESS for the modest residents of a small island in the Indian Ocean! Feel the taste of luxury, true luxury. »
@dorvalistravel
« The prices in this place aren't the lowest by local standards. The total bill for two dishes and two coffees ☕️ was around $9. For comparison, there are many places where you can have the same for about $4. However, this place is worth the price; the food is delicious, portions are decent, everything is clean and tidy, and the grounds are beautifully landscaped. Near each gazebo, there's a cage with a singing bird, a gong to summon the waiter, and plenty of flowers! Plus, just outside the gazebo, there's a pond teeming with goldfish. »