Cooking classes are a great way to learn more about traditional Balinese cuisine and how to make a lavish Balinese feast without studying online for weeks.
If you want to learn more about this aspect of Balinese culture, you’ll love our guide to the best cooking classes in Bali.
The Best Cooking Classes In Bali
Casa Luna Cooking School
The Casa Luna Cooking School is listed in The Australian newspaper as “one of the world’s finest cooking schools”, and we know why.
Janet De Neefe is often called “the Queen of Ubud”. That’s because she’s one of the most prolific and well-respected chefs in Bali’s history, and Casa Luna is her baby.
She’s founded several top restaurants, and this cooking class at Casa Luna is eclectic and fun.
Who doesn’t want to try the “twilight smoked duck class”? Well, possibly vegans, but she also offers a vegan cooking lesson, which examines how vegan cooking can treat specific ailments!
Where Is It? Honeymoon Guesthouse, Jl. Bisma No.5, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Paon Bali Cooking Classes
Paon Bali Cooking Class places as much emphasis on traditional Balinese kitchen life and skills as it does on village life and exotic ingredients.
We’ve never met anyone who went to this Paon Bali cooking class who had the wrong time of things. It’s just a vast amount of fun.
Take fresh produce, exotic herbs, and a smattering of culinary skills and combine them into something incredible in Paon Bali’s kitchen.
Where Is It? Jalan Raya Laplapan, Petulu, Ubud, Petulu, Kecamatan Ubud, Bali, 80552, Indonesia
Cooking Class With Ibu Soelastri @ Hotel Tugu Bali
The morning class run by Ibu Soelastria is all about ensuring that your kitchen skills are honed to perfection on traditional methodologies.
You choose which of the dishes you make when you book this class and, thus, must book a day in advance.
Culinary adventures are just as exciting as this, and you’ll get a lovely view of the local rice fields and some real insights into local culture as you learn!
Where Is It? Pantai Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong No.117x, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Sokasi Cooking School: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
This cooking class isn’t cheap, but the fact that it’s in the Four Seasons gave that away.
However, you will learn the best traditional techniques from Chef Wayan Sutariawan, and he’s a great teacher who can get the best out of pro chefs and novices alike.
This Bali cooking class takes place in a bamboo-styled open kitchen in the valley at Sayan, and once you’ve finished making authentic Balinese cuisine, you can sit down in style and eat your creations.
The local market tour that kicked this class off was one of the highlights of our time in Bali.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Sayan No.29, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Art Cafe Bumbu Bali
Bumbu Bali was the first Balinese cooking school, and they know everything there is to know about traditional techniques and exploring the unique culinary heritage of the island.
The market tour of Jimbaran Market is excellent, with an introduction to local exotic ingredients and aromatic spices before the class begins in earnest. Local markets are fantastic.
The cooking class is led by Heinz von Holzen, a published author of some of the most definitive books on Balinese cuisine!
Where Is It? Jl. Siligita No.101, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Tresna Bali Cooking School
Forget going to the local market at Tresna here. You pick your ingredients from their organic gardens before the cooking class begins.
The class size is limited to just 8 people, and if you want to learn how produce goes from the farm to your table in Bali, this will rock your world!
This feels the way that we always imagined Balinese life would feel. And we had a great time learning how to make traditional Balinese dishes at Tresna.
Where Is It? Gang Tresna, Jalan Raya Bedulu, Banjar Lebah, Bedulu, Bedulu, Blahbatuh, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80581, Indonesia
Senography Cooking School @ RIMBA by AYANA
If you want your cooking class to be all about sustainability, organic ingredients and a truly “hands-on experience” this could be for you!
RIMBA is an award-winning resort often named in the list of the world’s best places to holiday, so as you’d expect, their cooking class is almost perfect.
We had a great time learning how to use chilli and sugar in combination with each other properly!
Where Is It? Sejahtera, Jl. Karang Mas, Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80364, Indonesia
New Earth Cooking School
New Earth Cooking School is all about plant-based eating, and you’ll be learning how to make a plant-powered lunch feast if you let them know beforehand. They can also focus on gluten-free cooking as part of the day.
You will use fresh ingredients during your plant-based internship to make incredibly delicious food. We have a deep appreciation for vegan cooking now. This school is also in one of the most interesting parts of the country – Tabanan.
Where Is It? Penatahan, Penebel, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82152, Indonesia
Moksa’s Plant-Based Culinary Class
Moksa is a vegan fine dining restaurant, and their executive chef, Made Runatha, teaches you how to make excellent plant-based food here.
It’s not cheap, and classes are only running sometimes, but if you want to spend some time here, we’re sure you’ll feel it was value for your time and money.
Where Is It? Ubud II Kutuh, Jl. Puskesmas, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Sayuri Healing Food Academy
The Sayuri Healing Food Academy is all about the raw vegan diet. And their culinary approach is about ensuring that you eat healthy in mind, spirit and soul.
Their two-day masterclass gets you certified as a “Raw Food Chef Level 1”, and the Raw Food Chef Alliance recognizes that!
Where Is It? Jl. Sukma Kesuma No.2, Peliatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Bali Asli Restaurant & Cooking School
Bali Asli is one of the best-known Balinese cooking classes we’ve encountered.
We like that they model their lessons on “a day in the life of a local woman”. And it’s a long day’s lesson at Bali, Asli.
You start pre-dawn at the local market with their chefs, and then it’s back to Bali Asli to learn to make the most amazing Indonesian cuisine.
We experimented with many things at this school, including local rice wine, homemade hibiscus tea, chicken satay, and more. Our taste buds were in heaven. Sign us up for the life of a Balinese lady, please!
Where Is It? Jl. Gelumpang, Karangasem, Kec. Karangasem, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80811, Indonesia
Lobong Culinary Experience
If you want to have serious fun on a tight budget, then Lobong could be what you want.
This beautiful place is on a mountain in Ubud among the rice paddies, and it’s more relaxed than most schools in Bali.
Not only do they greet you with banana fritters (super lovely), but they also give you a little instruction book to keep at the end.
And all for one of the lowest prices on the island! The Lobong culinary experience is fabulous!
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Subak Cooking Class
Subak welcomes you back from the local market shopping experience with a glass of chilled ginger tea!
You then spend your afternoon working with their cooks to learn 9 tasty Balinese recipes.
Where Is It? Jl. Werkudara, Tampaksiring, Kec. Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552, Indonesia
Balinese Cooking Class @ The Bale Nusa Dua
This class is held at one of the most luxurious hotels in Bali, and thus, the price tag is pretty high.
However, it’s worth it, and their chef is an enthusiastic, fun chap with a mountain of local knowledge to share.
We love our certificate of competence from this class. It’s nice on the wall at home.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80363, Indonesia
Raw Food Bali
If you think raw food is nothing but salad and more salad, you need the classes at Raw Food Bali.
They’ll teach you to create cakes, pizzas, and more with raw food.
They use professional raw chefs to deliver each lesson, and you can even sign up for a lengthy raw food retreat if you want to get deep into this cooking style.
Where Is It? 2, Jl. Gootama, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Cafe Wayan Cooking Classes
If you want to spend more time in the Monkey Forest in Ubud, this will be a great excuse.
Cafe Wayan is a gorgeous setting that will fill your Instagram Feed once you get your camera going.
You learn to make five dishes in their lovely gardens at Cafe Wayan, and it’s quite a short class running for just 2 hours.
Where Is It? Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Taman Dukuh Bali Farm Cooking School
If you want to get out among the farms of Bali to learn where your food comes from before you prepare it and place it on the table.
You get a trip to a local market included in the morning classes here, and you can do a full organic farm tour at any time of day before you get stuck into the cooking.
You don’t need transport to get out here. The school provides a pickup and drop-off service in Ubud.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Banjar Jati, Taro, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Jambangan Bali Cooking Class
We loved this cooking class because it’s set in a local home and uses various local ingredients.
Their chefs are all English speakers and excellent teachers, so you might need help to follow along at this excellent local school.
You can take all the food you make home with you as they provide lunch or dinner from their chefs during the cooking class.
Where Is It? Jln Kelabang Moding No.713, Tegallalang, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
The Amala Cooking Class
This culinary experience is perfect for those seeking a concise class and a small class size.
Everything you need is included, and they can teach various techniques, including local vegetarian cooking, on request.
Where Is It? Jl. Kunti I No.108, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Anika Balinese Cooking Class
You have three different tasty menus to choose from in this class. Mind you, you can cook all of them if you come three other times.
They will run this class even if only one person turns up, and that can be an excellent personal introduction to Balinese food.
Where Is It? Jl. Nuri No.2, Tuban, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Sakti Dining Room
This vegetarian restaurant is very upscale, and it’s a good idea to dress to impress here.
It’s in the swanky Fivelements resort, and if you have a special occasion to celebrate in Bali, we recommend a trip to the Sakti Dining Room.
One thing that surprised us was how reasonable the prices are. It’s a 5-star place, but the final bill certainly wasn’t that “fine dining surprise” of some of Bali’s other top eateries.
We really enjoyed our mushroom and laksa soups and found that the superfood salad was amazing value for money.
The coconut cappuccino was a delicious plant-based treat, too.
Take a camera to capture the bamboo design of the restaurant and its lovely location on a gently flowing river.
Where Is It? Puri Ahimsa Banjar Baturning, Mambal, Abiansemal, Badung Regency, Bali 80352, Indonesia
Online: Fivelements
The Shady Shack Bali
The Shady Shack is among Bali’s most popular vegetarian restaurants, and it’s easy to see why when you go.
Its location near a small rice field gives it a feeling of authenticity, and the menu is richly varied, with food from all corners of the globe made with local ingredients.
Everyone raves about the nachos, and we have to admit we were impressed with them, too. They have a delightful crunch that really goes well with the sauce and vegetable accompaniments.
The vegan Oreo stuffed cookie, however, is the star of the show, and we’ve never had such a tasty plant-based cookie before in our lives.
Given its reasonable prices, The Shady Shack is one of those places you can visit over and over again.
Where Is It? Jl. Tanah Barak No.53, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
Online: The Shady Shack, Bali
Lazy Cats Cafe
This is the perfect place for dining with vegetarian friends. The food is very homely and beautifully presented.
The veggie burger is the kind of standout burger that even Gordon Ramsey might give up meat for.
It’s not a mighty mushroom burger but rather a plant-based patty that has a wonderful mouth feel.
Sadly, there are no cats here (neither lazy nor hard-working ones), but if you want great vegetarian food in a pleasant setting, Lazy Cats Caffe delivers in spades.
It’s very easy to while away an entire afternoon on the food and drinks and ambience.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Ubud No.11, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Facebook
Sayuri Healing Food
Sayuri Healing Food is all about raw food and healthy eating to create a healing environment for the mind, body and soul.
It has an extremely boho feel to it, and that’s going to appeal to most vegetarians seeking a home away from home in Bali.
One thing we really love about this place is the range of fresh juices, plant-based tonics and cacao drinks that they have on offer. We could spend a day just drinking these healthy treats.
They’ve got the presentation down pat, too, and you’ll want a camera to fill your Instagram feed with their wonderful creations.
Where Is It? Jl. Sukma Kesuma No.2, Peliatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Sayuri Healing Food
Bodhi Leaf Eatery
This is a vegetarian cafe that brings healthy food to the table at a price almost everyone can afford. It’s no wonder that it gets super busy at lunchtime.
Their use of fresh ingredients to create a wide range of choices (from a Cantonese platter to a Minestrone) is world-class.
You can also buy organic items to take home after your meal.
We like to stop at the Bodhi Leaf Eatery for a coffee, too, as their roaster delivers excellent local blends that really are super tasty.
The only downside of eating here is that it can be very casual in its service, and you won’t get your meal fast if you’re in a hurry.
Where Is It? Jl. Letda Made Putra No.2B, Dauh Puri, Kec. Denpasar Bar., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80232, Indonesia
Online: Facebook
Earth Cafe Bali
The Earth Cafe in Bali is all about plant-based organic foods and in a Mediterranean-style restaurant.
Try their lemongrass tofu wrap or the Jerusalem wrap, they’re so tasty and the portion size is very generous.
The iced coffees are good as they use cold, fresh coconut milk to add a creamy smoothness without any dairy in sight!
They have an organic produce market on site, too, so you can always stock up on grocery items if you want to cook at home later.
Vegan cafes don’t get much better than this. Try their vegan boba, too, it’s great!
Where Is It? Jl. Goutama Sel., Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Earth Cafe
FINNS Beach Club
FINNS Beach Club is the best beach club in the world, and it couldn’t have that title if it didn’t ensure that vegan and vegetarian guests were catered to, could it?
In fact, you’ll find that all of our 3 restaurants and 7 kitchens offer some tasty vegan and vegetarian options. And if you have friends that don’t eat plant-based, that’s okay. We cater to them too.
If you’re looking for a relaxed sundowner or an all-day session, then come to FINNS, and we’ll make sure you get the tasty plant-based grub that you need to have a great time.
Where Is It? Jl. Pantai Berawa No.99, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: FINNS Beach Club
FAQ
Is Vegetarian Food Available In Bali?
Yes, of course! In 2023, we’re still determining if there’s anywhere in the world where you can’t find at least some vegetarian restaurants.
But there are so many vegetarian restaurants and vegan restaurants in Bali that you can’t go wrong if you’re on a plant-based diet.
What Is The Best Vegetarian Food In Bali, Indonesia?
Gado Gado is the most popular vegetarian food in Bali. The name “gado” means “mix” and the name is essentially “mix-mix”.
What it describes is a mixed salad with a peanut sauce you can dip things in. It’s often served as a main course, but it can also be served as a starter to share.
How Do I Ask For Vegetarian Food In Bali?
If you’re not in a vegan restaurant or one of the vegetarian restaurants in Bali, you will need to let the staff know that you’re a vegetarian.
Try saying, “Saya vegetarian,” which means “I am vegetarian“. And if that fails, you can tell someone you don’t eat meat using “saya tidak makan daging“.
“No meat, please” will translate as “tolong jangan isi daging“.
Is Indonesian Food Good For Vegetarians?
Yes. While it’s fair to say that Bali is free of much of the heavy concern over different meats compared to somewhere like India, local taste buds really like plant-based food.
Indonesian dishes will often use tempeh (we’ve been impressed by “tempeh ribs”, in fact) and tahu (the local name for “tofu”) instead of meat.
These tasty proteins make it very easy to have great Indonesian food, even in a restaurant that isn’t a vegetarian restaurant.
Are There Vegan Restaurants In Bali? Where Do I Get Vegan Food?
Yes, there are vegan restaurants in Bali. In fact, many of the restaurants on this list serve vegan food or can make their vegetarian dishes into vegan food if you ask, we certainly do at FINNS.
Restaurants like I Am Vegan Babe are very clearly vegan restaurants but feel free to ask if dishes on a menu anywhere in Bali can be adapted into vegan dishes.
We’ve found that you don’t need to eat in the best vegan restaurants in Bali to get great vegan food. Even traditional burger joints are now stocking vegan burgers and vegan desserts.
Final Thoughts On Vegetarian Food Bali
Good food is the name of the game in Bali’s vegetarian scene, and there are so many great food options and restaurants to choose from.
Our guide has helped you decide where to have your next great vegetarian feed.
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