Bali has not, yet, got any Michelin-starred restaurants, but that’s not because the fine dining scene on the island is lacking, it’s because the guide doesn’t operate in Indonesia.
That means it’s impossible to recieve a Michelin star, no matter how good any of the restaurants in Bali are and some of them are very good, indeed.
So, here’s what you need to know about the fine dining scene, right now, and which restaurants in Bali are most likely to win a Michelin star if the guide ever does start assessing places here.
What Is A Michelin Star?
A Michelin star is a coveted award denoting culinary excellence in the restaurant world. Food enthusiasts often seek out a dining experience specifically because a restaurant has a Michelin star award.
They know that it’s a mark that the chef will take them on a culinary journey that can’t be matched elsewhere.
Michelin stars are awarded by the Michelin guide. Interestingly, the guide was founded by a tyre company with the intention of creating a guide to restaurants worth travelling for.
Why Are There No Michelin Star Restaurants In Bali?
A Michelin star is a coveted award denoting culinary excellence in the restaurant world. Food enthusiasts often seek out a dining experience specifically because a restaurant has a Michelin star award.
They know that it’s a mark that the chef will take them on a culinary journey that can’t be matched elsewhere.
Michelin stars are awarded by the Michelin guide. Interestingly, the guide was founded by a tyre company with the intention of creating a guide to restaurants worth travelling for.
Why Are There No Michelin Star Restaurants In Bali?
The Michelin Guide does not operate in Indonesia. Thus, it has never assessed any of the fine dining restaurants in Bali or anywhere else in Indonesia.
Thus the best chefs on the island such as Chef Nic Vanderbeeken or Chef Blake Thornley have never been assessed on their offerings here in Bali.
Are There Any Michelin Star Chefs In Bali?
Yes, there are several chefs with a Michelin star earned during their careers working in Bali. Syrco Bakker at Syrco Base and Stephane Gortina at The Restaurant are two examples, but there are others.
You will also find that many an executive chef here in Bali will invite chefs from overseas to guest at their fine dining establishments across the course of the year many of these chefs have a Michelin star too.
Our Pick Of Bali’s 16 Michelin-Starred Restaurants To Be
If the guide does, finally, turn its eyes to the fine dining scene in Bali, we think these are the restaurants most likely to be on the shortlist:
Aperitif, Ubud
This signature restaurant at the Viceroy Bali is clearly aiming for a Michelin star if the guide ever arrives in Indonesia and eating here is a showcase of the best food on the island and from around the world.
The Venison Wellington is absolutely amazing and they have a wonderful bartender who makes incredible pre-dinner drinks.
Where Is It? Br. Nagi, Jl. Lanyahan, Petulu, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Aperitif
Locavore NXT, Ubud
Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah are both rated among the top chefs in Asia and the queue for seats at Locavore NXT (you will need to book a long time in advance) is something to be reckoned with.
We think they’ve got a great chance of becoming a Michelin-star restaurant if the guide ever starts to assess Bali. The eclectic menu on offer here is an absolute delight.
Where Is It? Jl. Dewisita No.10a, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Locavore NXT
Mozaic Restaurant, Ubud
Mozaic must fancy their chances of being the island’s first Michelin-star restaurant as their fine dining establishment is the only restaurant in Indonesia to be a member of “Les Grandes Tables Du Monde”.
Normally, they only admit restaurants with a star, so it’s a huge recognition of the chefs (Chris Salans and Blake Thornley) there and their amazing French cuisine.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Mozaic
Merah Putih, Seminyak
It’s easy to be so overwhelmed by the beautiful setting at this amazing high-end Indonesian restaurant but it’s their take on Indonesian cuisine that makes it worth visiting.
Every recipe here is authentic and bursting with flavour. Their Balinese recipes use only local produce and high-quality ingredients paired with the breathtaking views, guests know they’re in for an amazing experience here.
Where Is It? Jalan Petitenget.100X Kerobokan Kelod, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Merah Putih
Syrco BASE, Ubud
With an international team led by a Michelin-starred chef you really can’t doubt the quality of the offering at Syrco Base.
Every dish is a visual treat and the cocktail pairing menu is better than any wine pairing we’ve had in an actual Michelin restaurant to date.
Where Is It? Jl. Sri Wedari No.72, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Syrco
Room4Dessert, Ubud
Yes, one of the best restaurants in Bali is a dessert restaurant and they serve the sweetest and tastiest creations at Room4Dessert.
If you want food that is elevated to a work of art, then you can’t go wrong with this stunning place.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Online: Room4Dessert
Arcadia, Ubud
Don’t let the outdoor seating area fool you, this casual fine dining experience has absolutely refined and reimagined each dish it serves.
The biggest challenge at Arcadia is to keep how much you order under control, if you’re like us, you will want to try everything on the menu!
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
BLANCO par Mandif, Ubud
Mandif Warokka makes no bones of his intention to have Bali’s first Michelin Star and there’s no doubt that the fine dining experience at BLANCO might help him get it.
The 8-course menus on offer here are a real tribute to local ingredients and the pairing menus take the food to the next level. It’s fabulous.
Where Is It? Kompleks Museum Blanco, Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Ubud, Sayan, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: BLANCO
Kubu @ Mandapa, Ubud
If there’s a name that’s associated better with fine dining than “Ritz Carlton” we don’t know what it is.
This gorgeous restaurant at Mandapa with an amazing outdoor seating area delivers amazing Mediterranean-European fusion and we’re sure that it would be a shoe in for a Michelin star.
This is a fine dining restaurant that you take a date to and then sit back and enjoy the beauty of the world, your date and the food.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Banjar, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Kubu
Sangsaka, Seminyak
Kieran & Yunika Morland take Indonesian cuisine to the next level at Sangaska and they’d be certain to be in the running for a Michelin star.
It’s another fine-dining restaurant in Bali where you want to check out the cocktails, rather than the wine list, as their onsite mixologist is incredible too.
Our only complaint about Sangsaka is that can be a little dark inside and while we get that’s an aesthetic thing, we don’t like struggling to see food that looks this good.
Where Is It? Jalan Pangkung Sari No. 100 Kerobokan, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Sangsaka
Mauri, Seminyak
Chef Maurizio Bombini at Mauri is all about riffing on modern Italian cuisine to create an elevated menu that ticks every box your tastebuds might have to tick.
Almost all of the ingredients are grown by the chef in his hydroponic garden on the roof of the restaurant!
This is definitely the sort of place that you dress up for, but we think that the prospect of a Michelin star makes it worth it.
Where Is It? Jl. Petitenget No.100, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Mauri
The Cave by Chef Ryan Clift @ The Edge, Uluwatu
What could be finer than a 25,000-year-old cave to serve as your dining room? It certainly elevates the dining experience.
Chef Ryan Clift is all about gastronomic delights and his 7-course menu is one of the legends of the Bali dining scene.
We recommend opting for the pairing menus as they really do add a little extra zing to the dishes.
Where Is It? Jalan Pura Goa Lempeh, Banjar Dinas Kangin, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: The Cave
Indigo, Canggu
The chef at Cuca trained in the El Bulli restaurant in Spain. Given that El Bulli was, for a long time, rated the world’s best restaurant you can be certain that the food at Cuca is star-worthy.
We love that the food here is exceptionally pretty and we’d always encourage you to take pics of dishes this good.
As you’d expect in Jimbaran, the cuisine here makes excellent use of the catch of the day from the boats arriving in the bay each day.
Where Is It? Jl. Yoga Perkanthi, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Online: Cuca
Seasalt
This zero-waste restaurant offers breathtaking views overt the Ocean and you can enjoy a meal that is nearly as spectacular as the view.
Their Japanese-infused cuisine is some of the tastiest food in Indonesia and you’re bound to enjoy fine dining in thongs (flip-flops).
We’d recommend diners arrive in the late evening and settle in for sunset drinks before working their way through the menu.
Where Is It? Jl. Taman Ganesha Jl. Petitenget No.9, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Seasalt
Takumi Kaiseki & Omakase
Meals don’t get any better than the lovingly crafted sushi and Japanese treats at Takumi.
Each course is a visual feast as well as delicious and filling. We’d recommend that you go with the 18-course omakase and enjoy the chef’s explanation of each dish as you go.
Takumi Kaiseki & Omakase is one of those rare restaurants that makes you excited for the food.
Where Is It? Jl. Petitenget No.43A, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Takumi
FAQs
Does Bali Have A Michelin Star Restaurant?
No. There are no restaurants in Bali with Michelin stars. This is not because there are no restaurants on the island that merit a star, it’s because the Michelin Guide does not currently operate in Bali.
Are There Any Michelin Star Restaurants In Indonesia?
No, the Michelin Guide does not operate in Indonesia and thus, there are no restaurants in the archipelago with Michelin stars.
This doesn’t mean that Indonesian cuisine is somehow lacking, there are restaurants all over the country that might win a star if the guide were to start here.
Who Has 32 Michelin Stars?
Nobody has 32 Michelin stars, Joel Robuchon, the French chef, was the holder of the highest number of Michelin stars in his career and he won 31 stars in total.
Which Countries Have 3 Michelin Star Restaurants?
Currently, chefs in Austria, Belgium, Mainland China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Macau, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States operate, at least one, Michelin 3-star restaurant within that territory.
Final Thoughts On Bali Michelin Star Restaurants
We have no idea if the dining destination that is Bali will ever see a visit from the Michelin Guide or which fine dining restaurant will be the first to gain a coveted Michelin star here on the island.
What we do know is that there are several great examples of culinary excellence here that could be worthy of becoming Michelin-starred restaurants if the guide ever does arrive.
We’d also recommend keeping an eye out for guest chefs as many a restaurant in Bali will invite chefs in for cooking collaborations during the year.
Related posts:
42 Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Bali: Your Guide To The Island’s Finest Eateries
