Candi Dasa restaurants and bars guide
Dine with the sand between your toes in Candi Dasa
Candi Dasa has an excellent range of dining with something to suit every conceivable taste and budget. There are numerous eateries specialising in grilled seafood or authentic Italian pizza and more than enough cheap Indonesian cafes for diners watching their rupiah. There are also a few gastronomic treats in store for more discerning diners in elegant five star surroundings.
The most atmospheric places are situated along the beachfront although in general you will get better value at one of the many restaurants situated on the main high street.
Several of these often have good value set meals and weekly buffet nights. The range of atmosphere is quite varied with some places laying on Balinese dancing while others show big screen movies or sports on TV.
Nightlife in Candi Dasa is a far cry from all action Kuta in south Bali and all is pretty quiet after midnight. Most diners linger on in restaurants after a meal with a few drinks before heading home, although there are a few vibrant spots with live bands. See our recommendations below of the best places to eat and drink in Candi Dasa.
Candi Dasa restaurants
Legong Restaurant
A popular family orientated tourist restaurant serving up a broad range of European dishes and authentic Balinese roasts. Food and service is high quality and prices are modest but its main attraction is the nightly ‘Legong’ Balinese dances accompanied by a live gamelan orchestra. Dinner reservations are highly recommended during the high season. Jalan Danau Tamblingan 218, Tel: +62 (0)361 288066, open daily 11:00 to 22:00. $$
Kubu Bali
One of Candi Dasa’s most renowned restaurants, this ever popular place specialises in exotic seafood hotplates and inventive modern Asia Pacific fusion which has mouths watering all over the island.
There is a open air terrace set around a fish pond, providing a suitably romantic ambience and diners can make use of the on site swimming pool. Overall, food quality and service is excellent and well worth the expense. Jalan Raya Candi Dasa, Karngasem Tel: +62 363 41532, info@kububali.com, open daily 08:00 - 22:00. $$$
Raja’s
Overlooking the lagoon in the centre of town, this perennial favourite serves up plenty of atmosphere and cheap to moderately priced Indo-Chinese and Western dishes. Diners flock here for the lively ambience and nightly big screen movies and it is also worth visiting for great value lunchtime set meals. Jalan Raya Candi Dasa, Tel: +62 (0)363 42034, open daily 11:00 to 23:00. $$
Vincent’s
An artful cafe bar and lounge with Candi Dasa’s best range of vegetarian food. It has a laid back atmosphere with a choice of indoor or al fresco dining and a vast selection of Mediterranean style seafood. Expect cool jazz background music and unfussy yet efficient service. There are premium imported beers and lots of cocktail choices. Jalan Raya Candi Dasa, +62 (0)363 41368, open daily 10:00 until late. $$
Alila Restaurant
This is fine dining fit for royalty at East Bali’s most sumptuous Asian restaurant. There are numerous gastronomic delights on a huge menu with lots of seafood and prime cuts of venison, lamb and even kangaroo meat. The wine list is extensive and desserts are to die for. Despite the prices and indulgent surroundings, the ambience is refreshingly informal. Definitely worth a one time splurge. Alila Manggis, Buitan, Manggis Karangasem, Tel: +62 (0)363 41011, manggis@alilahotels.com, open 17:00 to 22:00. $$$$
Price guide
$ dishes rp15,000 – rp30,000; quart of beer rp25,000; whiskey shot rp25,000; cocktails rp30,000
$$ dishes rp30,000 – rp75,000; quart of beer rp35,000; whiskey shot rp40,000; cocktails rp45,000
$$$ dishes rp75,000 – rp100,000; quart of beer rp40,000; whiskey shot rp50,000 cocktails rp50,000
$$$$ dishes rp100,000+ quart of beer rp50,000; whiskey rp60,000; cocktails rp70,000
Candi Dasa bars and nighlife
Legenda
This is the best bet for a lively night out in sedate Candi Dasa with live bands playing a couple of nights a week. There is a menu of simple western meals and bar snacks at bargain prices, however most people head here later in the night after dining elsewhere. There is a good buzz here with TV sports and it is the best place for single travellers to socialise and meet other people. Forest Road, Tel: +62 (0)363 41922, open 11:00 to 23:00. $
Toke Cafe Bar
Situated in west Candi Dasa, this breezy open fronted cafe bar can get pretty animated when the crowds show up. There are occasional live music and karaoke nights and it is frequented regularly by Candi Dasa’s small band of expats. Bar staff are friendly and always keen to entertain drinkers with a song or two. Jalan Raya Senkidu, Tel: +62 (0)363 41991, open daily 10:00 to 23:00. $$
