As Instagram would have you believe, millennials are flocking to Bali in waves. A once quiet Indonesian oasis with a spiritual focus, Instagram now appears to be the “religion” of choice. Regardless of the rap it gets for hosting these faux-influencers, both basic and extra at the same time, Bali does have some incredible food and sights – the original draws to this spot.
Though there’s a heavy Australian influence both in food and overall culture, in Canggu almost any varietal of food can be found. The local Indonesians have learned to cook international cuisine at a seriously impressive level. I can promise you this: if you check out the below spots, you won’t leave Bali hungry.
Lola’s Cantina Mexicana
Mexican in Bali, why not?! Friends recommended Lola’s and within one bite I was hooked. I’ve been a pescatarian for decades, and thankfully Bali is a place that not only caters to those with dietary restrictions but celebrates them – Lola’s is no exception.
We started with a myriad of dips: guacamole, black bean, and queso. The guacamole and black bean dip were solid, and I’d continue to order them visit after visit to Lola’s. As a former Texan, queso dip is something I take very seriously; I’m rather hesitant to order it around the world as it never lives up to the Tex-Mex staple that I know and love. I’m shocked and delighted to say that Lola’s queso lives up to my immeasurably high expectations: it has the perfect consistency that’s thicker than stadium-style nacho cheese but still runny enough that it won’t congeal by the end of the meal. A balanced amount of peppers and onions dot the yellow dip, adding just a bit of textural variety and some extra flavor. It sticks to the blue corn tortillas with ease for the perfect bite of cheesy goodness.
For my main I ordered the jackfruit tacos and, having never tried jackfruit before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It was described to me as having a similar texture as pulled pork (I had to trust – I’m not sure I’ve ever had pulled pork), and the ability to pick up whatever flavors its cooked with. Lola’s makes their jackfruit tacos in a barbecue-like sauce, and the combination makes me wonder why I haven’t eaten pulled pork before. The pull-apart texture with the sweet and sour taste of barbecue are the star of the show, with simple cabbage, onions, and house-made guacamole completing the taco, which sits atop a flour tortilla. Add their special mango salsa, and the combination is a flavor burst in your mouth. Plus, when you order a margarita you get a taco for free.
Mason
One of the newer, trendier spots in Bali, Mason is a breezy oasis on a busy street. This restaurant could easily be located in Charleston, Tulum, or Mykonos, and it would draw the same type of crowd and level of success. An L-shaped patio wraps around the white boxy building. It has a level of minimalism to it – black wrought iron window and door frames break up the white brick walls, with no art other than the view outside. The patios are lined with greenery while exposed string lighting cascades across the top.
Mason’s menu is perfect for sharing (though maybe I’m biased as family style is my ideal way to eat) with a full section at the top comprised of meats and cheeses, followed by dips and breads, then small plates. They have mains and sides, and a dessert list I wish I could say I’ve tried, but I never make it that far.
I start my go-to order with hummus served with a very light oven-baked flat bread, topped with a delicious chili oil that gives the dish an addictive quality. The tuna tartare is fresh and light, each bite having a refreshing quality that is almost palate cleansing. Wood fired barammundi fish is my main of choice – light, flaky, and resting atop a smoked tomato sauce that has you using the fish, the flat bread, or even your finger to lap up every last drop. The top side dish on my list is the asparagus. It’s grilled to perfection and topped with parmesan cheese and the same chili oil that elevates the hummus to an addictive level.
The best dish? Spiced cauliflower. Seemingly on every table, this crowd pleaser might as well be their version of spiced bar popcorn, addictive and yet somewhat healthy feeling (it is a vegetable, after all!). The pomegranate seeds are a welcome burst of freshness, and a dollop of sour cream lightens the spice blend harmoniously.
Add some fascinating people watching and a glass of the house rosé and you have the perfect evening in Canggu. If you need to turn it up a notch after dinner, there’s a hidden bar in the back for a lively night out.
Leroy’s Vietnamese
Let me paint you a picture: It’s 9PM, I’m straight off a twelve-hour flight from Istanbul, and I’d been awake since 9AM the previous day. I’m delirious, but I’m also extremely hungry. Enter Leroy’s, a small Vietnamese spot set amongst the rice fields in Canggu.
I enter in my haze of exhaustion and order anything and everything that sounds comforting: shrimp tacos, mushroom Pho, and fried veggie spring rolls. A bao bun also catches my attention; the waitress recommends the fried tofu and I concede. I’m always amazed when fried food has a light quality to it, which Leroy’s tofu did. Covered in a peanut sauce and one spicy red chili per bao, each bite is a fluffy pillow of dough and tofu in your mouth. It’s the ultimate comfort food.
Do note, the above is entirely too much food for one person in one sitting. But it did make me feel better and provide the perfect catalyst for a full night of sleep.
Café Organic
A vegetarian, Australian-style café with a heavy focus on brunch foods in Bali? You don’t say! While this style of restaurant comes a dime a dozen in Canggu, Café Organic is not to be missed. Their menu boasts half a dozen smoothie bowls, a litany of traditional breakfast dishes, and savory faire ranging from bowls to tacos to bao buns. The highlight of the menu is their pancakes.
Let me preface by saying that I am not a pancake eater. Nine hundred and ninety-nine times out of a thousand I will opt for a savory breakfast over a sweet one, but something was pulling me towards the vegan gluten-free pancakes. I followed the feeling and was not disappointed. The menu lists these pancakes with a berry compote and coconut whipped cream, but what I didn’t expect was for the berries to be mixed into the pancake batter. The result was a light and fluffy stack with a burst of red berries in every bite. I split the stack so I could sop up a generous dollop of coconut cream with every bite, and before I knew it the plate had been devoured.
Delicious coffees with every vegan milk varietal one could imagine nicely cuts the sweetness of the pancakes, or for the non-coffee drinkers (or as I like to call them, psychos), an iced ginger lemon tea tops off a meal nicely. For the brave, try a ginger shot. Theirs are straight cold pressed ginger – nothing added, no chaser. It hurts so good, but you can feel it improving your health by the second.
Shady Shack
Another Canggu staple is Shady Shack. While I lean towards Café Organic for breakfast focused health food (yes, I’m calling pancakes healthy – they’re vegan and gluten free, so it’s basically like eating celery), Shady Shack is its savory lunchtime counterpart. Here I tend to start my meals with a shot: I alternate between wheatgrass and charcoal, though be warned both will turn your mouth an interesting color for the foreseeable future.
This vegetarian spot boasts an extensive menu, but I’ve always gravitated towards the bowls. Take your pick of grain-based or green-based, and they have combinations of every vegetarian topping imaginable to ensure that each bite has a range of flavors and you’re never stuck with just a mouthful of lettuce.
Shady Shack has embraced Bali’s jungle vibe with trees throughout and surrounding the primarily outdoor restaurant. Mismatched tables with chairs, stools, and benches are sprinkled with Australians, Europeans and Americans, many of whom look right at home at this neighborhood spot, as though they visit daily. After eating just one of these bowls I can’t blame them – I’d visit daily if I lived here, too.
