11 Affordable restaurants in Nusa Dua (Bali) outside resorts with good food just a short walk/drive away

Written by Beverley Lennon

If you are travelling to Bali for the first time, especially with kids, it’s always easier to stay in a trusted resort in a safe area, such as Nusa Dua.

A coastal resort town of luxury and comfort, Nusa Dua glows in visitors’ minds as an area with countless luxuries – such as magnificent resorts and high-end dining experiences. While you’ll find world-class cuisine at the on-site restaurants in hotels and resorts, sometimes you might want to consider eating out at nearby affordable restaurants (both for the experience and your wallet).

We agree, good quality food at affordable prices aren’t easy to find around Nusa Dua but we’ve scoured over this beachside town to find a good selection of affordable restaurants, the hidden gems and the go-to places locals love to eat at. Here’s where to start to skip your fancy hotel meals!

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1. Dine in the pool or on beanbags with toes in the sand – Kekeb Restaurant

Eating out on a budget in Nusa Dua usually means avoiding most of the restaurants located along the beach, with one exception: Kekeb Restaurant. Located smack-bang on the beach, Kekeb Restaurant is where all of your bohemian dreams come true.

Settle on one of their beanbags, under colourful Balinese umbrellas and enjoy the sand in between your toes as you indulge on a plate of freshly caught seafood. This good-looking eatery specialises in authentic Balinese and Asian cuisine so expect an explosion of flavours when it comes to food.

The venue is ideal for families with kids as you’ll find a pool at your disposal and young ones can simply hang out and play by the beach while you enjoy a stress-free meal by the ocean. You can even book a floating meal in the pool, and perfect that Instagram-worthy picture.

Kekeb Restaurant is rather new on the block (it opened in 2018), but visitors already swear by it. Pop by for a good-value meal and enjoy their hospitable service with a smile. Meals at this charming eatery are reasonably-priced. Pick your favourite seating option (table, beanbag, pool or boho-style mat) and enjoy eating their popular ribs and crispy duck!

Kekeb is just the right place for an affordable lunch, with spectacular sea views to boot!

2. Enjoy seafood the Jack Sparrow way – The Pirates Bay Bali (Temporarily closed)

Seafood is best enjoyed when you get the whole shebang rolled in one – experience it like a little scalawag, aboard a pirate ship overlooking the spectacular ocean!

Drown yourself in their glorious “Pirates Basket”, ideal for sharing – or guzzling alone. The restaurant has perfected the delicate balance of crispy seafood exteriors with interiors so tender and juicy, they almost melt in your mouth!

Served on a banana leaf, the seafood feast at The Pirates Bay features large portions of shrimp, fish, squid and crabs – our favourite crustacean that are prized by every guest for their gooey, bright-orange roe and tickling Balinese flavours!

The beach is practically the national religion of Indonesia, a country where 99 percent of visitors logs at least one cooling session a week. And what better way to replenish yourself afterwards than with another Balinese tradition – a platter of perfectly marinated seafood?

The Pirates Bay offers seafood with a side of french fries but also spectacular ocean views to relish on!

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3. Enjoy a ‘quackilicious’ meal! – Bebek Bengil

Nobody does crispy duck as they do at Bebek Bengil, at least not in Nusa Dua. Today, they have spread across various regions of Bali, even across Indonesia, but their food quality has remained impeccable.

The charm of this place is its beachfront location as you dine to endless ocean views. It seems that they just knew what to bring to the area to make this the go-to restaurant for when in need of heartwarming comfort food!

Their signature Bebek Bengil (deep fried crispy duck, served with steamed rice, vegetables and 3 types of sauce) will have you melting and begging for more, but really, one portion is about enough!

As you take a bite of their crispy duck, don’t forget to top it off with their ever-popular homemade sambal matah (chilli sauce) that is deemed as one of the best on the island.

4. Don’t miss a traditional Balinese Rijsttafel feast! – Bumbu Bali 1

Simply oozing charm, Bumbu Bali 1 is set in what looks like a vintage-style eatery. Nothing fancy here, you’ll find refuge in their traditional crafted village home setting with a cosy atmosphere and mismatched ornaments that decorate the walls.

We absolutely love their outdoor seating which looks even more magical at night. Wood furnishings and retro paintings complement the cosy feel of the dining space.

The menu itself abounds with authentic Balinese dishes but you have to come over to feast on their old-fashioned Balinese Rijsttafel. Eat your way through time as you get to sample different Indonesian dishes with small portions at a time.

Local dishes will add a splash of colour to your table as you are served with over 10 dishes in total (set menu for 2 people). A complete culinary treat!

What’s best is that their team spends daily hours at the local markets to source for the ripest fruits and garden-freshest vegetables so you can expect a real farm-to-table experience at Bumbu Bali. Similarly, the fish served is caught in the same morning.

5. For seafood and more seafood – The Paon Bali Fusion (Now closed)

For large portions of affordable seafood, a visit to Paon Bali Fusion is in order. Their menu is full of excitingly decadent combinations of cuisine, blending Balinese with Western.

While reservations aren’t essential, be mindful that the restaurant is popular among hungry visitors on the lookout for a good meal. Find yourself a seat and go for their combo meals that are served with both seafood and meat on a generous platter. We’ve also heard from past diners that their steamed pork buns take the centre stage and you might well want to try it! Pair that with a bottle of cold Bintang (local beer) and you’ll be right as rain in no time.

For those coming from nearby hotels and resorts, Paon Bali Fusion also offers a free shuttle service for pick-ups and drop-offs, so simply make a call to the restaurant at least a few hours prior to visiting and they’ll be more than happy to assist!

6. Stay over for their magnificent dessert – Ocean Asian Cuisine Restaurant (Now closed)

Scenes here are pretty ordinary but we wouldn’t say no to good food at such affordable prices. The restaurant has a tuna steak so popular that diners keep coming back for it. Ocean Asian Cuisine Restaurant located at the famed Bali Collection is a great place to eat if you want a meal out enclaved by luxury 5-star hotels but that won’t see you wipe out all your savings.

As well as typical Indonesian fare such as Nasi Goreng, you’ll find a wider range of dishes including seafood, sandwiches, pizzas and more but the highlight of the restaurant is their dessert menu, featuring a to-die-for warm molten chocolate cake that oozes a black forest filling.

So if you get creative with their menu (we recommend you to order several dishes and share), you can walk away with a small bill and full stomach. Or, if need be, you can even request for their free shuttle service from and to your hotel!

7. A breakfast, lunch, dinner spot for locals and visitors! – Warung Bule & Susy

There’s always a place back home where you find yourself going when times are tough or when you are simply in need of some comfort by indulging in familiar tastes, you know, like your grandma’s recipes?

And this is what Warung Bule & Susy is for many travellers who have stayed in Nusa Dua. People in Nusa Dua LOVE Warung Bule & Susy. There’s no other way to put it. This local eatery seems to never disappoint, it does the classics and serves an array of homemade authentic dishes full of exploding flavours.

They’re known for their Nasi Goreng and fish head soup, as well as Mie Goreng. But nothing will tickle your palate as much as a scoop of their legendary fresh sambal (local chilli sauce)!

Coming over is like taking a voyage through the tastes of the old Indonesia and that’s what people come here for. Forget about your usual smashed avo’ on sourdough toast – there’s no cultural twists, no latest trend added to the original recipes at Warung Bule & Susy!

8. The restaurant that looks like a Santorini villa – Ole Ole Restaurant (Now closed)

Why not give a try to Ole Ole Restaurant when you’ve had your dose of local Indonesian food?

From its interiors to its menu, the restaurant brings you to the Meditteranean coast, with decors straight out of Santorini along with their tapas dishes and Sangria that is almost as good as in Spain, Ole Ole Restaurant promises a good break from the usual spicy local fare.

The restaurant takes a no-nonsense approach to delivering the freshest seafood, with great deals on lobsters. That’s right, this place is loved for its seafood-focused menu that transports you to the Aegean Sea!

It serves an abundance of delicious meals, that appeal to carnivores and vegetarians alike but you’ll be missing out big time if you skip on their popular Greek-style lamb kofta.

They also have a giant chess playground outside the restaurant, and kids generally love running around so you can have a stress-free meal (for once?) 🙂 Enjoy!

9. You can’t leave Bali without trying some Babi Guling! – Warung Pak Dobil

Things to bring: Water bottles and milk! This is where you test how much spice you can take, dear friends!

Head there for the Babi Guling (suckling pig) – you’ll know it when you reach, as you’ll spot the queue first. This local eatery is just simply too amazing to be unknown, and it is popular to the core among those in Nusa Dua but boy it sure is worth the wait, the heat and the stuffiness!

The pork is roasted to perfection – not even hamming it up! You’ll get it served on your plate, all tender, juicy and imbued with spices that linger on the palate…

Do not expect cosy seating or any kind of comfort (even your food is served with bare hands), you are just meant to come, queue up, gulp down your food and leave, but you are welcome to stay longer for another round or simply to see how crazy the crowd gets over their Babi Guling!

It is so good that you’d probably join the queue again – as long as you could take another plate of Babi Guling!

10. Grill your own satay! – Lesung Bali Restaurant (Now closed)

Lesung Bali Restaurant takes freedom in creating traditional recipes that are not only delicious but also tell stories about the local culture. People make trips to the restaurant again and again, and blame it on their incredible satay (chicken skewers) that is creatively well-presented on a miniature grill! So that is exactly what you should order when you drop by!

Besides the classics, you’ll also find incredibly tender ribs and crispy duck. Their scrumptious dishes have some kind of curious combination of savoury taste, sweetness, spiciness, and appetising greasiness that help make up a distinctive meal!

Watch out for their homemade sambal (chilli sauce) – it is deadly, but brings a nice spicy kick to anything you order off the menu.

We know you’ll drop by here several times throughout your stay and there are many reasons to (we’ve heard that repeat customers are entitled to discounts too!). Transport back to your hotel is also offered if you’re feeling too full to walk back! 😉

11. A truly all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ! – Pica Tapas Bar & Churrasqueria Restaurant (Now closed)

Come over to Pica Tapas Bar to eat as much as you can while feasting on unlimited Brazilian BBQ (Churrasqueria). The lively restaurant is located on the premises of the famed Bali Collection and lets you splurge on an extensive selection of barbecued meat (all of high quality, imported from Australia and the US).

We bet you’ll be attracted by the perfectly glazed meat chunks and skewers displayed on the grill at the entrance of the restaurant. You’ll also find an expansive buffet with offerings like salads and desserts as part of your all-you-can-eat BBQ package (Rp. 400,000 per person).

A night at Pica Tapas Bar will turn out to be really fun as you will be entertained by their live band with singers who surprising master an array of languages (even Chinese and Russian!).

Special Mention: For brunch with a side of bay view – The Public Gourmet (Temporarily closed)

You can find Instagrammable vibes in Nusa Dua, and that only at The Public Gourmet. You might almost think you’re in hipster Canggu! Although this tropical-themed cafe is located in a villa complex, we can’t help but recommend it, themed in tiki chic from menu to interior decor. And since you’re on vacation, why not don your Hawaiian shirts and straw hats to come over?!

At The Public Gourmet, you get to enjoy cocktail umbrellas and crushed ice by the infinity pool overlooking lush greenery. And yes, to match with the scene, there are smoothie bowls (of all kinds).

You can opt between their indoor seating that features a beautiful funky tropical mural, or sit outdoors for endless views! We don’t quite want to say it loud but they have an Insta-worthy floating breakfast option too!! Time to skip both breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel and find refuge at The Public Gourmet!

This original tropical paradise in the tropics features an interesting menu, a good mix and match of authentic Indonesian and trendy millennials’ favourites. No matter the time, pair your meal with one of their crafty cocktails. We’d recommend you to come over for brunch. 😉

Ready to skip fancy hotel meals and dine at affordable restaurants while in Nusa Dua? Do you know of any more restaurants with good food in the area? Tell us below!

PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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