Advertisement

Written by Beverley Lennon

Dining at a restaurant shouldn’t cost the earth and that is exactly what sustainable eateries have as ideals.

Whether you refer to it as a trend rather than a pursuit, sustainability has become more of a buzzword than just a simple hashtag. In fact, it seems to be shaking up the food industry by taking notice of the impacts on the environment and benefits of sourcing resources locally and ethically.

So if you are or intend to be an eco-conscious foodie and looking for some of the best sustainable restaurants while on vacation in Bali, you’ll love to know about these eateries listed below – they’re innovators making important changes to help us live a more sustainable life, from how they decorate their interiors to what they feed us with!

How do I know if the restaurant I am dining at is ethical and sustainable?

Want to know if the pub you’re having lunch at gets its meat from a decent farm? Or whether the bartenders making your cocktail are looked after by their bosses? It couldn’t be easier:

*Note: But first, remember that sustainability is more than just the environment!*

Did you know? Bali has now banned single-use plastic!

Wondering how you can be sustainable in your everyday lives and when you travel? Or are you a sustainability guru? 😉 Take our Sustainability Quiz to find out where you stand and if want to learn more about what you can do!

Read More:

Healthy food in Bali: 24 Cafes for a detox with green, organic, vegan and vegetarian food that taste great and do good to your body!

Bali’s environmental and pollution crisis: 5 Lesser-known issues you are actually contributing to that are more than trash problems!

9 Local ecovillages that are making Bali a better place with ecotourism

17 Bali shops with the best organic, natural and eco-friendly products   

1. This is Indonesia’s first zero-waste eatery – Ijen

One of Bali’s hotly-anticipated 2018 openings, Ijen at Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak is somewhere really rather special. We absolutely love how dedicated it is to ethical sourcing and social responsibility.

From replacing plastic with banana leaves, gas with wood fire, sourcing vegetables from local farmers one mile away to offering only line-caught seafood and using natural recycled materials in their decor, treating yourself with a meal at Ijen means your contributing to Indonesia’s very first zero-waste eatery!

Photo Via Suhreeta

You’ll also order from a menu that is printed on sustainably harvested paper and sit in a dining room that is open-air while the on-site chef cooks you a scrumptious meal with an eco-conscious mind and only using sustainable meat and fish. What’s on the grill today depends much on the day’s take. Relying on the daily catch, you might want to come back twice or thrice as the menu is always changing!

Photo Via Eatandcapture, The.lucky_.belly_
Photo Via Sonnis_1bliss, Melodyamadeas
Photo Via Gracia.joan_

Ijen

Price range: From Rp. 60,000 – 380,000 (Approximately USD $4.20-26.50)
Address: Jl. Petitenget No.51B, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 473 7979
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 12pm – 12am

Website

2. Go green with quiet luxury and eco activities – Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali

SPONSORED

If you’re one of those who want to go green, you’ll have to start by booking yourself into a hotel where you will leave little to no carbon footprint. Sustainability is the ultimate buzzword at Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali. The resort brand, known for its seclusion and exclusivity, has jumped on the eco bandwagon combining fine luxury with serious sustainable efforts.

As a guest, you are welcome to join and learn some handy life hacks, such as making compost and non-toxic detergent or recycling paper. Bring along the kids – they will have fun foraging, farming and recycling as they take part in the Grow With Six Senses activities.

Photo Via Whulandary, Win_tju
Photo Via Delimakmur, Angkytan, Jktshootandgram

Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali is the leading example of eco-luxury. In here, you get to sleep in rooms that have been made from sustainable-certified materials that are, where possible, locally sourced. You’ll also help to save energy as you’ll be set in an environment that has been designed to allow natural light in during the day, while the lighting setup relies on timers and sensors.

Photo Via Bobbybense
Photo Via Tentwentytravel, Theluxurybali

In your room, you will also find handmade dolls and eco-friendly glass bottles. Buying one of these creations will help the local orphanage, allowing children living on the streets to have access to education, food and clean water.

From room to kitchen, even your used coffee capsules are collected and sent over to be reused, while all used water (even shower water and sewage) is treated at the on-site treatment plant and reused for gardening.

When it is time to eat, head over to their restaurant and indulge in fresh locally sourced ingredients coming from nearby farmers or their own organic garden. If that makes you feel less guilty –  any food waste is collected and made into compost for fertilisers.You’ll find here a total of three restaurants and three bars to indulge at!

Photo Via Traveltheworldfamily

And if you want a thorough cleansing dining experience, you will fall in love with their Full Immersion Programme (Cleanse & Detox, Trim & Fit, Sleep & Resilience, and Full Potential), which boosts your physical, emotional and mental health through what you eat!

Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali

Rates: From USD $575 (Approximately Rp.8,219,596)
Restaurant price range: Mains from Rp. 130,000 (Approximately USD $9.15)
Address: Jl. Goa Lempeh, Uluwatu, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 2090 300

Website


3. Made from 100% Indonesian ingredients – Cuca

Western food, Indonesian ingredients and a great connection with nature is what Cuca masters. Michelin-trained Chef Kevin Cherkas is the one behind the creation of this interesting eatery. The restaurant’s appreciation of nature and respect for the environment shines not only in the chef’s dishes, but principally in their sourcing practices.

Photo Via Chitchatbali

Come in and feel like you’re deep in the forest or in the big ocean as you appreciate the blessings of nature with ingredients on your plate coming from Indonesia’s mountains, oceans, and lands. With a collection of tapas-like dishes, we recommend you to order a few of their specialties to share if you’re coming in a group.

Photo Via Him_brian, Misterr_alex
Photo Via Cindycendana

Their dinner menu has three sections: Harvested (vegetables), Hooked (seafood), and Farmed (meat and poultry) with your favourite soft shell crab coming directly from Kalimantan and fresh spices like keluak from Toraja. As you say yes to fresh local produce, you also help contribute to the local community!

Photo Via Foodescape_id, Prinz_ludwig, Rus_tangirov

Cuca

Price range: Rp.60,000-210,000 (Approximately USD $4.20-14.75)
Address: Jl. Yoga Perkanthi, Jimbaran, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 708 066 / +62 812 3687 0486 (WhatsApp)
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 12pm-12am

Website

4. Bali’s local family-run warung that’s near zero-waste – Warung Goûthé

This local eatery in Canggu is run by a French-Indonesian couple who helps zero-waste dining make its way to Bali. No, they are not dedicated ecologists but simple human beings who hate throwing away food and want to ban the word ‘waste’ from their kitchen.

Photo Via Romiromihiromi
Photo Via Romiromihiromi, Lianna_sem

Come and take part in their dedicated philosophy – to be a “Zero foodprint restaurant” where less is more; you will find here only a single meal of the day depending on what is fresh (ask for “Plate of the day”), as well as other freshly-made paninis, a perfect mixture of local Indonesian dishes and good-looking French desserts; that way we all contribute to reducing food wastage!

Photo Via Romiromihiromi
Photo Via Archibanerjee, Latimerbarbara, Happykombucha
Photo Via Widwijaya,Ivoaurora91, Alidavdh, Philippemilliatphotography

Warung Goûthé

Price range: Rp. 55,000-120,000 (Approximately USD $3.84-8.40)
Address: Jl. Pantai Berawa No.7A, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Contact: +62 819-1211-6121
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 7.30am – 10pm ; Sun 8am – 10pm

Website

5. This restaurant sends its organic waste to a farmer who turns it into income – The Elephant Restaurant

At The Elephant Restaurant, Mother Nature is practically the chef de cuisine. Settling here means you’re keen to help fight climate change by ordering only earth-friendly dishes.

Photo Via Val_sofia, Joannetrzcinski

The only concern of this restaurant is your health and the health of the planet, so providing you with chemical-free vegetables is their biggest promise! Say no to all kinds of nasties and indulge in organic fruits and vegetables sourced from reliable local farmers, that way you contribute to the community too!

Photo Via Alysiahamilton
Photo Via Laurafruitfairy, Inversiongirl, Marina_mirea, Sallymaymills

Waste management is another important aspect – The Elephant Restaurant works with ugly produce that would otherwise be thrown away and outside the kitchen, they carefully separate all their waste with organics being sent to a local farmer who uses them to feed his pigs. Here goes all your leftovers! Now, you can feel less guilty.

Photo Via Jenbarte

The Elephant Restaurant

Price range: Rp. 80,000-135,000 (Approximately USD $5.62-9.48)
Address: Hotel Taman Indrakila, Jalan Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Contact: +62 85 100 161 907
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 8am-9.30pm

Website

6. Eat, drink and save lives! – The Fair Warung Balé by the Fair Future Foundation

The Fair Warung Balé will leave you with a good taste in the mouth. It cares about more than profit and reviews and so should you! The local eatery forms part of the Fair Future Foundation, one that provides free health and medical care solutions to those in need, regardless of race, religion, origin and age.

Photo Via Lilianfcruz, Leo_minh

Dining at The Fair Warung Balé means you recognise and embrace better ethics and values. For the first time in Bali, you can dine at a local eatery that leaves you not just with a full stomach, but a happy heart too. The idea is simple, eat here and save a life; one meal will offer two full medical treatments.

Photo Via Renanatan, Foodventurer_, See_and_travel
Photo Via Rambos, Theonlyktheron, M_elle_ka, Hanasinthya

The Fair Warung Balé by the Fair Future Foundation

Price range: Rp. 35,000-95,000 (Approximately USD $2.46-6.67)
Address: Jl. Sri Wedari No.6, Taman Kaja, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 975370
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 10am-10pm

Website

7. One that fights poverty –  Earth Cafe by Down To Earth

Down To Earth stresses the importance of giving back to the local community, focusing on tapping local talents from nearby villages and throughout Indonesia who otherwise lack access to gainful employment.

Something we admire is that Down To Earth doesn’t shout its ethical credentials from the rooftops. Instead, it works quietly behind the scenes supporting local communities with a portion of their sales going back to those in need – now you know your money goes to a good cause!

Photo Via Snowpeaod, Peggyseyes
Photo Via Nikeesydney, Nathan.psaila

Even the spring-water you order comes from a village nestled in the volcanic mountains of central Bali with a percentage of the water sales being returned to the people who guard its source.

Also, if you’re wondering, their smoothie bowls are real works of art. Tried and tasted!

Photo Via Yuligregor,Ecomonique, Plantifullysa, Songsl
Photo Via Kelcimages, Yoyolovespeaches

Earth Cafe by Down To Earth

Price range: Rp.50,000-100,000 (Approximately USD $3.50-7)
Address 1: Jl. Kayu Aya 99 Seminyak, Bali *Note: This outlet is currently under renovation due to a recent fire
Address 2: Jl. Goutama Selatan Ubud, Bali
Contact: +62 851 0304 4645 (Seminyak) / +62 361 976546 (Ubud)
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 7am-11pm (Seminyak) / 7am-10pm (Ubud)

Website

8. A restaurant with its own farm – Sarong

Sarong sticks out from the crowd by offering above and beyond just tasty fare. If you’re always concerned about the environment and planetary health, you’ll be happy to indulge in their incredible food made with ingredients from their own farm or from nearby local farmers with whom they regularly work with.

The on-site chef is dedicated to the promotion of Indonesian cuisine culture to a wider audience, so dining here brings you on a culinary journey across Indonesia.

Photo Via Asia-bars

Perhaps you want to know what’s good to eat at Sarong since you know you’ll be enjoying fresh ingredients. Give their signature pork belly a try, it’s prepared from scratch and served with a twist – the talk of people in the know!

Photo Via Sarongrestaurant

Sarong

Price range: Rp.105,000-380,000 (Approximately USD $7.35-26.65)
Address: Jl. Petitenget No.19x, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Contact: +62 812 3634 3386
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 6.30pm-11.30pm

Website

9. Step into a garden restaurant – Grow Bali

Grow Bali is a farm-to-table restaurant excelling in sustainability, and the pioneering chef behind it is none than the award-winning Chef Ryan Clift of Singapore’s Tippling Club and Open Farm Community.

Located in L Hotel Seminyak, you can opt to enjoy the creativity and culinary finesse of the on-site chef who uses nothing but fresh ingredients that are locally sourced, in a mission to promote farm-to-table dining and sustainability.

Whatever dish you decide to settle for will guarantee you with fruits and vegetables coming from a farm in the highlands of Kintamani, and believe it or not,  even the pasta you are slurping is handmade with local semolina! Besides, you’ll eat with lights coming from lamps made from recycled whiskey and wine bottles, surrounded by other natural materials for a healthy refreshing environment-friendly atmosphere!

Grow Bali

Price range: Rp. 50,000-120,000 (Approximately USD $3.50-8.40)
Address: Jalan Petitenget No.8L, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 894 7898
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 7am-11pm

Website

10. Learn the secrets of green cooking with vegan cooking classes! – Juice Ja Cafe

Ubud has a lot to offer you when it comes to green cuisine (after all, it is a hub for yogis and vegans!) but only a handful of eateries here make a conscious effort to source local produce and reduce food miles.

Photo Via Bessonova_mv, Nasha_sophia

Your guilt-free meals at Juice Ja Cafe are not only nutritious but also sustainable as you are drinking fresh ingredients coming from their backyard and gulping down organic and ethical meals inspired by Bali’s diverse landscape. And if you would like to learn about making earthy dishes for your loved ones, don’t miss signing up for their vegan cooking classes!

Photo Via Alexnapierholland, Leia_cyberpunk
Photo Via Ubudhood
Photo Via Amoyheben, Imserenalee, Chitobauzon

Juice Ja Cafe

Price range: Rp. 20,000-60,000 (Approximately USD $1.40-4.22)
Address: Jalan Suweta 49, Ubud, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Contact: +62 821 4427 9256
Opening hours: Breakfast  8am – 11am; Lunch 11am – 6pm; Afternoon tea 3pm – 6pm; Dinner 6pm – 10pm

Website

11. Goodbye plastic straws! – Warung Titi

Warung Titi is another local eatery that is doing its bit to help us all minimise our environmental footprint and you can contribute by dining in! Located in the environmentally-conscious neighbourhood of Ubud, the casual venue greeted goodbye to plastic and serves you authentic organic food (with no MSG too).

Photo Via Kristina.stanisic

Besides, Warung Titi produces its own honey, a sound practice that helps to make a difference! Take a trip here and meet the owner who will be more than pleased to bring you around their on-site garden and discuss about his vision regarding sustainable dining in Bali.

Photo Via Chloe_park89

The garden is what provides the restaurant’s fresh vegetables and their daily specials are based on what’s currently available this season. Soon, your takeaway order will also be environment-friendly – they’re still working on it!

Photo Via Zwillingsseele
Photo Via Donnik

Warung Titi

Price range: Rp. 25,000-70,000 (Approximately USD $1.75-4.90)
Address: Jl. Tirta Tawar No 7171 Ubud Bali Gianyar 80571
Contact: +62 361 9082 579 / +62 812 3918 6369
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 9am-10pm

Website

12. Get to sit on recycled furniture – KAFE

When a cafe has no soft drinks on its menu, you know it has a lot going on behind-the-scenes. KAFE is pushing eco-friendly goals for Bali; it serves you chemical-free meals, sources most of its ingredients locally and has turned your waste into useful objects and furniture.

Photo Via Jollybuggy, Alexxiques
Photo Via Mylittletravelscrapbook

What’s more, in order to be sustainable in their kitchen, you get to enjoy 100% natural, organic and local ingredients.

Photo Via Self__service__, ______suryeon, Sunnyketie
Photo Via Elizavetababanova

And if you look a little deeper, you’ll find Kafe Kares, an on-site shop where you can buy environmentally-friendly products like organic food, crafts, and health products made by small local enterprises that are equally committed to Bali’s social, economic and environmental sustainability. That isn’t all – a percentage of the shop’s profits goes to charitable projects throughout Indonesia too!

KAFE

Price range: Rp.45,000-97,000 (Approximately USD $3.16-6.80)
Address: Jl. Hanoman No. 44B, Ubud Bali
Contact: +62 811 1793 455 / +62 819 0711 8242 (WhatsApp)
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 7.30am-11pm

Website

13. A menu with traditional flavours from Indonesia’s tribes – Kaum

Embark on a memorable journey around the Indonesian Archipelago at Kaum. The restaurant name Kaum means ‘tribe’ in Indonesia, and it highlights the archipelago’s often overlooked ingredients across its tribal cuisine.

Photo Via Biancalouiseumali, P.dyah_

Drop by here and dive right into their eclectic menu, one that is derived from deep research across the archipelago and its tribes. You’ll encourage traditional indigenous cooking methods alongside native ingredients and authentic flavours from Indonesia’s tribes and ancient cultures. So in a way, you will help to preserve local culture through dining and this is yet another form of sustainability!

Photo Via Shienniw, Ayu.wandira
Photo Via Jktdelicacy, Phoebechd, Mrfoodjournal, Jessica_gaby

If you’d like to treat your senses to a feast, try their grilled barramundi and crispy duck, alongside their signature cocktails.

Kaum

Price range: Rp. 75,000-300,000 (Approximately USD $5.26-21)
Address: Potato Head Beach Club, Jl. Petitenget No.51B, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 83061, Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 300 7990
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 12pm-12am

Website

14. The real definition of farm-to-table – Moksa Ubud

Moksa Ubud cares much about the origins and quality of their ingredients while their waiting staff can tell you the exact journey of a meal from the soil it was grown from to the technique it was cooked with.

Photo Via Alexandra_almond

The plant-based restaurant takes over Ubud with their ever-appealing farm-to-fork dining experience by taking a seasonal, fresh and local approach to producing resources in their own permaculture garden.

Photo Via Phonbunyarak

Settling at Moksa Ubud means you care about where your food comes from, and here you can be sure to indulge in fresh, supremely healthy dishes that are crafted with love. What’s more, the restaurant also hosts a twice-weekly Farmer’s Market where you can stock up on produce and artisanal products to help local farmers. The festive event also comes with live music and lots of good vibes.

Photo Via Missannabek, Nanajuku
Photo Via Ma.sojin_
Photo Via Dojo

Moksa Ubud

Price range: Rp. 50,000-75,000 (Approximately USD $3.50-5.25)
Address: Puskesmas Ubud II, Gg. Damai, Sayan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Contact: +62 813 3977 4787
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 10am-9pm
Farmer’s’ Market: Every Tue and Sat, 10am-2pm

Website

15. The hotel that has saved over 60,000 meals in six months! – Club Med Bali

Club Med Bali is fighting food wastage one meal at a time. The hotel has cut 56% of its food wastage and saved more than 68,000 meals from being thrown away in just six months, with over USD $25,000 savings in food costs.

Imagine what it would be like to stay at one of Bali’s most sustainable resorts. Other practices you’re encouraging include energy and water efficiency and the use of organic and local products wherever possible.

Bring along your kids to visit their on-site pedagogical garden where they can help to grow vegetables and herbs, which in turn helps to grow a sense of responsibility among them. Following their gardening activity, kids are encouraged to write a pledge on a leaf to not throw food away unnecessarily – a hands-on activity to educate your younger ones to reduce food wastage.

Photo Via Rollingalongwithkids

Club Med Bali

Rates: From USD $424 per person (All-inclusive) (Approximately Rp. 6,037,590)
Address: Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua BTDC Lot. 6, Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Benoa, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80363, Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 771 521

Website

Special mention: Wondering how to start your zero waste journey?

At Zero Waste Store, you are encouraged to reduce packaging waste. Come and shop but bring along your own containers, mesh bags or jars to fill and to reuse. That way, we can all help to fight and reduce the plastic waste problem.

Photo Via Keiramary_, Earthlycollective

Once you’ve got your empty containers ready, head over to the store and fill them with the amount of product you desire, before weighing your filled container and labelling it. Of course, you will then be required to pay for your purchase but hey you’ve done one thing right today – bye bye plastic bag!

Photo Via Manuelbergmann, Ranaminerva
Photo Via Shift_style, Akke_rawfeel, Smallthings.bali_

Zero Waste Store

Address: Jalan Raya Anyar No.30 Kerobokan Bali
Contact: +62 878 6230 5959

Website

Ready to eat and help decrease impact on the environment and local community? Know of more sustainable and ethical restaurants around Bali? 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

Advertise with us