Michelin hasn’t touched down in Indonesia yet — so technically, Bali has zero starred restaurants. However, OnBali’s team insists that world-class dining is very much alive here. The island is home to chefs with Michelin experience, and many local spots have made it into international rankings like Asia’s 50 Best.
This shortlist highlights places that could easily earn a star if Michelin arrived in Bali. From flawless service and elegant plating to creative use of local ingredients and attention to detail — it’s all here. For the full rundown of Michelin star restaurants in Bali, check out OnBali.
Nautilus, Ubud
Nautilus Seafood Restaurant & Bar is one of the few places in Ubud where seafood is served in a fine-dining format. Led by chef Alexey Ogorodnichuk, the restaurant combines local ingredients with international techniques, achieving flavors and presentation that could easily compete for a Michelin star.
The menu centers around fresh fish, prawns, scallops, and barramundi. Among the bestsellers are baked Camembert, king prawns, and grilled fish. Each dish offers a thoughtful balance of bold taste and elegant presentation. The kitchen is complemented by a wine and cocktail list, with drinks carefully selected to highlight the restaurant’s ocean-inspired flavors. It’s already being talked about as one of the top seafood restaurants in Bali.
The interior of Nautilus is inspired by natural forms, especially the nautilus shell. The space is both refined and welcoming, making it a perfect spot for a dinner that’s memorable not just for its food, but for the atmosphere as well. It’s a standout among restaurants in Bali and easily one of the best places to eat in Bali.
Apéritif Restaurant & Bar, Ubud
Apéritif is more than just a restaurant in Ubud — it’s a full-blown gastronomic stage set in art deco style. Housed in a colonial mansion next to the Viceroy hotel, it transports guests straight into the 1920s: glittering chandeliers, marble floors, jungle views from the windows, and a touch of theatrical flair in every detail.
The tasting menu features eight courses and is hard to memorize — it changes with the seasons, shifting between European, Japanese, and Indonesian influences. But the core remains the same: meticulous work with local ingredients, flawless presentation, and the feeling that every course tells its own story.
In the kitchen is Belgian chef Nic Vanderbeeken; in the dining room, service without a single false note. At Apéritif, they craft an evening built on flavor, atmosphere, and attention to detail. Vegetarian and vegan menus are available, too.
Before dinner, stop by the bar — the cocktails are pure Gatsby, but with Balinese ingredients. The wine list reads like a mini-encyclopedia, featuring more than 180 labels from around the world. Apéritif easily ranks among the top restaurants in Bali, and if there ever were a Michelin star Indonesia edition, this place would be a strong contender.
Kayuputi, Nusa Dua
If there were a Michelin star in Bali, Kayuputi would be at the top of the list. Kayuputi at St. Regis is where everything is dialed in for one goal: a flawless evening by the ocean. Pan-Asian cuisine, a two-story wine cellar, and a white wood interior opening out to the waves.
The menu revolves around tasting sets where Asia meets Europe; every dish looks like it belongs in an edible design exhibition. Every detail is precise — from the sauce to the plate’s temperature. Each course comes with a perfectly paired wine, selected with such care you won’t have a single doubt. The bar serves classics like their signature Bloody Mary, but reimagined with local flair. Kayuputi hosts brunches and sunset dinners, but the feeling is always the same: this is one of the best restaurants Bali offers.
Locavore NXT, Ubud
Mariia Ipatova from OnBali says: “If you want to understand what Bali tastes like without the filter of imported ingredients, book a seat at Locavore NXT.” And she’s right. Locavore NXT is an open-air culinary lab. No compromises: not a single imported product, no wheat or dairy, only local vegetables, fermentation, seasonality, and everything done by hand. The goal is simple — to prove that fine dining can be sustainable and truly Balinese.
The kitchen is an open stage, where chefs prepare dishes in front of guests, and the food becomes a continuation of the space itself. There’s a mushroom lab, a rooftop garden, overnight cabins, and breakfasts with the chef — all woven into the experience. It’s exactly the kind of place you’d expect to see on a Michelin restaurant Bali shortlist.
The centerpiece is the Nature’s Compass set menu: 15 to 19 courses, prepared with care, served slowly, and introduced like scenes in a play. Meat appears occasionally, but the spotlight stays on plants — roots, herbs, broths, and long simmers. Even the cocktails are made with arak and tuak — no London gin here.
Mauri, Seminyak
MAURI in Seminyak is modern Italy on Balinese soil, built from local ingredients and the personal story of its chef. Maurizio Bombini grew up in Puglia, learned to cook from his family, and now prepares food that feels like a journey to the whitewashed villages of southern Italy — only with Balinese tomatoes and herbs from the restaurant’s own rooftop hydroponic farm.
The menu revolves around seasonal tasting sets and signature plates, while the atmosphere is shaped by quiet elegance, pale wood, and an open kitchen visible from the dining room.
A few things to know about MAURI:
- 80% of ingredients come from Bali — some from the rooftop farm, the rest from local producers.
- Dishes are served on custom-made GAYA ceramics.
- The wine list is recognized by Wine Spectator.
MAURI doesn’t imitate fine dining. It quietly delivers it, in its own rhythm and with its own flavor. For those searching for the best food in Bali, this place is a quiet triumph.
Conclusion
Maybe Michelin-star restaurants in Bali will remain in the future for quite a while. But in terms of flavor, technique, and philosophy, many places on the island already meet that standard. So, for a world-class culinary experience, you don’t have to fly to Paris — just head to Ubud, Seminyak, or Nusa Dua and open the menu.
