Bali’s food scene is one of its biggest draws. You can eat nasi campur at a warung for $1.50, grab an organic acai bowl for $7, or sit down at a world-class restaurant for $30 — all within the same neighborhood. The range is enormous, and the quality at every price point is surprisingly high.
This guide covers what to eat, where to eat, and what it actually costs as a digital nomad in Bali.
TL;DR — Monthly Food Budget
| Tier | Style | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Warungs daily, cook sometimes, no alcohol | $150–$250 |
| Comfortable | Mix of warungs + Western cafes, delivery 2x/week | $300–$450 |
| Premium | Restaurants, healthy cafes, regular delivery, drinks | $500–$800+ |
Per person. Add 10–20% for Canggu prices vs Ubud or Sanur.
Pro tip: Exchange rate throughout this guide: $1 = Rp 16,000.
Local Food: Warungs & Street Food
Warungs are the backbone of Balinese eating. These small, family-run eateries serve authentic Indonesian food at prices that are almost absurdly cheap.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | What It Is | Price (IDR) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasi Campur | Rice + mixed sides (Bali’s signature meal) | Rp 15K–30K | $0.95–$1.90 |
| Nasi Goreng | Fried rice with egg, vegetables, kecap manis | Rp 15K–25K | $0.95–$1.55 |
| Mie Goreng | Fried noodles with vegetables and egg | Rp 15K–25K | $0.95–$1.55 |
| Babi Guling | Spit-roasted suckling pig (Balinese specialty) | Rp 25K–50K | $1.55–$3.10 |
| Ayam Betutu | Slow-cooked spiced chicken | Rp 25K–40K | $1.55–$2.50 |
| Lawar | Minced meat/vegetable salad with coconut and spices | Rp 15K–25K | $0.95–$1.55 |
| Sate Lilit | Balinese minced fish satay on lemongrass sticks | Rp 15K–30K | $0.95–$1.90 |
| Nasi Jinggo | Tiny rice portion with sides, wrapped in banana leaf | Rp 5K–8K | $0.30–$0.50 |
| Bakso | Meatball soup with noodles | Rp 12K–20K | $0.75–$1.25 |
| Es Kelapa | Fresh young coconut | Rp 10K–15K | $0.60–$0.95 |
Bali-Specific Dishes
Bali’s food is distinct from the rest of Indonesia — it’s one of the few Hindu-majority regions, so pork is widely available (unlike most of Muslim-majority Indonesia).
- Babi Guling is the signature dish — a whole pig roasted with turmeric and spices. The best versions are found at dedicated babi guling warungs, not tourist restaurants.
- Ayam Betutu is slow-cooked chicken stuffed with spice paste, wrapped in banana leaves, and roasted for hours.
- Lawar mixes minced meat or jackfruit with grated coconut, garlic, and chili — it’s uniquely Balinese.
Pro tip: For the best babi guling, go where locals eat. Warung Ibu Oka in Ubud is famous but touristy. Try smaller warungs off the main road for better prices and often better taste.
Healthy & Western Cafes
Bali (especially Canggu and Ubud) has one of the world’s best healthy food scenes. Smoothie bowls, organic salads, and plant-based menus are everywhere.
Typical Prices
| Item | Canggu Price | Ubud Price |
|---|---|---|
| Smoothie bowl | Rp 55K–85K ($3.40–$5.30) | Rp 45K–70K ($2.80–$4.40) |
| Avocado toast | Rp 55K–80K ($3.40–$5) | Rp 45K–65K ($2.80–$4.10) |
| Salad bowl | Rp 60K–90K ($3.75–$5.60) | Rp 50K–75K ($3.10–$4.70) |
| Flat white / latte | Rp 35K–50K ($2.20–$3.10) | Rp 30K–45K ($1.90–$2.80) |
| Fresh juice | Rp 25K–45K ($1.55–$2.80) | Rp 20K–35K ($1.25–$2.20) |
| Full brunch meal | Rp 80K–150K ($5–$9.40) | Rp 65K–120K ($4.10–$7.50) |
Notable Cafes
Canggu:
- Shady Shack — Plant-based, generous portions, great value
- Nude — Instagram-famous brunch spot
- Milk & Madu — All-day brunch, family-friendly
- Crate Cafe — Solid brunch, fast WiFi
Ubud:
- Sage — Wellness-focused, great salads
- Alchemy — Raw vegan, cold-pressed juices
- Kismet — Mediterranean-inspired, beautiful setting
- Moksa — Farm-to-table plant-based
Mid-Range Restaurants
| Cuisine | Where to Find | Price Per Meal |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesian | Warungs everywhere | Rp 20K–40K ($1.25–$2.50) |
| Japanese | Canggu, Seminyak | Rp 50K–100K ($3.10–$6.25) |
| Italian/Pizza | Canggu, Ubud | Rp 60K–120K ($3.75–$7.50) |
| Indian | Canggu, Ubud | Rp 50K–90K ($3.10–$5.60) |
| Mexican | Canggu, Seminyak | Rp 55K–100K ($3.40–$6.25) |
| Thai | Canggu, Ubud | Rp 45K–80K ($2.80–$5) |
Food Delivery
Apps
- GoFood (Gojek) — Biggest selection in Bali. Most warungs and restaurants are listed.
- GrabFood — Second option, sometimes cheaper with promos.
- ShopeeFood — Growing, aggressive discounts.
Delivery Costs
| Order Size | Delivery Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 3 km | Rp 5K–10K ($0.30–$0.60) |
| 3–7 km | Rp 10K–20K ($0.60–$1.25) |
| 7+ km | Rp 20K–35K ($1.25–$2.20) |
Pro tip: GoFood promos stack with restaurant discounts. On good days, you can get a full meal delivered for Rp 20K–30K ($1.25��$1.90). Check the “Promos” tab daily.
Groceries & Cooking
If you have a kitchen, cooking in Bali is extremely affordable.
Grocery Options
| Store | Type | Price Level |
|---|---|---|
| Bintang Supermarket | Mid-range, good selection | Medium |
| Pepito | Expat-oriented, imported goods | High |
| Hardy’s | Local chain, wide range | Low-medium |
| Canggu Deli | Specialty/organic | High |
| Local markets | Fresh produce, fish, spices | Very low |
Basic Grocery Prices
| Item | Price (IDR) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (1 kg) | Rp 12K–18K | $0.75–$1.10 |
| Eggs (10) | Rp 22K–30K | $1.40–$1.90 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | Rp 35K–50K | $2.20–$3.10 |
| Local vegetables (bundle) | Rp 5K–15K | $0.30–$0.95 |
| Avocado (each) | Rp 5K–10K | $0.30–$0.60 |
| Water (19L gallon) | Rp 6K–10K | $0.40–$0.60 |
| Bintang beer (large) | Rp 25K–35K | $1.55–$2.20 |
| Wine (bottle, imported) | Rp 200K–400K | $12.50–$25 |
Pro tip: Alcohol is expensive in Indonesia due to high taxes. Local Bintang beer is affordable, but wine and spirits are marked up significantly. If you drink wine regularly, it’ll be a noticeable part of your budget.
Vegetarian & Vegan in Bali
Bali is one of the easiest places in Asia to eat plant-based. Canggu and Ubud are packed with vegan cafes, and traditional Balinese food includes many vegetable dishes.
- Tempeh (fermented soybean) is an Indonesian staple — cheap, protein-rich, and available everywhere
- Gado-gado (vegetables in peanut sauce) is naturally vegetarian
- Nasi campur can be ordered vegetarian at most warungs — just say “tanpa daging” (without meat)
- Canggu and Ubud have dozens of dedicated vegan restaurants
Alcohol
| Drink | Warung/Bar Price | Restaurant/Club Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bintang beer (large) | Rp 25K–40K ($1.55–$2.50) | Rp 40K–65K ($2.50–$4.10) |
| Cocktail | Rp 60K–100K ($3.75–$6.25) | Rp 100K–180K ($6.25–$11.25) |
| Wine (glass) | Rp 80K–150K ($5–$9.40) | Rp 120K–250K ($7.50–$15.60) |
| Arak (local spirit) | Rp 15K–30K ($0.95–$1.90) | — |
Warning: Avoid cheap arak from unknown sources. Methanol-tainted arak causes deaths and blindness in Bali every year. Stick to established bars and restaurants, or drink beer.
FAQ
How much should I budget for food per day in Bali? Budget: $5–8/day eating at warungs. Comfortable: $10–15/day mixing warungs and cafes. Premium: $20–30/day with restaurants and healthy cafes.
Is Bali food safe? Mostly yes. Stick to busy warungs (high turnover = fresh food), drink bottled water, and be cautious with raw salads at cheap places. “Bali belly” (stomach upset) affects most newcomers in the first week — it usually passes in 1–2 days.
Is Canggu food more expensive than Ubud? Yes, about 20–30% more for comparable food. Warungs are similarly priced, but Western cafes and restaurants charge more in Canggu.
Can I find good coffee in Bali? Absolutely. Bali has a thriving specialty coffee scene. Indonesian single-origin beans (from Toraja, Flores, Java) are world-class and available at specialty cafes for Rp 25K–45K ($1.55–$2.80) per cup.