8 Brunch Spots In Bali To Check Out Now
Feast on smoothie bowls, French toast and more in Bali’s hippest district
In Canggu, arguably Bali’s coolest beachside district, you can brunch on all the colourful smoothie bowls, fluffy French toast and hearty breakfast spreads you could want.
Planning a tropical getaway to Bali? Instead of staying in one of the island’s more well-known coastal areas – think Seminyak, Kuta and Uluwatu – why not make the resort village of Canggu your base? Situated on the southern coast and surrounded by green rice paddy fields and prime surfing spots, it’s arguably Bali’s hippest beachside district and has been gaining in popularity among tourists and digital nomads alike.
On top of buzzing beach clubs, trendy fashion boutiques and bars and restaurants aplenty, Canggu is home to fabulous places for brunch, many of which offer extensive plant-based menus. Check out the following establishments for fresh, flavourful and vibrant eats made with local ingredients and influenced by global cuisine.
Related article: Les Bouchons Rive Gauche’s New Brunch Menu Is A Delicious Way To Start Your Weekend
With multiple locations throughout Bali, Milk & Madu is one of the best places to enjoy brunch on the island. Their Canggu outpost is located a short distance from the beautiful Berawa Beach, so it’s perfect for fuelling up after a surf session or morning beach run. Kick things off with some banana and walnut bread served with espresso mascarpone, or go for the French toast with candied walnuts, strawberries and Chantilly cream. Those who want something savoury can get the crispy corn fritters or poached eggs with smashed pesto peas, feta, mint and sourdough.
Visit its website for more information.
With its elegant, minimalist interior that’s inspired by Japanese and Australian design, Sensorium is one of the most stylish cafés in Canggu. The head chef and owner was born and raised in Medan but honed his chops in fine-dining restaurants around Australia, and the food here reflects those influences. Try the avocado toast with cherry tomatoes, egg, radish, sweet potato and feta; the chicken rice bowl – Sensorium’s take on nasi ayam – which features soy-glazed chicken, assorted veggies and onion sambal; and the miso pancake with maple syrup and berries.
Sensorium is at Jalan Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu, Bali 80351, +62 851 6143 8812. Visit its website for more information.
Situated a short stroll from the main road and ringed by verdant rice paddy fields, Mimpi Grocery offers a serene space far from the madding crowd. It’s a bright and airy cafe with high ceilings and plenty of plants all around, and there’s even a plunge pool if you want to take a post-brunch dip.
Start with one of their specialty espresso tonics or a smoothie, and get some polenta, yuca and sweet potato fries for the table. The rest of the menu contains many plant-based options, though we’re also partial to the smoked salmon bagel and the Long Beach Omelette that’s stuffed with various meats, veggies and cheese.
Mimpi Grocery is at Jalan Pantai Batu Mejan 67H, Canggu, Bali 80351, +62 813 2606 9193.
For scrumptious smoothies and hearty brunch fare, head to Rise & Shine Café. We recommend going straight for the Gimme Green smoothie, which is made with avocado, banana, spinach and coconut water. Meanwhile, those in need of a caffeine hit can sample espresso-based drinks crafted using their special house blend of Colombian, Brazilian and Indonesian beans.
As for the food? Get a smoothie bowl topped with granola, toasted coconut and fresh fruits, or order hot options such as the smoked salmon bagel, slow-cooked beef brisket burrito and banana pancakes.
Rise & Shine Café is at Jalan Canggu Padang Linjong 71A, Canggu, Bali 80361, +62 812 4600 5958.
Avocado lovers will be in for a treat at The Avocado Factory. True to its moniker, the establishment specialises in all things avocado, with a bevy of Instagram-worthy dishes to choose from. The hummus toast features creamy avocado hummus on sourdough with an avocado rose, crispy chickpeas and pickled radish, and the avocado pancakes are crowned with tropical fruits and maple syrup. Avocado-based beverages include the Avo-Coco Dream (avocado, coconut and banana) and the Avo Good Day (avocado, spinach, pineapple and mint).
The Avocado Factory is at No. 52 Jalan Tanah Barak, Canggu, Bali 80351, +62 813 3738 2521.
A quick stroll from Echo Beach takes you to Doheny, a California-inspired venue that overlooks lush rice paddy fields. The interior resembles a restaurant in Los Angeles, with high ceilings, a green wall and lots of natural light flooding the space.
We recommend the custard-soaked French toast that’s dressed with seasonal fruits, coconut flakes and vanilla ice cream, the colourful poke bowl and the shakshuka. Big eaters can order the breakfast platter, and do wash everything down with an iced brown sugar-shaken espresso or the signature latte with coconut milk and pandan syrup.
Doheny is at Jalan Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu, Bali 80351, +62 813 5368 5359.
Copenhagen brings a slice of Denmark to the tropics. It’s an immensely popular establishment with a seemingly perpetual queue, so do be prepared to wait a while before you’re seated.
Their pick-and-mix breakfast platter allows you to craft your ideal meal from a range of dishes, with options running the gamut from Danish rye bread with salted butter and scrambled eggs with chives to pork sausages with tomato relish and chia pudding with coconut milk and pineapple compote. Stop by the pastry cabinet before leaving to nab some vegan cinnamon rolls for the road.
Copenhagen is at Jalan Canggu Padang Linjong 71A, Canggu, Bali 80361, +62 813 3741 2464.
Opened in 2014, Crate Cafe is a long-standing brunch favourite of Canggu’s digital nomads. The sprawling space houses a cafe, gallery and store, so you can do a bit of shopping once you’ve filled up on Aussie-style nosh. Sample a colourful smoothie bowl from their extensive selection – we like the Hipstar (acai, banana, dragon fruit, strawberries, shredded coconut and assorted nuts) and the Why So Cereal (banana, cacao and peanut butter). They also serve a myriad of grain and salad bowls, vegetarian-friendly brunch dishes and sandwiches.
Crate Cafe is at Jalan Canggu Padang Linjong 49F, Canggu, Bali 80351, +62 812 3894 3040.
This article originally appeared in Singapore Women's Weekly.