Restaurants in Sanur you should visit: OnBali’s picks

Compared to Canggu or Seminyak, people often forget Sanur exists, but thankfully, when you go to OnBali, they have a section about Sanur. The culinary scene in Sanur may surprise people because even though the area is small, the diversity of cuisine you can find is pretty astounding. From the legendary Italian restaurant to Indonesian cuisine, Sanur is not as sleepy as people think.

And if you need a list of must-visit restaurants in Sanur, you’ve come to the right place! These five restaurants represent the diversity of the culinary landscape in Sanur, giving you options to wine and dine. Whether you like having an afternoon drink followed by a seafood dinner by the beach or craving authentic beef rendang, get your pen and paper ready. I’m about to show you the top restaurants in Sanur you cannot miss while visiting Bali.

1. Massimo

I have to start the list by mentioning Massimo, one of the best restaurants in Sanur. Massimo has become an icon of Italian restaurants in Sanur for almost three decades! People line up to buy the famous gelato, and some even make a trip down here just for the gelato! Using the premium ingredients, I can attest that Massimo’s gelato is one of the best I’ve had outside Italy.

Massimo has always stayed true to delivering authentic Italian cuisine. Whether it’s the Bruschette con Pâté, the toasted garlic bread with homemade pâté as an antipasti, Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina for pasta, or the classic Siciliana Pizza, the taste is similar to the way people in Southern Italy make them. The garden and semi-indoor seating scream homey, and even when you plan only to enjoy the pistachio gelato, you will feel comfortable enough to stay for dinner and order Spaghetti Alle Vongole.

2. Café Batu Jimbar

Another legendary eatery in Sanur, the right word I can use to describe Café Batu Jimbar, is lowkey and elegant. When you step inside, you can feel the Indonesian old-money vibe through the classic rattan chairs, wooden floor, and roof. But it’s the Indonesian comfort food that makes Café Batu Jimbar a favourite among Indonesians and expatriates alike.

Menus like bubur ayam (chicken porridge) and Bubur Manado (Manado-styled porridge) have become staple breakfast food. But if you’re not keen on having a heavy meal for breakfast, order Ikan Woku Belanga or the famous beef rendang for lunch or dinner. While they also have international menus like roast lamb and basil pesto pasta, I highly recommend ordering Indonesian food because that’s what makes Café Batu Jimbar one of the 10 best restaurants in Sanur, in my opinion.

3. Fisherman’s Club

If you want to enjoy the freshest seafood by the beach, there’s no need to beat the traffic by going to Jimbaran. The Fisherman’s Club in Sanur, within the Andaz Hotel grounds, will give you the same vibe. I don’t hesitate to call The Fisherman’s Club one of the best restaurants in Sanur simply because the fish-shaped lamps made of rattan and the repurposed fishermen’s boats as tables succeed in making you stay here for hours.

Beyond the stunning design, it’s the seafood that always makes me go back here. While the Grilled Lombok Prawns or Oysters make an excellent choice for lunch, I will save my visit to Fisherman’s Club for dinner. Every seafood menu, from the simple BBQ Octopus and Deep-Fried Cod Fritters to Fisherman’s Seafood Platter on Ice, if you’d rather enjoy seafood raw, I don’t think I will drive myself to Jimbaran if I’m in the mood to have the freshest catch of the day.

4. Naughty’s Nuri

When I think of Naughty’s Nuri, I think of the juiciest pork ribs I’ve ever had in Bali. The legendary 600 grams of pork ribs marinated in Balinese spices and then covered with BBQ sauce, or if you’re coming here with friends, I say go for the 1,3 kilograms of pork knuckles to share. And for the pork ribs and knuckles alone, I don’t think anyone would mind including Naughty’s Nuri in the 10 best restaurants in Sanur.

After enjoying the juiciest pork ribs, head to the bar and order the Signature Martini, which even the late Anthony Bourdain deemed “The best Martini outside New York.” With quirky pink accents and pig-themed murals and statues, Naughty’s Nuri makes the perfect spot to hang out with friends and family unless you want to finish the pork ribs yourself!

5. Jalapeno

Rounding up the list of top restaurants in Sanur while visiting Bali, it’s hard to leave Jalapeno out of the list. Mariia Ipatova expert OnBali suggested Jalapeno because “I love how they infuse the desert aesthetic and bring it to Sanur, but most importantly, the Baja Fish Tacos is delicious!” And Jalapeno is more than just the thatched roofs, the cactus plants, and the Mexican motifs on the cushions because the bold flavours of Mexican food are to die for.

While you can order the Carnitas Tacos with pork, I suggest the Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos, the vegan version with pulled jackfruit. Once you finish the Enchiladas Barbacoa or Adobado Chicken Burrito, help yourself by ordering the Cilantro Margarita, a cilantro-infused Tequila with Black Honey Peppercorn, and Triple Sec to complete your Mexican dinner. Once you take a sip, you’ll never return to having the boring Mojito or Margarita again.

Conclusions

While I cannot cover every restaurant in Sanur because the list would be long, it shows that the dining landscape in Sanur is alive, thriving, and evolving. With the list, I hope you’re convinced about what food you can find in Sanur.

The five restaurants on the list represent Sanur well enough when it comes to the variety of cuisine. Sanur can do no wrong if you’re in the mood for spicy Indonesian food or want bold Mexican flavours. Think of Sanur as the best alternative when you need a change of dining scenery from the hustle and bustle of Seminyak or Canggu. Bon appetite!