Explore Ubud

This lovely little spot is just a five-minute walk from Rumah Elfi and Rumah Richard, and about fifteen minutes on foot from Joglo Hati – depending on which way you go, you can either stroll straight through the rice fields or take the small road through the village. The staff are so warm and welcoming, and the menu is wonderfully varied. It also has a beautiful garden, with a few bales (traditional little bamboo huts) tucked right into the rice fields. There's a lovely outdoor area as well as an air-conditioned indoor space – it's simply beautiful. We recommend it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

It's less than a ten-minute walk through the village from Rumah Elfi and Rumah Richard, and about ten minutes from Joglo Hati. It's a lovely restaurant with good breakfast options and a generous menu for lunch and dinner. SCENTS has a relaxed outdoor area as well as indoor seating with air conditioning.

A little further on – about a ten-minute walk through the village from Rumah Elfi and Rumah Richard, and around twenty minutes from Joglo Hati – you'll find TROPIKAL Kitchen & Coffee. It's also a very nice restaurant, with a good menu and plenty to choose from.

A little further down the main road to the south, almost directly across from Sthala Hotel, you'll find Dia Coffee – around ten minutes on foot from Rumah Elfi and Rumah Richard, and about fifteen minutes from Joglo Hati. It can be a touch noisy right outside, but it's lovely and air-conditioned indoors. Alongside coffee and croissants, they have a full menu for lunch and dinner too – simple local and western dishes with a nice twist, each one full of flavour. And the coffee itself is excellent. Good to know: bring cash – Dia adds a 3% surcharge for card payments.

Absolutely an all-time favourite since it opened. We love the food, the staff and the place. You can't walk there – you'll need to go by scooter or car – but we've arranged for their menu to be available at the villas, so you can order conveniently via WhatsApp. They're not far, and if they're not too busy, delivery is very quick. The staff themselves deliver the food, and of course, they're always happy to receive a little tip 😉

A true Ubud classic: this little Belgian bistrot has been welcoming guests since 2014, tucked away at the famous S-bend in South Ubud, and in 2016 it was voted the second-best restaurant in all of Bali. More than a decade on, it still feels like a cosy hideaway from the bustle. The menu wanders happily between Belgium and Indonesia – crisp schnitzels, lumpia spring rolls, tuna tartare, hearty soups – and dinner always starts with a small complimentary treat from the kitchen. Add a Belgian beer and a team that makes you feel like a regular, and you'll see why we love it.

From the first coffee to the last cocktail, 7AM | 7PM is one of Ubud's loveliest all-day spots. Mornings belong to the bakery: buttery croissants, kouign-amann, proper sourdough and a breakfast you put together yourself – and the Mango Chia Pudding is an absolute must. When the sun goes down it turns into a relaxed diner with warm lights, hearty dinner plates and crafted cocktails. There's a big garden, cosy seating indoors and an upstairs with views over the rice fields. Every Monday and Saturday from 7 to 9 pm there's live music – best to reserve a table via WhatsApp.

Melting Wok Warung is one of Ubud's best-loved little kitchens for Asian comfort food – fragrant curries, sizzling wok dishes and generous plates full of flavour, all cooked with a lot of love by a small, warm-hearted team. Guests keep coming back for the friendly welcome and the excellent value. They have just moved to a new home on Jalan Gunung Sari No. 9 in Peliatan – same warm welcome, new address.

If you are craving Italian while in Ubud, L'Osteria on Monkey Forest Road is our pick. The pizzas are sourdough Neapolitan style with a soft, airy crust, and guests rave about them as some of the best on the island. Alongside there is freshly made pasta and crunchy arancini to share. It is relaxed, friendly and a safe bet with the whole family, whether you want a quick lunch after the Monkey Forest or a long, easy dinner with a glass of wine. One important tip: reservations are a must – it is almost always full, so book your table ahead.

A splash of Vietnam on Jalan Raya Pengosekan in Ubud. SAPA has mustard-yellow walls, black-and-white tiles and colourful lanterns that feel like a street in Hoi An. Chef Maria Huyen cooks Vietnamese comfort food: fragrant pho, banh mi, bun cha, fresh spring rolls and a sweet banana dessert, plus proper Vietnamese coffee. Guests love the cosy, lively mood and the speedy, friendly service. A cheerful choice for a light, fresh lunch or an easy dinner, open from morning until evening.

Compound Warung, also known as Warung in da Compound, sits on Jalan Gootama in the heart of Ubud. It is all about honest, home-style Indonesian cooking: soto ayam, rice dishes and other everyday favourites at friendly prices. What makes it special is the garden-compound setting, where cats, birds and a few rabbits wander around, which children (and grown-ups) adore. Simple, tasty and full of local character, it is a lovely place to taste real Indonesian food in Ubud.

For a special evening in Ubud, NUSA By/Suka brings wood-fired Mediterranean cooking to Jalan Raya Ubud, the main road near the Royal Palace. Everything is touched by fire, from char-grilled barramundi to pizzas with BBQ lamb ragu and a creamy truffle mushroom pappardelle. Guests love the rustic yet refined feel and the cocktails and wine to go with it. It is a great pick when you want something a little more polished than a warung, still relaxed and full of flavour.

Mosel is a laid-back eatery and bar in the heart of Ubud with good food, crafted cocktails and live music every single day. Our tip: come on a Wednesday, when Bayu takes the stage. We honestly think everyone should see and hear him at least once – a wonderful voice, a big heart and simply a great guy who gets the whole room singing along. Grab a table early, order a few plates to share and settle in for the evening.

Right on Jalan Dewi Sita in central Ubud, SAPRUG Kitchen & Bar is an easy-going spot for a meal at any time of day, with a daily happy hour and live music every night. Mondays are special, though: that's when Bayu plays here, one of our very favourite singers on the island. If you haven't caught him at Mosel yet, don't miss him – his voice and his warm, joyful energy are worth planning an evening around. A perfect way to start the week.

Lokal Bar is a charming garden bar and restaurant in the heart of Ubud, known for live music most evenings. Settle into the greenery with a handcrafted cocktail and something from the extensive menu, while a band plays in the background. During happy hour it's worth coming a little earlier. It has a lively yet relaxed feel, ideal for an evening out after dinner or a drink before. A nice place to soak up Ubud's nightlife without the club noise.

Dewak is the driver we trust and happily recommend to all our guests – a dear friend and part of the bali.place family – and judging by our guest reviews, he's often one of the highlights of the trip. He'll pick you up at the airport, take you on day trips and help you plan what's worth seeing, sharing lots of local knowledge about Balinese culture, art villages and small family-run places along the way. Guests describe him as kind, flexible and safe on the road, and many say he was the best driver they had in Bali. Have a look at his day-trip ideas – from Ubud's waterfalls and rice terraces to sunrise on Mount Batur. They're only suggestions: tell him what you'd love to see and he'll turn it into an unforgettable day made just for you. Just send him a message on WhatsApp.

Kas Wijaya is a small family business, and you feel it from the very first message: our guests describe them as warm, honest and incredibly helpful, which has earned them a perfect five-star rating on Google. They bring the scooter right to your villa and pick it up again afterwards – well-kept, almost-new bikes from easy automatics to bigger touring models, with two helmets, raincoats and a phone holder included. Fair daily, weekly and monthly rates are on their website, or simply message them on WhatsApp.

Gojek and Grab are the two apps almost everyone in Bali uses. Both let you hop on the back of a scooter for short rides, and both deliver food from local restaurants to your door (GoFood and GrabFood). Install one or both before you arrive and register with your phone number, as you'll get a verification code by SMS. You can usually pay by card in the app or with cash. All our villas are listed in Gojek – just type the name of your villa as your pickup point. Otherwise, drop a pin on the map or share your location with the driver in the in-app chat.

A quieter alternative to the big monkey forest, tucked into the greenery of Kemenuh. Here the focus is on watching long-tailed macaques calmly from a respectful distance rather than feeding or touching them, and the setting along the river feels peaceful and natural. There is also a rare group of white macaques and a colony of large fruit bats to look out for. It is a good fit if you prefer something less crowded and want to learn a little about the Balinese idea of living in harmony with nature. Plan around an hour and wear comfortable shoes.

Tegenungan is the waterfall closest to us, and a classic Ubud-area outing. From the entrance viewpoint a flight of steps leads down to the base, where the water thunders into a wide pool and the air feels pleasantly cool. You can watch from the rocks or take a swim if the current allows. Remember that the climb back up is steep, so bring water and shoes with grip. Come early in the morning for fewer people and softer light, and keep in mind that it is prettiest in the dry season. One hour is plenty, and it combines nicely with the butterfly park.

A gentle, family-friendly outing set among rice fields in Kemenuh, a short ride from Lodtunduh. Walk through the garden and you will find butterflies of many colours fluttering around flowering plants, and you can learn how they develop, from eggs and caterpillars to cocoons, in the breeding area. It is calm, shaded and easy to do with small children or as a quiet hour on a slower day. Bring a hat and water, go in the morning when the butterflies are most active, and plan roughly an hour for your visit.

A wonderfully creative way to spend a few hours. You sit at a long wooden table in an airy, open-sided workshop surrounded by garden and rice fields, and a patient teacher guides you step by step through shaping, soldering and polishing your own silver piece. You need no experience at all, and you walk away with something you made yourself. Plan around two hours, and add a little extra time to sit with a coffee or something to eat there. It works well for couples, friends and older kids, and it is a thoughtful keepsake from Bali.

Ubud's best-known sanctuary is also one of its most beautiful places. Spread over 12.5 hectares of jungle, it shelters three temples dating back to the 14th century, giant banyan and fig trees draped in moss whose roots form natural archways, and countless stone carvings of dragons and guardian figures slowly being reclaimed by the green. In between, more than a thousand long-tailed macaques go about their day. Keep your distance, hold on to sunglasses, phones and snacks, and don't feed or touch the monkeys. Early morning or late afternoon is loveliest – plan one to two hours.

One of our favourite ideas for a day out with the family. The park is laid out as a tropical garden with lakes, palms and large walk-through aviaries, so you wander among hundreds of birds from Bali and far beyond, including the rare white Bali starling. Kids love the feeding moments and the bird show, while grown-ups enjoy the shaded paths and the café stop. It is in Batubulan on the way towards Ubud's southern side, so combine it with the nearby butterfly park or a workshop. Allow two to three hours and come early, before the heat builds.

For anyone who likes a muddy, splashy adventure: Kuber runs quad bike (ATV) rides through rice fields, jungle, a natural cave tunnel and a waterfall. The ride itself lasts roughly one to one and a half hours, you get a safety briefing and training first, and no previous experience is needed. Solo riders must be at least 13, and younger children can join on a tandem with a parent. Wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty and closed shoes, and expect to be splashed. It is a fun half-day for teenagers and adventurous adults. It's a little further away from us than most of our tips, but absolutely worth the drive.

The emerald, step-by-step rice paddies north of Ubud are as beautiful as the photos suggest. You can walk along the ridge paths and down between the terraces, stop at the cafés with valley views, and watch farmers tending their fields in the traditional subak irrigation system. Go as early as you can, ideally right at opening, for cooler air, softer light and fewer visitors. Wear sturdy shoes, because the paths are uneven and the climb back up can be tiring. Allow two to three hours, and combine it with a coffee plantation or the Bali Swings nearby (giant swings high above the jungle).

Watching the sun rise over the volcano and the lake below is one of the most memorable things you can do on Bali. Tours set off in the middle of the night, so you climb in the dark with a guide and reach the crater rim as the sky turns orange and pink, usually with a simple breakfast on top. If hiking sounds like too much, a sunrise jeep tour brings you to viewpoints with far less effort. Bring a warm layer, because it gets cold up there. Dewak, the driver we recommend, takes you there himself – just send him a message on WhatsApp.

Learn to cook the Balinese way at RB Warung, our favourite little spot just a five-minute walk through the rice fields from Rumah Elfi and Rumah Richard, and about fifteen minutes on foot from Joglo Hati. Together with the warm and welcoming team you'll grind fresh spices into a fragrant Balinese paste, learn the secrets behind classic local dishes and then sit down in the garden to enjoy everything you've cooked. It's relaxed, hands-on and great fun – a lovely way to bring a taste of Bali home with you, whether you come as a couple, with friends or with the whole family. Message RB Warung on WhatsApp to book your class.

If you want to keep up your routine or just burn off some energy, this is the best gym and sports club in the area. Besides a well-equipped gym with trainers, there are air-conditioned studios for classes, a lap pool, a family pool, a basketball court, a skate park and a playground, so everyone in the family has something to do. There is a coffee shop and restaurant with vegan and gluten-free options too. Day passes are available for visitors, and it is a lovely place to pass a hot afternoon. Check their Instagram for the class schedule before you go.

There's hardly a better way to start a holiday morning: breakfast floating in your own private pool. Choose from several breakfast menus – we'll happily go through them with you personally – and we'll bring it to your villa on a heart-shaped rattan tray decorated with fresh flowers – tropical fruit, fresh juice and all the little extras for a slow, happy morning in the water. Perfect for a honeymoon, a birthday or simply because you're on holiday. Just send Liong a message on WhatsApp at least a day in advance and we'll prepare everything for you.

Made is our lovely therapist from the village, and she comes right to your villa. Lie back, listen to the birds and the gentle splash of the pool, and let her work her magic with a traditional Balinese massage – long, flowing strokes and warm, fragrant oils that melt away the journey and the heat of the day. She also offers manicures, pedicures and nail polish, so you can treat yourself without ever leaving home. Just send Liong a message on WhatsApp and he'll book a time that suits you.

Umah Bali Spa is the easiest way to add a little pampering to your stay: it's less than a five-minute walk from Rumah Elfi and Rumah Richard, and about fifteen minutes on foot from Joglo Hati. This small local spa has a perfect five-star rating on Google, and guests love the warm welcome and the skilled hands of the team. Treat yourself to a traditional Balinese massage after a lazy morning by the pool – you'll be back home within minutes of your last treatment. We suggest sending them a message on WhatsApp beforehand, especially if you'd like a particular time or want to go as a group.

Kadek lives just around the corner from us in Lodtunduh and is a pengusada – a traditional Balinese healer. She has a background in pharmacy and is studying traditional Indonesian medicine at Bali's Hindu University. Her sessions bring together Ayurveda, pranic healing, crystal healing, singing bowl therapy and tarot readings with Bali's own spiritual traditions, from energy cleansing and meditation to the melukat purification ritual. She also makes Tridatu bracelets from mantra stones to help keep your energy balanced. Best of all, she comes to your villa for a private session – just send her a message on WhatsApp.