The best meals we had in Ubud weren’t the ones we planned, they were the ones we found by accident—after getting lost in one of Ubud’s winding side lanes or catching sight of a tiny warung with three plastic chairs and the irresistible smell of spices and charred goodness drifting out to the street. We love to experience local, authentic life when we travel and ‘warung’s’ are exactly that.
In this guide, we’re taking you with us—into the markets, the backstreets, and the hidden gems where real Balinese flavours live.
What is a Warung?
If you spend even a day in Bali, you’ll notice the word warung everywhere—and trust us, these little spots are where the real culinary magic happens. A warung is a small, family-run eatery, often no bigger than someone’s living room, serving home‑cooked Indonesian dishes that have been perfected over generations.
They’re wonderfully unpretentious: plastic chairs, handwritten menus, maybe a cat wandering through, and food that tastes like it came straight from someone’s grandmother’s kitchen. Warungs are where locals actually eat—quick breakfasts before work, long chats over kopi Bali, or hearty plates of nasi campur piled high for just a few dollars.
Eating at a warung isn’t just about the food; it’s a glimpse into everyday Balinese life. It’s warm, welcoming, and deliciously authentic.
How to find authentic Warung’s, not tourist cafes
Finding a truly local warung in Ubud felt surprisingly easy once we knew what to look for—especially when we were already wandering the backstreets, following the smells of frying sambal and stumbling into places packed with locals. Here are some tips:
Look down side lanes and quieter backstreets – the best warungs hide away from the main drag
Check who’s eating there – lots of locals, workers on break, and families is a great sign
Simple setup is key – plastic chairs, handwritten menus, and big steaming pots out front
Follow your senses – the smell of sambal frying or chicken grilling usually leads somewhere good
Watch for scooters pulling up for takeaway – locals know where the flavour is
Skip cafés with polished décor, smoothie bowls, and English‑only menus – they’re built for tourists
Warung Dapur Mekpun
Dapur Mekpun quickly became one of those brilliant local spots we were so glad we didn’t miss. Tucked inside a family compound homestay and well away from Ubud’s busy main streets, it felt like we’d stepped straight into someone’s home kitchen. It’s a small, family‑run warung serving proper Balinese home cooking — the kind of dishes you can tell have been made the same way for generations.
You’ll find classics like nasi campur, ayam betutu, and hearty vegetable sides. And if you’re a sambal lover, this place absolutely delivers — the heat is punchy and just right.
Price: IDR 20,000 – 70,000
Located: Jl Sri Wedari No 8, Taman Ubud Eka Homestay
Opening Hours: 11AM – 10:30PM
Why we loved it:It felt like stepping into someone’s home kitchen — the kind of place where the food is cooked with care, not for show
Warung Tan Poh
This tiny roadside warung, tucked down a side street beside Ubud Palace, is perfect when you want a quick, no‑fuss meal. The menu is small and basic, but the nasi goreng ended up being one of our favourites of the trip. Expect colourful plastic chairs, a tiny open kitchen, and the constant sizzle of a wok and fryer working overtime. It’s simple, fast, and exactly the kind of spot we love stumbling into.
Price: IDR 15,000 – 35,000
Located: Jl Suweta No 12, Ubud
Opening Hours: 11AM – 2PM & 5:00PM – 10:00PM
Why we loved it: the menu is simple, the flavours are truly authentic, and the food comes out incredibly fast.
Bakso Solo Ayu
Bakso Solo Ayu was such a fun little discovery. We stopped in for a quick bowl and ended up loving it far more than we expected. Their traditional Indonesian meatball soup is pure comfort — rich broth, bouncy meatballs, and those classic flavours you only get from a place that’s been doing it forever. We tried both the chicken and beef meatballs, plus the chicken noodles.
Price: IDR 23,000 – 30,000
Located:Jl. Tirta tawar, banjar kutuh kelod, Ubud
Opening Hours: 11AM – 8:30PM
Why we loved it: fresh, simple and no-fuss with the loveliest friendly staff
Warung Bali Bu Ade
After ducking in to escape a sudden downpour, we found ourselves at Warung Bu Ade — and we were so glad we did. This small local warung specialises in nasi campur, a classic Balinese dish of white rice surrounded by a mix of meats, vegetables, peanuts, eggs, and sambal. Everything is laid out so you can choose exactly what you want, making it a fun, customisable meal that feels both homely and authentic.
Price: IDR 10,000 – 30,000
Located: Jl. Sukma Kesuma, Ubud
Opening Hours: 7AM – 8:00PM
Why we loved it: being able to try lots of little different dishes that cost near to nothing
Warung Makan Teges
We were on the hunt for a good nasi campur for lunch when we stumbled across this little local spot, just a 10‑minute scooter ride from central Ubud. From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but once you step through the entrance you’re surrounded by a beautiful Balinese family compound filled with traditional wooden furniture, intricate carvings, and statues — a complete contrast to its humble exterior.
Lindsay swears it was one of his favourite sambals — the kind of spicy, flavour‑packed hit that instantly stands out and becomes the one you compare all others to.
Price: IDR 20,000 – 50,000
Located: Jl Cok Rai Pudak, Peliatan, Kekamatan, Ubud
Opening Hours: 8AM – 5:00pmPM
Why we loved it: surrounded by beautiful traditional Balinese buildings and lush gardens, plus the amazing sambal!
Sayan Night Market
The Sayan Night Market really comes alive at sunset — it’s where locals gather to shop, snack, and catch up with neighbours, so the whole place feels genuinely lived‑in rather than set up for tourists. As we wandered through, we found street vendors grilling corn over charcoal, ladling out steaming bowls of bakso, wrapping up nasi jinggo, and selling all kinds of sweet treats like dadar gulung.
We loved interacting with the locals as they explained what they were cooking. Our Indonesian is very limited but somehow we managed – and all with a smile!
Beyond the food stalls, there are tables piled high with fresh tropical fruit, herbs, vegetables, and local snacks you’d never find in a restaurant. It’s colourful, chaotic, and perfect for budget‑friendly travellers who love trying everyday Indonesian flavours straight from the source. You can also check out heaps of other amazing reviews.
Price: IDR 5,000 – 30,000
Parking: IDR 2,000 scooter and 5,000 car
Located: Jl Raya Tebongkang No. 39, Singakerta, Ubud
Opening Hours: 5PM – 11:00PM
Why we loved it: lively local energy and authentic street food
Eating like a local in Ubud for under $5 ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our trip. These tiny warungs, night markets, and family‑run kitchens gave us a deeper connection to the island than any restaurant with a view ever could. The flavours were bold, the experiences were genuine, and the prices made it easy to explore without hesitation.
And if you’re already wandering Ubud on foot — especially after tackling the Campuhan Ridge Walk: Ubud’s Most Beautiful (and Free) Hike or the Free Kajeng Rice Field Walk – there’s no better reward than diving into the everyday dishes that locals love. With a few dollars and a bit of curiosity, you can taste the real heart of Ubud one plate at a time.
