SALTY SURGA

RESTAURANTS

Are you saying to me...didn't we just cover restaurants?? No, I was just getting warmed up! Here are some of the Seminyak icons. PLEASE, do not leave Bali without trying at least one of these!

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1. Motel Mexicola: please, please, please...go to Motel! It's like taco Tuesday every single day of the week. This place looks like they've gathered everything that is bright, shiny and happy into one gigantic piñata and then lit some TNT under it and let it land all over their restaurant. It's one of those places you need to see, to believe and I promise you won't be disappointed! It's hot. It's sweaty. And loud. And it all just adds to the Mexicano Fiesta feels. From the moment the (hot!! Sorry husband but there's no denying it) Maître D guides you through the restaurant to squish you into a table and direct the dancing waiters chanting to the chilled house music as they bring you your cocktails, you can't help but start to clap and join in the party! You'll love the guacamole, soft shell tacos and throw it all down with a jug of sangria. Definitely a "must do "for me!

2. La Favela: imagine having dinner in the middle of a tranquil jungle smack bang in the heart of Seminyak! Well La Favela provides just that. Every single square cm of this place has been strategically placed, designed to make you feel you're miles away from the hustle outside the front doors and it is AMAZING! It is so big, you could actually get lost in here. The centrepiece a mini aqua lake to dine over. Enter through the unassuming door to enter this alternate world! So many secret corners and nooks to explore and all with the Cristo Rendentor (Rio's Jesus statue) protruding from the roof line to ensure you enjoy your dinner and that your water...will always be wine!

3. The Bistrot: Located just next door to La Favela, The Bistrot is like a vintage refuge from the crazy streets. Grand chandeliers oppose the rustic décor, the French style windows only allowing enough of the busy street sightings in as you enjoy the delicious cuisine of modern traditional but with an Asian hint. This place is opulent, decadent and so are their meals!

4. Char Char Bar and Grill: Seriiously, props to you Bali for coming up with the most amazing conceptual designs! Like people watching? Me too. Well this restaurant has been designed just for that! Stadium style seating that faces onto "Eat St" all with tables in between so you can relax, have an afternoon cocktail or choose a delicious meal from the grill and watch the world go by!

5. Sea Vu Play: Ahoy!!!! Me hardys! Fancy dining in a tropical maritime themed restaurant with palm tress laced in fairy lights, a sailing boat as the bar and nautical paraphernalia to make you feel like you're a part Swiss Family Robinson? Then look no further than Sea Vu Play! You can't help but smile when you enter and you'll feel right at home with that ugly Hawaiian shirt that you always get ripped off for wearing! With a delicious menu to match the lively décor...you cant help but eat, drink and be merry! Arrrrrrrrrr.

6. Barbacoa: Bring in the nannys and book in your date night at Barbacoa! Although EVERYWHERE is kid friendly in Bali....this one would be even better if you didn't have to slam your meal down your throat in order to finish and get the kids to bed! The large warehouse space has a warm tone that towers over the rice paddies out the back. It's Latin American influence creates a menu that is modern yet unpretentious and oh so scrumptious!! The centrepiece a huge charcoal grill, BBQ-ing treats from tapas to hearty feasts! Yum.

7. Zibiru: We could not believe we stumbled upon this little Italian gem! Right out front of our villa, tired from a big day of doing....nothing....we decided to "give it a go". Walk down the small laneway and you'll feel you've been thrown into a small Tuscan cottage...choose to sit in the restaurant and peer through the majestic French windows or in the courtyard that has a swing to keep the kids entertained (and for you to insta!) As the sun sets, the courtyard gets lit up with hundreds of tealight candles...and even have old black and white Italian movies projected onto their back wall to immerse you fully into this ristorante! Now the menu...they say it takes a genius to be able to cook an amazing dish with just a few ingredients...and this Italian chef does not disappoint. My porcini linguine has to be hands down the BEST pasta I have ever had...big call right? Well I am willing to call it. The service is immaculate, welcoming and the small gestures of complimentary breads with oils and soup for starters is such a lovely touch. The chef even delivering our bill to have a quick chat and to see whether we enjoyed our experience...ummm...YES! Big fat YES! A thousand times YES!

8. Sarong: Time to book the Nanny again! Because little ones...you're not allowed to come here...this one is for the grown ups! Put away your Havianas for the night and pop on those heels that have been hiding away in the back of your suitcase and get yourself to this South East Asian inspired restaurant that is dedicated to giving you the finest of modern cuisine but still with authentic flavours! Pair your dish with one of their mind blowing cocktails from fairy floss topped martinis to tropical fruity goodness...the décor is as lush as its menu and it'll tick all the boxes of getting your 'grown up time' away from the rug rats!

9. La Lucciola: set right on one of the most beautiful stretches of Seminyak beach, a monstrosity of a bamboo structure purpose built to ensure every single seat in the house captures the sunset! Kids can roam out the front on the grassy lawn that leads to the beach lined with palm trees, while the grown ups get to sink some Bintangs and sample the modern Mediterranean menu!

10. Frankensteins Laboratory: This one is not for the faint hearted, but if you like a quirky themed restaurants and your kids like all things gross and gory...then head to Frankenstein's to be served your drinks in test tubes, syringes and IV fluid bags matched with awesome an Aussie style menu of burgers, woodfired pizzas and also Indonesian favourites whilst being entertained with the cabaret show! Seriously a fun family night out!

11. Bikini: This restaurant delivers a fine dining experience without the snobby atmosphere! It instead injects a feeling of excitement and vibrance through its pink hues and neon lighting! Try their degustation dinner that will wow even the hardest foodie critics. The service is humble for what this restaurant proudly boasts!

12. Merah Putih: When I talk about the concepts of restaurants Bali delivers...then this one is definitely on the top of the list. Merah Putih is grand. It is a visual delight! Set in a glasshouse with cathedral ceilings that are warmly lit, trees weaved between tables and a mezzanine level with woven pods for private dining creates this majestic sanctuary! Merah creates a tantalizing menu that is Indonesian inspired. They deliver your meals to the middle of the table to encourage you to share and enjoy your food just as they do in their family homes.

13. Batik: I have to admit, I have not been to this restaurant...but REALLY wanted to go! I was scared my messy kids would wrecked their all white perfectly poised restaurant. This beautiful venue is everything I imagine my home to look like (yet I know it will never happen) The white and beige theme gives a light and beachy feel mixed with the bright green foliage...it all just works! The menu is Asain, with a twist of modern elegance to match the surroundings.  

14. Da Maria: Ciao Bella! Da Maria has brought the ambience of The Amalfi coast to the heart of Seminyak and boosted it with some steroids! It is a colourful bonanza of white, yellow and blues that mirror the energy of the sand, sun and sea! Get all your favourite carbs all in the one place...pizza, pastas and breads to fill your hungry void. the kids will love their own Bambini menu that will twist the arms of even the fussiest of eaters!

15. Gardin Bistro and Patisserie: Fancy having lunch in a real life fairy kingdom? Gardin is exactly that! Nestled in amongst tropical ferns and foliage does this greenhouse arise. With its glass roof and rainbow bobble cushions on their chairs you'll feel like you have been transported to Fern Gully! Save some room for after your decadent lunch to try the beautifully handcrafted desserts that look works of art! If the boys are busy sinking Bintangs around the pool...then make a girly escape and enjoy their daily high tea!

16. MoVida Bali: Hola! Move over MoVida in Melbourne because your little sister has opened its doors in Seminyak and she's quickly making a name for herself! Following in her big sisters footsteps MoVida Seminyak refines Spanish style cooking into flavoursome parcels of goodness each tapas bursting with excitement and to be shared with friends and family as you exchange all your Balinese holiday stories. The menu is bold and the pisco sours are ballsey. Enjoy a night out with flair and flavour.

17. Teatro Gastroteque: If you feel your above eating corn on a beach and pairing it with a long neck Bintang matching your same brand singlet...and you know which knife and fork to pick from the 5 on either side of your plate at one of those "fancy" restaurants...then Teatro is for you. It is a boutique fine dining restaurant that will not only deliver immaculate service but exquisite and mind blowing dishes to will satisfy tastebuds you didn't even know you had. If you are a fellow foodie like us, you'll appreciate the passion expressed through each meal presented to you as the chef takes you on his journey of flavoursome delights.

18. Mama San Bali: It's Sarongs baby sister! Same concept, same expertise, same delicious Asian fused menu but with a casual and rustic vibe. Sorry kids....along with Sarong....you get to hang with the babysitter for the night while the parents get to enjoy some spicy culinary pleasures!

19. Bambu: This open air Indonesian restaurant is set on a man made island surrounded by water! How bloody cool! It serves all your Indonesian favourites, it has the heart of a traditional warung but the modern elegance to deliver you a truly fine dining experience. Again, kids....so you don't have a side of pool with your Nasi Goreng...it'd be best to stay back at the resort pool while the olds go and enjoy!

20. Sardine: This restaurant is perched on the edge of a big rice paddie field...depending on what time of the year you may visit, your backdrop can differ...from the shallow waters, with the lantern torches echoing their glow on the mirrored surfaces or the ripe lush green of the new crop bursting through...which ever one you get, it surely is a wonderful delight to be transported back to a more traditional style Balinese restaurant that offers so much more than just...Sardines! Don't be fooled by the name, Sardine serves a delectable menu that specialises in seafood. It will change daily depending on the catch of the day and ensures that the produced served it going to be the freshest taste of the sea!

21. Ginger Moon: Another Asian inspired restaurant in the beating heart of Seminyak! Rice paper rolls, wok tossed stir frys, dumplings and even....pizza for the little ones! If you want to get your fix of Asian cuisine set in a beautifully designed and modern venue...then Ginger Moon will have you sorted!

22. La Sicilia: Last but definitely not least is the newly opened La Sicilia the latest in the infamous "La" group and brings an entirely Italian ecliptic fusion of décor and food like it's predecessors! These guys REALLY know how to tantalize the senses in every  respects! Every single inch of this place is visual feast, but the Italian inspired menu is the real treat! The meals like Nonna would make, made with love, passion and a richness of old style cooking with leave you with full bellies and a full heart of love.