The 3 Best Cafes in Ubud. Ubud, Bali’s cultural and spiritual hub, is famous for its lush jungles, rice terraces, and vibrant arts scene. In addition to its temples, markets, and wellness retreats, Ubud is also home to an ever-growing café culture, where visitors and locals alike can enjoy world-class coffee, healthy food, and a serene atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax, work remotely, or catch up with friends, Ubud has a wide array of charming and unique cafés that cater to every taste.
In this article, we’ll explore the three best cafes in Ubud, each offering a distinctive vibe, exceptional food, and a perfect setting for enjoying Bali’s laid-back café culture.
1. Seniman Coffee Studio
Location and Ambiance
Located in the heart of Ubud, Seniman Coffee Studio is one of Bali’s most celebrated cafés and a pioneer of the island’s specialty coffee scene. The café is housed in a traditional Balinese building with an open-air layout that allows natural light to flood in, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The rustic wooden furniture and minimalist decor give the café a relaxed, modern vibe, while the friendly staff and focus on artisanal coffee make it a must-visit destination for coffee enthusiasts.
The name “Seniman” translates to “artist” in Indonesian, and the café lives up to its name by treating coffee as an art form. The walls are adorned with artwork, and the café’s layout encourages interaction, with communal tables and an open bar where visitors can watch the baristas at work. The café’s laid-back, creative atmosphere makes it a popular spot for digital nomads, artists, and travelers looking to enjoy a quality cup of coffee in a stylish setting.
Coffee and Menu Highlights
Seniman Coffee Studio is renowned for its dedication to specialty coffee. The café sources its beans from local farmers across Indonesia, including regions like Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi, and the coffee is roasted in-house to ensure freshness and quality. The baristas at Seniman are true coffee experts, offering a variety of brewing methods, including pour-over, siphon, Aeropress, and espresso.
One of the standout offerings at Seniman is the Seniman Coffee Tasting Flight, which allows visitors to sample different single-origin coffees brewed using various methods. This is an excellent option for coffee aficionados who want to explore the unique flavors of Indonesian coffee. The café also offers cold brews, lattes, and iced coffees, as well as a selection of specialty drinks like coffee tonics and affogatos.
In addition to its coffee, Seniman Coffee Studio serves a variety of healthy dishes that emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu includes options like avocado toast, smoothie bowls, and salads, as well as heartier fare like burgers, sandwiches, and pasta. For those with a sweet tooth, the café’s selection of homemade cakes and pastries pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee.
Why Visit Seniman Coffee Studio?
Seniman Coffee Studio is the perfect place for coffee lovers looking to experience the best of Bali’s specialty coffee scene. The combination of high-quality, locally sourced coffee beans, expertly crafted drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it a must-visit for anyone exploring Ubud. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or simply looking for a stylish place to relax, Seniman offers an exceptional café experience.
2. Clear Café
Location and Ambiance
Clear Café is located just off the main road in Ubud and is renowned for its unique design, healthy menu, and tranquil atmosphere. The café is housed in a beautiful, multi-story building with a bamboo structure that exudes eco-friendly charm. Inside, the décor is inspired by Balinese nature, with natural wood furniture, soft lighting, and vibrant plants that create a peaceful and inviting space.
Clear Café is designed to be a haven of wellness and relaxation, offering visitors a place to unwind, connect with friends, and enjoy healthy, nourishing food. The café has several seating areas, including cozy corners with floor cushions and low tables, as well as outdoor spaces that allow diners to enjoy Ubud’s lush surroundings. The relaxed vibe and focus on wellness make it a popular spot for health-conscious travelers and yogis.
Coffee and Menu Highlights
Clear Café is known for its extensive menu of healthy, organic dishes, which are made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu is predominantly plant-based, with a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, but there are also dishes for meat and seafood lovers. Some of the standout items include:
- Coconut Ceviche: A refreshing starter made with young coconut, lime, chili, and fresh herbs, served with crispy plantain chips.
- Clear Café Buddha Bowl: A nourishing bowl filled with quinoa, avocado, mixed greens, roasted vegetables, and a choice of tofu, tempeh, or chicken, drizzled with a tahini dressing.
- Vegan Nachos: Loaded with homemade guacamole, salsa, cashew cheese, and black beans, these nachos are a popular choice among diners.
In addition to its food menu, Clear Café offers an impressive selection of smoothies, fresh juices, herbal teas, and specialty lattes. The café’s signature Turmeric Latte and Matcha Latte are both crowd favorites, providing a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional coffee. For those craving a caffeine fix, Clear Café also serves organic espresso drinks made with high-quality beans sourced from local farmers.
For dessert, Clear Café offers a range of raw cakes and vegan sweets, including coconut cheesecakes, chocolate truffles, and raw brownies. These guilt-free treats are the perfect way to end a meal on a sweet note.
Why Visit Clear Café?
Clear Café is the ideal destination for anyone seeking a wellness-focused dining experience in Ubud. With its beautiful, eco-friendly design, healthy menu, and serene atmosphere, it offers a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you’re looking for a nourishing meal, a refreshing drink, or simply a peaceful place to unwind, Clear Café delivers an unforgettable experience that aligns with Bali’s holistic and health-conscious lifestyle.
3. Folk Pool & Gardens
Location and Ambiance
Folk Pool & Gardens is one of Ubud’s most unique café experiences, combining delicious food and drinks with a swimming pool, lush garden setting, and laid-back tropical vibes. Located in the heart of Ubud, just a short walk from the Sacred Monkey Forest, Folk Pool & Gardens offers visitors the chance to relax in style, either by lounging poolside or enjoying a meal in one of the café’s cozy cabanas.
The café’s design is inspired by Bali’s natural beauty, with vibrant tropical plants, bamboo furniture, and colorful décor creating a fun, playful atmosphere. The highlight of Folk Pool & Gardens is its swimming pool, which is surrounded by lush greenery and provides a cool respite from the heat of the day. Guests can rent daybeds, swim in the pool, or dine in one of the private cabanas, making it a versatile spot for both relaxation and socializing.
Coffee and Menu Highlights
Folk Pool & Gardens offers a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes, with a focus on fresh, flavorful dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. The café’s menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, as well as a variety of snacks and drinks that can be enjoyed poolside.
Some of the standout dishes include:
- Folk Burger: A juicy beef patty topped with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and a homemade sauce, served with crispy fries.
- Nasi Goreng: A traditional Indonesian fried rice dish served with a sunny-side-up egg, chicken satay, prawn crackers, and sambal.
- Bali Poke Bowl: A refreshing and healthy dish made with fresh tuna, avocado, cucumber, seaweed, and sesame seeds, served over a bed of rice and drizzled with a light dressing.
Folk Pool & Gardens also offers an impressive selection of coffee drinks, including espresso, lattes, cold brews, and iced coffees, made with high-quality beans. For those looking for something refreshing, the café’s signature cocktails, fresh juices, and smoothies are perfect for sipping by the pool.
The café’s desserts are also worth mentioning, with options like Bali Banoffee Pie, Mango Sticky Rice, and Churros with chocolate dipping sauce providing the perfect sweet treat to finish off a meal.
Why Visit Folk Pool & Gardens?
Folk Pool & Gardens offers a one-of-a-kind café experience in Ubud, where visitors can enjoy great food and drinks while relaxing in a lush garden setting or by the pool. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal with friends, a place to cool off and swim, or a vibrant atmosphere for socializing, Folk Pool & Gardens has it all. The combination of tropical ambiance, delicious food, and poolside relaxation makes it a top choice for visitors seeking a fun and unique dining experience in Ubud.
Ubud’s café scene offers something for everyone, from specialty coffee lovers to wellness enthusiasts and those looking for a unique, social experience. Seniman Coffee Studio, Clear Café, and Folk Pool & Gardens are three of the best cafés in Ubud, each providing its own distinctive atmosphere, exceptional food, and drinks that showcase the best of Bali’s café