Bali Eats; Health Food Heaven
When it comes to cafe culture and healthy eating, you can’t go wrong in Bali. I found it hard to go a day without trying another stunning smoothie bowl abundant with local fresh fruits and delicious toppings, perfect brekky in such a hot climate. Being next door to Nalu Bowls we treated ourselves to one or two of these irresistible bowls of goodness.
With such a huge choice of recommended cafes and restaurants to try, it was a challenge to choose where to go to next! Thank fully we’d done our research and had a number of places in mind where we definitely wanted to check out. Arriving in the middle of the night, our first meal was actually in our hotel the next morning. Included in our room was a complimentary breakfast from the hotel’s Green Spot cafe serving up a variety of healthy brekky and lunch options. Day one I was drawn to the dragonfruit bowl beautifully presented with banana coins, fresh mango and crunchy coconut on top.
One of the places high on my list to try in Canggu was Give Cafe, sister to the famous Kynd Cafe in Ubud. This colourful little eatery with its pretty interiors gives all of its profits to charity, so at the end of your visit you pop your token into one of the charity boxes that they support to choose where your money goes. A fully vegan menu includes local dishes such as the Balinese curry which I opted for, as well as nutritious salad bowls and meat free alternatives which could be mistaken for the real thing – those satay skewers were just like chicken!
Another awesome cafe we were keen to hit up was Cinta Cafe which overlooks a rice paddy. This makes for a picture perfect lunch setting in the heart of Bali, especially when enjoyed sitting back and sipping on a coconut.
Next we tried Shady Shack for dinner as we’d heard great things about this hidden gem nestled in the trees just off the main drag in Canggu. Sat on wooden benches amongst the foliage glistening with fairy lights, it makes for an intimate dinner setting with friends or a partner. I was overwhelmed with the extensive choice of salad bowls and vegan dishes, but finally settled on the green bowl including zucchini noodles, broccoli heads and lettuce drizzled in a creamy peanut sauce and topped with a sweet almond brittle. Everything was so fresh and portions were certainly generous without compromise on flavour; this was my favourite dinner spot as I can’t resist a loaded salad bowl.
Back to brekky, I had my eye on the acai bowls I’d seen on Instagram from The Loft. A little on the pricier side given its reputation, I couldn’t fault the presentation of this perfectly formed bowl which even came with a cute pineapple gold spoon for me to scrape every last bit from the coconut. Located on one of the main strips in Canggu, I sat out on the terrace and savoured by sweet acai bowl whilst watching the madness of Bali scooters racing by.
Given our short trip, we weren’t in Bali long enough to sample all of the fabulous places I’ve seen scrolling through Instagram. We did however cover a lot of Canggu and on the most part everywhere was reasonable and eating out was relatively cheap, with the total cost of dinner and drinks typically about half what you’d pay in England! Whilst I didn’t manage to photograph every place we went – I was enjoying myself too much 😉 – below is a list of some of the best cafes, restaurants and bars we did visit and would highly recommend trying for yourself:
- La Brisa
- Cinta Cafe
- Deus Ex Machina
- Give Cafe
- Krate Cafe
- The Lawn
- The Loft
- Luigi’s Pizza
- Mason
- Nalu Bowls
- Old Man’s
- Penny Lane
- Pretty Poison
- Sand Bar
- Shady Shack
At just 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah (about £25) for a private two hour lesson, including the hire of boards and rashy also, it was a bargain! Although I had already surfed quite a few times before, it was great to have one on one tuition and I learnt so much too including how to turn and gather more speed on a wave.
By the end of our two hours my friend who had never surfed before was catching waves and we didn’t want our afternoon to end. I must admit though, my muscles were aching a lot afterwards especially in my arms as it takes strength and stamina to paddle to catch those waves.
Our instructors were very pleased with our hard work and even brought us both a beer afterwards. They were a good laugh and made us feel comfortable and safe in the water which is so important when learning an extreme sport like surfing.
By sunset we were sipping the last of our beers and discussing the night’s plan for partying ahead. We grabbed a polaroid with our new Balinese mates and later that evening found ourselves sharing more beers together at Old Man’s. What a perfect Bali day – surfing until sunset and then partying by the beach until the early hours – living the dream!
The next week exploring Bali was so eye opening and exceeded all expectations. The Balinese people are incredibly welcoming and friendly and on the whole I felt very safe walking around. We spent our time in the beautiful town of Canggu in our stunning hotel just off of Echo Beach.
I was obsessed in trying all the trendy health food cafes and restaurants which were just so cheap as well. It was hard to resist getting yet another smoothie bowl every morning and the vegan foodie scene is next level, even meat lovers would find it hard to resist.
Likewise shopping in Bali is reasonable if you’re brave enough to haggle! We were spoilt for choice when it came to cool surfer shops and luxurious swimwear brands, but one of the best places to bag a bargain in Canggu is the Love Anchor Market.
We totally emerssed ourselves amongst the bustling social scene of Bali too which would seem to have no care for what day of the week it is, everyday is a party! From sipping beers on the beach at sunset to partying the night away at Old Man’s famous midweek Wednesday blow out, we certainly lived it up Bali style.
I’m looking forward to reliving some of our best moments in Bali here on the blog, so stay tuned for all the wonderful memories we made and tips if you plan on visiting Canggu yourself 🙂
Soon enough my friend turned up on the dock and we jumped in his boat! We jetted across the harbour over to Chowder Bay where we took a dip in the water and soaked up the midday sun.
We didn’t have too long as we were due at the airport at 4pm, so it was a short but sweet trip. The journey back across the bay was a choppy one and in such a small boat we found ourselves battered by the rough waves – thank fully we made it back to dry land in one piece!
Stopping by for a late brunch we got seated on an outdoor bench and table overlooking the golden stretch of Bondi beach. Having been out for a few wines the night before, I was ready for some clean food and kick of good coffee to fuel my afternoon, so I opted for the bircher muesli topped with crunchy granola, yoghurt and heaps of fresh berries.
I was however a little envious of my friend’s choice to have the french toast which was made with a deep fried croissant instead of bread. Basically a desert for breakfast, but we weren’t mad about it and I was more than happy to help her finish it off!
After devouring our delicious breakfast we sat and sipped our coffee watching the hustle of Bondi pass by as we soaked up the afternoon sun. I was particularly chuffed with my purchase from the day too – a Stanton bucket hat. I’d wanted a bucket hat for ages so when I saw this one at the street market in Bondi, I couldn’t resist. Happy days 🙂
Now I find myself looking back on that time doing my farm work in the South of Australia and feel a pang of pride as I think of what I achieved and the awesome memories I made. It certainly wasn’t an easy time but with all the loyal, lifelong friends I made along the way, somebody always had my back.
I certainly wouldn’t rush back to those brisk cold 6am mornings stacking rocks on that stone wall, but the whole experience really pushed me out of my comfort zone and revealed my true character. Determined to earn my second year visa in Aus, not much was going to stop me.
Going back to see the wall a year and a half on was very special and I was astounded at how much it had developed and grown. The concept of stone walling is very simple yet takes much patience and an eye for detail to achieve the aesthetic desired. The unique benefit of these walls is that once built, they last an extremely long time and are almost indestructible as the structure can move and adjust with the earth’s gravity.
Given our hard work and long gruelling days spent on that wall, we were very proud to carve our names into one of the rocks…we’re a little part of Australian history now!
Strolling the endless rows of distinctly Victorian terraced houses, you never know when you might stumble across the next cute café or even another old fashioned pub. Famous for its English style architecture and leafy green tree lined neighbourhoods, it certainly feels like you’re miles away from the city in Paddo.
We found ourselves a little table outside Café Five Ways and dug into some delicious food having worked up an appetite shopping and walking around. I always loved this café for its location and the fantastic food for a very reasonable price. I went for a goat’s cheese beetroot salad whilst my friend chose a melted brie toasty with some cheeky chips to share – yum!
It was the perfect way to spend our arvo in Paddington; strolling, shopping, lunching and laughing!
Following the famous walk from Bronte to Bondi, the beaches were buzzing and summer in Sydney was in full swing.
This walk was one of the first things I did when I came to Australia two years ago and now I had the pleasure of showing my best friend the breathtaking Aussie coast in all its glory.
Looking out over the open ocean and into the vast deep blue sea is a wonderful reminder of how small we are on this planet and just how precious our time is here.
Living life just on the edge not knowing what is around the corner is the best way to welcome new horizons and opens doors for your future. I guess my move to Aus was one of my bravest decisions and undoubtedly helped me grow and learn how life can never be mapped out in detail, you just have to let each day be and keep yourself happy in wherever you end up.
New Year’s Day we decided to catch the ferry over to Manly going via Circular Quay to show my friend Sydney Harbour for the first time. Sadly there was hazy smog sitting over the city given the fires still raging across New South Wales at the time. Nevertheless, seeing the magnificent Harbour Bridge and Opera House for the first time is always such a spectacle!
Being out on the peninsular across from the main city and with its beautiful white sand beaches, Manly provides an escape from the bustle of central Sydney. Known for its laid back surfer vibes and numerous hipster bars and cafes, it sure is one of the top places to visit over on the North shore.
Mooching around the back streets we stumbled across some really awesome graffiti and even a pink wall with cactuses, perfect for that cute insta pic – I was in my element.
With so many enticing cafes and restaurants to try, we opted for a cool and quirky rock ‘n’ roll style bar Daniel San for a late lunch. This neon-drenched Japanese cuisine restaurant certainly was a little different but had an energetic atmosphere and iconic view overlooking Manly beach. A little sore headed from the usual New Year’s Eve antics the night before, we couldn’t wait to tuck into a poke bowl.
After another browse around the shops it was time to ride the ferry back over to Rosebay where we were staying. It was a fun day exploring Manly given that it’s somewhere I didn’t visit as much when I lived in Sydney and another corner of the city to show my friend. The coastline and trendy vibe of Manly strongly reflects aspects of Byron Bay, so it’s no wonder many locals choose to live in this beachside haven just a short journey across the harbour to the CBD.
Arriving in Bondi just after noon, it was busy and most places had a long wait for a table. Thank fully we came across Heart Cafe tucked behind the main drag of Bondi offering all kinds of delicious, nutritious dishes. I opted for a granola bowl with plenty of fresh fruits, yoghurt and edible flowers, whilst my friend chose a power bowl bursting with greens and other yummy superfoods. Breakfast any time of day is definitely an Australian tradition and something I always loved when living there.
Coffee is another speciality of the Aussies and it was a warming welcome back to sip my favourite long black with a dash of hot milk. With a jet lag to power through, strong coffee and sun on my skin was just the answer.
Being such a great spot for shopping with its countless boutiques, surf shops and numerous vintage stores, my equally shopaholic bestie was excited to take a look around the neighbourhood too. Weaving in and out of the streets behind the main drag of Bondi, every time I go I discover another hidden gem.
Finally we made our way over to the beach via the iconic grass hill which overlooks the vast expanse of Bondi Beach. Being a bank holiday between Christmas and New Years it was of course heaving and full summer vibes were in swing as we strolled past the beach front bars pumping out the tunes. As we sat just by the skate park soaking up the salty sea air watching surfers in their line up for the next wave, I truly felt back in the thick of Sydney life and ready for the holiday fun to commence!
Dani Aneka 