Tag: balilife

Bali Guide; Canggu Eats

April 1, 2024

If you’re looking for endless options of cool cafes, boojie bars and delicious delicacies from cuisines all over the world, then Canggu is the place to satisfy your ultimate foodie cravings. From the stunning smoothie bowls full of the freshest fruits and all day brunching options galore, to classic Mexican, Italian, Greek, Asian or Australian… you really are spoilt for choice!

Whether you’re vegan or in search of somewhere healthier to eat, or you’re wanting to treat yourself to something more indulgent and would like to experience some fine dining, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes in Canggu. We were blown away by the standard of the food everywhere we ate at and the prices were incredibly reasonable, hard to believe compared to the price of restaurants in the UK!

Whilst there wasn’t enough time to try every place recommended during our short stay in Canggu, we did sample some of the most famous cafes and restaurants in the area and I’ve narrowed it down to seven of my favourite.

  1. The Shady Shack – https://www.theshadyshackbali.com

The ultimate destination for vegans, vegetarians and health food lovers, The Shady Shack offers a big menu which includes an all-day breakfast, nutritious smoothies and juices, burgers and salads, share plates, delicious mains and decadent vegan desserts. I opted for one of their Insta famous salad bowls of grilled haloumi, pickled beetroot, quinoa, rocket, cucumber, avocado, tomato, roasted peppers, olives, baba ganoush, served with a creamy tahini dressing, crispy chickpeas & za’atar. Brimming with plenty of greens and colourful veggies, this Mediterranean inspired bowl of goodness was the perfect post-flight refuel my body needed. At 85K IDR, this salad cost only £4.25.

2. Kynd Community – https://www.kyndcommunity.com

Another fully plant-based cafe, Kynd Canggu was right next to our hotel and became my boyfriend’s favourite place for lunch. Despite not being vegan, we loved it here and over the course of our stay my boyfriend sampled the loaded fries with chipotle aioli, crunchy onions & jalapeños, their take on a Mexican Burrito, and not forgetting the Kynd Bigger Mac. I was excited to try their aesthetic Acai Bowl complete with fruit lettering to spell out BALI, a cliche I know but it had to be done.

3. Lola’s Cantina Mexicana – https://www.lolasbali.com

They know their Mexican food in Bali, so I was keen to try out Canguu’s top rated for Mexican eats, Lola’s. With an edgy, buzzing vibe, this cool spot on the shortcut seemed the place to be for a night out with friends. I started with a cheeky Marg of course before we had some naughty loaded nachos with all the toppings to share.

For a main course I hade their Mexi Bowl which comprised of a bed of lettuce with beans, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, red cabbage, pico de gallo, guacamole, cashew sour cream, tortilla chips, and I added BBQ jackfruit. A taste sensation of authentic Mexican flavours, I couldn’t believe it was only £3.75 for this meal, I would go here on repeat if I could.

4. M. Mason Bar & Grill – https://masonbali.com/canggu/menu/

My number one destination for date night or even just a glass of lovely vino, this Mediterranean inspired restaurant serves up sharing plates using cooking techniques like smoking and wood fire grilling to coax maximum flavour from minimal ingredients.

With its Scandi style interiors and romantic cosy courtyard adorned with fairy-lights, we went here for the perfect Friday date night and shared a scrumptious feast of small plates. Highlights included the cured meat selection, homemade hummus with burnt chilli butter & crispy bits, and those wonderfully sweet wood fired carrots with yoghurt & dukkah.

There is even a secret speakeasy bar at the very back of the restaurant where we enjoyed our after dinner drinks, it oozes sophistication and style.

5. Azoria – https://www.azoriabali.com

For a taste of Italy and another atmospheric restaurant ideal for date night, Azoria is a newly opened Italian in the heart of Canggu already making a name for itself. Serving traditional Italian dishes amongst the setting of its rustic Mediterranean inspired decor, it felt like we were transported to Europe as we sipped our red vino and the Italian guitar music set the ambience.

To start we shared an exquisite Caesar salad, and for main my boyfriend had the Beef Ragu, whilst I made my own pasta of pappardelle, tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, spinach and basil. The pasta was so fresh and I loved the idea of making your own pasta so I could personalise the meal to my taste. We never regretti our spaghetti ❤

6. LowCal Cheatery – https://www.instagram.com/lowcalcheaterybar/?hl=en

Whilst this restaurant promotes itself as low calorie and super healthy, that doesn’t mean it sacrifices on quality or options to suit all tastes. My boyfriend had the pork ribs with sweet potato fries and he said it was one of the best dinners he’d had on the trip – although we said that after every meal to be honest!

I opted for the grilled fish topped with a mango chilli salsa, served with baked pumpkin and lots of fresh salad. A nicely balanced plate high in protein, complex carbs from the pumpkin, fats from the fish and heaps of nutrients from all the salad; I love this kind of food good for the body and soul. They also have live musicians on guitars every night from 7-9pm, making for the perfect al fresco dining experience.

7. Zin Cafe & Co-Working Space – https://zin.world/zin-cafe/

The final foodie destination I had to have on my list of favourites was Zin Cafe, the restaurant within the hotel we were staying. We had breakfast here every morning and whilst my boyfriend made his way through the extensive menu of savoury and sweet brunch options, I couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit platter and yummy smoothie bowls. The cafe spans multiple levels spilling into the co-working space, which is like an awesome tree-house perfect for chilled working vibes. We ordered lunch to our terrace one afternoon and I had a delightful plate of roasted vegetables with green tahini. We also had their local Indonesian Curry for dinner in the restaurant one evening which didn’t disappoint, it was everything I hoped for and more.

So that’s a roundup of my top food spots in Canggu. There are many more incredible cafes and brilliant restaurants we didn’t have time to visit of course, but safe to say you won’t be disappointed wherever you go to eat in Bali; it’s true foodie heaven ❤

Bali Guide; A Day in Ubud

March 31, 2024

It wouldn’t be a trip to Bali without visiting the luscious green rice terraces and a breathtaking waterfalls in the rainforest. Being based in Canggu for the duration of our stay in Bali, we decided to do a day trip to Ubud and hired a private driver for the day which worked out at about £5 an hour – what a bargain!

Ubud is about 1 hour from Canggu by car and being more central Bali, it is where you find the awesome rainforest and those Instagramable rice terraces upon the expanse of rolling hills.

Arriving late morning mid-week, it wasn’t too crowded for our stop at Tegenungan Waterfall. Another humid and extremely hot day in Bali, the walk down and back up was a challenge in the heat.

Well worth the trek though as we could take a scenic dip by the magnificent waterfall when we finally made it down.

Our next stop was Cretya, a day club with split level infinity pools overlooking perfectly groomed rice terraces. This place was only £2.50 to get into and this gave us access to the pool club and surrounding grounds for the day.

Unfortunately a storm rolled in just after we arrived, so we sheltered from the rain on a table overlooking the rainforest and enjoyed a lovely lunch of margarita pizza and garden salad.

Not forgetting a classic Bintang to ease the sting of that torrential rain meaning we couldn’t fully enjoy the beautiful pools.

Regardless, it was still an amazing place to explore and walk around following our time at the pool club. They even had the famous Bali swing here!

On reflection, we really liked Ubud and would definitely stay there next time we visit Bali to get the full jungle life experience.

Bali Guide; Zin Canggu Resort & Villas

March 24, 2024

When booking our trip to Bali, we were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing where to stay in Canggu. Whilst we considered renting our own villa given how cheap it is out there, upon researching online there was a lot of advice recommending hotels are preferable as they have 24 hour security. Zin was somewhere which kept coming up in our searches and with its jungle vibe aesthetic, it looked like the perfect tropical oasis in the centre of Canggu.

We booked via Expedia, so together with return flights it came to just under £1,400 each for the flights and hotel with breakfast included, an absolute bargain for 10 nights at such a stunning resort.

Opting for an upgrade to one of their Deluxe Bamboo rooms, we had this beautiful terrace overlooking the central pool which we had to ourselves a lot of the time, our own private paradise.

The room itself was ultimate Bali vibes too with stone flooring and aesthetic decor like this rattan woven wall hanging.

The dreamy Queen size bed was like sleeping on a cloud and waking up in heaven with the white bed net to keep those mosquitoes away.

Another awesome detail was the double shower head in our massive en suite complete with rustic stone walls and flooring.

My favourite place to relax in the afternoons or before dinner with a cocktail in hand, was our private terrace nestled amongst the luscious greenery.

Zin Cafe offered an extensive variety of options for brekky every morning.

They had a number of smoothie bowls to choose from, my favourite being the dragon fruit bowl with it’s vibrant pink colour and tangy sweet taste.

My boyfriend made his way through the menu of savoury dishes before trying the sweet treats, his favourite being the classic French toast.

The fruit in Bali is always super fresh and even the fruit bowls from Zin Cafe were a piece of art.

We had a local Balinese curry at the hotel one evening which was incredible, and another afternoon enjoyed a late lunch on our terrace.

I could tell how fresh and healthy all the food was from Zin Cafe and every dish was so perfectly presented.

The staff were very welcoming, wonderfully friendly and made sure we had everything we needed during our stay at Zin.

We even had a complimentary hour long couples massage in the spa, a delightful treat and heavenly experience.

Poolside handstand practice was the ideal setting to find balance and channel my inner yogi.

Even at twilight the jungle of tropical trees and tree house style canopy looked magnificent.

Zin was ideal for our stay in Canggu being only a 10 minute walk from the main strip of restaurants and bars and just a 2 minute walk from Echo Beach. They also have a co-working space in the cafe which offers a peaceful area for working, something we would’ve used if we were staying longer and needed to work.

I would highly recommend Zin Canggu Resort & Villas to anyone travelling to Bali, particularly young couples who are looking for a bit of luxury. Prime location and safe with 24 hour security, clean and beautifully aesthetic, brilliant food and wonderful people, it was everything we hoped for and more.

The Deluxe Bamboo room and resort grounds felt like a home away from home by the end of the holiday.

To book your stay at Zin, you can find them on Expedia and Booking.com or visit their website – https://zin.world/zin-canggu/

Welcome to the World of Zin ❤

Bali Guide; My Favourite Sundowner Spots

March 17, 2024

Sunsets in Bali are always a spectacle; rain or shine, the sky always manages to put on a show. Canggu is known for its world famous beach bars & clubs, so here are my top five spots to chase sunset on the west coast of Bali.

  1. La Brisa, Canggu – https://labrisa-bali.com

The epitome of Bali beach aesthetic, it doesn’t get better than sundowners at La Brisa. With its maze of bamboo tree houses and pools amongst the jungle of green luscious palms, it feels like you’re on a remote tropical island paradise.

From day to night, you can take a dip in the pools and sip cocktails as the sunsets over Echo Beach.

Even at dusk and into the evening, the warm glow of fairy lights and orange hue lanterns set the jungle aglow.

There is a minimum spend for a table if you want food and a good view for sundown, but you can spend hours there to make the most of it.

We spent two evenings here during our stay, the second of which was our final night when there was a magnificent thunderstorm. Not the final golden hour we had envisioned, but certainly an exciting way to bring our time in Bali to a close.

2. The Lawn, Canggu – https://www.thelawncanggu.com

Just down the beach from our hotel, we headed here for our first evening sundowners and it didn’t disappoint. Life was pretty peachy as I sipped my Paloma cocktail watching the perfect sunset of orange and pink hues.

Again, this is a beach club where you can spend the whole day into the evening on a sunbed or table with a view for a minimum spend, which is easily made back on delicious food and wonderful cocktails.

We only visited The Lawn once for cocktails, but they often have events and special guest DJs which would be the ultimate vibe to accompany a killer sunset.

3. Finns, Canggu – https://finnsbeachclub.com

Claiming itself as the ‘World’s best beach club’, this is one for the party goers in search for that dancing til dawn destination.

It was a little overcast when we visited Finns, however we still enjoyed cocktails at dusk on their 2 for 1 offer and soaked up the party vibes from the comfort of our own table with no minimum spend. There are also a number of different cuisine food outlets situated around the venue to suit everyone’s tastes.

Whilst I know sunset framing their iconic Finns sign lit up with lanterns over the pools is picture a perfect moment, the interiors inside with this gorgeous cluster of bamboo shades made for fabulous Friday night vibes shared with other winers and diners.

4. Savaya, Uluwatu – https://www.savaya.com

On our visit down to the South coast of Bali in Uluwatu, I had seen incredible photos of this place on Instagram and had to experience it for myself.

Unfortunately there wasn’t much of a sunset and also an event featuring Jamie Jones on the evening we went meaning a hefty entry cost, but it was still an awesome place to see in person.

I would be super keen to go back here when the sun is promising to put on a show, so I highly recommend this spot for sundowners if you are staying in Uluwatu.

5. Echo Beach, Canggu – https://www.oldmans.net

My fifth favourite spot for golden hour is of course, Echo Beach itself. There are lots of bars along the front offering drinks and a seat right on the sand to sit back and enjoy the view of surfers catching waves at sunset.

With each minute that passes as the sun dips on the horizon of Echo Beach, the colours grow even richer and deeper until the moonlight finally takes place of the sun.

I’ve mentioned Old Man’s as a fun club which I visited during my last stay in Bali after Bintangs on the beach at sunset, but these days me and my boyfriend prefer a nice dinner and sophisticated cocktails at Billy Ho or Mason.

So that’s my roundup of the best places to enjoy a cocktail or local Bintang whilst watching a beautiful Bali sundown.

Bali sunsets have my heart and chasing them is my favourite time of the day when in Bali ❤

Bali Calling; Back Soon

March 15, 2024

Friday is here and after being back at work this week following a dreamy holiday in Bali, I’m very glad to be welcoming in the weekend. We landed back in London on Saturday evening and whilst our jet lag wasn’t bad out in Bali, coming back has been a challenge and the extreme fatigue set in. Thankfully after a few days back in routine, we’re feeling a lot more alive and I can’t wait to share all of the Bali content from our awesome trip back to my favourite island.

From chasing sunsets whilst beach bar hopping and sampling the best of Bali’s foodie scene, to exploring the rainforest and rice terraces in Ubud and surfing on Echo Beach, we certainly made the most of our 10 days in Bali.

Over the next month or so, I have an exciting schedule of posts about our trip including where we stayed, what we got up to, my favourite places for sundowners, the creme de la creme of restaurants in Canggu, how much things cost and my top tips for visiting Bali.

So stay tuned as I soothe my Bali blues by reliving our holiday with lots of exciting Bali content to come! ❤