Unique restaurants in Ubud are more than just places to eat — they are windows into the soul of Bali’s cultural center. Ubud has become one of the island’s most expressive dining destinations, shaped by local ingredients, creative chefs, warm service, and a deep respect for tradition and nature. Travelers who arrive for the rice fields and temples often discover that the town’s restaurants carry just as much story, nuance, and personality.

If you’re searching for the most unique restaurants Ubud has to offer in 2026, this curated guide brings together five standout spots that reflect the character of the town. From contemporary Indonesian flavours to riverside elegance and heritage-driven cooking, these restaurants show why Ubud remains at the forefront of Bali’s culinary evolution.

Below is a curated list of five restaurants that reflect the essence of Ubud’s culinary identity in 2026. Each brings something different to the table — from modern Indonesian flavours to heritage cuisine, cliffside views, and intimate riverside dining.

Two of these restaurants — Spice by Blake and Mozaic — sit comfortably at the top of the list, not for hype, but for the clarity of their food philosophy, the sincerity of their service, and the way they represent contemporary Ubud dining.

1. Spice by Blake — Modern Indonesian Flavour With Heart and Energy

When people ask about the unique restaurants Ubud is known for today, Spice by Blake is one of the first names that comes up — and not because it’s trying to be extraordinary, but because its approach feels fresh, lively, and honest.

Located on Jalan Monkey Forest, Spice blends modern Indonesian dishes with relaxed, energetic dining. It’s the kind of restaurant where the flavours are bold, the atmosphere is warm, and the experience feels effortlessly memorable.

A fresh expression of modern Indonesian flavours

Spice embraces Indonesian produce without romanticising it. The team plays with sambals, spices, aromatic herbs, street food influences, smoky elements, tropical fruits, and comforting textures. But the execution has intention and lightness — nothing feels heavy or overly traditional.

Dishes like the duck nuggets with turmeric-lime dip, smoky sweet corn fritters, beef rendang croquettes, and the kitchen’s daily salad specials show how Southeast Asian flavours can be fun, colourful, and modern.

The “Feed Me” experience

One of the most interesting parts of Spice is the Feed Me Menu — a 3-course sharing-style experience where the kitchen chooses your dishes. It changes every night depending on produce and mood. It’s casual, unpredictable, and quietly exciting.

In a town full of fixed tasting menus, the spontaneity of Spice feels refreshing.

A cocktail bar with its own personality

Many Ubud restaurants have bars. Spice has a bar with intention.

The bar team works with:

• house-fermented kombuchas
• Indonesian fruit infusions
• local botanicals
• playful riffs on classics

Signature drinks like the Snake in a Jar Chili showcase ingredients in a way that’s youthful and creative without being gimmicky.

Warm, lively, unpretentious

Spice is not trying to be a fine dining temple.
It’s not trying to be dramatic.

Among all unique restaurants Ubud has, Spice stands at the top because it captures the spirit of the town today: creative, expressive, relaxed, and rooted in flavour.

2. Mozaic — Craft, Ingredients, and the Soul of Bali Hospitality

For more than 20 years, Mozaic has shaped the narrative of Ubud’s culinary scene. Often referenced when people search for unique restaurants Ubud, Mozaic represents a different kind of dining — refined but warm, technique-driven but grounded in local ingredients, elegant yet welcoming.

Under the leadership of Chef Blake Thornley, the restaurant continues to evolve while keeping its core philosophy intact.

A philosophy centred on Indonesian ingredients

What differentiates Mozaic from other restaurants in Bali is not its technique, but its philosophy.
Mozaic treats Indonesian ingredients — from spices and forest leaves to tropical fruits and seafood — with the same respect given to premium produce anywhere in the world.

The dishes highlight where ingredients come from, how they’re grown, and what stories they carry. This long-standing relationship with farmers and foragers across Indonesia is what makes Mozaic’s food deeply rooted and meaningful.

Refinement without formality

Mozaic offers fine dining–level cuisine, but the experience never feels stiff.
The dining room is intimate, the service team is warm, and there’s a natural flow to the evening that removes the pressure often associated with upscale restaurants.

Guests feel guided, not overwhelmed.

The Tipple Room

An exciting addition to Mozaic’s identity is The Tipple Room — its newly reimagined cocktail lounge open from 5 PM. Here, you’ll find inspired cocktails, polished small plates, and a more casual version of the Mozaic experience.

It’s a thoughtful space that bridges the restaurant’s past and its modern direction.

Why Mozaic remains unique

• A genuine connection to Indonesian producers
• Technical craft balanced with warmth
• A lush garden setting unlike anywhere else in Ubud
• A sense of legacy
• A modern culinary voice that feels both global and local

Mozaic isn’t just a restaurant — it’s part of Ubud’s culinary story.

3. Nusantara by Locavore — A Heritage-Driven Standout Among Unique Restaurants in Ubud

For travellers who want to explore the full breadth of Indonesian food culture, Nusantara is one of the most meaningful dining stops in Ubud.

This restaurant focuses on regional Indonesian dishes — not the versions adapted for tourists, but the recipes preserved in households and villages across the archipelago.

Why Nusantara is unique

• The menu is researched through field trips around Indonesia
• Dishes stay as close to original technique and flavour as possible
• The team collaborates with local cultural practitioners
• It highlights ingredients rarely seen in mainstream Indonesian restaurants

Expect dishes from Flores, Toraja, Aceh, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and beyond.
You don’t just eat at Nusantara—you learn.

4. Aksata at Taman Dedari — Cliffside Dining Surrounded by Valley Views

Aksata sits within Taman Dedari, a sprawling open-air space filled with dramatic stone sculptures and lush greenery. Dining here feels like being suspended above Ubud’s natural beauty. It’s calm, spacious, and visually stunning.

What makes Aksata unique

• A panoramic valley that shifts colour at sunset
• Balinese cultural motifs integrated into the architecture
• A menu inspired by local flavours
• A setting ideal for sunset gatherings and larger groups

Aksata is for diners who appreciate mood and scenery as part of the culinary experience.

5. Kubu at Mandapa — Riverside Serenity in Bamboo Cocoons

Part of Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Kubu is one of Ubud’s most serene dining experiences. The restaurant is built along the Ayung River, and its bamboo “cocoons” offer private, softly lit spaces that feel incredibly intimate.

Why Kubu is unique

• Private bamboo pods for couples
• A gentle riverside soundtrack
• Mediterranean-European dishes crafted with precision
• Refined service consistent with a Reserve property

Kubu is a favourite for honeymooners and special celebrations — it’s quiet, elegant, and secluded.

Final Thoughts — What Makes These Restaurants Truly Unique

Ubud’s culinary scene thrives because it mirrors the village itself: creative, meaningful, rooted in tradition yet open to new voices. These five restaurants represent different expressions of that identity:

• Spice by Blake — for modern Indonesian comfort, energy, and creativity
• Mozaic — for craftsmanship, ingredients, and heartfelt hospitality
• Nusantara — for cultural and historical depth
• Aksata — for dramatic landscapes and open-air Balinese atmosphere
• Kubu — for intimacy and serene riverside dining

If you’re exploring unique restaurants in Ubud, these five capture the spirit of what makes this part of Bali unforgettable.

And if you’re starting your culinary journey?

Begin with Spice,
Continue with Mozaic,
and let Ubud reveal the rest.

Plan Your visit

Spice by Blake
Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
spicebali.com
+62 812-3458-6169

Open daily from 4 PM until late.
Reservations recommended for dinner service.