Healthy Eating: Where to go for vegetarian meals in Bali?

MF editorial team 06 Mar 2015 updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:16

1/5
1. Bali Buda
One of the original health food stores and cafes in Bali, Bali Buda (Buda means Wednesday in Balinese) was established in 1994 and can be found in four separate locations: Sanur, Kerobokan, Bukit and Ubud. Unpretentious and reasonably priced, this cafe features homemade baked goods, coconut water, natural beauty products and local, pesticide-free veggies for sale.
What we love: their newspaper menus. In one section are the breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes, and in another you can read about all sorts of fascinating health facts and tidbits, such as, “Coconut water is not only sterile, but has the same electrolytic balance as human blood, which enabled medics in the WWII to use it as an emergency substitute for plasma”. We knew there was something magical about that water! In regards to the food on the menu, you will surely have a hard time choosing between its many options - from Italian to Mexican to Indonesian, who knew healthy food could be so varied!
2/5
2. Alchemy
If you’re ever craving a full, hearty salad in Bali, remember that we told you about Alchemy. Boasting an extraordinary salad bar of organic mixed greens and every kind of topping under the sun, this cafe, health store and holistic clinic is a must-try if you visit the cultural hub of Ubud.
In the morning, this salad bar is transformed into a yogurt parfait buffet: an array of fruits, granola and homemade plain or flavored yogurt await your choosing. The large front and back patios make this a good spot to come for a coffee or juice (there are more options than you’ll know what to do with) and work, read or just hang out and enjoy the lively atmosphere. And might we add that the raw desserts they sell are the reason we return time and time again. If you have any space left after all of the other yummy food we mentioned, make it a priority to try their mint chocolate pie.
3/5
3. Cafe Zucchini
Located in the heart of Seminyak on the world-famous “Eat Street”, Café Zucchini is a good spot to rejuvenate and take a pause from the strolling and shopping that this happening district assures. This little hole in the wall is half café, half boutique with a fun selection of women and men’s apparel to browse. A fan favorite is to order a combo of their fresh and unique salads and grab a seat at their bench tables to people watch. For a set price, you can choose between three of their six salad bowls, all of which rotate daily between mixed ingredients like quinoa, corn, legumes and various greens. Served with a slice of yummy toast, this a filling and healthy midday meal.

They do tend to run out of their salad creations by early afternoon so try to get here before 2pm to get the full experience. Not in the mood for a salad? Café Zucchini also serves up good veggie sandwiches, wraps and burritos. Not the cheapest café in town but well worth the quality!
4/5
4. Zula
Catering solely to our vegan and vegetarian friends out there, Zula is an innovative, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with locations in Seminyak and Sanur. The menu is huge at both locations, ranging from Falafel burritos and guacamole tofu burgers to Asian soba noodles and lemongrass fish saté. Self-proclaimed as a “vegetarian paradise” in Bali, Zula is casual and homey in style and is one of our go-to spots for grabbing a quick lunch bite.
Their juices and smoothies are another major highlight - there is a blend for every type of mood and energy level. Feeling low on energy? Try their “Potassium Magnesium”, mixing together banana, fig and flax seed. Are you coming post-yoga session? Opt for their “Flexible Yogi” juice, a combo of pineapple, coconut, ciccus, flax seed, mint and honey.
Half of the cafe is a shop selling snacks, raw desserts, dried fruit, vitamins, local products, essential oils and more, with a special focus on those with gluten or celiac allergies. Even if you are a meat-loving maniac, we promise that Zula’s diverse cuisine will leave you feeling satisfied.
5/5
5. Sari Organik
Perhaps the most scenic of all the health-conscious restaurants in Bali is Sari Organik, a picturesque café thriving in the midst of Ubud’s rice paddies. More of a half-day activity than just a meal, Sari Organik is only accessible by foot and can be reached after a 15 minute stroll bordering the rice fields, prompting stunning photo opportunities at every bend. Though it may feel like a mini trek to find this secret cafe, you will not be disappointed when you finally do arrive and get a taste of what has made Sari so popular.
Well-known amongst Bali travellers and expats, this open-air locale certainly lives up to its delicious reputation - fresh squeezed mint lemonade, classic Indonesian nasi campur and pumpkin soup should give you an idea of what this organic institution is all about. Try grabbing a table on the terrace for uninterrupted views of the green terraces and even Mount Batur on a clear day.

While Bali may be famous for its fried food and meat dishes, there are still a slew of restaurants and cafes for all the greens-lovers out there.

The holiday season is officially over (even for us who like to prolong the festivities as much as possible) and we’re feeling ready to feed our bodies with lighter, healthier, energy-boosting food. Though Bali can be known for its fried food and traditional Babi Guling, or suckling pig, it is also a paradise for vegetarian eaters. Weekly farmers markets make it easy to shop for fresh, local produce, and there exist an array of organic cafes all over the island that will have you appreciating healthy eating at an entirely new level.

This article was written in collaboration with villa-bali.com, your destination to booking the best hand-picked private villas in Bali.

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