What is a Warung? (+ The Best Warungs in Bali to Try Now)

Key Takeaways

• A warung is a small, family-run Indonesian eatery serving authentic, affordable, home-cooked meals.

• Warungs are central to Balinese food culture, offering bold, spicy flavors and true local hospitality.

• Must-try dishes include nasi campur, babi guling, ayam betutu, and tempe manis, all packed with rich, traditional spices.

• Top spots include Warung Ibu Oka (Ubud), Warung Mak Beng (Sanur), and Warung Murah (Seminyak) for a budget-friendly, flavorful meal.s

• Eating at a warung supports local families and delivers a more genuine, immersive Bali dining experience than a tourist restaurant.
  

Bali is a paradise. But if you think the best food is coming out of high-end resorts and Western-style cafés, think again. The real magic? It’s served on banana leaves, eaten with your hands, and costs less than your morning latte.

Enter the warung, Bali’s culinary backbone. These small, family-run eateries are where locals actually eat, dishing out recipes that have been passed down for generations. A warung might be a tiny roadside stall with a single wok, or it might be a bustling, full-service eatery serving plates of sizzling babi guling (Balinese roast pork) and spicy nasi campur.

And here’s the thing: warungs aren’t just about food, they’re about culture. Eating at one isn’t just a meal, it’s a crash course in Balinese flavours, traditions, and hospitality.

So, if you’re in Bali and not eating at a warung, you’re doing it wrong. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Below, I’ll break down what exactly a warung is, why it matters, and where to find the best ones on the island.

Bring your appetite. And a bit of a tolerance for spice.

What is a Warung?

A warung isn’t just a restaurant. It’s an institution.

In Indonesia, a warung (sometimes spelled warong) is a small, family-run eatery serving up homemade dishes that are packed with flavor and, often, a serious hit of spice. It’s where locals eat daily, where recipes are passed down like family heirlooms, and where you can get a plate of food for the price of a bottle of water back home.

Warungs can be tiny roadside stalls with plastic stools or larger, sit-down restaurants with full menus. Some specialize in one or two dishes (like babi guling, Balinese-style roast pork), while others let you build your own meal from a glorious, buffet-style spread of meats, vegetables, and sambals.

And here’s the best part: Warungs serve the best food in Bali. Period.

Why Warungs Are the Heart of Bali’s Food Scene

1. They’re the Most Authentic Way to Eat in Bali

Forget resort restaurants with toned-down flavors. Warungs serve the real thing. The sambal is spicier, the flavors are bolder, and the food is made the way locals actually like it, not adjusted for tourists.

2. They’re Ridiculously Cheap

A meal at a good warung will set you back $2$5D. A whole feast? Maybe $10. Compare that to the $15 smoothie bowl at a Western-style café, and you tell me where the better deal is.

3. You’re Supporting Local Families, Not Big Chains

Most warungs are family-run businesses that have been serving the community for decades. When you eat at a warung, your money goes directly into local hands, not into a corporate restaurant group charging inflated tourist prices.

4. The Food is Homemade, Fresh, and Packed with Flavor

Unlike mass-produced food from chain restaurants, warung food is cooked fresh every day. Ingredients are sourced from local markets, the spice pastes are ground by hand, and the dishes are? Made with actual love.

What to Eat at a Warung (A Beginner’s Guide to Balinese Food)

If you don’t know what to order, start with these warung classics:

🍛 Nasi Campur – A mixed rice dish featuring small portions of meats, veggies, tempeh, and sambal. Every warung does it differently, so no two plates are ever the same.

🍜 Mie Goreng – Indonesian-style fried noodles, tossed with veggies, chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Served with a fried egg on top (because everything is better with a fried egg).

🍚 Nasi Goreng – The fried rice version of mie goreng, same delicious flavors, but with rice instead. Add some kerupuk (crispy crackers) for extra crunch.

🐖 Babi Guling – The legendary Balinese suckling pig, roasted for hours until the skin is crispy and the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender. Best eaten at specialty warungs.

🔥 Ayam Betutu – Slow-cooked Balinese-style spiced chicken, wrapped in banana leaves and packed with herbs. It’s smoky, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone good.

🍢 Sate Lilit – A Balinese twist on satay, minced fish blended with spices, wrapped around a lemongrass stick, and grilled over an open flame.

🌱 Tempe Manis – Fried tempeh coated in sweet, sticky soy sauce. Perfect for vegetarians (or anyone who loves a good crunchy bite).

🌶 Sambal Matah – The spicy soul of Balinese cuisine. This raw sambal, made with shallots, chilies, lime, and coconut oil, is not for the faint of heart. But it’s delicious.

The Best Warungs in Bali (Where to Eat Right Now)

Best Traditional Warungs for Local Dishes

📍 Warung Nasi Bali Men Weti (Sanur) – Spicy, flavor-packed nasi campur served by the beach. Go early, because they sell out fast.

📍 Warung Mak Beng (Sanur) – Famous for Bali’s best fish soup and crispy fried fish. Open since 1941.

📍 Warung Ibu Oka (Ubud) – The most famous babi guling warung in Bali. Touristy, but worth it.

📍 Warung Wardani (Denpasar & Airport Area) – Rich, flavorful nasi campur with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory.

📍 Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen (Seminyak) – Another must-visit for babi guling lovers. The crispy pork skin is next-level.

Best Cheap Warungs for Budget Travelers

📍 Warung Murah (Seminyak & Kuta) – Big portions, low prices, backpacker-approved.

📍 Warung Indonesia (Kuta) – Buffet-style nasi campur for under $3. You can’t go wrong.

📍 Warung Sopa (Ubud) – A vegetarian-friendly warung serving fresh, healthy Balinese dishes.

📍 Warung Liku (Denpasar, Seminyak, Ubud) – Balinese-style grilled chicken (ayam betutu) cooked to perfection.

📍 Warung Makan Nikmat (Kuta) – Javanese-style home cooking with a huge variety and cheap prices.

Best Warungs with a View

📍 Warung Bambu Pemaron (Lovina) – Eat authentic Balinese food surrounded by rice fields.

📍 Warung Pantai (Amed) – Beachfront seafood that tastes even better with your toes in the sand.

📍 Warung Sunset Corner (Canggu) – Grilled seafood + epic sunset views = perfection.

📍 Warung Pondok Madu (Ubud) – Amazing crispy duck with a view of lush rice terraces.

How to Spot a Good Warung (Don’t Get Stuck in a Tourist Trap)

Not all warungs are created equal. Here’s how to find the best ones.

Look for locals. If it’s packed with Bali residents, not just tourists, you’re in the right place.

The menu is small. A good warung focuses on a few dishes, not a 20-page menu.

Fresh food is on display. Avoid warungs where food has been sitting out for hours.

Lunch rush is busy. The best warungs are packed between 11 AM – 2 PM.

Prices are reasonable. If it’s way more expensive than other warungs, it’s probably catering to tourists.

Conclusion

Let’s be honest: the best meals in Bali aren’t found in places with Instagrammable neon signs that say “Eat, Pray, Love”. They’re in warungs, where the sambal makes you sweat, the portions are generous, and the flavors are as real as it gets.

Eating at a warung isn’t just about saving money (though, let’s be real, paying $3 for a massive plate of food is a win). It’s about immersing yourself in the true Balinese experience. It’s about supporting local families instead of overpriced, tourist-filled restaurants. It’s about tasting the island’s history, one spoonful of nasi goreng at a time.

So, next time you’re in Bali, skip the overpriced smoothie bowl. Walk past the Western brunch spots. Find a warung filled with locals, grab a plate of nasi campur, and eat like you actually belong here.

Because in Bali, the best meals aren’t just eaten. They’re experienced.

And if you want to discover even more hidden warungs, eco-stays, and authentic experiences across the island, our Bali Travel E-Guide is packed with local tips to help you eat, explore, and connect with Bali like a true insider.