Indian and Vegetarian Food in Bali: Where to Eat, Including Jain Options

Indian travellers sometimes worry about food abroad, but Bali makes it easy. The island has a large and growing number of Indian restaurants, especially in Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Ubud, and its Hindu culture and wellness scene mean vegetarian food is widely available. Ubud in particular is one of the best places in Asia for vegetarian and plant-based cafés.

This guide covers where to find Indian food in Bali, which local dishes are vegetarian, how to manage Jain requirements, and useful words to order with confidence.

You will find an Indian restaurant in Bali in every main tourist area, serving North Indian curries, tandoori dishes, naan, biryani and thalis, and many also offer South Indian dishes such as dosa and idli. Long-running names such as Queen's Tandoor and Gateway of India have had branches in several areas, and many newer Indian restaurants have opened in recent years. Restaurants open and close, so check current reviews, addresses and timings on a map app before you go.

• Kuta and Legian: the largest choice, many within walking distance of hotels, open late.
• Seminyak: smarter Indian restaurants with modern menus and bars.
• Nusa Dua: Indian restaurants in the Bali Collection area, plus Indian dishes at many resorts.
• Ubud: several Indian restaurants and many vegetarian cafés.
• Gili Trawangan: a few Indian options along the main strip.

Vegetarian food in Bali is easy to find. Many local warungs offer meat-free versions of Indonesian dishes, and international restaurants always have vegetarian options. Ubud is a vegetarian paradise, with cafés serving Indian-friendly bowls, curries, smoothies and plant-based versions of local food.

Local dishes to try (ask for them without meat, fish, egg or shrimp paste):

• Gado-gado: vegetables, tofu and tempeh with peanut sauce.
• Nasi goreng and mie goreng sayur: fried rice or noodles with vegetables.
• Nasi campur: rice with a selection of small vegetable dishes.
• Tempeh and tofu: fried, in curries or with sambal.
• Sayur urab: Balinese vegetables with spiced coconut.
• Pisang goreng: banana fritters, a favourite snack.

Many Indonesian sauces and sambals contain terasi (shrimp paste) or fish sauce, and fried rice often comes with an egg on top. Some stocks are made with meat or chicken. Ask clearly, or stick to vegetarian and Indian restaurants. Useful phrases:

• Saya vegetarian: I am vegetarian.
• Tanpa daging: without meat. Tanpa ikan: without fish.
• Tanpa telur: without egg.
• Tidak pakai terasi: no shrimp paste.
• Tidak pedas: not spicy.

Jain food in Bali needs a little planning, but it is possible. Several Indian restaurants will prepare dishes without onion, garlic, potato and other root vegetables if you ask in advance, and many hotels can arrange special meals with notice. Ubud's vegetarian cafés are helpful with dietary requests. Carry dry snacks such as khakhra, thepla and namkeen from home for long sightseeing days, especially the Nusa Penida and Kintamani tours. Tell us your requirements when you book; we will inform your hotels and suggest suitable restaurants.

On the Kintamani tour, restaurants along the caldera rim serve buffet lunches with vegetarian dishes and a volcano view. The Nusa Penida tour includes a simple local lunch; vegetarians should mention it at booking. On the Gili Islands, the night market and restaurants have vegetarian options, and some resorts can cook Indian dishes.

All our packages include daily breakfast. Most resorts serve international buffets with breads, cereals, fruit, eggs and Indonesian dishes, and hotels popular with Indian guests often add Indian items such as poha, upma, parathas or idli. Tell the restaurant team about vegetarian or Jain needs on the first morning.

• Water: drink only bottled or filtered water; most hotels provide it.
• Service and tax: many restaurants add service and government tax to the bill.
• Spice: sambal can be very hot; ask for it on the side.
• Delivery: Grab and Gojek apps deliver food from many restaurants, including Indian ones.

For more advice, see our Bali travel tips for Indians.

Even if you stick mostly to Indian food, try a few local treats: pisang goreng (banana fritters), dadar gulung (green pandan pancakes with coconut and palm sugar), klepon (rice-cake balls with melted palm sugar), fresh coconuts, tropical fruit such as mangosteen, salak (snake fruit) and rambutan, and Balinese coffee. Most are vegetarian; check for egg in pancakes if you avoid it.

A Balinese cooking class, often with a morning market visit, is a fun way to learn about the spices and dishes of the island. Most schools in Ubud and Seminyak will prepare a fully vegetarian menu on request, and some can avoid onion and garlic for Jain guests if told in advance.

Our Bali tour packages use hotels in Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Ubud, all areas with Indian restaurants nearby. Tell us about vegetarian, Jain or other dietary needs, and we will suggest the best hotel locations and restaurants for your family.