I went vegan six months before our first trip to Bali, and I spent most of the flight panicking about what I’d actually eat when we landed. Would every meal be a sad plate of white rice and sliced cucumber? Would I accidentally eat shrimp paste in everything and not know until someone told me? As it turned out, Bali is one of the easiest places on earth to eat plant-based — and some of the best vegan food I’ve ever had has been served to me in a bamboo warung for less than the price of a London coffee.

If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to find great vegan food in Bali, this guide covers the lot: the restaurants worth booking ahead for, the traditional dishes that are already plant-based, the hidden ingredients you need to watch for, and the phrases that’ll save you when there’s no English menu in sight. Whether you’re fully vegan, mostly plant-based, or just trying to eat lighter while you’re here — Bali has you covered.

Where to find the best vegan food in Bali, area by area

Bali’s vegan scene isn’t spread evenly. Some areas have a plant-based café on every corner; others require more effort. Here’s how it breaks down.

Ubud is the undisputed capital of vegan food in Bali. You could eat somewhere different every day for a month and still not get through the list. Moksa does farm-to-table plant-based cooking using ingredients from its own permaculture garden — it’s one of those places that makes you rethink what vegan food can be. Sayuri Healing Food specialises in raw vegan dishes and runs cooking classes if you want to take some skills home. Zest Ubud does brilliant comfort food — their plant-based burgers and pizzas are the kind of thing that converts sceptics. And Sage, tucked down Jl Nyuh Bulan, does jackfruit tacos and smoothie bowls that I still think about. For something quick and cheap, Sawobali runs an all-vegan buffet where you load up a plate for around IDR 50,000–70,000 (roughly USD 3–4).

Canggu is a close second. Shady Shack on Jl Tanah Barak has been a staple for years — tempeh bowls, veggie burgers, raw desserts, and a view over the rice fields that makes you forget you’re next to a main road. I Am Vegan Babe, a few doors down, does indulgent stuff: plant-based burgers with vegan eggs and bacon that taste better than they have any right to. Kasto is an entirely vegan Italian restaurant — their pizzas with cashew mozzarella are properly good. And Roots in Pererenan takes a different approach, with over 50 fermented ingredients and customisable bowls.

Seminyak is pricier but has standouts. Tanaman at Desa Potato Head does seasonal, minimally processed plant-based dishes — it’s fine dining territory, so expect to pay IDR 300,000–500,000 per person, but the food is worth a special trip. KYND Community on Jl Raya Petitenget is the Instagram favourite, and underneath the aesthetics the food is solid — big portions, creative menu, everything plant-forward.

Uluwatu has fewer options but Alchemy Uluwatu in Bingin does raw and gently cooked organic plant-based food. If you’re spending a few days down south, it’s the one to know about.

Traditional Balinese dishes that are already vegan (or close to it)

Here’s something most guides don’t mention: traditional Indonesian cooking is already pretty vegan-friendly. Tempeh was invented in Java, tofu is everywhere, and rice and vegetables are the backbone of most meals. You don’t have to eat exclusively at Western-style vegan cafés — some of the best plant-based food in Bali comes from ordinary warungs.

Gado-gado is steamed vegetables with a thick peanut sauce, usually served with tofu and tempeh. The traditional version includes a boiled egg on top — just ask for it without (tanpa telur). It’s one of the cheapest and most satisfying meals you’ll find, typically IDR 20,000–35,000 at a warung.

Nasi goreng — Bali’s signature fried rice — can easily be made vegan. Ask for it vegetable-only with no egg (tanpa telur, tanpa daging). Most warungs will do this without blinking. Expect to pay IDR 15,000–30,000.

Cap cay is a stir-fry of mixed vegetables, often with tofu or tempeh. It’s naturally vegan in most versions, though some cooks add oyster sauce — worth asking.

Tempeh goreng (fried tempeh) and tahu goreng (fried tofu) are served as side dishes everywhere. A plate costs IDR 5,000–15,000 and they’re usually vegan on their own, though the batter can occasionally contain egg.

Sayur urab is a Balinese salad of steamed vegetables mixed with grated coconut and spices. When made without shrimp paste, it’s entirely plant-based — and really good.

The hidden ingredients every vegan needs to watch for in Bali

This is the section I wish I’d had before my first trip. Bali’s food is wonderful, but there are a few traps that catch people out.

Sambal — the chilli condiment served with almost everything — often contains fish sauce (kecap ikan) or ground shrimp (terasi). At a dedicated vegan restaurant this won’t be an issue, but at a regular warung, it’s worth asking. The phrase “apakah ini pakai terasi?” (does this use shrimp paste?) gets the job done.

Krupuk crackers come with most meals. They’re usually rice-based and vegan, but prawn crackers (krupuk udang) look almost identical. If the cracker has a pinkish tint, it’s likely prawn. When in doubt, ask or skip them.

Mie goreng (fried noodles) nearly always uses egg noodles as standard. If you want vegan noodles, you need to specify — some places can swap to rice noodles, but it’s not the default.

Desserts may contain gelatin. Look for grass jelly (cincau) instead, which is plant-based and common across Indonesia.

Oyster sauce turns up in stir-fries more often than you’d expect. Asking “tanpa saus tiram” (without oyster sauce) is one more phrase to keep in your pocket.

The good news is that Bali’s tourist areas are so used to dietary requests that most places get it right with a little communication. I’ve had maybe two genuine mistakes in years of eating here — both at non-tourist warungs where the language barrier was real. A translated note on your phone listing what you avoid covers most situations.

What you’ll actually spend on vegan food in Bali

One of the best things about eating plant-based in Bali is the price range. You can eat brilliantly at every budget level.

At a local warung, a full vegan meal — nasi goreng or gado-gado with tempeh and a fresh juice — runs IDR 25,000–50,000 (USD 1.50–3). This is where most of my everyday meals happen, and the food is often better than the fancy places.

Mid-range vegan cafés like Shady Shack, Sage, or I Am Vegan Babe charge IDR 70,000–150,000 (USD 4–9) per main dish. Add a smoothie bowl or cold-pressed juice and you’re looking at IDR 120,000–200,000 for a full meal.

Fine dining plant-based — Tanaman at Potato Head, or a tasting menu at Moksa — sits at IDR 300,000–500,000 (USD 18–30) per person. Worth it for a special occasion, but you don’t need to spend that every day.

Smoothie bowls deserve their own mention because they’re everywhere and they’re massive. Most cafés charge IDR 55,000–85,000 (USD 3–5) for a bowl loaded with fruit, granola, and coconut. They’re more meal than snack.

A realistic daily food budget for a vegan in Bali: IDR 150,000–300,000 (USD 9–18) if you mix warung meals with the occasional café lunch. That’s significantly cheaper than eating vegan in most Western countries.

Useful Bahasa Indonesia phrases for vegan ordering

You don’t need fluent Indonesian to eat vegan in Bali, but a handful of phrases makes a real difference — especially outside the tourist bubble where English menus are less common.

Saya vegan — I’m vegan. Simple, and most people understand it.

Tanpa daging — without meat.

Tanpa telur — without egg.

Tanpa ikan — without fish.

Tanpa susu — without milk.

Apakah ini pakai terasi? — Does this use shrimp paste?

Tanpa saus tiram — without oyster sauce.

Bisa dibuat tanpa telur? — Can this be made without egg?

I keep these saved as a note on my phone and show it to kitchen staff when needed. It takes ten seconds and avoids the awkward game of pointing and hoping. Most Balinese cooks are happy to adapt — they just need to know what you need.

Is Bali really a good destination for vegans?

After years of eating plant-based here, I’d say Bali is one of the best places in Southeast Asia for vegans — possibly the best. It has the dedicated restaurants, obviously, but what sets it apart is that the traditional food is already half-vegan to begin with, the prices are low, and the cooks are happy to work around your needs.

Ubud and Canggu are the standouts, and you could spend weeks in either without repeating a restaurant. But even outside the main hubs — in Uluwatu, Sanur, or smaller villages — a plate of nasi goreng with tempeh and vegetables is never far away.

The key is knowing what to ask for. Carry the phrases, learn to spot the hidden ingredients, and don’t be afraid to eat at the local warungs alongside everyone else. That’s where the best food is, and it’s where you’ll actually taste Bali rather than a Westernised version of it.

If you’re planning your first plant-based trip here, start in Ubud. The concentration of options takes all the stress out of it while you find your feet. And if you’ve found a brilliant vegan spot I haven’t mentioned — tell me. I’m always adding to the list.

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FAQs

Is Bali good for vegans?

Bali is one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia for vegans. Ubud and Canggu have dozens of dedicated plant-based restaurants, traditional Indonesian dishes like gado-gado, tempeh goreng, and nasi goreng are naturally vegan or easily adapted, and prices are very low — a full vegan meal at a warung costs IDR 25,000–50,000 (USD 1.50–3).

What are the best vegan restaurants in Ubud?

Moksa is the standout for farm-to-table plant-based cuisine. Sayuri Healing Food specialises in raw vegan dishes and cooking classes. Zest Ubud does great comfort food — burgers and pizzas. Sage is known for jackfruit tacos and smoothie bowls. And Sawobali runs an all-vegan buffet for around IDR 50,000–70,000 per person.

Where can I find vegan food in Canggu?

Shady Shack on Jl Tanah Barak is a long-standing favourite for tempeh bowls and raw desserts. I Am Vegan Babe does indulgent plant-based burgers with vegan eggs and bacon. Kasto is an entirely vegan Italian restaurant with cashew mozzarella pizzas. Roots in Pererenan focuses on fermented ingredients and customisable bowls.

What traditional Balinese food is vegan?

Several traditional dishes are already vegan or easily adapted. Gado-gado (steamed vegetables with peanut sauce, skip the egg) costs IDR 20,000–35,000. Nasi goreng can be made without egg or meat. Cap cay is a vegetable stir-fry with tofu or tempeh. Tempeh goreng and tahu goreng are fried tempeh and tofu sides. Sayur urab is a Balinese coconut and vegetable salad.

What hidden non-vegan ingredients should I watch for in Bali?

The main ones are shrimp paste (terasi) and fish sauce in sambal, egg noodles in mie goreng, prawn crackers that look like rice crackers, gelatin in desserts, and oyster sauce in stir-fries. At dedicated vegan restaurants these won’t be an issue, but at regular warungs it’s worth asking — or carrying a translated note on your phone.

How much does vegan food cost in Bali?

Warung meals cost IDR 25,000–50,000 (USD 1.50–3). Mid-range vegan cafés charge IDR 70,000–150,000 (USD 4–9) per main. Fine dining plant-based is IDR 300,000–500,000 (USD 18–30) per person. Smoothie bowls run IDR 55,000–85,000 (USD 3–5). A realistic daily budget is IDR 150,000–300,000 (USD 9–18) mixing warungs with the occasional café.

What Bahasa Indonesia phrases do I need for vegan ordering?

The essentials are: Saya vegan (I’m vegan), tanpa daging (without meat), tanpa telur (without egg), tanpa ikan (without fish), tanpa susu (without milk), apakah ini pakai terasi? (does this use shrimp paste?), and tanpa saus tiram (without oyster sauce). Save them on your phone and show kitchen staff — it takes ten seconds.

Is there vegan fine dining in Bali?

Yes. Tanaman at Desa Potato Head in Seminyak does seasonal plant-based dishes using minimally processed ingredients — expect to pay IDR 300,000–500,000 per person. Moksa in Ubud offers tasting menus at a similar price point. Both are worth booking ahead for a special occasion.

Can I find vegan food outside the tourist areas?

A plate of nasi goreng with tempeh and vegetables is available at nearly every warung across Bali — even in small villages. The key is knowing the ordering phrases and which ingredients to ask about. Outside the main hubs you’re less likely to find English menus, so the Bahasa phrases in this guide are particularly useful.

Are smoothie bowls in Bali vegan?

Most smoothie bowls in Bali’s cafés are vegan by default — blended frozen fruit topped with granola, coconut flakes, fresh fruit, and seeds. They cost IDR 55,000–85,000 (USD 3–5) and are big enough to count as a full meal. Check for honey as a sweetener if you’re strictly vegan — some places use it, most don’t.