If Wes Anderson opened a café in Bali, it would look like this

In some places, it doesn’t matter where you come from. They just want to know you in the moment. That’s Bali, says restaurateur and creative director Sahil Gupta, on a discovery trip full of the fancy, the unpretentious, and even the corner hotdog place…

By Sahil Gupta

I’ve done quite a few solo trips of late. There’s a certain clarity that comes when you land in a strange place, anonymous, open, raw. But this year, something felt different. Bali, I sensed, needed people— stories, conversations, shared sunsets. I found the right tribe: My buddies– David, a Spanish journalist based in Manila and Prateek, banker from Singapore. Amith and Mona, close friends from Delhi along with their radiant six-year-old daughter Mira, who reminded us all how to wonder.

I’d heard the stories– surf, smoothie bowls, yoga-bent expats talking chakras and soul journeys, but I had to find the truth on my own. A fascinating detail before we dive in: Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands and three time zones. Bali is just one, yet it feels like an entire universe. I made a promise to myself in my early 20s, to see one new place each year. This year, it was Indonesia. The idea was simple- slow down, swim often, nature. Eat well, dance a little, maybe a lot. We witnessed a volcano erupt, almost had a flight cancelled but still nothing could ruin the magic.  

Bali is not a place to stand still. You have to move and let it wash over you. Canggu and Uluwatu became our basecamps. Canggu is everything, everywhere, all at once — bars, beach clubs, yoga studios, cafes, street stalls, villas, and late-night tacos. Uluwatu is calmer, cooler — soulful beaches and hidden gems. Whether you’re on a budget or balling out, Bali’s got you. Even the fancy places feel unpretentious.

Let’s talk food. Because that’s what really tells the story of a place.

 Where to eat, drink, laze, and dance (a bit, may be)

1. La Brisa – Canggu
   This is where my culinary adventure began. Picture a pirate ship washed ashore and converted into a beach club. Equal parts Mad Max and Kevin Costner’s Waterworld. La Brisa is the embodiment of Balinese design—driftwood, hammocks, sea breeze. The seafood’s excellent, the cocktails better, and even Mira danced barefoot with a gelato in hand. That’s Bali.
2. La Calita – Batu Bolong
   Late start, needed something fast. This little Mexican spot near our villa served up top notch tacos and really good margaritas. Its a vibrant place with a cozy indoor and an open air patio. Our night began here.

The nightlife and bar scene is vibrant. From small bars to big clubs, all carry that unmistakable beachy vibe. Afro house is the soundtrack of choice these days- smooth, rhythmic, and impossible not to move to. You’ll also find spots with live music and a few hidden gems playing underground techno. If you’re looking to dance, there’s no shortage of places to lose yourself in.

3. Santa Rasa – Berawa’s Kitchen Food Court
   You haven’t really eaten in Bali until you’ve had a 3 a.m. Nasi Goreng cooked fresh by a Balinese lady who moves like she’s got all the time in the world. We stumbled on Santa Rasa in a food court in Berawa and came back four times in two weeks. It’s the kind of place no guidebook tells you about. You just feel it.
4. Ithaka – Canggu
   At Ithaka, the view is as much a part of the experience as the food. Set above the ocean, it’s a favorite among digital nomads and travelers looking to slow down. The Nasi Campur stood out-flavorful, well-balanced, with smoky tempeh and vibrant sambal. The staff were welcoming and kind, making the place feel easy and familiar.5. Mason – Canggu
   When you’re craving meat done right, go to Mason. Wood, foliage, and understated class. It’s a steakhouse without the stiffness. My medium rare was perfect, the Pinot Noir sang, and the carpaccio melted like butter. Came back twice. That says it all.
5. Bartolo – Uluwatu
   David’s pick, and a damn good one. Bartolo is a Franco-Italian bistro with a laid-back surf crowd. Their chicken liver pâté is next level. Founded by Brazilian hospitality veteran Rafael Nardo, Bartolo draws inspiration from his global experience in restaurants and bistros. A place to share stories over long meals.6. Pennylane – Canggu
   If Wes Anderson opened a café in Bali, it’d look like this. I went here for a solo brunch and found myself sitting under a mural of Kurt Cobain and Jim Morrison re-enacting The Last Supper. The shakshuka was rich, comforting, perfectly spiced. The most beautiful people in Bali, somehow, all end up here.6. Shelter – Pererenan
   Shelter is for those who seek out places that feel like treehouses. It’s tucked in Pererenan, less touristy, more soulful. Whipped chickpea flatbread, grilled clams, and a menu that balances boldness with grace. My yogini friend Deepika who’s lived here for years swears by it and now I do too.
6. Suka – Ubud
   No one goes to Bali for hotdogs, and yet here we were. Tucked in an unassuming corner of Ubud, Suka served me one of the best hotdogs I’ve ever had. Everything was perfect, the snap of the sausage, the bread, the toppings.

There are some places in the world where it doesn’t matter where you come from. They just wants to know who you are in the moment. That is Bali!

The people here are open in a way that’s disarming. Taxi drivers, waitstaff, strangers in the street- all of them eager to talk, to laugh and to help. There’s a kind of ease here that we’ve lost in the cities we come from.

Women are safe here. Respected. Celebrated. Free. And when women are free, the world becomes a better place. Bali lets you be who you are. It’s not just a place. It’s a way of life that whispers: you belong here, if you respect it. I wish I had come here twenty years ago. Maybe I would have never left. So here’s my advice: Don’t come to Bali with an itinerary. Come with open hands, empty time, and a hungry heart.

Let it change you.