Seminyak, the popular beachfront area north of Kuta Beach, has long been a favourite destination for families, food lovers and spa junkies.
The visitors are back and there’s a host of new and old favourites to keep visitors entertained, fed and pampered throughout their stay. The beach is even more beautiful than before, having had a long rest and the waves are the perfect spot for beginners and the more experienced to get their surfing fix.
From the early morning when many enjoy beach walks, fitness programs or catch an early wave, to the sun worshippers who enjoy long days fuelled by fresh fruit and ocean vibes to sunset when the beach bars lay out bean bags and ice-cold beers and live music performances, the beach is always a great place to spend the day or an evening.
Best places to hang out on the beach in Seminyak.
Azul Beach Club Bali. https://www.azulbali.com/
Many of our old favourites are still here with venues like Gado Gado filling up at sunset with happy hours prices and a simpler menu. Zanzibar has a new look but still serves one of the best breakfasts and now offers a pool along with their all-day pizzas and Italian food. The Pavilion on Double Six Beach is new and offers all-day sports on TV along with a modern Australian pub-style menu. Switch Sandwiches is a popular local hang-out on Legian beach offering fresh sandwiches, juice and smoothies while the beach bar next door is the perfect place to order ice-cold beers on the beach.
Azul Beach Club overlooks Legian beach and offers great food, music and up-market cocktails along with an adults-only pool. Further up the beach old favourites like La Lucciola and Mano Beach House are joined by the stunning new Mari Beach Club in Batu Belig,a stunning Balinese-inspired Beach Club with all-day dining and a new upmarket restaurant, Sole, offering delicious Mediterranean food with a Japanese influence and great views.
Stretching along the beachfront on Batu Belig, Mari Beach Club opened during the pandemic and what sets it apart is the way they have integrated Balinese culture and sustainable design into the luxurious destination club. With a river-style pool snaking along the front, a reference to Bali’s rice fields, cultural performances with a modern twist, a thoughtful music program and a stunning new up market restaurant, Sole, Mari’s traditional references and fresh, modern styling make this a great addition to this beachfront.
Potato Head has doubled in size and has become Desa Potato Head, a sustainable village with two beach clubs, 5 amazing restaurants, a creative spa called The Sanctuary with sound healing and innovative treatments and a rooftop park called Sunset Park with some of the best views in all of Seminyak.
Time for some spa and beauty treatments.
Bodyworks Spa Bali. https://bodyworksbali.com/
Bodyworks Spa has been one of Bali’s most popular spa and beauty salons since it opened in 1994. Their new home in Petitenget is an Instagram-worthy Moroccan-style palace with a central pool, decorated in soft pink. They still offer a great menu of massages along with hair treatments, nail care and facials. Spring Spa has two locations in Seminyak but the rooftop salon at Seminyak Village shopping Centre is special. The best treatments here include expert hairdressers and treatments, nature-inspired massages and facials and manicures, pedicures and beauty treatments. Jari Menari still offers some of the best massages on the Island, try the four-hand massage for something truly wonderful or spoil yourself at the incredible spa at The Legian.
Think Pink is the nail salon many head to for and their latest manicures and pedicures are among the best on the Island, while Shampoo Lounge is popular with both women and men who need a touch-up. There are so many options for spa lovers including the fabulous Dr Made Ita who offers great facials and anti-ageing treatments. An old favourite that never goes out of style is La Beaute for waxing, hair treatments, massages and manicures.
Shopping never goes out of style in Seminyak.
Balifu Sarongs. https://balifusarongs.com/
Double Six is still a great place to shop for sarongs and batik dresses. Visit Balifu Sarongs for top-quality sarongs and browse the local boutiques for summer dresses and caftans. Biasa remains one of Bali’s most stylish boutiques for both men and women and their Indian-style batik sarongs are an investment that will pay off over time. Equatorial by Warwick Purser has a great range of hand-made batik sarongs and dresses made in Jogjakarta that are true collectables. Both are located in Jl Raya Seminyak.
Style seekers can check out the boutiques along Jalan Petitenget, including Namu with designs by a former designer for Armani. While you’re there stop in at Biku for their famous afternoon tea and great cakes. John Hardy boutique is relatively new and is worth a visit, even if the jewellery is a little out of your budget. They also have a cafe and bar, regular exhibitions and their long table lunch, offering a Balinese-inspired menu created with award-winning Locavore, is an incredible way to sample authentic Balinese food in a stunning location.
Seminyak Village shopping mall offers a range of designers and H&M for last-minute basics including swimwear and jeans. The small street off Oberoi Road also has some interesting designer boutiques worth browsing for original pieces then stop in at Sisterfields Cafe where there is always a queue or head to the ever-popular Motel Mexicola for tacos and margaritas.
Where to eat in Seminyak.
Barbacoa Bali. https://barbacoa-bali.com/
Seminyak has always been home to amazing restaurants and that hasn’t changed. Some of our old favourites are still incredible and there are some new places worth trying.
Steak lovers can satisfy their inner carnivores at Si-Jin, a modern Korean-inspired steakhouse that you will need to book well in advance. Boy N’ Cow’s famous dry-aged beef makes this a must for meat lovers and their meat shop has a great selection for those staying in villas with kitchens. Fire at W continues to amaze us with its dramatic interiors and a great selection of steaks and sides cooked over the grill in the dining room.
The new Sore at Mari Beach Club is a great stop for lunch or an up-market dinner with an award-winning Swedish chef creating a delicious Mediterranean menu with Japanese influences. Enjoy fabulous views and a great wine list. Mauri restaurant is still one of Seminyak’s favourite upmarket Italian restaurants with beautiful interiors and great service.
Barbacoa is back with style and the stunning restaurant and bar take the grill to the next level. Da Maria continues to serve up great pizza and pasta and fabulous cocktails. New in town is the fresh, modern Fed by Made in Jalan Kunti opposite Bali Deli. Three young food lovers who grew up in Bali serve up creative set menus that change every four weeks. Based on modern Australian cuisine made with local ingredients, this one is worth booking.
Ling Lings is a hit every night of the week for sushi, Korean-style tacos and big cocktails. Check out taco Tuesday, drag bingo and their special Friday promos. Sashimi in Dhyana Pura remains our favourite sushi restaurant, while Ryoshi, an old favourite offers great Japanese food any time of the day at prices to please.
For those who want to stretch their legs and head down to Kuta, the new Kuta Social Club is a great sunset rooftop bar with menus created for a former Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Chef. Expect amazing views, great seafood and steaks and cocktails. Regular party nights feature international and local DJs.
Party nights in Seminyak.
Mrs. Sippy Bali. https://www.mrssippybali.com/
Heading out for a drink? Seminyak has something for everyone from grown-up cocktails to party nights. Mrs Sippy throws a pool party every Saturday and features visiting DJs for special events. Da Maria rocks every Wednesday and Sunday. Speakeasy bars are the latest craze and old favourite Forty Thieves is still popular while the new Shady Flamingo in Jl Petitenget is home to great cocktails and an ’80s flashback vibe.
La Favela continues to play to packed crowds, for those who want something a bit more sophisticated, try their rooftop cocktail bar, Attika, for something more intimate. The Spanish-influenced food at La Favela is also delicious and the design is romantic and unique.
For an earlier start, the sunset deck at Samaya is a great place to start the night with a few cocktails or take a walk up the beach and settle into Caravan by Cabanon, one of the few remaining beach bars on Berawa Beach that offers delicious grilled seafood.
Here the best villas in Seminyak.
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