Restaurants in Seminyak

Seminyak is teeming with restaurants of every variety and price range. The majority are individual enterprises, although some of the best, like Blossom and Kura Kura, are part of villa complexes and hotels. The truly international community lends the international restaurants their authentic base.

Balinese High Tea -- Biku, Jl. Petitenget (tel. 0361/857-0888; www.bikubali.com; main courses Rp50,000-Rp100,000; MC, V; Daily 8am-11pm), is an enchanting 150-year-old Javanese joglo as regal as its owner, Princess Asri Kerthyasi, and her son, Tjok Gde Kerthyasa, a tea master. High tea is the main draw but don't miss out on breakfast and lunch. Start with a cup of limited edition Javanese tea. A must is the three-tiered presentation of sweets and tea sandwiches and scones with homemade jam and cream. Everything here is baked fresh daily, including the rose petal cupcakes. Don't miss Friday to Sunday, from 1 to 5pm, when you can have a mystical afternoon tea leaf reading by some of the island's leading psychics. Questions are answered and futures revealed.

Warisan -- After 20 years of being Bali's favorite restaurant, this grande dame is having a face-lift and will be back to serve its loving public in early 2010. The Mediterranean French fare needs no improving and won't change. Keep your ear to the ground on the reopening date. Jl. Raya Kerobokan 38 (tel. 0361/731175).

The Best of Eat Street

Dozens of restaurants line Jalan Laskmana, aka Eat Street. Establishments pop up and close like shutters during a storm. Prices are competitive at all of these establishments; part of the fun is strolling down the street before deciding where to dine. Below are a few stand-out selections; reservations are recommended at all of these busy places, all open daily.

Chandi (tel. 0361/731-060; www.chandibali.com; burgers Rp36,000-Rp48,000, vegetarian Rp26,000-Rp42,000, fish Rp42,000-Rp120,000; AE, DC, MC, V; Mon-Thurs noon-midnight, Fri noon-2am, Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-midnight) serves a "gastronomic twist on Pan-Asian cuisine" with organically grown greens and spices from local farmers.

Centuries of tension between Korea and Japan seem to dissipate at Kaizan (tel. 0361/747-2324; main courses Rp35,000-Rp250,000, set menu Rp70,000-Rp250,000; AE, DC, MC, V; 9am-1am) -- upstairs is Korean barbecue; downstairs is Japanese. Next door is the little brother restaurant K2, a traditional inn-style Japanese restaurant serving Japanese tapas.

Owned by Moroccan locals, Khaima (tel. 0361/742-3925; www.khaimabali.com; main courses Rp49,000-Rp95,000; MC, V; 11am-11:30pm) has excellent appetizers include phyllo pastry filled with vegetables, minced lamb, tuna, chicken, or goat cheese; salads of tomatoes and bell peppers, cinnamon and carrots, or eggplant; and tagines with lamb and eggplant with couscous and kebabs. Friday and Saturday nights feature belly dancing performances that see even the most staid customers shaking their booties.

Rumours (tel. 0361/738720; www.balinesia.co.id; pasta Rp23,000-Rp85,000, steak Rp42,000-Rp99,000, pizza Rp25,500-Rp46,500; AE, MC, V; 6pm-midnight) is a bit of a dive, but having a quality Australian T-bone or sirloin for about US$8 is hard to beat. Rumours only accepts reservations until 7:30pm, which should give you an idea just how popular this buzzing bistro is.

Trattoria (tel. 0361/737082; www.trattoriabali.com; pasta Rp43,000-Rp49,000, fish Rp46,000-Rp64,000; AE, DC, MC, V; 11am-midnight) has a simple recipe: mix delicious Italian food with reasonable prices and keep the emphasis on steady clientele rather than on haute cuisine. The plentiful, modest food stays true to the roots of the ever-present owner and his brother from southern Italy.

Last but not least, classy Italian dishes at very affordable prices makes Ultimo (tel. 0361/738-720; www.balinesia.co.id; pizza Rp29,000-Rp45,000, main courses Rp43,000-Rp79,000, set menu Rp85,000-Rp125,000; AE, MC, V; 5pm-midnight) one of the most crowded Eat Street restaurants. Go before 7pm to avoid the crowd or you may wait for up to 30 minutes to be served.