Zest
Zest is undoubtedly among the finest vegan cafés in Ubud. Since 2018, it has delivered more than just delectable plant-based dishes. Dining at Zest Ubud means staring admiringly at the murals, breathing in the luscious scents of the frangipani trees inside, feasting your eyes on the lush greeneries of the tropical plants and Ubud’s Campuhan Hill beyond, and treating your palate to some of the best vegan food on the island.
Being healthy in Ubud is not just a catchphrase, at least as far as Zest is concerned. Every menu item at Zest is not only locally grown and sourced, but some items come from 100 acres of Food Forest in Bali built by Chef Simon Jongenotter. Showcasing the Balinese legacy of using roots, shoots, and fruits in all of their dishes, Zest also doesn’t use flour, refined sugar, or harmful oil. If you order the mushroom schnitzel or jackfruit steak, you know that every ingredient has been sourced from the island.
Zest is also a space for mind and soul, as it regularly hosts special events. From tea ceremonies to tapping into your inner potential, these events are part of Zest's commitment to delivering the Ubud experience beyond the delicious cuisine.
Content
All You Need to Know Before Coming to Zest Ubud
Reservations
Though walk-ins at Zest are possible, we suggest that you make a reservation because Zest is usually full. By securing a table, you know that you'll get a seat at one of the best cafés in Ubud.
The Parking Space
One of the best things about Zest is that they occupy a space without having to share it with any other establishments. Finding a parking space for cars and motorbikes is not a problem.
Welcoming Service
What we like about Zest is that, if you want to dine in one of the sections, you need to take off your shoes/sandals. For us, this is one of the things that make Zest stand out among the other cafés in Ubud.
First Impression
The first thing that comes to mind when entering is how green the place is. The garden is well-maintained and, once we were inside, the frangipani trees certainly left a great impression on us. With different seating options, Zest seems like a mix of café and restaurant but keeps its relaxed atmosphere intact. Aside from the breathtaking view of Campuhan Hill, Zest feels like visiting a friend's house, an art gallery, and a café all in one.
Our Favourites at Zest Ubud
With its plant-based and vegan menu, Zest aims to empower the Bali community through food. And seeing the ingredients used in the vegetarian and vegan dishes at Zest, we knew that picking favourites was going to be hard.
Our Recommendations from the Meal Menu
Kudos to Chef Simon Jongenotter for creating these healthy foods in Ubud using the Balinese way of cooking roots, shoots, and fruits and making them vegan. Zest is also the place to go if you want some gluten-free options in Ubud.
🍽 Kyoto Mojo (IDR 108K)
The umami asparagus with marinated daikon, grilled pumpkin, sprouts, and pumpkin seed is exactly what you need as a starter.
🍽 The Conscious Cowboy (IDR 108K)
It's a must-order item, in our opinion, as this famous jackfruit steak with mushroom sauce, cassava fries (instead of French fries!) and wilted spinach is to die for.
🍽 All Mushrooms Pizza (IDR 88K)
Lemongrass cream sauce over oyster, shiitake, and button mushrooms? Count us in!
Our Recommendations from the Drinks Menu
What sets Zest apart from other vegan restaurants in Ubud is that they serve alcohol and have their own signature cocktails, with a vegan approach, of course. Incredibly impressive!
🍸 Spicy Cucumber Squash (IDR 68K)
This mocktail blends cucumber, lemongrass, and chilli with apple and lemon juice and is going to brighten up your day.
🍸 Bluevender (IDR 65K)
The gorgeous colours of butterfly pea flowers with blueberry, lavender, and lemon juice make this drink not only gorgeous to look at but also to taste!
🍸 Jack ‒ Co (IDR 145K)
Jackfruit-infused vodka with coconut liqueur and homemade pandan syrup is something we didn't expect to see, but it tasted amazing.
We ordered Kyoto Mojo, The Conscious Cowboy, and All Mushroom Pizza with Bluevender and Spicy Cucumber Squash, plus Cheeky Cacao Fondant (IDR 108K) and Strawberry Foursome (IDR 88K) for dessert. Our total bill came to a bit over IDR 700K.
Special Services | Events at Zest Ubud
At Zest, you don't only get the serene ambience and delicious food, as this café also hosts several events if you don't know where to go in Ubud.
🍵 YIN-TEA Women's Circle
This bi-weekly event takes place every second Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM for women keen to find a safe space to share their journey, sing, pray, and express themselves.
🍵 Tea Ceremonies
Zest has several regular events related to tea. From the history of tea to discovering its characteristics, they have it all.
🥁 Music Events
Music events at Zest are different as they often blend fun, cultural dynamics, and healing in one event.
What We Like and What We Don't
As impressive as Zest is in many ways and how much we enjoyed dining here, there are several aspects that we believe need improvement.
What We Like
The menu is impressive and magnificent. Whatever you order, there is only a small chance it will be disappointing as those we had were all equally tasty. Moreover, they don't even use rice flour! Zest lives up to its reputation as one of the best plant-based restaurants and vegan cafés in Ubud.
The beautiful setting and the stunning views of Campuhan Hill. There is something about the way Zest was designed because every corner is artistic, they have incorporated nature into the design seamlessly, and everything looks green. A literal paradise in Ubud.
Locally sourced ingredients, with some taken from the Food Forest. Following the Balinese method of using roots, shoots, and fruits and taking the ingredients from their own garden is something we highly appreciate.
The alcoholic drink selections. Zest features quite extensive drink selections, and this will satisfy anyone looking for a good drink after dinner.
The overall ambience of Zest is simply making us want to come back. There are only positive vibes here and, throughout our dining experience, we couldn't stop smiling because of how peaceful and comfortable we were.
What We Don't
The service was slow, and we waited quite a bit for our food to arrive. It was a busy time when we were there, so we knew it would take longer for our food to arrive, but we didn't expect to wait 30+ minutes.
The price is on the expensive side. There are many more affordable alternatives if you want the value-to-price service, but Zest offers an experience beyond food.
Unless you make a reservation in advance, chances are you cannot sit at the prime tables. We saw many reservation signs when we arrived and, even after we finished, those tables were still empty. If you don't make any reservations, it's hard to get a table.
Zest Ubud Location + Opening Hours
Zest Opening Hours
Monday: 8 AM ‒ 10 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM ‒ 10 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM ‒ 10 PM
Thursday: 8 AM ‒ 10 PM
Friday: 8 AM ‒ 10 PM
Saturday: 8 AM ‒ 10 PM
Expert Opinion About Zest Ubud
Zest Ubud makes for the perfect choice if you don't know where to eat in Ubud, especially if you're a plant-based food enthusiast and curious about the creations at Zest. But Zest delivers more than just exceptional dishes for vegans in Ubud, as their focus is also on the experience.
The view of Campuhan Hill is unbeatable, the interior and ambience will make everyone comfortable, and the food is extraordinary. These are all reasons enough to visit in themselves. You just have to be ready for the slow service, and we believe the price wasn't justified.
Zest has certainly found its place as one of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Ubud. This is a service that understands food beyond its basic functions, while implementing the traditional Balinese way of using different nearby vegetables and trees is something we admire, and so should you!
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Reviews About Zest Ubud
Yu-Shan Chiu
Hector Tomass
Amy JHow can you evaluate Zest Ubud
Hi everyone! My name is Catur, and I was born and raised in Central Java. I moved to Bali in 2011 but left the island in 2016 before returning in 2018. Bali feels more than a home to me, and maybe that’s why my name feels like a premonition. Catur means four, both in the Balinese and Javanese languages. It is spoken like ‘c’ in chess, which is also the meaning of my name in Indonesian.
