Best Thai Restaurants in Bali

Are you looking for the next culinary adventure? Canggu, Seminyak, and other top places in Bali will offer a great dining experience. But it’s not just Balinese cuisine in Indonesia that has a hand in the success of the food scene here. Today, you can practically get everything! There’s at least one restaurant to represent cuisines worldwide, including Italian, English, French, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, and many more. So, if you’re a foodie at heart, a trip to Bali should be on your bucket list.

One popular option on the island is Thai, whether we’re talking about a hearty lunch, a sweet dessert, or a filling dinner. Like nearby countries like Vietnam, Thai food has a lot of flavour profile similarities to Balinese cuisine. So, if you’re trying to expand your palate beyond what Indonesia offers, you’ll love tom yum, pad thai, and delicious dishes with coconut milk. And if you’re vegetarian, the kitchen staff can usually create the same flavours using vegetable ingredients instead.

So, let’s start!

1. Lemongrass Thai Restaurant

Lemongrass juice is my favourite drink because it makes me feel calm, refreshed, and happy. That’s exactly what my heart feels whenever I drop by Lemongrass Thai Restaurant and sample a few things from their menus. This top spot for a plate of Thai food has been in the area for 21 years. They built a solid customer base thanks to their delicious and authentic meals. But for me, the biggest draw is that it’s a family-owned restaurant. Going here just makes me feel at home, being served with dishes made from authentic Thai recipes. So, if you like a space where you can just get a table to enjoy a glass of wine or a bowl of noodles and soup, you’ll love the ambience here.

A quick bite to eat here gives you an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The server usually responds quickly from the moment you’re seated right until you get your bill. This family business just runs so efficiently! If this becomes a favourite for you, you’ll learn to appreciate how there are spaces for every type of crowd. They have different seating areas in the bar inspired by a pan-Asian style, consisting of outdoor gardens, comfortable lounges, and spaces equipped with air-conditioning. When you come here, you will soon feel calm and ready for the main event: the food itself.

The food is simply outstanding! If you’re looking for chicken curry, spring rolls, or any other traditional Thai flavours, the dining experience here won’t disappoint. Make sure to go over the drinks part of the menu. If you’re not used to spicy, these can help balance it out.

Details

💸Average price: US $10–$25

📍Location: Jl. Melasti, Legian, Kec. Kuta, Bali 80361

⭐Reviews: 9/10

🚘Service: dine-in, takeaway, delivery

🕙Opening hours: 11.00 am–11.00 pm

✍🏽Bookings: www.wearelemongrass.com

☎️Phone number: (081) 338743366

2. Kat’s Kitchen Jimbaran

If you’re a fan of Thai cuisine, you will love Kat’s Kitchen in Jimbaran. I think it’s the ultimate spot for satisfying Thai food cravings if you also want to be away from the noise. So when I want a more laid-back atmosphere as I’m having my lunch or dinner, this is where I go.

Every time I step into this restaurant, I feel like I’ve been teleported to Thailand. I was just able to smell all the herbs and spices while waiting. If you’re like me, who likes every meal to be spicy, check out their curries. But for something milder, salads, stir-fries, mango sticky rice, and every other delicious dish are available, too.

Details

💸Average price: US $10–$20

📍Location: Jl. Raya Uluwatu No.2, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Bali 80361

⭐Reviews: 9/10

🚘Service: dine-in, takeaway, delivery

🕙Opening hours: 11.30 am–11.00 pm

✍🏽Bookings: www.instagram.com

☎️Phone number: (0821) 47315316

3. Bho Bho Thai

Since its establishment in 2012, Bho Bho Thai has gained popularity among tourists in Bali due to its affordability as a Thai food restaurant. Sure, if you want to enjoy Thai food without spending too much money, you should go to Bho Bho Thai. The person who owns this place – Mary – has also worked as a chef in a Thai restaurant for a few years. So, you can trust that the Thai foods here taste just like in Thailand.

Details

💸Average price: US $8–$15

📍Location: Jl. Dewi Sri I No.8, Legian, Kec. Kuta, Bali 80361

⭐Reviews: 9/10

🚘Service: dine-in, takeaway, delivery

🕙Opening hours: 12.00 pm–11.30 pm

✍🏽Bookings: www.bhobhothai.blogspot.com

☎️Phone number: (081) 23875200

4. Dining Corner at Kayumanis Ubud

The Dining Corner at Kayumanis Ubud is a restaurant in the middle of the river valley. The location itself is already a huge sell for those looking for a unique dining experience with friends. Apart from the food, I love the way it’s designed. It complements the natural surroundings well, so kudos to the architect!

If you’re like me who prefers making last-minute plans, you’ll love that this restaurant is open all day. After all, any time is the best time for Thai! But if you’re with friends who prefer meals from a different country, there are also many Indonesian and Western dishes to choose from. So, yes. You can get both pad thai and burgers in the same place! Regardless of what you feel like eating, it’s always made from the freshest products and ingredients.

Details

💸Average price: $10-$30

📍Location: Jl. Raya Sayan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Bali 80571

⭐Reviews: 9/10

🚘Service: dine-in, takeaway, delivery

🕙Opening hours: 07.00 am–11.00 pm

✍🏽Bookings: www.diningcornerrestaurant.com

☎️Phone number: (0361) 972777

5. 555 Thai

Eating at 555 Thai always makes me happy because of the focus on traditional and homemade Thai food. You can pick from different tasty Thai snacks, main dishes, and side dishes like curries, soups, stir-fries, fried rice, and noodle dishes. Then, end your meal with the classic mango sticky rice.

But even though genuine and authentic food is what many foodies go after, I think you should also check out their bar menu. There, you’ll be able to see a lot of innovative drinks that infuse Thai flavours into familiar beverages.

Details

💸Average price: US $10–$15

📍Location: Jl. Pantai Pererenan No.16, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Bali 80351

⭐Reviews: 9/10

🚘Service: dine-in, kerbside pick-up

🕙Opening hours: 12.00 pm–10.00 pm

✍🏽Bookings: www.hahahathai.com

☎️Phone number: (0878) 87787555

Expert Opinion

As someone who’s been in Bali for ten years, I’ve seen how the industry has changed. The biggest change I noticed is how people are more health-conscious now. Before, there were only a few healthy food options for them. That’s why I was so happy when I noticed a lot of tofu, seafood, and vegetables in dishes nowadays.

I feel like this is why Thai dishes appeal so much to me. The cuisine itself has always been on the healthier side without sacrificing authenticity or flavour. So now that I’m trying to be healthier, I will have more Thai food in my diet.

If you’re also interested in the best Bali offers, here are my top Thai Restaurants on the island.

Lemongrass, Kat’s Kitchen Jimbaran, and Dining Corner at Kayumanis Ubud

The overall quality of everything from the food to the menu variations and even to the atmosphere and the decor makes me think these restaurants rise above the rest.

So, if you’re on the island, I highly recommend trying out some Thai food. Make sure to order some cocktails to get Thailand’s fullest flavours. Enjoy Bali!