It’s no secret that Bali’s underwater world is rich with abundant species of marine life. As an island with access to some of the freshest seafood from the Indian Ocean, it has become a popular destination for seafood lovers to get the freshest taste of the sea at Bali seafood restaurants. Balinese seafood delicacies are far from ordinary; they are richly seasoned and cooked to perfection! It would be criminal if you didn’t sample the daily catch from Bali’s seas while in town, eh? So, let’s take a look at the five best ones to check out!

You may be wondering now, with a bunch of options available, where to eat seafood in Bali, then? Of course, the special one. Okay, don’t be puzzled; let’s make it easier with these five best ones to check out!

1.      Nautilus Ubud

Nautilus is the first restaurant in Ubud focused entirely on fresh, locally sourced fish and seafood, adding fresh and exciting dining options to this tranquil neighborhood. Chef Oleksii intends to bring the beauty and diversity of the ocean to your plate with his expertise — there’s no better way to enjoy seafood right from the experts!

Known for its innovative seafood dishes, all made from locally sourced ingredients, Nautilus focuses on sustainability and quality. Popular menu items include Octopus with Tomato Fondant, Fish Kyiv, and Lobster with Zucchini Pasta. To pair with your meal, Nautilus also serves a carefully curated selection of cocktails and wines, ranging from light and refreshing to bold and flavorful.

2.      Hippie Fish

Located on the picturesque Pererenan Beach, Hippie Fish is a well-known seafood restaurant, rooftop, and bar for both locals and tourists thanks to its tasty menus and incredible view of the Indian Ocean. Aligning with its location, the ambiance is cozy with vibrant coastal decor, with white and blue tones featuring a blend of rustic wooden furniture for a bohemian aesthetic feel.

Their menu features a selection of the freshest seafood and soulful Mediterranean-fusion dishes, all made from scratch. Sip and mingle on their rooftop with a cocktail in hand as the sun begins to descend; choose between Calamari Fritti and Tuna Crudo, a selection of seafood pastas, and market-fresh fish like Red Snapper and Charred Prawns — savor as you soak in the breeze and sunset.

3.      Moana Fish Eatery, Canggu

Another must-try for seafood lovers is the one straight from the Aloha islands! Moana is a Polynesian restaurant, fresh fish market, and juice bar all rolled into one. The airy interior brings you to life in Tahiti with its earth-tone colors, palms, thatched roofs, and tropical plants like monstera deliciosa.

Fresh from the sea, straight to your plate is their concept. If you’re wondering where to start, I recommend ordering the Moana Platter as a starter, where you’ll be served 1 pcs prawn, 1 pcs croquette, 2 pcs fish pate, 2 pcs tuna tacos, 4 slices of sashimi, and mixed salad. Moving on to the main food, you can choose raw fish, grilled fish, burger & pasta, and a glass of sugarcane juice.

4.      Seasalt Seminyak

Located just off the beach at Alila Seminyak, Seasalt is the perfect place to enjoy nice seafood, surrounded by the sea breeze, sunset, and crashing waves. Seasalt’s design reminds you of a seaside retreat, with interiors dominated by ocean colors and warm woods.

Inspired by the ocean and its name, this restaurant serves a diverse menu of fresh seafood and Japanese-inspired cuisine, all seasoned with Kusamba salt from salt farmers in East Bali, who produce the salt in a traditional way. Enjoy finely arranged delicacies such as Tuna Tataki, Crusted Barramundi, Slow-cooked Octopus, and Nouvelle Hokkaido Scallops. However, my personal recommendation would be the Ocean Bali Platter — you’ll get to enjoy the fresh fish of the day (it changes everyday!), prawn, flower crab, octopus, corn, sambal, and rice, a perfect package for a hearty dinner. Unlike others, this dish is a must-eat in Bali while at Seasalt.

5.      Kedonganan Fish Market

This stretch of beach in Kedonganan is well-known as a fishing village. Here, more than a dozen restaurants serve fresh Jimbaran seafood in Bali style, where you can choose from live viewing and order in various serving styles to suit your taste.

But hey, we’re in Kedonganan. Let’s skip the restaurants and go local. You can head straight to the fish market to buy your own fresh seafood and bargain, of course! Now, if you’ve found the seafood you want, choose one of the restaurants around; they provide grilling services starting from IDR 25,000 per kilo. If you don’t like grilling, they also have a lot of ways to prepare your seafood, whether it’s fried, stir-fried with Padang sauce, butter sauce, and many more. This way, you can even save up to half!

Conclusion

Despite the many different types of food that you can find in Bali, seafood is one that cannot be missed. It’s all freshly caught from the sea, prepared on the same day with tasty seasonings, and enjoyed beachside by the sunset – ugh, life doesn’t get much better than this.

These five places are where you can savor the best seafood in Bali, ranging from cheap to fine dining for your next do-date idea. Set your maps and treat yourself to the freshest catch of the island — have you picked where to head first?