There is little doubt that Bali has undergone a culinary revolution. From mahi-mahi ceviche to pan seared foie gras, the island abounds in cosmopolitan delights from around the globe. Indonesian and Balinese cuisine is also very much in the spotlight (for obvious reasons), whether it be at a fancy restaurant or a roadside warung. However, sometimes a dining experience is not just about the food. And here is where the island’s extravagant, fun or downright crazy restaurants come in. Check out our list of some of Bali’s more unusual themed restaurants.
Koral Restaurant at the Apurva Kempinski Bali
Having only opened last year, the Koral Restaurant is already turning heads – literally. After all, it is hard to focus on your meal with colorful fish and coral all around you. The glass-roofed aquarium restaurant, which is a first for Bali, sets diners right amid the island’s underwater treasures. And Koral’s cuisine matches its marine setting.
Some of the fancier highlights on the menu include Gravlax Salmon, smoked salmon covered with Indonesian basil and celery chlorophyll jelly, cauliflower purée, beans and radish; and Blue Crab, lump meat with macédoine of jicama, cucumber, Granny Smith apples, ginger torch, chervil and chili, green apple jelly and sturia French caviar. Those not into seafood can indulge their taste buds by trying the likes of the restaurant’s decadent Beef “Rossini,” Wagyu tenderloin marbling 9+, “Rougié” foie gras, truffle beef sauce, suprême chicken velouté brioche and braised shallots.
https://www.kempinski.com/en/bali/the-apurva-kempinski-bali/dining/koral-restaurant
Frankenstein’s Laboratory
“Creepy cocktail concoctions, monster bites, live music by the Monsters Band and live cabaret performances nightly by the Dancing Dead & The Zombie Crew.” This is just a fraction of what awaits you at the ghoulish Frankenstein’s Laboratory. Set up as a dungeon workshop, the restaurant features spooky glowing green orbs and brass installations. As far as your dining companions, you can expect zombies, vampires, mummies and monsters, or the establishment’s employees in full costume and make-up. Frankenstein’s Laboratory hosts two sessions each night, including a Family Session and an Adults Session for the very brave.
For such a weird venue, Frankenstein’s Laboratory offers pretty typical fare – something many diners surely appreciate. The restaurant’s offerings include crispy wood fired pizzas, burgers, homestyle pastas, fresh salads and an array of Indonesian favorites. Those terribly brave, or overly confident, can take the Monster Slab Challenge. If you manage to finish the restaurant’s mega burger, complete with four 150-gram beef patties, in under 20 minutes, you will be gifted an, “I conquered the Monster Slab at Frankenstein’s Laboratory Stubby Holder” and immortalized on the restaurant’s website. Complete your meal with one of the venue’s cocktail concoctions served in creepy laboratory glassware, including syringes, beakers and test tubes.
https://frankensteins-laboratory.com/
Cosmic Diner
Venture back in time to the 50s when rockabillies reigned supreme at this cozy restaurant in Sanur. Paying homage to the style associated with this early style of rock and roll music, this retro establishment features striking décor complete with black and white checkered floors, vintage posters, vinyl booth seats and a jukebox. The menu is jam packed with classic American fare, including burgers, fries, pancakes, waffles and sandwiches. Some of the more attention-grabbing dishes include the Coffee-Rub Pulled Pork Sandwich, 18-hour cooked pulled pork, coleslaw and Cosmic’s special BBQ sauce on a toasted brioche bun; and the Chicken Waffles, buttermilk friend chicken with waffles and maple syrup. Don’t leave without trying the Chocolate Trifecta Shake, which comes in a funky boot-shaped glass.
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicdinerbali/
The Pirates Bay
Step into the Arrr world of marine pillage and plunder right on the shores of Nusa Dua. Complete with an abandoned ship, a treehouse and a lookout tower, the Pirates Bay is a treasure trove of surprises for both the young and the young at heart. To become a true pirate, you can sign yourself and your kids up for one of the restaurant’s treasure hunting sessions, where you can dress up, search for loot, and even make a camp fire. Keeping with the theme, the restaurant’s menu is mostly seafood based. Select the Grilled Barracuda with melted mozzarella, salad, potato wedges and garlic butter sauce, or go all out and opt for the Pirates Basket with grilled prawns, crab, mussels, snapper and squid served with French fries and garlic butter sauce.
https://www.thepiratesbaybali.com/
Slippery Stone Bali
The Slippery Stone brings Grecian splendor right to the heart of Seminyak. Reminiscent of ancient Greece, the restaurant features ivy-clad stone walls and intricately sculpted pillars. The domed ceilings, opulent chandeliers and statues of Greek gods complete the Mediterranean picture. Dine at the restaurant or in one of the open-air gazebos, or grab a pre- or post-dinner drink at the venue’s bar. The restaurant offers live entertainment each weekend, including belly dancers, DJs, drag queens and fire shows.
Lovingly created from the freshest of ingredients, Slippery Stone’s Greek fare is both authentic and nourishing. Aside the usual Greek starters including dips, saganaki, olives and marinated peppers, the restaurant offers a wide range of mains. Feast on seafood offerings such as the Slippery Lobster, baby lobster pan friend in olive oil, white wine, oregano and Greek herbs, or go carnivore with the Pastitsio, beef mince mixed with onion, tomatoes and herbs, and layered with pasta and béchamel sauce. If you happen to be vegetarian, Slippery Stone also offers a range of salads.
http://www.slipperystonebali.com/
By Anita
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