Ubud

For our first trip to Bali, I had one goal - a truly immersive jungle escape, far from the chaos and crowds that Bali is so often associated with. We chose to base ourselves thirty minutes north of Ubud for five nights, tucked deep into the tropical jungle and it was nothing short of breathtaking.

It didn't take long at all to understand exactly what all the Bali hype is about.

For this stay, we chose the Inara Alas Harum and it was the perfect base for the kind of deep relaxation we were after. The staff were genuinely beautiful in the way they looked after us. The resort runs complimentary shuttle transfers into Ubud centre multiple times daily, which made exploring incredibly easy and stress free. For those who like to keep active between indulging, there's a small but well equipped gym on site which we made very good use of, if only to balance out all the incredible food and drinks we were working our way through. The spa is also worth a visit, we both treated ourselves to traditional Balinese massages and left feeling completely restored.

During our five days in Ubud, we made it our mission to eat, sip and explore as much as possible. Here's everywhere we'd recommend:

Sycro Base, Ubud

Without a doubt, this was the standout experience of our trip. From the moment we arrived, every element of the food, drinks, stunning interior, lush exterior and the warm, attentive service, was a perfect 10/10. We discovered Syrco Base after seeing it win Gold in the PRESTIGE Gourmet Awards 2026. Behind this exceptional fine dining experience is a husband and wife power duo who bring both heart and precision to everything they do. Charlotte commands front of house with effortless grace, ensuring every guest feels genuinely looked after, while Syrco works his magic in the kitchen, crafting dishes that are as beautiful as they are memorable. What truly elevated our admiration, was learning about the ethos behind the restaurant. Syrco Base actively employs local talent and sources from local producers - a meaningful commitment to giving back to the local community that makes dining here feel as good as it tastes.

Seniman Coffee

A must visit for any coffee lover. Seniman is a really cool, laid-back spot with a great vibe, the kind of place you walk into and instantly want to stay for a while. We loved the coffee tasting paddles you could get as it’s a fun way to work your way through different roasts and brewing styles side by side. You can also pop across the road to their shop, where you can pick up beautifully packaged beans to take a little piece of Ubud home with you.

Mozaic

For our wedding anniversary meal we splashed out on one unforgettable fine dining experience at Mozaic. The setting alone is stunning and what makes the evening so unique is that you actually move through different areas of the venue as the night and dishes progress, dining both indoors and out under the jungle canopy, which was my favourite. It feels theatrical in the best possible way. Before each course, a plate showcasing the key ingredients from the dish is presented and walked through by your server which is a really lovely touch that gives you a deeper appreciation of what you're about to eat and the thought that goes into every plate.

Honey & Smoke

Such a great find. Honey & Smoke has this wonderfully dimly lit, intimate atmosphere that makes it the perfect spot for a date night or a special occasion. This wood fire restaurant served up some really delicious food and the cocktails were absolutely amazing, I could have kept ordering them all night. Be sure to sit upstairs next to the window, where you can monkey watch.

Zest

Vegetarian and almost entirely gluten free? We will always show up and Zest did not disappoint. We ventured down into Ubud one morning for breakfast and were pleasantly surprised by this gorgeous little zen cafe tucked away from the bustle. The vibe is calm and wholesome, perfectly matching the incredibly healthy, thoughtful menu. My husband went for the seaweed waffles and was absolutely blown away. A lovely, feel-good start to the day.

Rusters

Rusters was firmly on my list before we even landed in Ubud, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The space is impressive and large with a mix of indoor and outdoor areas, ranging from relaxed casual spots to more focused corners where locals and travellers alike set up with their laptops for the day. The coffee was great and the baked goods were exactly what we came for. The real showstopper is the more formal dining area which looks out directly over a rice field, a view that's hard to beat with a coffee in hand. The only downside? It's a little far from Ubud city centre, which meant we couldn't justify heading back for their sunset happy hour cocktails as easily as we would have liked. Definitely next time!

Kayon Jungle Resort

Let’s be honest, is there any better plan in Bali than to soak up on their affordable massages and treatments in stunning locations during your trip? Nope. We visited the spa situated within the Kayon Jungle Resort for our anniversary morning and the experience was stunning. We left completely relaxed and ready to lounge by the pool for the rest of the day with a cocktail in hand.