The decision as to what to eat at a romantic restaurant in Ubud will be primarily determined by the surroundings; views of either the jungle or the rice fields, candlelight and rose petals. In addition, there are many of the better restaurants available in the area for all types of food.
Apéritif
The Apéritif restaurant at the Viceroy Bali hotel provides a romantic setting with rose petals, candles, and lanterns. On Thursdays and Fridays, the restaurant also features live jazz. There are two options for a tasting menu, five courses or seven courses. Dinner can be ordered starting at 18:00 until 20:30 (last order). Attire is expected to range from elegant to formal. Separate menus are available for vegetarians and vegans. Belgian chef Nick Vanderbeeken leads the kitchen. Chef Vanderbeeken has been working in fine dining for over twenty years and has worked in several Michelin-star-rated establishments.
The Sayan House
The Sayan House is located on Jalan Raya Sayan No. 70, with a view of the Ayung River canyon. It offers Japanese-Latin American food, and was designed to be used for viewing sunsets. CasCades Bali is located above the Petanu River valley. They recommend wearing stylishly casual clothing, and suggest that you reserve a table that looks out over the valley prior to arriving.
Mozaic
Mozaic belongs to the Les Grandes Tables du Monde association (it is the sole Indonesian member, as per What’s New Indonesia); a romantic package includes a candle-lit gazebo with rose petals, champagne, and an eight-course dinner paired with wine.
If you are looking for somewhere with both peace and quiet, and a view of the valley, then either the gazebo at The Sayan House, or CasCades would be perfect.
Gajah Putih
The evening at Gajah Putih will be organized as a story. The stage is located in the middle of the room where there is a performance before each item of food served. Of all of the locations that are mentioned, Gajah Putih is the only place that offers both an eleven course meal and a production.
The center of the restaurant features a large communal table that surrounds the main stage area, allowing all guests to view the show from their seats. Each dish arrives individually at each guest's table, followed by a performance that includes the entire waitstaff; the female waitstaff perform a traditional Balinese dance. Several dishes can be consumed with one's hands, and the waitstaff will provide guidance on the sequence of dishes being served, as well as identify which elements of each dish are consumable and which serve purely decorative purposes.
The shows are performed at alternating times, so when the couple sees the show depends on their chosen day. LINGKARAN describes the beginning of the day (dawn), traditional ceremonies, and daily activities in Bali; MALAM is about the end of the day (sunset), and night-time ritual practices on the island. The MALAM menu features ingredients such as peanuts, tomatoes, tamarind, cucumbers, and galangal; the LINGKARAN menu includes coconut milk, citrus fruits, and seaweed.
Prices: Starting at Rp 1,850,000. This is an ideal location for a romantic or private business dinner.
Which show to choose for the occasion:
- Anniversary: MALAM. Sunset and night set an intimate mood.
- MALAM: A nighttime story that the restaurant suggests for couples.
- First date: LINGKARAN. A vivid storyline gives topics for conversation.
What is on the 11-course menu?
Chef's menu relies heavily on Balinese ingredients (90% of them come from local farms/plantations). Ideas for each dish stem from tradition. Examples include: tuna spheres (Balinese anyam weaving); caramel in the dessert is flavored with nasi goreng; and the banana flower is fermented like sauerkraut.
- Chem-chem: A Balinese beverage created using medicinal herbs and containing candied mangoes, kaffir lime oil, and salt collected in Amed.
- Gemitir: a deep-fried flower that Balinese people put in offerings.
- A woven tuna sphere with smoked young cheese.
- A salad of berries, greens and vegetables from Bedugul with coriander oil.
- Dolma with shrimp and seaweed from Nusa Penida in a creamy sauce.
- Ribeye satay on a skewer with garlic ketchup and thick soy sauce.
- Grilled barramundi with curry mousse and fermented banana flower sambal.
- Aged duck with tamarillo and herbs, dressed with wine vinegar.
- Marinated mushrooms with dragon fruit powder.
- A Balinese version of a traditional bika ambon cake, using tapioca flour and filled with a pandan ganache and a dragon fruit gel.
- Dessert: Roselle sorbet, profiteroles, and chili pepper; Vanilla gelato with Nasi Goreng Caramel; Rice Popcorn; Lak-Lak with Durian; Lime and Chocolate with Arak.
“The amount of dishes doesn't matter by itself. What we focus on is the rhythm of the entire meal; first the dishes stimulate your appetite, then the flavors build up, peak, and finish with dessert. We also need to think about portions, temperatures, textures, and the quantity of food that each individual can comfortably consume in one evening. In our case, the performance adds another element to the mix, and the menu flows with the story of the evening and the overall flow of the evening.”
The Gajah Putih team
How to get there and what to know before booking?
Gajah Putih is located on Jalan Raya Mawang No. 88 in Lodtunduh, in a quieter area of Ubud, which is approximately 15 to 20 minutes away from downtown Ubud via car. The trip from Ngurah Rai Airport can take anywhere from one hour to one hour and thirty minutes depending on current traffic conditions.
The tables must be reserved before your arrival through either TableCheck or WhatsApp. The restaurant can be completely reserved for a private party, and if you have a group of 50 people or less, we can accommodate you on a case-by-case basis.
What do guests say about Gajah Putih?
The restaurant is highly-rated on several different popular websites. These include TripAdvisor (4.7 out of 5 stars), Google Maps. (4.8 out of 5 stars), and various other sources such as What's New Indonesia, Now Bali, and Destination Asia.
Whether you're on a honeymoon in Bali, celebrating an anniversary in Ubud, or simply looking for the most romantic restaurant in Ubud — Gajah Putih delivers an experience that stays with you long after the last course.
Read more:
What theatre can couples attend in Bali?