So it’s your first time in the bustling Canggu area and you want to know where to go and what to do. First, Canggu is divided into two areas, Berawa in the south and Batubulong/Echo Beach areas in the north. Here is The Beat guide to the best eating from breakfast to dinner, to the vibing sunset locations.
Breakfast
Let’s start off with the most important meal of the day, breakfast. If you’re staying near Batu Bolong, which is the most popular and busiest strip in Canggu, there are a lot of options. Crate Café is popular for its bang-for-buck, Instagram worthy breakfast and lunch meals. Nearby cafes The Loft, Vida and newly-opened The Common also provide delicious breakfast dishes and great coffee.
Moving south across the shortcut road to the Berawa area. Breakfast at Hungry Bird is probably the most affordable, popular with the local surfers and travellers for their cheap food and tasty home-roasted coffee. Moving down the road towards the intersection of Pantai Berawa is Musubi, a Japanese fusion restaurant that’s a bit pricier, but it’s still great value for money and perfect for an interesting brunch. At the next intersection, near the Finns Rec Club end, you’ll find Peloton, a plant-based restaurant that even has the carnivores among us coming back for more, seriously inventive and tasty treats morning to night.
Lunch
When it comes to lunch in Canggu you can’t go wrong with the staples; Shady Shack, Mai Tai, Laca Lita, Koi and The Slow. The list goes on and on. Whether you’re looking for a rice field terrace view or a secluded place for an intimate lunch, Canggu boasts so many different concepts and styles of food. If you’re in the mood for Italian; La Baracca, Bottega Italiana or Pizza Fabbrica are all great choices in the area.
You wouldn’t want to miss the real MVP or champion though. While enjoying all the international variety of foods in Canggu, you have to try the local foods too. Some great Indonesian warungs are Bu Mi, Varuna, Jaba, Oma Jamu and Heboh to name just a few.
Heading back to Berawa is easy, just drive over the “Canggu shortcut” (preferably on your bike and watch the edge) and you’ll stumble across the likes of Milu by Nook, Nude, Milk & Madu and Finns Recreation Club. Finns serves a mean smoked BBQ selection as well as vegan delicacies.
Sunset Spots
Don’t miss the sunset before heading out to dinner. Some popular spots are the Naked Coconut beach strip in Berawa, where all the locally owned shacks or beach warungs serve ice cold beers and coconuts, and mix it with the Berawa big daddy, Finns Beach Club. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, with great cocktails and grand locale, next door’s Finns VIP Beach Club (which presently is being renovated) has an elevated 180° sunset rooftop that will blow your mind. Other cool spots for sunset are The Lawn, Tukan, Ji, La Brisa or Como Beach Club part of the Como Uma Canggu hotel.
Dinner
Dinner in Canggu can go a few different ways, you can spend a bomb or go on the cheap. If you’re feeling like some impressive local-inspired feasting try Fish Bone Local, Ulekan or Moana. All of which have a great setting for a date and drinks as well. Not to mention, Mason, serving modern Australian cuisine from their marble open kitchen. The Tugu’s restaurant Ji is well known for its top-quality Japanese cuisine and historic design.
If you’re in Berawa for dinner don’t over-look TYGR or One Eyed Jack for some more Japanese grub. TYGR being the least expensive of the three. Pantai Berawa has plenty of restaurants with dinner options, but the stand-outs are Green Ginger, serving humble but delicious Asian styled vegetarian food, Macan, the French restaurant with an Asian touch and Indigo, a pricy, but good value for money restaurant dishing up a fusion of French/ Japanese cuisine.