El Kabron

We’ve all got one – a list of choice places to go every so often when you really want to push the boat out. El Kabron, with its spectacular cliff-top location, sexy Spanish cuisine and top-end cocktails, is most definitely one of those places.
Overlooking Dreamland beach and with views all the way out to Uluwatu and sometimes Java, El Kabron has become something of a pilgrimage for savvy sunset worshippers who know this to be one of the best spots to watch the end of the day show. Open daily from 11.30am – 11.30pm, the emphasis here really is on afternoon poolside grazing, sunset tipples and smart casual dinners that roll on towards midnight. The chic restaurant area leads through to an alfresco terrace that fronts the lawn lounging area – replete with big comfy beanbags that surround the iconic cliff-edge pool. Take the steps down from here and get the VIP treatment at El Kabron’s über-swank front balcony. Operating on a entrance fee basis, the current rates for El Kabron are: 350k for the restaurant area inclusive of 300k f&b credit, or 550k for VIP/lounge pool & balcony areas inclusive of 300k f&b credit, a welcome glass of Moet bubbly and a special gift.
Head honcho David Iglesias and executive chef Marc Torices both hail from Spain, and consequently El Kabron offers a truly authentic taste of the Iberian Peninsula. Think cured meats and tapas, literally just for starters, and that’s before you even get to the paellas, red-blooded carnivorous mains and stellar drinks list. Decked out like a Mediterranean beach club, it has that classic Spanish vibe, with clean white walls, rustic wooden surfaces and beachy blue hues splashed around. The sound system pumps out chilled Balearic-style beats in the afternoons, before a rotating lineup of live DJs spin every day for the sundown session – usually going on ‘til later in the evening on weekends.
Coming off the back of a pretty frugal month, the Mrs & I decide to splash out and take a trip up for a boozy late lunch, followed by some serious poolside lounging before sunset. We open proceedings accordingly with a good glug of the famous El Kabron Traditional Red Sangria (115k++/glass, 450k++/jug). Meanwhile from the tapas menu, we tuck into basket of the divine Croquetas de Jamón Ibérico (95k++), and the trio of Mini Hamburguesas de Ternera con Setas y Cebolla Confitada (135k++). Both offerings barely touch the sides, but we manage to hold off from ordering too much so as to leave space for the main event – one of El Kabron’s magical paellas. There are eight choices so it takes a while but we eventually settle on the traditional seafood-heavy Paella de Mariscos (175k++). Perfect for sharing, it comes in it’s own skillet pan full to the brim with clams, squid, mussels and cuttlefish. A good splash of lemon on the top and we pretty much agree it’s the best paella this side of Barcelona. Last, but by no means least, comes dessert in the form of the French Petit Fours (115k++) – essentially a tasting dish of six different dessert tastes, ranging from cheesecake and macaroons to brownies & truffles. Everything is an utter knockout, and there’s nothing left for us to do but order up a fresh jug of sangria and retire to the poolside beanbags to wait for the sunset. ¡Que rico!
Dan Ashcroft






El Kabron Spanish Restaurant & Cliff Club
Jl. Pantai Cemongkak, Pecatu
T. +62 85100803416 | www.elkabron.com