Where to discover the best coffee in Bali

Tropical weather, great beaches and lush rice fields. Add to that cut-price drinks and jaw-dropping five-star hotels but don't forget the newer attraction - bloody good coffee. Here's where coffee lovers go for their caffeine fix.

Since being brought to Bali at the beginning of the 20th century by traders from the neighbouring island of Lombok, coffee has been a staple for locals, but it’s only in the past few years that there’s been a real explosion in cafe culture, with hip hangouts and artisan coffee shops popping up all over the holiday hotspot.

Primarily thanks to the influx of Western holiday-makers — Aussie coffee enthusiasts especially — these days the Island of the Gods lives up to its name by delivering quality brews that are decidedly divine. And whether you’re feeling virtuous, hung-over, or you want your coffee with a side of surf and good vibes, there’s a cafe catering to every possible coffee whim.

Best cafe in Bali for healthy food and wellness

Pels Supershop, Canggu

A vegan cafe meets bicycle store, Peloton Supershop is must-visit for wellness warriors. Yes, there’s the healthy food options of superfood juices and smoothies, kombuchas and healing teas that you might expect, but it’s the coffee that’s really special. Organic (of course) coffee bean blends are mixed with one of the daily house-made nut milks. When it comes to the menu, the coconut latte in particular comes highly recommend. Sit back, relax and sip.

Best cafe in Bali for people watching

Revolver, Seminyak

A frontrunner for Seminyak — and indeed Bali’s — coffee revolution, this grungy, inner-city, Melbourne-style cafe is a hidden gem down a laneway (appropriately) but that doesn’t stop crowds of locals and tourists descending on it each morning for their caffeine fix. The house ‘Revolver’ blend is so beloved that it’s now stocked in cafes across the island, so it must be good. Endure the wait for a cafe table outside and you’ll be rewarded with enough people watching to entertain even the most demanding of voyeurs.

Best cafe for working in Bali

Seniman Coffee Studio, Ubud

The hippie town of Ubud has a burgeoning population of laptop-wielding digital nomads and as a result, there are plenty of great coffee shops catering to their two essential demands: quality coffee and strong Wi-Fi. One of the best is Seniman. Located just up from the main drag in town, the cafe has free Wi-Fi (tick) a delicious food menu, quirky up-cycled furniture and yummy coffee. Beans are roasted in-house and expert baristas are on hand to prepare even the most complex of orders. It’s also a great venue to learn more about brewing methods with regular home barista masterclasses and roasting demonstrations taking place.

Best hip cafe in Bali 

Crate, Canggu

Bali or Bondi? At Crate you’ll be left wondering. No surprise then that its owner is a born and bred Bondi local. Populated by crowds of blonde, beautiful model-esque guys and girls, this coffee spot has serious hip factor. A mural exterior and industrial-like wood and concrete interior add to the aesthetically pleasing vibe. But Crate isn’t just about looks, there’s substance too in the form of delicious coffee, Australian-style, from espressos, cappuccinos and flat whites and everything inbetween. Plus, there’s a seasonal cafe menu packed full of delicious food, including must try dishes like the ‘hipster’ breakfast bowl, which takes pride of place. They know their market well.

Best cafe in Bali by the beach

Hungry Bird, Canggu

For great coffee within stepping distance of the sand and surf, you can’t beat Hungry Bird. Positioned just off popular Berawa beach, its location lures crowds of half-naked, sun-kissed beachgoers in search of a cup of joe. Owned by a self-taught, young Indonesian coffee aficionado, the cafe has its own micro-roaster and cupping room and serves blends of some of the best beans from across the archipelago. An embodiment of Indonesian-meets-West coffee culture.

Best cafe in Bali for a hangover

Sea Circus, Seminyak

Handily located near the abundance of bars and clubs the populate the area, Sea Circus is a specialty coffee shop in the thick of the action on Seminyak’s bustling Jalan Kayu Aya road. Their coffee range covers every possible combination (including a great Ethiopian cold brew) but what makes this cafe stand out is its legendary ‘hangover happy meal’ breakfasts. Served with delicious coffee offered with a side of latte art and even Panadol and Berocca, you can even opt for a 15-minute headache-relieving neck and shoulder massage. Who needs hair of the dog with a specialty coffee shop like this?

Your guide to the best coffee in Bali.

Best cafe in Bali for cold brew

Bootstrap, Canggu

Officially the fastest growing trend in coffee, cold brewing results in a coffee that’s low in acid and high in caffeine — a winning combo. And Canggu hotspot Bootstrap is dedicated to the stuff, in fact, that’s all they serve. Since setting up shop three years ago the brand has bottled its coffee, which is now stocked across the island in 5-star hotels, restaurants, cafes and even supermarkets. Plus, in Bali’s tropical climate, getting your caffeine fix in ice cold form isn’t exactly a bad idea.

Best cafe for surfers in Bali

Drifter Surf Shop & Cafe, Uluwatu

Created by two surfing expats, Drifter is a surf hounds dream. A cafe-cum-surf shop, which does a killer ground espresso, which you can sip as you browse clothing, boards, artwork, and peruse the large library of surfing books and myriad of memorabilia housed within its four walls.

Best cafe in Bali for views

Black Eye Coffee & Roastery, Bedugul

Plenty of restaurants and cafes in Bali offer glimpses of rice fields, but there aren’t many that are positioned smack bang in the middle of one. Part of Secret Garden Village (a complex built to promote educational tourism) in un-touristy Bedugul, Black Eye Coffee & Roastery offers an insight into the world of Indonesian coffee, with distinctive blends from across the country. But it's also a lovely spot showcasing amazing 360-degree views that take in lush, Instagram-worthy rice fields. So grab a table, indulge in the views and your quality coffee.

Best cafe in Bali for a bougie breakfast

The Avocado Factory, Canggu

If you think Aussies are keen on avos at breakfast, this Indonesian crew takes things to the next level. Served beside poached eggs or drenched in hollandaise and eggs on a croissant, this coffee spot is open daily and has made plenty of fans very quickly. Beyond tempting the taste buds, they have championed sustainability in a major way with many components in its building made from recycled materials.