This may come as a shock, but up until a few weeks ago, I’d never been to Bali. From waterfalls and lush jungles to verdant rice terraces, stunning surf breaks and brilliant food, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a family rocking small kidlets, flying solo, on a budget or getting there by private jet. Best of all, Balinese culture is warm, welcoming, and extremely accommodating, even if you don’t speak Bahasa.

Over the decades, though, the island has garnered a bit of a rep for attracting the kind of tourist crowd who knows how to rock a Bintang singlet and flip-flops (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but if you want to tap into a slightly more elevated yet authentic experience, you just need to know where to look.

What to eat in Bali

Balinese food culture is a vibrant, punchy, textural journey and for that alone it’s worth jumping on a plane. Best of all, you don’t need a Champagne budget to experience the best of it. Balinese locals love food, so all you need to do is ask where the legit places are and you’ll soon find yourself with a decent list.

From street stalls and warungs (humble local haunts that usually specialise in a few things) to local restaurants, food culture here is rich and varied. Here are a few dishes to look out for.

Babi guling

Suckling pig is almost always good no matter where you go in the world, but babi guling is prized among those who know. You’ll want to get going around 11am to secure yourself that glass-like crackling, succulent, aromatic meat slathered in base rajang (a punchy spice paste I’d sell a kidney for) and all the delicious side hustles that go with. If you’re in Ubud, look no further than Pande Egi. An open-air restaurant set against the backdrop of swaying rice fields. Order the special or the regular (both give you a bit of everything), plus a platter of smoky skewers and a king coconut to complete the picture.

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Nasi campur

Those prone to FOMO needn’t worry – nasi campur is made for you. Essentially a serve of rice, surrounded by little tastes of dishes of the day, from chicken curry and rendang to urab sayur, a piquantly complex salad of long green beans, coconut, and more, tossed in a hard-hitting sambal; it’s an excellent way to gain a snapshot of some of Indonesia’s favourite dishes.

Bebek betutu

This is a revered dish usually reserved for priests, and if you’re honoured enough to be offered it, or find it on a menu, it’s a must. Think duck slathered in spices, sealed in candlenut leaves and cooked for an entire day – a juicy, fall-apart luxury that celebrates Bali’s rich culinary culture.

Bakso

Essentially meatballs, and usually found in a clear, cleansing broth alongside rice noodles and condiments. Whether it’s roadside or at breakfast in your hotel, that universal healing power of broth and spices is a soothing balm for all.

Ayam goreng

If there’s one thing I love about Indonesian food, it’s how prized fried things are. For ayam goreng, arguably one of the best expressions of fried chicken in the world, the chook is dredged in spiced flour and fried until crisp. It’s often served with steamed rice and cooling veg.

Bubur Bali

Fans of congee with kick, I got you. Burbur is the regional iteration of savoury rice porridge, and it’s a killer. This comforting dish is elevated with a dressing made from a heady blend of turmeric, ginger, galangal, coriander, chilli, terasi (shrimp paste), and more.

Best places to stay in Bali

While those seeking good times, a party atmosphere, and a bit of anything goes will head to places like Kuta and Seminyak, if you’re looking for something a bit more Zen, you’d do well to check out places like Ubud and Canggu for starters. The former is regarded as the island’s cultural beating heart, set up in the hills and surrounded by tropic greenery, while Canggu on the south coast and its surrounds have become a favourite with a well-heeled, Eurocentric crowd. It’s where you’ll find many of the notable fashion boutiques and restaurants owned and run by expat Australians like Steve Moore’s Middle Eastern-inspired juggernaut Shelter, as well as Benjamin Cross’s celebrated venue Mason, and hotels such as Ksubi founder George Gorrow’s The Slow.

Further inland in Kaba, you’ll also find Lodge in the Woods, a stunning new project helmed by the enigmatic Bernard Teo. The Singaporean former president of Calvin Klein brought a restless dream into reality with his utopian boutique residence that is also an animal shelter, market garden, and a haven for human souls in need of refuge and replenishment.

Heading up into Ubud, you’ll find plenty of luxe places to lay your head. For those who are into the idea of virtuous living, but don’t want to commit to a full-on health retreat kind of trip, Como Uma Ubud brings the best of spa life to serene Ubud living, complete with Balinese breakfasts worthy of ’gramming, a world-class day spa, and the kind of quiet luxury we all dream of.

The beauty of Bali is that it’s an accessible tropical getaway for Australians, and while the clichés may remain, it’s worth digging deeper to really appreciate what makes this island with its ancient culture such a treasure.

This article originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission. 

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