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Where to Eat in Ubud: Why Wild Restaurant Should Be Your First Stop

  • Writer: Firefly Retreat
    Firefly Retreat
  • 5 days ago
  • 5 min read

If you are planning a trip to Ubud and wondering where to eat, what to try, and how to experience real Indonesian and Balinese food without spending a fortune, this guide is for you. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, Wild Restaurant in Ubud has become one of the most loved spots in the area and for good reason.

Compartmentalized tray with yellow rice, green veggie salad, tempeh, peanuts and anchovies, sambal sauce, and chicken skewers. Wood table.

What Is Nasi Campur and Why Is It the Best Way to Eat in Bali?

Nasi campur is the heart of Indonesian and Balinese cuisine. The name means "mixed rice" in Indonesian, and the dish is exactly that: a generous portion of rice placed in the center of your plate, surrounded by a colorful selection of small sides. Those sides can include spiced vegetables, grilled meats, tempeh, tofu, sambal, and other traditional Balinese preparations. Every bite is different, every combination is yours to discover.

It is the way locals eat. It is the way food was meant to be shared and explored. And it is exactly what Wild Restaurant has built its entire concept around.

What Is Wild Restaurant in Ubud?

Wild is an Indonesian and Balinese restaurant located on Jl. Sugriwa No. 16, right in the heart of Ubud. Open for lunch and dinner, Wild serves build-your-own nasi campur plates where you choose your rice and pick from a rotating selection of authentic Indonesian and Balinese sides. The result is a plate that is completely yours, built around your taste, your appetite, and your curiosity.

The restaurant opened in 2022 and quickly became a community favorite. Guests describe it as the kind of place that reminds them why Balinese food is so special. Everything is made fresh, cooked with care, and served with the warm hospitality that Ubud is known for.

Wild is also completely dairy-free, with vegan and vegetarian options available across the menu. Whether you eat meat, follow a plant-based diet, or are simply looking for clean and wholesome food, Wild works for you.

Is Wild Restaurant Good for Tourists Looking for Authentic Balinese Food?

This is one of the most common questions travelers ask before visiting Ubud: where can I find food that feels real, not tourist-facing? Wild was built to answer exactly that question.

The founders started Wild wanting to share the dishes that locals grow up eating but that visitors rarely get to discover. Dishes like ayam betutu, a slow-cooked Balinese spiced chicken that is deeply aromatic and rooted in Balinese tradition. The nasi campur format makes it easy to try many of these dishes in one sitting, without committing to a single plate.

If you are looking for authentic Indonesian food in Ubud, Wild is one of the few restaurants where the menu genuinely reflects how Balinese people eat at home.

Where Is Wild Restaurant and How Do I Get There?

Wild Restaurant is located at Jl. Sugriwa No. 16, Ubud, Bali. It sits in one of the most walkable parts of town and is extremely easy to reach from the main Ubud landmarks.

It is a 5-minute walk from Ubud Palace, a 5-minute walk from The Yoga Barn, and a 10-minute walk from Monkey Forest. If you are staying anywhere in central Ubud, Wild is likely within easy walking distance.

For those staying a bit further out, Wild is also available on Grab and Gojek for delivery.

Is Wild Restaurant Affordable?

Yes. Wild is one of the most budget-friendly restaurant options in Ubud without sacrificing quality. You can build a plate starting from around €2, and a generous full plate with multiple sides typically costs between €5 and €10 depending on your choices. This makes it a great option for travelers who want to eat well every day without overspending.

Given that Ubud has many restaurants at every price point, Wild sits in a rare spot: genuinely authentic, freshly made, and easy on the wallet.

What Are the Best Things to Order at Wild?

Because Wild is a build-your-own concept, the experience is different every time. That said, a few things are worth highlighting.

The nasi campur plate is the main event. You start by choosing your rice, then select from the available sides. The sides rotate based on what is fresh and seasonal, which keeps the menu alive and ensures everything on your plate has been made that day.

The Balinese desserts are another highlight guests consistently mention. They are fresh, unique, and a perfect way to end a meal that has already introduced you to so many new flavors.

The housemade kombucha is also something diners love. Light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, it is a great companion to the bold spices in the food.

Is Wild Restaurant Good for Groups?

Wild is a fantastic choice for groups. The build-your-own format means everyone at the table gets exactly what they want, which eliminates the usual group decision fatigue. Meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans can all eat happily together without needing to compromise or order from a separate menu.

The relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to linger, share sides, and enjoy the kind of meal that turns into a long, unhurried experience. It is the kind of place where a lunch can stretch into the afternoon simply because no one wants to leave.

Is Wild Restaurant Good for Solo Travelers?

Absolutely. The build-your-own nasi campur format is perfect for solo dining because you are only building a plate for yourself. There is no pressure to share, no minimum order, and no awkwardness. Many solo travelers in Ubud describe Wild as a comfortable, welcoming place where you can sit, eat well, and feel at home.

Does Wild Restaurant Have Vegan and Vegetarian Options?

Yes. Wild has a strong selection of vegan and vegetarian Balinese sides. Given that the entire restaurant is dairy-free, there is no cross-contamination concern from dairy ingredients. You can build a fully plant-based plate without having to ask for modifications or substitutions.

This makes Wild one of the more reliable options in Ubud for plant-based eaters who still want to experience traditional Indonesian flavors rather than eating at a wellness restaurant that has replaced those flavors entirely.

What Makes Wild Different from Other Restaurants in Ubud?

Ubud has no shortage of good restaurants. But Wild fills a specific gap. It is not a tourist-facing restaurant serving watered-down versions of Indonesian dishes. It is not a fine dining restaurant that requires a reservation weeks in advance. And it is not a smoothie bowl cafe dressed up as a cultural experience.

Wild is a place where the food comes first. Where the nasi campur is made the way it should be, with a circle of sides that each carry their own spice, texture, and story. Where the price is honest, the welcome is genuine, and the desserts are worth saving room for.

For travelers who ask "where should I eat in Ubud at least once," Wild is the answer.


Practical Information

Restaurant name: Wild Restaurant

Address: Jl. Sugriwa No. 16, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571

Open: Lunch and dinner

Cuisine: Indonesian and Balinese, nasi campur

Dietary options: Vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free

Price range: €2 to €10+ per plate

Delivery: Available via Grab and Gojek

Instagram: @thewildbali

Contact: eat@thewildbali.com | +62-811-38-38-82

 
 
 

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