The ultimate guide to Canggu, Bali
April 29, 2024The area of Canggu has the last year(s) seen an explosion in restaurants, bars and places to chill at, and is one of the places where it’s way too easy to miss out on those secret spots. Our seasoned and local experts Martine and Robin shows you what you can’t miss when you find yourself in this tropical paradise.
EATABLES
1. Shady Shack
Located 50 meters from the camp, this organic and fresh cafe offers some of the most colourful and tasty food in the area. The smoothies, bowls, salads, wraps and main courses are all excellent and you’re sure to be treated with an Instagram worthy meal that is set to take all of your senses for an excellent ride.
2. Crate
Ranked #2 in Tripadvisor over restaurants in Canggu and bringing it all to the table when it comes to fresh and tasty food. Great coffee, smoothies, breakfast dishes and quick snacks. Some say that the bowls are even better than those found at Shady Shack, although we’re not sure if that’s even possible.
3. Betlenut
If you’ve been in Canggu before, you’re sure to have seen or stopped by Betlenut already. It has been a staple of quality meals all day for ages. If you’re there for a late lunch or early dinner you can walk upstairs, pick a table street side and you’ll be treated with (maybe) the sun setting over the fields of Canggu. A huge menu of everything from tacos, burgers and salads makes this a winner for the group where you can’t settle on one specific type of food and cuisine.
4. Cloud 9
The road through the rice fields, best known as ‘the shortcut’, also offers some culinary treats if you’re willing and able to pull over and check it out. Cloud 9 has an awesome outside area and a burger menu that’s to die for. The burgers are big, tasty, original and something for everyone, whether you’re a meatlover, vegetarian, vegan, or just ready to be treated for a tasteful burger experience no matter the form or color.
5. Green Ginger Noodle House
This is one of those hidden spots that is off the well worn path, but can offer a cheap and delicious meal in cozy surroundings. Sit inside in the air conditioned area or grab a table in the lush backyard and enjoy some of the best curry and Asian food in Canggu. Oh, and did we mention that the waiters/waitresses are top of the class?
6. Warung Bu Mi
Warung’s are small cafes and spots to grab a quick meal, and according to Martine and Robin Bu Mi is the best of the bunch. A vast variation of dishes with the traditional Balinese touch makes this your safe bet when it comes to trying out the local favourites.
7. Hungry bird
Another trendy, yet superb spot for breakfasts and lunches where you can grab your preferred choice of food and drinks. The plates aren’t the biggest, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up in quality. We had a burger and a salad, and they didn’t hold back to any other in the Canggu area. This is also a sweet spot to get your daily caffeine intake.
8. Baracca
When in Bali, eat like… Italians? Next door to the camp you find Baracca, which is best known as “The pizza place” and offers an extensive pizza and Italian menu that can please even the most picky pizza pie expert.
9. Echo Beach Club
At first glance somewhat hidden and mainstream looking restaurant, Echo Beach Club is maybe the best kept “secret” among the restaurants in Canggu. It both has an indoor and outdoor area, and if seated by the ocean you’re perfectly placed to witness the surfing happening down the beach. The seafood menu is exquisite and salad bar second to none.
PARTY MUCH?
10. Pretty Poison
Maybe you’ve seen it in social media or just heard rumours of ‘that place’ where you party around a huge skate bowl – or maybe you just went: “Wait, what?”. Pretty poison is, as they write online “a backyard inspired arts bar with a California styled pool bowl”, where you on especially Fridays and Saturdays can grab beer(s) and enjoy some of the finest board talents shred through the night. Maybe you’re up for dropping in yourself?
11. Old Man’s
Old Man’s is the big party place in Canggu where you’re always in for a good vibe and lots of people. It’s an open styled place with big bar areas, dance floor and plenty of seating spots. Oh, and did we mention the beer pong tournament on Wednesdays? Bring your two best friends and compete in a seriously competitive happening that is sure to bring out the sore looser or good winner in you.
12. Deus Ex Machina
Clothing brand, bike maker, bar or event arena? Does anyone really know what “Deus” is all about? What we at least know about this flagship store/restaurant in Canggu is that as well as having a store filled with awesome bikes and fresh t-shirts, they also throw some seriously good parties throughout the week. Sunday’s are The day to go, but you can always grab a Bintang or five while bragging about your “barrel” or “ten foot wave” any other day of the week.
13. Sandbar
The name kinda reveals it – Sandbar is a bar located at the, go figure, sand (beach). Best known for the being the place where you go to if you’re not quite done dancing when other places close, Sandbar is pretty much a big dance floor on the beach where some serious parties go down and legends are made.
BOARDSHOPS
14. Boardrider
Even though it’s one of the main surf towns in the world (?), finding a solid and up-to-date surf shop in Canggu is not as easy as you may think, as most of the bigger brands have placed their flagshop stores in the city of Kuta. The Quicksilver Boardrider shop is the one place where you’re sure to find the wax you need, new fins, a leash, swim fins and the latest in mainstream surf apparel – all in one place.
15. Charlie Brown Boardshop
“Hey there people, I’m Charlie (Bobby) Brown, they say I’m the best ding repair in town”. Hit a rock or a fellow surfer and need a cheap, quick and solid ding repair? Charlie Brown is the go-to place for those times when you’re out of luck and need some stitches and band aids for your board. Expect a day or two for a quick repair, depending on the scale of the ding and the line of surfers who got there first.
HANG OUT SPOTS
16. The lawn area by Old Man’s
This lawn located right by the beach and Old Man’s and is a designated green spot where you can grab some sun, beers or maybe just work on your cheesy pick up lines. It’s an excellent spot to watch the sunset and pull back to if you’re one of those people that love the beach, but not the sand.
17. Echo Beach
This is the proving ground for advanced surfers in Canggu, making sure that you always have some seriously good surfing to watch if you have some hours to kill. It’s also a beach littered with small bars where you can grab another plate of nasi goreng or Bintang while you soak in the view of the golden palm trees in the distance as the sun sets in the horizon.
18. Finns Beach Club
Up for some more high quality resort style beach hang? Finns Beach Club is the place to go to if you want a comfortable sun bed, fancy drinks and easy lounge music. Eat and drink for 200.000 Rupiah and you’ll be able to spend the whole day there – and they provide you with a designated sun bed towel. Luxurious, right?
ACTIVITIES
19. Gold Dust Spa
There’s tons of great places to get a well deserved massage after tiring surf sessions, but the Gold Dust Spa is the top of the line if you really want to treat yourself for a day of relaxation. Offering everything from a short massage for sore shoulders to whole day packages, this spa is sure to make you ready for new hours in the water.
20. Bali Fit – Crossfit
Working out on a vacation? Really? Isn’t surfing enough? While many find the hours in the water and activities on the camp plenty enough of physical treatment, some might also want to get in some time of lifting heavy objects. Bali Fit has an open gym style, which helps with keeping temperature at an ok level and also acts like a window to the small street outside so you’re sure to make that medicine ball and kettle bell go sky high as surfers pass on their way down to the beach.
21. The Practice – yoga
There’s two yoga classes at the camp each week, but some might want to try out the bikram version or just get an extra dose of meditative stretching into their stay in Bali. The Practice offers a ton of different classes, making sure that you can find a perfect class that fits your body and schedule.
22. Splash Water Park
A water park in Bali? Really? While the ocean is playground enough most of the time, there might be that odd day where the surf is not really suited for your level of surfing, or maybe you just want to grab a day of water slides and touristy fun. Huge slides at five stories tall can bring excitement to even the most tattooed and beardy manly of man out there.
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