Café Wayan used to be the little joint that served coffee to rice farmers in a small bamboo hut. It is now a very famous restaurant at the Monkey Forest road and has been so for many years. Inside, you will have a taste of the Ubud essence and discover the Bali experience. The décor is done mainly in traditional Balinese architecture where on each table and gazebo is adorned Balinese bouquets, like flowers offerings, and black and white checkered patterns, a strong characteristic of Bali design. Any stress you might have brought with you from your everyday life will soon disappear when you sit in one of the gazebos. The place seems so peaceful and quiet; it is as though you're not dining at a restaurant that is sitting on the main road of Ubud's street. The gazebo is what the Balinese call ‘bale', a place where people usually relax and a great spot to enjoy the summer breeze in the open air.

The name might be local, but the food is international in its choices. When I went there, I skipped the appetizer and moved straight to the main courses. I would strongly suggest for you to try the spring chicken - 2 slices of chicken, first boiled then roasted which renders the chicken a deep golden color and a crispy yummy taste. The dish comes with white rice and garlic sauce, a delicacy indeed. Besides ayam betutu (betutu chicken), another favourite traditional Bali dish is the nasi campur (mixed rice). This is a plate of white rice along with chicken satay, fried chicken, vegetables in coconut sauce, and sambal (chili sauce). They are all delicious but heed my warning for the blazing hot sambal chilli – add sparingly! Café Wayan only uses fresh vegetables and the best chilies. Those are then blended and made into the sambal for the nasi campur which is very hot and spicy yet addictive!

I ended my gastronomic journey with their chocolate cake. It was yummy! The cake came with small slices of banana topped with whipped cream and cherry. It is actually a funny taste in your mouth, how the rich chocolate flavor is combined with the bits of banana but that acquired taste kinda grows on you. The chocolate is not too sweet, just nice really. Café Wayan is a must-stop-place for your gastronomic adventures.

Cafe Wayan
Monkey Forest Road
Ubud, Bali
Tel : +62 361 - 975447