Seeking Great Food in Ubud
There are a lot of great places to eat in Ubud. Some are well known, such as Café Wayan, Naughty Nuri’s, Mosaic, Bridges, Murni’s Warung, Ibu Oka, Casa Luna, and Lotus Café. But, some of the best are still the least known. As we have mentioned in the past, one could eat in Ubud for months and easily never get bored or have to have the same thing. Part of the magic of Ubud is the prevalence of high-quality food in little “holes in the wall”.
We all have our “secret spots.” Those tiny, hidden joints that serve up some of the best culinary treats one can find. It can be a number of things that make it special; the price, the location, the people, and, of course, the taste. Whatever the reason, Ubud is full of places like this. There are so many great places to eat you tend to develop your favorites and often miss out on some very excellent options.
There are no less than four great, authentic Italian restaurants in Ubud, all with genuine Italian chefs. The sheer variety is incredible. Even in big cities, you seldom have this much choice and certainly not in such a small area. There is always good food when you go on vacation, but Ubud sets the bar very high in this regard. There is nowhere else that I know of that offers as many options, much quality, or better prices.
We are blessed to know of a delightful, little place that has so far remained relatively undiscovered by the tourist trail and is likely to stay that way for the time being.
Café Vespa in Penestanan, only 5 minutes by car from central Ubud, is one of these “hidden gems.” Most well-known for its generous and high-quality breakfasts, this charming café offers those-in-the-know a real treat. With fresh spring water on tap, professional-grade baking ovens, and some of the best coffee in Ubud, Café Vespa is an exceptional choice for people who are not in a rush to enjoy a moment to relax, read the paper, or chat with a newly-made friend.
Try the spinach, avocado, mushroom, and feta with eggs on ciabatta or choose a homemade blueberry Danish with a freshly brewed long black with warm milk. Muesli, vegetables, dahl, quiche, pancakes, and salad are all well done. Cakes, pastries, and pies are a specialty of the professional bakery chef.
The casual seating, pillows, cushions, and boutique decoration make the atmosphere homey, inviting guests to stay a while. Grab a book, recent newspaper, or other literature to catch up on the scene in Ubud, or just bring your “device” and surf the net on the free wireless. The close quarters and new-found popularity of this place make meeting new people easy and fun.
If you are staying at a villa or hotel in Ubud, you can catch a taxi here for just a couple of dollars. You can even walk or ride a bike. The interesting traditional Balinese temple across the street makes the place feel genuine. Café Vespa seems like it is for local expatriates but is just a short walk from the Four Seasons!
