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Hospitable hangouts in Ubud
Aside from being known as the venue of an internationally acclaimed annual writers and readers festival, Ubud boasts friendly and welcoming cafés
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Aside from being known as the venue of an internationally acclaimed annual writers and readers festival, Ubud boasts friendly and welcoming cafés.
You're on vacation in Ubud, but you still have deadlines that can't be missed. As you open your laptop in public, people around you start giving you that unpleasant stare, like those 'it' girls did at school. You probably act like you don't care, but what you need is 'workcation' amenities.
In other words, you need a place that will help you relax and get down with your laptop and a cup of coffee to writing the first draft of a novel, sexy lyrics, a diary or whatever you want to write.
The criteria of the place are varied prices ranging from cheap to pricey in one location, relaxed waiters who smile even if you only order a single cup of coffee, comfortable seats and cozy areas from couches to gazebos and, of course, free WiFi ' in the end we still need the Internet to send in our work, right?
Bambu Indah
The first time I visited Bambu Indah, I was mesmerized by the setting of its restaurant and the breathtaking view. The best time to visit the place is in the afternoon to enjoy sunset with a bowl of ice cream or a glass of chardonnay.
Location: Sayan.
Delish dish: Balinese tempeh satay.
Best writing spot: A gazebo overlooking the Ayung River.
Café Vespa
This café is a great place to hang out with friends; the restaurant serves cuisine from Japanese to Lebanese and from sushi to hummus, both vegetarian and 'meatarian'.
Location: Penestanan.
Delish dish: Cheese platter and vegetable stack, as well as herbal teas, including lemongrass and spices or Rooibos.
Best writing spot: A long table in the corner of the room, where you might get to sit next to a good-looking fellow customer.
Kopi Desa
The ambience of this eatery gives you the sense of visiting an uncle's house in a quiet village. Make sure you slip your shoes off before entering the room. Kopi Desa's bookshelves will give your brain ammunition to overcome writer's block.
Location: Penestanan.
Delish dish: Mixed vegetable omelet and mocha.
Best writing spot: Couch on the terrace.
Round Bar
Follow the street signs to Ubud's main road. Don't forget your best shoes or your motorbike-handling skills, because you will have to climb a steep uphill road. It was a little scary for me when I first rode my motorbike to this bar, but now I find the road a pleasurable way to get a rollercoaster ride.
Round Bar is on the right side of Jl. Penestanan. I love the bar's recycled chairs and traditional pizzas. And their reggae playlist makes me feel like I'm at a beach bar.
Location: Penestanan.
Delish dish: Pizza and the Bodhi salad, accompanied by a watermelon mojito (30 percent off cocktails in the afternoon).
Best writing spot: At the round table that surrounds the bar.
Dapurku
You might know this street as Ubud's main road.
When you see the colorful paper lanterns and pennants between Guardian and Jl. Tirta Tawar, it is time to slow down ' those are Dapurku's decorations. Just enter the place and get your laptop out.
Dapurku offers delightful self-serve Sundanese cuisine such as grilled or deep-fried freshwater fish with a Jakartan twist: nasi uduk (rice cooked in coconut milk). And on top of that there are free rice crackers with your meal.
Location: Raya Ubud.
Delish dish: Rib soup after 3 p.m.
Best writing spot: A lesehan, or chairless table where you can sit on a floor mat overlooking the street ' but if you're very hungry, choose a table near the buffet.
Abe Do Organic
From Dapurku go east and turn left on Jl. Tirta Tawar. This is my favorite cycling route, as the road is very smooth and quiet. You also get a heavenly view of rice fields.
Abe Do is a small café, so visit it at off-peak hours and get ready for a taste of Balinese fusion cuisine.
Location: Tirta Tawar.
Delish dish: Sweet sticky spicy tofu and grilled chicken.
Best writing spot: The table facing the front door.
Kebun Bistro
From Tirta Tawar, go back west through Raya Ubud, then turn left on Jl. Hanoman. The place has a French vibe, from its chandeliers, chairs and window frames to, of course, the cuisine.
Location: Hanoman.
Delish dish: French onion soup and Moroccan lamb shanks.
Best writing spot: An outdoor table, but close your laptop ' write with a real pen in a real notebook.
Kafe
I secretly call this place 'Kafe Hanoman'. Located only 2 meters from Kebun Bistro, Kafe features a variety of cold and hot dishes served in a comfortable atmosphere.
Location: Hanoman.
Delish dish: Pesto and herb feta, with extra olive oil, please.
Best writing spot: Second-floor balcony.
Pizza Bagus
From Hanoman, head directly south, and stay alert for Pizza Bagus on the right side of the street. Their pizza tastes good and is affordable. The restaurant also has a gourmet deli where you can find imported delights along with local dried herbs.
Location: Raya Pengosekan.
Delish dish: Any kind of pizza with extra extra mozzarella.
Best writing spot: At the urban table near the entrance door.
Warung Sopa
From Raya Pengosekan, go straight to the south and turn right on Jl. Nyuh Kuning. Slow down, as Warung Sopa is very near the intersection, on the right side of Jl. Nyuh Kuning.
This vegetarian restaurant also features an organic market every Wednesday morning. And here's an extra indulgence: you can get a Balinese massage and foot reflexology right next to the restaurant.
Location: Nyuh Kuning.
Delish dish: Lumpia (fried spring rolls) with raw Balinese sambal.
Best writing spot: On a lesehan in the corner of the room.
Happy wr(eat)ing, folks!
(Valiant Vabyo/jakpost.travel)
