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Ubud Food Guide: Where To Eat

Paul
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Ubud Food Guide: Where To Eat

UBUD | Ubud, Bali, is located in an idlyic spot, surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, terraced rice paddies, and Hindu temples and shrines. Whether it’s an multi-course meal, a street food bite, or anything in between, this Ubud food guide will help you find the best spots in town for eating.

A centre of traditional crafts and dance, Ubud is a popular place for those looking for a quieter paced trip. Ubud is for those looking for a holiday focused on health, wellbeing, and mindfulness, with plenty of resorts focusing on this.

When it comes to food, there are plenty of places incorporating local and traditional herbs, teas, and ingredients into their menus. There’s also lots on offer for those wanting to try Balinese warung favourites like babi guling and nasi goreng.

In this Ubud Food Guide, updated as at August 2023, I’ll tell you the places to visit if you want to experience the best food and drink in Ubud.

I’ve placed the tips in alphabetical order, and they’re all worth checking out. Are any of your favourites listed below? Are there any places that you think should be on my Ubud food guide?

667 Seafood Ubud

One of my favourite places to eat in Ubud is 667 Seafood Ubud. It’s a simple, open-air outdoor street-side affair with an open kitchen. The menu is simple. An assortment of top quality, freshly caught local seafood, cooked over charcoal and on the woks. Things like fish, prawns, octopus, clams, mussels, and cuttlefish.

Exactly what’s on the menu at any given time is dependent on what’s fresh and good on the day. You can choose a few ways for your food to be cooked, depending on the item. Generally it’s “plain”, with a sweet and spicy Padang-style sauce, or fried.

Arteas

Arteas is a beautiful tea shop, with a retail section downstairs, and a relaxing cafe upstairs. On the menu, you’ll find some of the best teas from across Indonesia, and the world’s top tea producing countries. Teas are selected that showcase the tea traditions of the respective countries that they’re sourced from.

Each tea is brewed and prepared tableside, tea ceremony-style, with different brew and steeping times used and explained to allow visitors to experience the different subtleties and flavour profiles of each tea.

Babi Guling Gung Cung

Babi guling, aka Balinese spit-roasted suckling pig, is arguably Bali’s signature dish, and there’s a good reason for it. The flavoursome combination of tender, juicy meat; melt in your mouth fat; and crispy crackling is unbeatable.

Babi Guling Gung Cung serve some of the best babi guling in Ubud. The signature combo gets you a generous serve of meat, served with rice, sambal, and Indonesian salad. It’s one of the most affordable meals you’ll have in town, too.

Bebek Bengil

When a restaurant has a signature dish, it’s unsurprisingly a good idea to order it. At Bebek Bengil, this dish is their half deep fried duck, served with steamed rice, sambals, and veg. It’s been the best selling item since the restaurant opened in 1990, and for good reason.

The duck is wonderfully spiced. Tender meat combines with perfectly crispy skin and a layer of melt in your mouth fat below it. The sambal, which range from medium to very hot, serve to elevate each bite.

Cerita Manisan

If you’re looking for dining with a view, that doesn’t compromise on the food, you should check out Cerita Manisan. You’ll be treated to views of a a 350-year-old Javanese Joglo and beautifully restored mountain-side rice paddies. The food showcases Indonesian flavours and ingredients, in a modern way, with unique twists.

Indus

Another restaurant with a view that doesn’t compromise on the food is Indus. Offering spectacular views over the Tjampuhan valley and volcanic Mount Agung, Indus is a restaurant that focuses on Balinese-Indian dishes, with flourishes from the wider region.

Highlights include the slow cooked beef rendang; salted squid salad with avocado; and grilled eggplant with tofu, tomato sambal, and lime leaves.

Jungle Fish

If you’re looking for a relaxing drink with some quality Indonesian and international inspired snacks, Jungle Fish is the place for you. Part of the Chamung resort, but open to non-guests, Jungle Fish features and infinity pool surrounded by gardens, alongside a bar, with plenty of lounges, sofa, and sunbeds.

Room4Dessert

Room4Dessert is a dessert restaurant, with a focus on sustainability, and Balinese ingredients. Uniquely Indonesian ingredients and medicinal herbs feature prominently across the menu, which is big on flavours and minimal waste.

The tasting menu is split into three sections – savoury snacks, desserts, and petit fours. Dishes change with the seasons, and depending on what’s fresh and good at the markets at any given time.

Naughty Nuri’s

Naughty Nuri’s might be a well known chain these days, but it still appears on many Ubud food guides for good reason. The signature BBQ pork spare ribs are fantastic. They’re marinated in Balinese spices and glazed over charcoal with house BBQ sauce. Be sure to grab one of their famous margheritas, lauded by none other than Anthony Bourdain, back in the day.

Nusantara by Locavore

Sister restaurant to the Asia’s 50 Best awarded restaurant, Lovacore, Nusantara aims to showcase lesser known ingredients and regional dishes from across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands. There’s a focus not just on the food, but cultures behind the food, and a desire to protect what might otherwise be (and in some cases was thought to have been) lost over time.

Old Friends Coffee

Owned and operated by Made Sipil, who grew up on a coffee farm in Belantih, Bali, Old Friends Coffee is a great place for a cup of coffee in Ubud. Made produces, roasts, and brews the beans that he uses at Old Friends, with complete control over the bean-to-cup process. The result is delicious coffee, available in a variety of styles.

Prima Warung Pure Vegetarian

As the name suggests, Prima Warung Pure Vegetarian is a vegetarian restaurant named after the owners and chef, Prima. It’s vegetarian versions of homestyle Balinese dishes, made with love, using the best quality local produce. Be sure to try the nasi campur, and cap cay.

Reina Jungle

If you are looking for quality baked goods and pastries, made fresh on site each day, Reina Jungle is a great option. Hidden away in an unassuming jungle locale, the sourdough, croissants, cookies, and more are all quality.

RÜSTERS

RÜSTERS is a multi-function venue, operating as a coffee roastery and café, restaurant, bar, and pottery centre. Coffee is roasted and blended on site, and is some of the best in town. The menu is global inspired, made using top quality local produce, with a minimal-waste philosophy.

Ubud Raw

Ubud Raw was founded by Rolf Gibbs in 2014, when he created his first batch of raw chocolate using nothing but cacao and coconut. Today, Ubud Raw is one of the best places for raw chocolate in Ubud. Their chocolate is excellent, using the best ethically sourced organic Balinese cacao beans.

Grab a sample pack of all of the different flavours, which includes my favourites, mint and goji.

Warung Be Pasih Ubud

A great option for seafood focused Indonesian dishes, close to the popular Monkey Forest attraction, is Warung Be Pasih Ubud. The seafood is caught daily by the owner and his family so you know it’s fresh and tasty. There’s non-seafood dishes on the menu, but seafood is what they’re best at here. The pepes ikan (fish steamed in banana leaf) is excellent.

Have you been to Ubud before? What are your favourite things to eat there, and your favourite place to eat them? What would you add to this Ubud Food Guide?

Seminyak Food Guide: Where To Eat

Paul
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Seminyak Food Guide: Where To Eat

SEMINYAK | Seminyak is a Balinese city that’s known for being a popular tourist destination with a vibrant nightlife. While it’s most definitely those things, it’s also a great place to enjoy a great variety of food, which is what this Seminyak food guide is all about.

There’s popular beachside spots serving up internationally inspired cuisine, affordable local gems hidden amongst the tourist traps, and high end dining as good as you’ll find anywhere else in the region.

In this Seminyak Food Guide, updated as at August 2023, I’ll tell you the places to visit if you want to experience the best food and drink in Seminyak.

I’ve placed the tips in alphabetical order, and they’re all worth checking out. Are any of your favourites listed below? Are there any places that you think should be on my Seminyak food guide?

Babi Guling Sari Kembar

Babi guling, aka Balinese spit-roasted suckling pig, is arguably Bali’s signature dish, and there’s a good reason for it. The flavoursome combination of tender, juicy meat; melt in your mouth fat; and crispy crackling is unbeatable.

Babi Guling Sari Kembar, and its sister restaurant, Babi Guling Sari Kembar 99, serve some of the best babi guling in Seminyak. A generous serve of meat, served with rice, sambal, and Indonesian salad. It’s one of the most affordable meals you’ll have in town, too.

Bambu

Bambu is a high end restaurant set in a beautiful, casual, semi-outdoor space. The focus is on contemporary Balinese cuisine, showcasing food from Indonesia’s diverse regions, and quality Balinese produce.

Think things like kepiting soka (Sulawesi soft shell crab with jicama, rose apple salad, and sweet chilli sauce), mie kuah kepiting (Aceh fresh egg noodles with papua crab, tiger prawn, and fragrant tamarind spice broth), and bubur manis (warm Balinese coconut rice pudding with mango salad).

Biku

Biku is a popular café, set in a 150-year-old Javanese teak joglo. It offers a variety of Western and Balinese brunch and dinner dishes, and high tea. It does those things well, but why it’s on my list is for the tea.

On Biku’s tea menu, you’ll find over 50 kinds of tea, selected by Biku’s tea master, Tjok Gde Kerthyasa. Several of the teas are from Indonesia, and are quite rare. They’re brewed and prepared tableside, tea ceremony-style.

Chontea

Sticking with the topic of tea, another brilliant option for tea lovers is Chontea. Hidden on the mezzanine level of UMA Seminyak, Chontea is a Japanese-style teahouse offering a selection of the best teas from around the world.

There are some seriously exclusive and interesting teas to be found here, including many from across Indonesia. Visit for a relaxing, informative, experience that showcases tea in the best possible way.

FED

FED was started by three Balinese friends and chefs, Made, Dhanu, and Nikolas Leonard-Artha. They were living in Melbourne, training to be chefs, and subsequently working in venues across the city. In their spare time, they’d cook pop-up dinner for friends’ birthday parties, graduations, and events. They enjoyed it, so when they found themselves back in Bali when COVID hit, they ramped up the pop-up thing.

After popping up at some of Bali’s top spots, they decided to progress to the next natural step, and open their own restaurant in 2001. FED is a marriage of their Balinese heritage, and time spent in Melbourne. They don’t serve Balinese dishes, rather it’s a broadly Asian-influenced menu, showcasing the best locally sourced produce that Bali has to offer. Think modern-Australian, with a Balinese twist.

The Koop Roaster & Cafe

If you’re after a quality cup of coffee in Seminyak, you have to visit The Koop Roaster & Cafe. The team here take their bean to cup philosophy seriously, and have their own coffee farm so that they can be across all aspects of the process. The result is brilliant coffee, be it their house blend or seasonal brews, all roasted in house.

All kinds of brewing methods are available, be it black or white coffee you’re after. There’s also several unique Indonesian style brews on offer. The baked goods and brunch options are quality too.

KU DE TA

For over a decade, KU DE TA has been on visitor’s lists as a must visit Seminyak destination. There’s not much that I can say about the place that hasn’t already been said. If you’re looking to relax with a drink, and perhaps a cigar, while watching the sunset, KU DE TA is still one of the best places in town to do it.

My Place Cafe

There’s always been a small Russian community in Bali, but since the war in Ukraine started, it’s gotten a lot bigger. Several cafes and restaurants have sprung up catering to Russian tastes, meaning that you can find authentic Russian food in Seminyak.

My Place Cafe is a great place to try some things, offering classic Russian dishes like borscht, okroshka, and blini with red caviar and sour cream. Be sure to check out the baked section of the menu too, offering things like honey cake and more.

Nasi Ayam Kedewatan

Nasi Ayam (literally rice and chicken) is a dish that you must try when in Bali. Nasi Ayam Kedewatan, who have four locations across the island, is a great place to try it.

The signature Nasi Campur Ayam Kedewatan gets you a sizeable serve of tasty stuff served on a banana leaf. Nasi putih (steamed white rice), urap sayur (steamed mixed vegetables mixed with seasoned and spiced grated coconut), Ayam betutu (roast chicken), kacang ayam suwir (shredded chicken), chicken sate (chicken satay), telur (hard boiled egg), roasted peanuts, and sambal.

Naughty Nuri’s

Naughty Nuri’s might be a well known chain these days, but it still appears on many Seminyak food guides for good reason. The signature BBQ pork spare ribs are fantastic. They’re marinated in Balinese spices and glazed over charcoal with house BBQ sauce. Be sure to grab one of their famous margheritas, lauded by none other than Anthony Bourdain, back in the day.

Potato Head Beach Club

There are many reasons why Potato Head Beach Club is considered by many to be the best beach club in Bali. The view is spectacular, the atmosphere relaxed, and the food and drinks quality. Add to that, their support for local small artisans and growers, and a zero waste, low-carbon footprint philosophy, and you’ve got a venue that’s deserving of the hype.

Sangsaka

Aussie chef Kieran Morland and his partner Yukika are doing some rather special things at Sangsaka. It’s a modern Indonesian restaurant, serving classic Indonesian dishes with a twist. Family recipes from Yunika’s East Javanese heritage often inform the menu, and the results are fantastic.

Take, for example, the restaurant’s take on Mie Kepiting Pontianak. An intoxicating dish of noodles and squid ink noodles with mud crab butter & sea urchin. Its true to its roots, but something unique to the restaurant at the same time. A must try Seminyak food guide inclusion for some truly unique food.

Woobar

Along with Potato Head Beach Club, Woobar is my favourite venue of its kind in Seminyak. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a guest of the W Hotel to visit. It’s a large, multi-zoned venue, offering the expected spectacular beachfront views, along with one of the most interesting cocktail lists in town.

If you’re into it, there’s also shisha available to smoke, with a wide variety of flavours on offer.

Have you been to Seminyak before? What are your favourite things to eat there, and your favourite place to eat them? What would you add to this Seminyak Food Guide?

Viva Dash Hotel, Seminyak

Paul
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Viva Dash Hotel, Seminyak

SEMINYAK | Viva Dash Hotel Seminyak is a funky, youthful hotel, located in the heart of Seminyak, close to the beach and an array of restaurants, bars, and cafes. It’s a great option for those looking for a good value hotel that doesn’t skimp on the essentials.

Location

The hotel is very well located. It’s directly across the road from the famous Potato Head Beach Club, and a short walk from popular beachfront bars like Woobar and KU DE TA. There’s loads of restaurants, bars, and cafes withing walking distance, with options to suit all ages and tastes.

Ngurah Rai International Airport is about a half hour drive away.

Rooms

There are 139 rooms at Viva Dash Hotel Seminyak, ranging from the 32 square metre “Studio Graffiti” rooms, to the 96 square metre “Dash Two Bedroom” suites. Each room features an ‘urban’ theme, with colourful murals, and motifs painted onto the walls.

All of the rooms are air conditioned, and fitted with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, a mini-bar, safe, hairdryer, ironing facilities, tea and coffee making facilities, and an electric kettle. Each private bathroom features a simple shower, slippers, hairdryer, and toiletries.

There’s free Wi-Fi in all rooms (and throughout the hotel), and multiple Indonesian standard power outlets. The placement of the power outlets in my studio room was awkward, with one side of the double bed not having an outlet, but this is a minor inconvenience.

Do be aware that all of the rooms open out into a main area of the hotel which, given the youthful clientele that the hotel attracts, can get noisy in the early hours of the morning as people return from a big night out. Also the tap water, which is treated to adhere to safety standards, can smell faintly of chemicals at times.

Amenities

Viva Dash Hotel Seminyak features plenty of amenities for guests. There’s a fully equipped gym and sauna upstairs, along with a day spa. Also on the rooftop, you’ll find a bar and sun terrace. The views from the rooftop at sunset are particularly good, and it’s a great place to relax.

There is a pool on the ground floor, surrounded by the rooms which open up to the centre courtyard. Given its location, direct sunlight on the pool and surrounding sunbeds is limited.

For those who have a car, the hotel offers free on-site parking.

If you’re looking to hold a business meeting or private function at the hotel, there are three meeting rooms with the latest AV equipment. Each room can be configured in a variety of ways to suit your needs.

Eat & Drink

The hotel is home to two food and drink venues, the aforementioned rooftop bar, Azul, and C’est La VIE Restaurant & Bar on the ground floor.

Grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset at Azul, or head downstairs if you’re looking for a full meal. Along with the restaurant section which offers Asian inspired lunch and dinner options, along with signature cocktails, there’s also a sports bar which gets quite lively with a younger crowd in the evenings.

Viva Dash Hotel Seminyak

Jl. Petitenget No.468X
Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara
Kabupaten Badung
Bali 80361
Indonesia

Telephone: 036 1300 4666
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Core Roasters, Brunswick East

Paul
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Core Roasters, Brunswick East

MELBOURNE | Core Roasters is a new Brunswick East coffee roaster, focusing not just on fantastic coffee, but also a food offering that different than the usual Melbourne roastery.

It’s owned by partners in business and in life, Michael Allen (ex-Small Batch) and Dani Sunario, and housed inside a small warehouse just off Nicolson Street. To one side, is a long, custom-built coffee bar, and on the other, a shelf filled with beans, coffee equipment, and other foodstuffs made on site, for home. In the middle, it’s a few seats and small tables, and to the rear, the roasting equipment.

Coffee is sourced globally from ethically responsible growers and importer, with a focus on those using environmentally responsible practices. There’s a wide range of brewing options available, spanning filter to espresso, and black to white, using the milk of your choice.

If it’s some thing other than coffee you’re after, there’s things a toasted coconut and gula melaka topped kaya latte, lightly sparkling, fruit-infused teas, and hot/iced chocolate made using cacao beans that have been roasted on-site.

Former teacher and self-taught baker, Dani, focuses on flavours that she loves when creating pastries and other delicious baked things. Often tapping into her South East Asian heritage, you can expect things like kaya toast, char sui pork tarts, and vegan mushroom rendang pies. It’s all very good. A fridge full of ferments signals even more interesting things to come.

Along with coffee beans and equipment for home, you can also buy jars of many of Dani’s products. Things like kaya, chilli oil, and marmalade. I’m a particular fan of the kaya, which is much richer and smoother than that you find at the supermarket.

Core Roasters

14 Barkly Street
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Tue – Fri: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Sat – Sun: 8:00am to 3:00pm

Gdas Bali Health And Wellness Resort, Ubud

Paul
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Gdas Bali Health And Wellness Resort, Ubud

UBUD | Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort is a recently-opened luxury health and wellness resort in Ubud, Bali. It’s a place to escape from the frantic nature of life, and rejuvenate with a focus on physical and metal wellbeing.

Exceptional service and a respect for local culture and the community is a big part of the Gdas offering. Local staff are hired and paid more than the standard wage. Local, independent producers and suppliers are championed and, where possible, supply the resort.

When I visited in mid-2023, the Gdas was it its soft-launch period. This meant that I am unable to comment on ‘The Bali Eden’ which will be home to a number of fitness facilities, including a spa and the Health Suite Clinic, which were still under construction at the time.

Location

The resort is located just outside of the centre of Ubud, in a secluded spot surrounded by rice paddies, jungle, and Hindu shrines. It’s a great location, that has you feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere, when in fact you’re just a 45 minute walk, or 15 minute drive, from the heart of Ubud.

Gdas offer a regular free shuttle service to and from the resort and the centre of town, and you can organise pick ups and drop offs from anywhere with advance notice.

Rooms

There are two room types at Gdas – the Grand Deluxe Rooms, and Prestige Pool Villas. Both offer a few different view types. The rooms are contemporary, taking their cue from traditional Indonesian homes such as the distinct roofs of the regal Javanese joglo, and the Malay traditional houses of Sumatra with their tall stilts and imposing pillars.

I stayed in the Prestige Pool Villa with a garden view. It’s a spectacular suite, set across two levels. The ground floor features a semi-open living and dining area, with a fully-equipped kitchenette, overlooking a private pool

Upstairs is where you’ll find the plush, super king-sized bed, in a room with high timber vaulted ceilings. There’s a balcony with a daybed, overlooking the ground floor, and on the opposite side, the semi-open bathroom, featuring a green wall, deep soaking bath tub, regular and rain shower, and Japanese luxury toilet.

All rooms come with a gull set of deluxe Balinese toiletries, safe, kimono, slippers, umbrella, scales, lighted make-up mirror, sound dock speakers, air conditioning, 43 inch flat screen TV with satellite and cable TV options, Wi-Fi, complimentary coffee, tea, filtered drinking water dispenser, bottled water, and twice daily housekeeping. Yoga mats, irons, and ironing boards are available on request.

Power outlets are a mixture of regular Indonesian outlets, and ones featuring in-built multi-country adapters, plus USB-A and USB-C plus for charging your devices without needing an adaptor.

If you are staying in one of the Prestige Pool Villas, you will also be assigned a personal butler. You can call them or communicate with them using WhatsApp, and they’re happy to help with anything that you might need. My butler, Bayu, was fantastic. Professional, friendly, considerate, and just a great guy to chat to during my stay.

Amenities

Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort features an extensive number of amenities and facilities. There’s a swimming pool with personal shaded cabanas, library, shaded outdoor yoga shala, hot yoga room, and, a library. For events and functions, there’s a garden lounge that can be configured in a variety of ways.

When The Bali Eden opens next door to the resort later this year, it will offer guests an much expanded selection of amenities. These include a day spa, gym, health suite, steam room, sauna, plunge pool, and more. Based on the traditional Usadha Bali philosophy combined with modern technology and science, there will be consultants available to develop bespoke wellness plans for guests.

Eat & Drink

Tangi restaurant is where the resort’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner service occurs. It’s a fully vegan offering, featuring a seasonal menu of local produce, inspired by Balinese culinary traditions, and those from further abroad. Chef Wayan Mulyawan has worked around the world, and leads the kitchen in creating dishes that will appeal to everyone.

I’m not a vegan, and I really enjoyed the food at Tangi. It’s things like smoothie bowls, gado gado, tofu masala curry, vegetable burgers, and jackfruit mushroom spring rolls. There’s no alcohol served here, rather it’s things like local teas, detox drinks, juices, smoothies, and mocktails.

A second vegan restaurant, Lanang Wadon, will be opening next door later on in the year, as part of the ‘Bali Eden’ expansion.

Gdas Bali Health And Wellness Resort

Jl. Cempaka
Banjar Kumbuh, MAS, Kecamatan Ubud
Kabupaten Gianyar
Bali 80571
Indonesia

Telephone: 036 1908 3131
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Mr Gonzo, North Melbourne

Paul
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0
Mr Gonzo, North Melbourne

MELBOURNE | Mr Gonzo is a Colombian café that I was first alerted to during 2021’s big lockdown. Somehow two years passed (you know the way it is) before I finally managed to visit, which I did for What’s On Melbourne the other day.

It’s a small place, a simple fitout with a few tables and seats inside and out. Latin American music plays on the speakers as you peruse the menu, and a quick glance at the customers, with the sound of Spanish being spoken by most, lets you know that you’re in a place that’s popular with Colombians. All very good signs.

I fell in love with Colombian food when I visited the country a few years ago, and am always happy when I find it in Australia. A sizeable Colombian immigrant community has established itself in Melbourne over the past decade. As the number of Colombians in this city increases, so too do the options for delicious Colombian food.

At Mr Gonzo, you’ll find a selection of classic breakfast and lunch options. Colombian-style empanadas are a much, with a light and crispy corn-based shell encasing fillings like beef and potato; cheese; and red beans, pork belly, and rice. Arepas, filled with things like beef, chicken, and vegetables, are also a must try. I love the mollejas filling – marinated chicken giblets, with optional cheese and avocado.

For bigger dishes, it’s hard to go past the two most popular menu options. For breakfast, it’s the tamal. A generous serve of rice, pork, chicken, egg, carrot, and green beans, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. It’s hearty, filling stuff. Same goes for the lechona. This sees rice, pork, and green beans, wrapped in pork skin and slow roasted for 10 hours. served with pork crackling, it’s irresistible.

There’s also things like a Criollo hot dog, patacones (flattened and fried plantains with assorted toppings), and daily specials. The latter showcases regional Colombian specialities like ajiaco (a chicken and potato soup that’s popular in Bogota), and sancocho (a hearty chicken and potato stew, popular in Antioquia).

Colombians might love their meat, but vegans need not fear. There’s are plenty of vegan options on the menu, and most of what’s on offer in gluten-free. There’s Colombian drinks like rich hot chocolate, sour lulo juice, and Pony Malta, and a small selection of Colombian chips, chocolates, and other snacks available to-go.

Mr Gonzo

28 Melrose Street
North Melbourne
Victoria 3051
Australia

Telephone: 0449 536 317
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 8:00am to 6:00pm

Black Hops Brewing, East Brisbane

Paul
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Black Hops Brewing, East Brisbane

BRISBANE | Black Hops Brewing is intrinsically linked to the Gold Coast, but the idea to start the brewery back in 2014 actually started at a bar in Brisbane. In 2020, things came full circle, with Black Hops acquiring the space that was home to Semi-Pro Brewing (several of the Semi-Pro team stayed on), and converting into a Black Hops taproom.

It’s a simple warehouse space, welcoming and popular with locals and the post-game Gabba crowd. There’s a downstairs section, home to the bar, lots of standing and seating space, and brewing equipment, and a mezzanine floor. There’s fridges to the side with takeaway cans for home.

On tap, you’ll find the Black Hops core range of beers, along with limited releases, and beers brewed on-site that you won’t find elsewhere. A tasting paddle is the best way to try a few things – you can choose any four beers you like.

Hornet, a 6.0% ABV IPA features notes of stone fruit and citrus. It’s one of Black Hops’ most popular beers and is well worth a try. If you want something punchier, there’s an 8.7% Double IPA version, Super Hornet. Be sure to check out the AWOL range of beers. It’s Black Hops’ barrel aging program with things like wild yeast fermented sours aged in wine barrels sourced from local wineries.

There’s no kitchen on site, but there’s usually a food truck outside, and you’re more than welcome to bring in your own food, or order something in from one of the many nearby restaurants.

Black Hops Brewing

2/65 Manilla Street
East Brisbane
Queensland 4169
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Wed – Thu: 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 9:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Future Magic Brewing Co., East Brisbane

Paul
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Future Magic Brewing Co., East Brisbane

BRISBANE | Future Magic Brewing Co. was opened in 2023 by former office workers, colleagues, and friends Sean Astill and Rhys Pike. The duo bonded over a love of craft beer and brewing, and honed their skills after quitting their jobs, working at breweries and drawing inspiration (and learning about the industry) from breweries around the world.

The crowdfunded brewpub, conveniently just a short walk from the Gabba, has been a hit with locals since it opened. It’s a simple warehouse space, filled with locals, families, and the post-footy crowd. It’s got a great vibe, laid back and friendly.

There’s 12 taps behind the bar, featuring Future Magic’s core range, rotating seasonal beers, and a couple of ciders. A tasting paddle gets you four beers of your choice. Galaxy Dust is a 6.0% double dry hopped New England IPA with big citrus notes. For something sessionable, try the 3.5% ABV Magic Stick. It’s an easy drinking Pale Ale with a nice malt and citrus balance.

The wood fired pizzas are quality, with classic options like Marghertia, Pepperoni, and Capricciosa. There’s also things like arancini, salt and pepper calamari, and fries. For those with dietary requirements, there’s vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options on offer.

Future Magic Brewing Co.

32 Manilla Street
East Brisbane
Queensland 4169
Australia

Telephone: (07) 3159 4954
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Thu – Sat: 12:00pm to 9:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm to 8:00pm

Working Title Brew Co., Newstead

Paul
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Working Title Brew Co., Newstead

BRISBANE | Working Title Brew Co. was founded by Luke Shield and Mark Howes in 2021, as a small-batch contract brewery, brewing out of Newstead Brewing. When Newstead Brewing moved to their larger Milton space last year, Luke and Mark jumped at the opportunity to take over the Newstead space and make it their own.

It’s a casual, open space, that makes the most of the building’s bones and natural materials. It’s not too changed from what it was – nowadays there’s an enclosed beer garden out the front, booth seating, and a few pinball machines – including an old Star Trek The Next Generation pinball machine that was destined for the scrapheap when the boys discovered and saved it.

You won’t find any core range beers at Working Title, instead its a rotating selection of core styles like pilsner, IPA, and Pale Ale, and limited, seasonal releases. It’s an innovative brewery, and you’ll often see beers using experimental hops and malts, and beer styles not often seen in Australia.

There’s 12 taps behind the bar, with tasting paddles available, and a fridge filled with cans to drink at the venue or take home. Limited releases might include things like the ‘Take Five’, a choc-caramel peanut butter cup double milk stout, and ‘Panic Room’, a piney Double West Coast IPA brewed with eight different hops, added at various stages of the brew.

To eat, it’s an East Asian-influenced, minimal waste, nose-to tail offering that’s a cut above your usual brewpub fare. Think ox tongue, kimchi, pickle, and gruyere toasties; togarashi, gochujang mayo, and lime fried chicken skins; and pig head and blue cheese croquette bao with cucumber, and pickled red onion. Dietaries are well catered for, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

Working Title Brew Co.

85 Doggett Street
Newstead
Queensland 4006
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Sun, Wed – Thu: 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 12:00am

Flying Virgin Australia Economy Class From Denpasar To Melbourne

Paul
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Flying Virgin Australia Economy Class From Denpasar To Melbourne

TRAVEL | Virgin Australia operates daily flights between Denpasar and Melbourne. The Boeing 737-800 (“737”) is currently used on the route, and travellers can choose between Economy and Business Class. The average flight time on this route is 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Check In

Online check-in is not available for international short haul Virgin Australia flights to or from Australia. Unfortunately the only option is to line up at the check in counter and wait for a staff member to check you in, even if you only have carry on luggage. The process at the counter itself is straight forward, but with everyone on the flight having to join the one line, many of whom have bags to check in, it can take a while to move through.

Luggage

Checked luggage is included with all Virgin Australia Economy tickets when flying international short haul. You can check-in one bag up to 23kg (on Choice and Flex fares, Lite fares do not include checked luggage), and up to two carry-on bags with a combined weight of no greater than 7kg. There is no option to purchase additional carry-on luggage, however you can purchase additional checked luggage.

Service

Service is the typical Virgin Australia service that I’ve experienced over the years. Friendly staff who are find the right balance between being cheerful, talkative and fun without sacrificing professionalism and efficiency.

Cabin

The Virgin Australia Economy cabin on the 737 that flies from Denpasar to Melbourne features 168 seats, in a 3-3 layout. There are enough flight attendants around so getting the attention of someone should you need assistance isn’t an issue. Colour wise it’s white, grey and purple, keeping in line with Virgin’s branding. When it comes to cleanliness, everything nice and clean.

Seat

The leather seat has dimensions of about 76cm x 43cm, on the smaller end of the scale for a full service airline, but in line with what you find on most low cost airlines flying this sort of distance. Like any economy seat, it doesn’t recline that far back. There’s an adjustable cushioned headrest which is handy when you want to get some sleep.

There are small armrests, and a leather pocket sleeve and secondary mesh sleeve at the back of the seat in front to place a few things. There’s not much space to get work done with the tray down if you’ve got a laptop, but for a tablet sized device it’s possible to get some productive stuff done.

There’s a USB port for charging devices, but do be aware that it’s a slower, USB-A type port.

If you want extra legroom and a larger seat, you can upgrade to an ‘Economy X’ seat, for a fee.

Entertainment

There are no screens on the back of the seats, and tablets are not included. If you want access to Virgin Australia’s in-flight entertainment, you will need to bring your own Wi-Fi enabled device, one that has a modern web browser installed. You’ll also need your own headphones, lest you risk the wrath of annoying those around you while playing audio through your speakers.

Connecting to the in-flight entertainment is simple, however it can drop out from time to time. On it, you’ll find a general selection of the latest movies and TV shows, plus music and a few radio stations and podcasts.

Food

Food isn’t included with Virgin Australia’s Economy tickets, but you can purchase from the on-board menu. Food options include things like sandwiches, noodle bowls and a variety of snacks and drinks – alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Purchases can be made by Visa and Mastercard credit & debit cards or American Express. Be sure to bring your physical payment card, as mobile payment options are not accepted.

Amenities

No amenities are included with a Virgin Economy ticket.

Verdict

I flew Virgin Australia international quite a lot pre-COVID, before they went into administrations. This is the first time that I’ve flown them internationally post COVID, and the experience is quite different than it was, on short haul international at least. While the service, cleanliness, and general “Virgin Australia” vibe are the same, there’s no doubting that the offering is a more budget one than the Virgin of old.

Think of it as being partway between Jetstar, and what Virgin was. Measured against that new benchmark, it does well, and I’d happily fly this route again. Just don’t expect the full service experience that you used to get.

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