I say it all the time, Bali is my favorite place on Earth! And it’s my favorite place on Earth because it’s essentially EVERYTHING I love about California (and I love A LOT about my second home state) at much cheaper prices than I can find in LA.
It has roughly the same weather (except for the humidity), same lifestyle (health junkies unite), same proximity to beautiful beaches and amazing surf breaks (plus all the hot surfers that come with haha), and it’s even starting to get some of my favorite eats from back home! All I need is a Disneyland Bali and my best friend and I’ll really never leave!
So whether you’re from Cali and missing some of your favorite comfort foods like me, or you’ve never been to Cali and don’t see it happening for you anytime soon but have always wanted that Cali experience… head to these 5 restaurants to get some of the BEST Cali eats at Bali’s idea of “high-end” prices… aka dirt cheap for LA.
Animal-Style Fries @ Black Sand Brewery
Yup, you heard me right: Bali has “knock-off” In-N-Out Animal Style Fries and I am DEFINITELY not mad about it. While I do think they need to add wayyy more cheese to the top and they are more expensive than at In-N-Out (which is understandable since In-N-Out is fast food and this definitely is not), I would be lying if I said these fries didn’t tase EXACTLY like the West-Coast burger joint’s most famous, not-so-secret-menu item. Next time I go, I’m going to order extra cheese on top and see if I can order the fries “well done” just like at In-N-Out; Fingers crossed!
*Added bonus: Although it shouldn’t come as a surprise, Black Sand Brewery is also a craft brewery (and it’s actually the FIRST in Canggu), so just like I would back in Cali, get yourself a craft beer, pretend you can taste the difference between it and any other beer, and shove your face full of cheeseburgers and fries… enjoy!
Cost: $5
Website: Black Sand Brewery
Location: Pantai Batu Bolong St, Canggu, North Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361
Cali Burrito @ Two Fingers
While it took some searching, I finally found a Mexican food restaurant in Bali that serves (and yes it’s actually on the menu, you don’t have to make a special request) a California burrito! For those of you who do not know what that is, a California burrito is everything incredible about a carne asada burrito, but with French Fries placed right next to the meat to soak up all the delicious meat juices and fat and add a yummy, potato-y crunch. While they taste BEST after a night out of drinking, once you get hooked, trust me you’ll even want to eat one for breakfast!
Two Fingers in Berawa differs slightly from the traditional California burrito, but only in the fact that they let you choose whether you want chicken, pork, or beef… however, since giving people MORE options is VERY California (possibly very American in general) I’m willing to give them a pass. My personal recommendation though, get the beef: it’s a classic because it’s the best.
*Added bonus: They also serve Mexican Elote (aka corn on the cob), which is one of my FAVORITE street-food items back home!
Cost: $6.25
Website: Two Fingers
Location: Jl. Pantai Berawa No.101A, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
BBQ Chicken Pizza @ Flat Stanley’s
California Pizza Kitchen started an entire pizza culture on the West Coast when it launched its BBQ chicken pizza. The East coast has its thin-crust vs. deep dish war going on, but Cali is the reigning king when it comes to weird – but stupid delicious – pizza toppings.
And Flat Stanley in Seminyak delivers Cali-inspired pizza selections in spades. While their BBQ chicken is fantastic if you’re looking for classic Cali, it’s also worth trying their truffle pizza (based on another California obsession), their pumpkin and kale pizza, and their rocket pizza, which replaces standard tomato sauce for homemade pistachio pesto – it is seriously just everything your mouth never knew it always wanted!
*Added bonus: Do yourself a favor and order their Nutella Snickers bar for dessert. It’s made entirely from scratch (just like EVERYTHING in their kitchen) and is so good you’ll wish EVERY Snickers you ate tasted just like this! I just ate one and I’m already planning to go back this week for another!
Cost: $8.50
Website: Flat Stanley
Location: Jl. Petitenget No.35, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
California-Style Avocado Toast @ The Loft
While California didn’t invent avocado on toast, we DEFINITELY popularized it to the point where avocado toast is now practically synonymous with a California, health-obsessed, workout-crazed lifestyle. And the BEST avocado toast – in my opinion – is hands-down the California-style avocado toast: In Cali, we keep things simple with just fresh, in-season, delicious slices of avocado, a squeeze of lime, some salt and pepper, and a sprinkle of chili flakes for that Mexican-inspired kick that has taken over Californian cuisine.
Let’s be real for a second, I’m not suggesting you can’t get avocado toast literally EVERYWHERE in Bali – you absolutely can… But, you can only get the simple perfection of California-style avocado toast at The Loft in Canggu. Insider tip: While I usually go for slices of avocado, in Bali I recommend getting it smashed: the avocados in Bali just aren’t on the same level as Cali avocados – they’re more watery than creamy and have less flavor… you’ve been warned.
*Added bonus: Order a charcoal latte with almond milk and you’ll have the full “Cali” experience (at a Bali price!)
Cost: $4.75
Website: The Loft
Location: Pantai Batu Bolong St No.50A, Canggu, North Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361
Acai Bowls @ Acai Queen
I remember ordering Acai bowls at Jamba Juice in San Diego over a decade ago. I don’t know if California was the place to popularize this delicious Brazilian frozen-berry treat, and I don’t even really care. Because when I go back home, after Sugarfish and In-N-Out, one of the first things I eat is Acai. And Acai queen in Ubud serves up Acai bowls JUST like the ones I used to get at Jamba Juice growing up – so obviously, I’m a big fan!
Get it with tons of fruit toppings (mango and passion fruit are my personal favorite) and some granola if you just finished up an intense morning workout and need a little extra energy to get you through the day.
*Added bonus: Acai Queen also serves Acai as dessert if you want an after-lunch or after-dinner treat – you can even order it in a folded waffle (not a waffle cone, since it’s soft not crunchy) with chocolate drizzled on top!
Cost: $4.50
Website: Acai Queen
Location: Jl. Gootama No.02, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
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