When you visit Bali, don’t miss to go to Jimbaran. It is a fishing village and tourist resort in Bali, Indonesia. Located just at the south of Ngurah Rai International Airport, the beach is cluttered with seafood restaurants and some of the finest luxury hotels in the world.
Jimbaran is well-known as tourist’s (both domestic and international) favourite place to enjoy the real taste of delicious Balinese grilled fish (ikan bakar). From Kuta/Nusa Dua/Legian are about 15 minutes, and 30 minutes from Denpasar. There are 3 areas where you can find seafood restaurants:
1. Jimbaran Bay/Muaya Beach Area 1
There are many seafood restaurants and cafes along Muaya’s Beach to Four Seasons Hotel. Access to this area is from Jl. Raya Uluwatu, near Bali Intercontinental Hotel.
There are 2 favourite restaurants here Manega and Nyoman, therefore actually most of the restaurants here have same menu. Average price is above Rp. 50.000, – per portion per person. Usually contains if fish (you can choose type of the fish), prawn, squid, rice, vegetables and 3 different of sambal, including ‘sambal mentah’ Bali (Bali typical of raw sambal). If you want to eat lobster or crab, you need to pay extra … which means more expensive. Thing that made Jimbaran Grilled fish is different is because all the fish is marinated with special spices and grilled over a fire of coconut husks (batok kelapa) rather than charcoal grilled. Make it very delicious! And you can enjoy it with the view of the beautiful beach and sunset!
2. Jimbaran Bay/Jimbaran Area 2
Located more toward north from Jimbaran area 1, this place was actually a former area for grilled fish restaurants before its expanded. To get here you can go to Jl. Pamelisan Agung, near Jimbaran Traditional market, then straight forward to the beach where you can park your vehicles. From here you can see restaurants and cafes in the left side. Menu and price is the same as Jimbaran area 1.
3. Jimbaran Bay/Kedonganan Area 3
It’s located near Ngurah Rai Airport, north side of the Jimbaran Beach. Also many seafood restaurants here with same menu, but some have price lower than Rp. 50.000,- per portion. This area is also close with fish market Kedonganan where you can buy fresh fish from the fisherman. If you want to take home ‘Ikan Bakar’, they also offers you to grill it with special marinate just like in restaurants, also get some sambal. You only need to pay thousand rupiah per kilo of fish.
The best time to eat here is ‘late afternoon’, when you still can enjoy the beautiful blue sky, listen the sound of the waves, while waiting for the sunset. It’s an unforgettable moment to see when the sun slowly disappears … the sky turn into red … and suddenly it’s dark … no more brightness … only the reflection of the moon light on the water.
To create more romantic air, all restaurants in Jimbaran are using candles or small light … great place for romantic dinner with your loved one!
