A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Canggu Cafes.

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Bali’s cafe and coffee culture is huge, and hip Canggu is no exception. There are plenty of Canggu cafes people flock to for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, to work or  to socialize. Most follow the Bali trend of healthy menus, some are more concerned about being Instagrammable, and others are great for families full of decadent choices. And many offer a good mix. 

It seems new cafes pop up in Canggu all the time though it is nice to see that some local favorites have stood the test of time and survived the pandemic. 

Don’t know where to start your day in Canggu? Check out my go-to spots below. And if you are in the mood for a fancy dinner instead, you can read all about my favorite restaurants in Canggu here. 

My go-to Canggu Cafes

Shady Shack

Shady it is but in a good way as you are sitting in a leafy garden at Shady Shack. Following the success of the former Betelnut, Shady Shack has been around for almost a decade and has become a staple amongst the Canggu cafes. Everyone seems to have a favorite dish at Shady Shack. Mine happens to be the Nori Bowl and the Sticky Bircher with grilled pineapple. 

All other options are vegan or vegetarian, equally healthy and scrumptious. In addition, smoothie bowls, healthy shots, different lattes, slushies, juices, and so much more. The vegan cake is also really good!

The setting spreads over a little garden with some big communal tables and Balinese day beds, and for now, you are still looking at one of the few remaining rice paddies in the middle of Canggu. Long may it last but it seems at least Shady Shack has staying power. 

Cafe Vera

I love Bar Vera. I think the setting is cool, the menu is interesting, and I really like that they have sparkling water on tap with a per-person price for the whole evening. Honestly, if you are looking for an all-around great restaurant in Canggu, I recommend you head there. 

They have recently extended their opening hours and menu during the day, called Cafe Vera. 

On the menu, a mix of brunch classics and interesting lunch dishes. The choices aren’t overwhelming, though, something I appreciate. One poached egg dish, one scrambled, one omelette, as well as some decadent dishes like hash browns with egg yolk (sort of the opposite of places serving egg white scramble), and a Vera McMuffin. 

I, however, was in a lunch mood and started my meal with a Caesar Salad. While the dressing was not a classic Caesar dressing, the whole salad was quite light and deliciously crunchy. After I went for the crumbed fish sandwich with cabbage and gribiche. With the crust cut off, it wasn’t the easiest sandwich to eat, but the fish was both juicy and crunchy – indulgent but perfectly appropriate for lunch. 

In addition, there are a few pasta dishes on the menu as well as other mains. Sides are extra, great if you don’t want a huge plate. They have hot beverages, smoothies, homemade iced tea, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. 

Come on Sundays for their free-flow brunches, including options for house flow or premium flow. The menu sounds divine and is well-priced, too. 

Cinnamor

I wouldn’t really consider Cinnamor a cafe in Canggu, because they only have three tiny tables and a counter. However, I was in the vicinity and my friend had declared they have the best matcha latte in town. 

They don’t only make matcha latte, though, but other matcha variations (think matcha strawberry shenanigans) as well as buns. Classic cinnamon buns and also pistachio, Oreo cookies, strawberries & cream, etc. 

A nice fact I did not know: they are completely vegan. I only found out when asking for regular milk with my matcha. Ups. Personally, I don’t like non-dairy milk in my matcha, but it was still a really good latte. I also went for a pistachio bun, which was lovely, but couldn’t compare to my favorite bun of all time: cardamom buns from Pauline’s in Cape Town.

Still, if you are looking for a vegan cafe in Canggu without an overwhelming menu, this might be the place for you. 

Deli

I have walked past Deli countless times, but since I am such a creature of habit, I never went in. The other day, I was staying at ZIN and was looking for a quick bite to eat, so I finally gave them a try. 

On the menu are various simple sandwiches and a few hot and cold beverages. I went for a fried chicken sandwich that came with a soft brioche bun and a chicken double the size of the bun. I’d call it a fancy version of a McChicken – it was delicious and hit all the right notes of comfort food. 

The matcha latte was also really good, but the staff was a standout – extremely friendly and fast too. I’d be keen to try more!

Fold

Fold has firmly established their place on the Canggu cafe seen. They brought a whole bunch of treats from Paris and are said to have the best croissants in Bali. In addition, breads, madeleines, choux pastries, and danishes. The dough is crispy or chewy, sweet or savory but always buttery and very delicious. 

The interior is cool and modern while the dough work centers around the classics: croissants, pain au chocolat, tartes, and more.

They also offer a few lovely sandwiches and egg options for breakfast. I really enjoyed their cured butterfish bagel which is served with homemade chips. And their Ceasar’s Salad is the best I have found in Bali. The dressing is on fire! Just don’t order extra salmon because the portion is tiny for what you pay. 

The one thing I didn’t like is their set-up: you order at one place, pay at another, go sit and wait for your food, and get up again if you want to order something more. It doesn’t invite to linger but maybe that is the point. If you are just here for a quick bite of delicious flaky dough it doesn’t matter in any case. Definitely avoid it on the weekends as it gets super crowded but rather come early during the week for a quick breakfast.

Kynd

By now there are a few vegan cafes in Canggu however, Kynd is still the OG somehow. It opened a few years after their location in Seminyak. It isbright and pink, and very close to Bodyworks, offsetting a bit of the gym bro energy that waves through Jalan Nelayan. 

While the location is central, it does get quite loud here especially if you sit on the veranda. Unlike the Seminyak branch, Kynd Canggu is directly on the street. Still, the insight is light, airy, and just lovely as is the service. 

The menu is full of the same vegan classics that made Kynd Community so famous. My favorite breakfast is the avo toast with extra mushrooms, perfect if you are in the mood for a really hearty sandwich without eggs. They also have many breakfast staples, all vegan though, as well as great bowls and a good selection of coffees, juices, and elixirs. Some are more healthy than others. I also love the Creamy Tan Tan Ramen which can easily compete with my favorite Tan Tan Mian at Ba Hao in Bangkok. 

Good news for all cake fans – their delicious vegan red velvet cake is back! This is huge as this cake turned me into a cake lover. 

P.S. While not as bad as in Seminyak, Kynd in Canggu is pretty and you will see people posing and taking pictures. It is what it is, just go with it. 

Tiga

I discovered Tiga when I was in search of a relaxed cafe in Canggu. One with no influencers, gym bros, or children. Not an easy task on Jalan Nelayan. I had walked past Tiga countless times and finally decided to give it a go. It was not empty but there was so much space that I didn’t even feel bad taking a four-seater. 

The menu has all the Bali breakfast, brunch, and lunch classics and offers a mix of Balinese and international dishes. But you can tell immediately that this is a local joint and not here for IG fame – the prices are incredible! 

I ordered an avo toast with a scrambled egg on top which became my go-to dish. It was unbelievably yummy thanks to some chili oil, crumbly feta, and almond slices. And unheard of, being an avo toast, it was only Rp 50k (just over $3)! You can also build your own plate or order sides like chicken breast, smoked salmon, and veggies. 

In addition, they make a wonderful matcha latte and even better they have a matcha-cashew chocolate cluster of sorts. This was almost as good as my macadamia matcha chocolate from Hiroshima!

Honestly, this place might not be hip and happening but thank god for that. The food is great, there is always space, the staff is friendly, and the prices are unbelievable for the quality of food you get. 

The Avocado Factory

I have been reading about dedicated avocado restaurants for a while but never found one until I came to Canggu. I still remember when Avocado Factory was a rather tiny spot in the middle of a rice paddy but by now it has moved and expanded, speaking for its success. 

At Avocado Factory in Canggu, avocados as well as other ingredients come from local Balinese producers so you can feast without feeling guilty. All their dishes, sweet and savory, center around avo or at least include some. 

For most dishes that is a plus (if you like avocado of course), for other dishes it feels a bit dogmatic. Personally I don’t think a matcha latte needs avo and neither do I need a burger with a deep fried avocado as a bun. However, the croissant was salmon and avo mousse with a poached egg was incredible. 

The menu is huge and nobody will go hungry. They have an inside and covered outdoors area, the latter is for co-working. 

Neighborhood

Neighborhood was another place I tried before going to my new hair stylist on Berawa. I was booked in for a lengthy session and knew I needed sustenance. 

The interior is lovely – they have a veranda, an indoor space, and an indoor patio of sorts. One odd thing to consider: you are not allowed to use your laptop everywhere but the guy next to me was allowed to vape. Make it make sense. 

On the menu, are various brunch and breakfast classics but also some unusual options. I went for Shades of Green which comes with lots of sauteed green veggies on an edamame & pea mash and is served with soft eggs and toasted sourdough. I also ordered a side of chicken and felt like a gym bro on keto. Actually not true! I ate all of the bread and regret nothing.

They also make a collagen matcha that was lovely. I would come back for the kale and feta flatbread but if you prefer sweet bowls and breakfast, fear not – they don’t only serve healthy green food. 

Neighborhood also has a second location in Seseh. 

Milk & Madu

Milk & Madu will always remind me of my very first trips to Bali. The cafes have been around since 2014 and they have a total of 4 locations now: Ubud, Uluwatu, Canggu, and Berawa. 

They are known for all-day breakfast, good pizzas, and various special offers throughout the week. I usually tend to order their poke bowls and the “rusty anchor” pizza with seafood, and used to love the lamb and falafel salad. Unfortunately, this is off the menu as I recently discovered. 

I also like their brekkie choices, especially the corn fritters with poached eggs, extra crispy bacon, and jalapeno salsa. If you are in the mood, you can wash it all down with mimosas & co. 

By the way: While they do call their kids’ menu “little ankle biters” it is clearly meant very tongue ’n cheek. If you want an all grown brunch, you will need to find another Canggu cafe as Milk & Madu is extremely family-friendly. All of their locations are also always busy – if you want a quiet cafe in Canggu to work or to catch up on your reading, this ain’t it. 

Bokashi

I only went to Bokashi once but quickly shot to the top of my list of favorite cafes in Canggu. First of all, they have a beautiful shop downstairs where you can buy organic food and all things sustainable. This includes seeds, elixirs, and yes, Lion’s Mane. They also have shampoos and household items – chances are you will spend too much money there in very little time. 

Upstairs resembles a mix between a traditional Balinese cottage and a Japanese tea house. The menu too is decidedly Japanese. I ordered the Rice Benedict that was served with onsen eggs and miso hollandaise with a side of seaweed brioche. It reminded me of my favorite katsuobushi rice bowl breakfast in Tokyo. I was disappointed by the size of the side of hot-smoked salmon I had ordered but the rest was delicious. 

Bokashi is also one of the few places where you can get proper matcha tea without milk. I got a slice of matcha tiramisu for take-away and unfortunately, this was a disappointment. I guess I will have to go back to Kyoto after all. That said, come early, and enjoy the zen and a little piece of Japan in Bali. 

Times Beach Warung

Times Beach Warung is probably one of the hippest cafes in Canggu and preferred morning hang-out of an elite surfer crowd and their spectators. While it calls itself a “community collaboration” it is as expat cool as it gets with prices to match. The beach set-up is a little higgeldy-piggeldy but the customers are very Bali glam.

On the menu are all-day dining options with a special breakfast pastry and brunch section. To be honest, the dishes are a bit uninspired except for the green pasta with pea custard and pea shoots. However, this is one of those Canggu cafes where you don’t go to eat. Instead, get a flat white, put your feet in the sand, and enjoy a dose of sea, see and be seen. 

Copenhagen

As a non-traditional breakfast lover, Copenhagen breakfast is heaven to me. Who doesn’t love a breakfast board full of goodies especially if it means you don’t have to settle for one sandwich or one egg dish? 

Instead, Danish rye bread, creamy tuna mousse, chicken slaw, and to finish, a waffle with all the fixings. If you are feeling healthy you can also get things like chia pudding, or if you are more in a lunch kind of mood, a mini burger.

Every guest gets their own menu put together their board order with a pencil. You can choose a board with 3 or 5 little dishes from various sections on the menu, and of course, add extra if you are extremely hungry. The concept is also perfect if you prefer only proteins for brekkie or like to mix and match sweet and savory. 

The Danish rye and cinnamon buns are definitely the stars, perfect if you are a European missing a proper bakery. My advice: come early as both Copenhagen locations get crowded quickly!

Zin Cafe

I will be very honest: Zin is not my favorite Canggu cafe when it comes to food. However, they have created a little empire – hotel, spa, cafe, boutique, and Zycle – which I can appreciate. They also offer a membership that will allow you to get 20% bonus points each time you top up your payment card. I am not sure how this even works out for them in the long run but they have had it in place for a couple of years. It is a great way to save a bit of money if you come here often.

I also like Zin Cafe because it is right next to Zycle, my favorite spinning studio where I go to work when I am in town. In addition, they are basically one of the only free coworking spaces in Canggu. You can either sit in the cafe, a special bamboo structure, or a small air-conditioned room inside. Just order a matcha or something and can work pretty much as long as you want. I usually set up shop here while I am in Canggu so I have a proper space to work. 

The one downside if you are sitting in the upstairs area: people will have video calls and for some reason, guests are allowed to vape, which I absolutely hate. That said, the pros outweigh the cons for me and I have good noise-cancelling headphones. 

Over time I have tried quite a few of their dishes, both breakfast and lunch. Honestly, they are okay but even with the discount there are many Canggu cafes that are so much better for food – I would just come here for work and drinks. 

Openhouse

Openhouse is all the rage, and that’s why I have added it to the list; it is not one of my favorite Canggu cafes, but I kind of knew that before I went. 

The concept is solid: plates and bowls customized to your liking with all the macros on the menu you’d want to know. Protein is king here, while carbs are the barely tolerated stepsister. In fact, I think I was the only one with bread on her plate, which is a shame because the sourdough was delicious. 

Seriously, the food is good, and I love that you can build your own dishes. However, there is a certain kind of person who orders steak and three hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, and at Openhouse, they are not in the minority. The concept leads to an audience that resembles a Love Island cast, including a bunch of gym bros and women with rhinestones on their teeth. Yes, I am judging.

In addition, the setting isn’t the greatest, and everyone sits very close. Close enough to overhear when someone is mocking matcha (which you have just ordered a large cup of) – rich coming from someone eating like a caveman. 

Read more:

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CANGGU, BALI.

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