When visiting Bali, one of the things we enjoy most is dining at restaurants surrounded by nature. There’s something about enjoying a meal in an open-air setting, away from the usual enclosed dining spaces that makes the experience feel more relaxing.
Amidst our sight-seeing activities in Ubud, we stopped by Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge, a popular restaurant located in the Tegallalang area, not far from Ubud.
Known for its beautiful bamboo-inspired architecture, lush greenery and relaxed alfresco dining atmosphere, Tebasari offers a mix of traditional Balinese and international dishes.
We ordered the Bebek Betutu, BBQ Pork Ribs and Chicken Satay, more kids-friendly options for the 2 girls.
Overall, the food was not bad, but what stood out for us was the comfortable dining environment and prompt service, even though the restaurant was almost fully occupied during our visit.
Beautiful Alfresco Dining Without the Heat
One of the biggest highlights of Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge is undoubtedly its ambience.
The restaurant features an open-air dining concept, with traditional bamboo structures, high ceilings and views of the surrounding greenery.
The natural surroundings and open-air layout created a relaxing atmosphere, making it a pleasant place to sit down and enjoy a meal after exploring Bali.
Bebek Betutu – Traditional Balinese Spiced Duck
One of the dishes we ordered was the Bebek Betutu, a traditional Balinese duck dish.
Betutu is a popular Balinese preparation in which duck or chicken is seasoned with a mixture of aromatic local spices and cooked until the flavours develop.
At Tebasari, the Bebek Betutu is served with traditional accompaniments, including rice, vegetables and sambal.
It was nice to include a traditional Balinese speciality in our order.
BBQ Pork Ribs – A Familiar Favourite
We also ordered the BBQ Pork Ribs, another popular choice on the restaurant’s menu.
Bali has many pork dishes primarily because of its unique Hindu majority culture which is different from the rest of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country where pork is forbidden.
Tebasari’s version features grilled marinated pork ribs accompanied by rice, vegetables and condiments.
Taste-wise, our overall impression of the meal was that it was not bad, although nothing particularly exceptional.
The BBQ Pork Ribs provided a good alternative to the more traditional Balinese flavours of the Bebek Betutu.
It’s also a convenient option for diners with young children as they might not be used to the local spices.
Chicken Satay – A Classic Indonesian Dish
Another dish we tried was the Chicken Satay, a familiar favourite across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Satay consists of skewered meat grilled over heat and commonly served with a savoury sauce.
The version of satay differs with the country that you are in as the satay marinade and sauce are unique to each country and their culture.
For example in Singapore, the Malays and the Chinese Hainanese have their own interpretation of the satay dish and both are delicious.
Chicken satay is also a relatively approachable choice for diners who may not be particularly adventurous with local food.
For our meal, it added some variety to the table, alongside the duck and pork ribs.
Almost Full House, but Service Was Prompt
One thing we noticed during our visit was how popular Tebasari appeared to be.
The restaurant was almost full when we were there, with many tables occupied.
Considering the size of the establishment, it was quite impressive to see so many diners enjoying their meals.
Despite the crowd, the service remained prompt.
Is Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge Worth Visiting?
I think Tebasari is one of those restaurants where the overall dining experience matters just as much as the food.
If you’re visiting purely in search of exceptional Balinese cuisine, there are certainly many other restaurants and local warungs around Bali worth exploring.
However, if you’re looking for somewhere pleasant to enjoy a meal surrounded by greenery, Tebasari makes a good option.
The restaurant offers a comfortable open-air environment, a varied menu and efficient service.
For us, the food was decent, but the alfresco ambience and prompt service were the main highlights.
Final Verdict: Comfortable Dining, Decent Food and Good Service
Overall, we had a pleasant dining experience at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge.
What impressed us more was the overall environment.
Despite the restaurant being almost full, the service was prompt, and the alfresco dining area remained comfortable without feeling too warm.
Would I recommend Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge? Yes, especially if you’re looking for a relaxing restaurant with a nice atmosphere while exploring Tegallalang or Ubud.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge
Jl. Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KTHZ2i2cZ5vXUGQx9
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