Destinations  »  Asia  »  Indonesia

Balibola:

The Best Flexitarian Food in Bali

Dates Visited: December 2018

I (Molly) stumbled across Balibola on my Instagram feed one day while I was drooling over Bali pictures from travel accounts I follow. When we finally made it, I was basically foaming at the mouth to. I'm so glad we did because it was absolutely best flexitarian food in Bali.

On our first day in North Kuta we headed there for brunch. We weren’t the only couple there at 9:00am snapping pics with iPhones and DSLR cameras. Most were gathered around the IG famous sign that reads, “Baby. I’m just Balifornia Dreaming” against a baby blue wall. It was hot and humid, so we grabbed a table inside, a few coffees, and a ginger lime kombucha to start off.

Huevos Estrellados

Josh ordered the Huevos Estrellados: Spanish style fried eggs over thinly sliced potatoes baked in coconut oil, with a sprinkle of vegan bacon bits, and sourdough bread on the side.

Balibola: the best flexitarian food in Balibola: the best flexitarian Huevos Estrellados in Bali
Bali Bola: Huevos Estrellados
Vegan-nana

I got the Vegan-nana: banana & oat pancakes drizzled with berry compote, baby blue vegan whipped cream, vegan coconut ice cream, with a large syringe of maple syrup included on the side.

Balibola: the best flexitarian food in Balibola: the best flexitarian Vegan-nana in Bali
Balifornia Dreamin': The Flexitarian Tribe

What is a Flexitarian? It's a person who is mostly vegetarian but will eat meat or fish on occasion. Typically they eat fish or meat when there are no other options available. However, the purpose behind this restaurant is to offer the best flexitarian food in Bali. Allowing both vegetarians and meat eaters to have delicious meal options all on the same menu.

It's such a unique idea: a flexitarian cafe in the heart of North Kuta, Bali. We went for brunch because we had just landed the night prior and didn’t have the chance to go grocery shopping yet. After finishing, I already wanted to head back for lunch or dinner. Their salad bowls, nibbles, wraps and balls that all look so creative and delicious.

Balibola: What is a flexitarian

An Interview with the Owner

I asked our adorable waitress if the owner was around, she smiled and sent her over to our table. The owner, Adeline is a petite, Balinese woman with short black hair barely grazing her shoulders. I asked her if she had time for a quick interview. She politely accepted with a smile and and sat down to have a quick chat.

Molly: Did you always offer breakfast, lunch and dinner? Was that the plan right from the get-go?

Adeline: Shaking her head she replied - "No, at first we started with breakfast and lunch, then eventually added dinner - but our biggest point is with breakfast and lunch.”

Balibola: the best flexitarian food in Balibola: the best flexitarian food in Bali
Balibola: the best flexitarian food in Balibola: the best flexitarian food in Bali
IMG_1155 - 720 original

Molly: Is this the original Balibola location? If so, are planning on expanding?

Adeline: *Smiling and nodding* - Yes, I have plans to open up more locations within the next two years.

Molly: Here in Bali or do you plan on going international? 

Adeline: International. Bali really isn’t that big, as it's only about 6 hours from one end of the island to the other driving.

After chatting for a bit more about her customer base, Adeline explained that her current customers are split about 50/50 between locals (typically expats) and tourists.

Balibola: Interview with the Ownder
All-in-All:
★★★★★

The restaurants peak ours are between 11:00am and 3:00pm, hence their most popular menu items are brunch and lunch foods. If you get there around 9:00am or earlier it is relatively empty so you enjoy the place without a big crowd. It's also a good opportunity to take all the instagram pictures your heart desires 😉

I know what you’re thinking… how expensive is the food if they offer such a wide array of menu options - consisting entirely of locally sourced and organic food? Honestly, it wasn't outrageous. I think Adeline and Janet have hit a sweet spot with their pricing.

We walked out of there for breakfast costing $25 USD. This included two generously portioned meals, three coffees, kombucha, and a headband. At home in the US, a meal of that nature would easily cost double that. Everything in Bali is priced in IDR, Indonesian Rupiahs. Josh’s breakfast was 70,000 IDR, which converts to $4.83 USD. My pancakes were 95,000 IDR or $6.55 USD - not too bad.

We are excited to see Adeline and Janet’s growth with Balibola over the upcoming years and looking forward to see where the universe will lead them. In our opinion, it's hands down the best flexitarian food in Bali and absolutely worth treating yourself to a nice breakfast there. Maybe if we’re lucky, we might even see one pop up in California.

See how this fits into our Eco Friendly Bali Itinerary
See how this fits into our Eco Friendly Bali Itinerary

Back to Indonesia >>

Best Budget Friendly Things to do Phnom Penh

February 3, 2019

Day Trip to Malacca

December 8, 2018

Bali: The Best Instagram Spots you don’t see

December 22, 2018

5 Free Things to do in Abu Dhabi Day Trip Guide

April 6, 2019

Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

February 27, 2019

Nusa Penida: Weekend Trip Guide

December 29, 2018

Budget Guide to Pai: Backpacker Paradise

February 17, 2019

Eco Friendly Diving Koh Tao, Thailand

January 24, 2019

Budget Guide to Chiang Mai Thailand

January 6, 2019

Balibola: Best Flexitarian Food in Bali

December 13, 2018

Bangkok on a Budget: A Backpacker Guide

January 2, 2019

Lombok: 4 Day Guide of Gili Air Island

December 27, 2018

Everything to know for your Ha Giang Loop Itinerary

March 7, 2019

How to get to Taj Mahal Day Trip Guide

April 4, 2019

Camaya Bali: A Jungle Oasis in Selat

December 19, 2018

Best Trekking and Homestay in Sapa, Vietnam

March 1, 2019

Top 10 Things to do in Canggu

December 16, 2018

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa

February 20, 2019

Eco Friendly Bali Travel Itinerary: Two Weeks

December 30, 2018

Self Guided Angkor Wat Tour: 1-3 Day Guide

February 8, 2019

Self Guided Tour of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

March 19, 2019

Singapore Backpacker Guide: Best Budget Friendly Things to do

December 12, 2018

10 Cheap Things to do in Hoi An

March 24, 2019

10 Best Places to Instagram in Bali

December 24, 2018

Trash Hero Gili Air: Keeping the Island clean

December 26, 2018

Weekend Guide to Cat Ba, Vietnam

March 14, 2019

How to Apply for a Cambodia E-Visa

February 1, 2019

The Most Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

January 5, 2019

Guide to Jaipur: How to see the Pink City for 200 Rupees

April 3, 2019

Best things to do in Dalat Weekend Guide

March 26, 2019

Eco Friendly Bali Travel Itinerary: Two Weeks

December 30, 2018

Bangkok on a Budget: A Backpacker Guide

January 2, 2019

Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

February 27, 2019

Guide to Jaipur: How to see the Pink City for 200 Rupees

April 3, 2019

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa

February 20, 2019

Nusa Penida: Weekend Trip Guide

December 29, 2018

Budget Guide to Pai: Backpacker Paradise

February 17, 2019

Bali: The Best Instagram Spots you don’t see

December 22, 2018

Eco Friendly Diving Koh Tao, Thailand

January 24, 2019

Best Trekking and Homestay in Sapa, Vietnam

March 1, 2019

Lombok: 4 Day Guide of Gili Air Island

December 27, 2018

The Most Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

January 5, 2019

Balibola: Best Flexitarian Food in Bali

December 13, 2018

Day Trip to Malacca

December 8, 2018

Best things to do in Dalat Weekend Guide

March 26, 2019

5 Free Things to do in Abu Dhabi Day Trip Guide

April 6, 2019

Camaya Bali: A Jungle Oasis in Selat

December 19, 2018

10 Cheap Things to do in Hoi An

March 24, 2019

Budget Guide to Chiang Mai Thailand

January 6, 2019

Singapore Backpacker Guide: Best Budget Friendly Things to do

December 12, 2018

Trash Hero Gili Air: Keeping the Island clean

December 26, 2018

How to Apply for a Cambodia E-Visa

February 1, 2019

Everything to know for your Ha Giang Loop Itinerary

March 7, 2019

Self Guided Tour of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

March 19, 2019

Best Budget Friendly Things to do Phnom Penh

February 3, 2019

Self Guided Angkor Wat Tour: 1-3 Day Guide

February 8, 2019

10 Best Places to Instagram in Bali

December 24, 2018

Top 10 Things to do in Canggu

December 16, 2018

How to get to Taj Mahal Day Trip Guide

April 4, 2019

Weekend Guide to Cat Ba, Vietnam

March 14, 2019