The meal starts with a snack wheel, a rotating platter of small bites from across the Indonesian archipelago, each one labelled with a hand-illustrated card that tells you exactly where it comes from and what’s in it. That detail says everything you need to know about Nusantara by Locavore.
This is not a restaurant that treats Indonesian cuisine as background scenery. It’s a kitchen that genuinely believes the thousands of islands that make up this country have produced some of the world’s most interesting food, and it sets out to prove that with every dish.
I walked out having tasted flavours from Sulawesi, East Java, and Bali in a single sitting, and having not once felt like I was eating a tourist-friendly watered-down version of any of them. SatuSatu, the Bali travel platform, is an excellent resource for building your Ubud visit around experiences like this one.
What Is Nusantara by Locavore?
Nusantara by Locavore is an Indonesian restaurant located on Jl. Dewisita in central Ubud, operated by the Locavore Group.
The name comes from the Javanese word for “archipelago,” and the concept is as clear as that implies: a curated journey through Indonesia’s regional cuisines, using lesser-known traditional recipes, fresh seasonal ingredients, and techniques that reflect each dish’s origin.
The restaurant is a sister venue to Locavore NXT, which holds a place among Asia’s 50 Best recognised restaurants, and shares the same philosophy of celebrating local ingredients and authentic preparation without pretension.
The interior uses white rattan partitions framed in natural wood, hanging lamps above the tables, and a warmth that draws comparisons to dining inside a well-loved Javanese home. The kitchen is led by a brigade of Indonesian-born chefs, and the dining format is designed for sharing, which makes it ideal for groups of two to four.
Location and Getting There
Nusantara by Locavore sits at Jl. Dewisita No. 09C in the centre of Ubud, placing it within easy walking distance of Ubud Palace, the traditional art market, and most of central Ubud’s hotels and guesthouses.
The entrance is recognisable by the open grill station at the front of the building, which fills the surrounding street with an aroma of charcoal and spices that functions as its own advertisement. Parking in this part of Ubud is limited, so arriving by scooter or with a driver is the practical approach.
The Food and Dining Experience
Nusantara offers both an a la carte menu and a set tasting menu, and first-timers are consistently advised to go with the set menu to experience the full range of what the kitchen does. The experience begins with the Berbagi Rasa, a complimentary shared snack platter that arrives at the table before the main menu kicks in.
This is where the hand-illustrated info cards come in, each snack labelled by name and regional origin, an immediate signal that this is a restaurant built on education as much as enjoyment. The main menu is organised by region, with each dish marked by its Indonesian origin.
Highlights that appear across multiple visits include the smoked pork belly with fermented sambal from Kupang, the slow-cooked beef in a clay pot from East Java, mud crab marinated with ginger, sweet soy and grated coconut from Samarinda, and Balinese heritage pork belly cooked in bamboo.
Dessert leans on coconut milk and lighter tropical flavours, and the kitchen accommodates vegan and vegetarian diets with genuine creativity rather than afterthought substitutions.
Drinks deserve attention here too. The cocktail menu features Indonesian ingredients that rarely appear on a bar list elsewhere: pandan leaves, lemongrass, loloh cemcem, and Bir Pletok, a traditional Betawi spice drink given a contemporary spin.
The non-alcoholic options are treated with the same care as the food, and several guests have noted that the drinks alone justify a visit.
Pricing sits in the range of IDR 250,000 and above per person for mains, which feels honest for what arrives on the table. A full dinner for two including drinks tends to come in at a level that feels comparable to a European restaurant meal without the European price, and the quality justifies it clearly.
Top Highlights
- The Berbagi Rasa snack wheel. The complimentary opening platter is one of the most considered ways to start a meal anywhere in Bali. Each small bite is specific, labelled, and genuinely representative of its region, setting the tone for the meal without being showy about it.
- Genuine regional diversity. The menu doesn’t default to dishes already familiar to international visitors. Recipes from Kupang, Samarinda, and North Sulawesi sit alongside Balinese staples, and the kitchen executes each with the confidence of people who have spent real time understanding these flavours.
- The set menu experience. For first visits, the tasting menu delivers a paced, well-structured journey across Indonesian cuisine in manageable portions. The kitchen’s recommendation to share three to four small plates and three larger plates for a group of four gives the meal rhythm without feeling rushed.
- Dietary flexibility. The kitchen adapts the menu for vegan and vegetarian guests with dishes that don’t appear on the standard menu, executed with the same care as the full offering. Dietary preferences are collected at the time of booking confirmation.
- Warmth of service. The front-of-house team at Nusantara is consistently highlighted by guests as one of the most knowledgeable and attentive in Ubud. Staff guide diners through unfamiliar dishes and regional context without making the experience feel like a lecture.
The Honest Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Nusantara by Locavore is one of those restaurants that changes the way you think about a country’s cuisine. Indonesian food has been poorly represented internationally for decades, reduced in most people’s minds to nasi goreng and satay.
Nusantara is a direct challenge to that reduction, delivered with skill, generosity, and a genuine sense of pride in where the food comes from.
The only note worth managing is the spice level: the kitchen cooks to authentic regional standards, which means some dishes carry real heat. If you have a low tolerance for spice, mention it when you book and the team will guide you accordingly.
Reservations are essential. The restaurant fills up, and walk-ins are unlikely to find a table, particularly in the evening. Book ahead through the official website and confirm via the email process the restaurant uses.
At the price point and quality level on offer, this is easily one of the most important restaurant bookings you can make in Ubud.
Explore Nusantara by Locavore Further with SatuSatu
A dinner at Nusantara deserves a full Ubud day built around it, and SatuSatu makes that easy.
SatuSatu is a Bali travel platform that brings together transport, cultural experiences, and curated activities in one place, all bookable directly on SatuSatu.com with support for local payment methods including BCA, Mandiri, OVO, DANA, credit cards, and more.
Getting to Ubud from the airport or your accommodation is seamless with SatuSatu’s Airport Transfer: fixed pricing, same-day booking, and no negotiating on arrival.
For exploring Ubud’s temples, rice terraces, and artisan villages before your evening reservation, SatuSatu’s Exclusive Car Charter provides a dedicated local driver who can work around your Nusantara booking time with full flexibility.
While you’re in Bali, don’t miss the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu, one of the island’s most iconic cultural performances, a perfect complement to the cultural depth that a meal at Nusantara delivers.
And if you want to do more across Bali without the hassle of planning each activity separately, the SatuSatu Bali All-Access Pass is the smartest way to stretch your trip further.
Choose from a 1-day pass at $59.95 (IDR 999K), a 2-day pass at $104.95 (IDR 1.799M), or a 3-day pass at $144.95 (IDR 2.499M), and unlock access to 50+ top Bali experiences spanning destinations across the island, from the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu to snorkeling in Padang Bai and wellness and spa experiences across Bali.
Every pass includes a free eSIM and a dedicated Bali concierge to handle all the planning for you, saving you up to 60% compared to booking individually, with 90-day validity from purchase for maximum flexibility.
FAQ about Nusantara by Locavore
Is Nusantara by Locavore worth visiting?
Yes, strongly. Nusantara by Locavore is widely regarded as one of the best Indonesian restaurants in Bali, offering a genuine and expertly executed exploration of regional Indonesian cuisine in a warm, accessible setting. For anyone interested in Indonesian food beyond the familiar staples, it is one of the most rewarding restaurant experiences in Ubud.
Do I need to book a reservation at Nusantara by Locavore?
Yes. Reservations are essential and the restaurant fills up, particularly in the evenings. Book through the official Nusantara website and complete the email confirmation process the restaurant requires. Walk-ins are generally not possible.
What is the set menu like at Nusantara by Locavore?
The set tasting menu takes diners through a curated selection of dishes from across the Indonesian archipelago, beginning with the complimentary Berbagi Rasa snack platter. It is served family-style and is adaptable for vegetarian and vegan diets with advance notice.
How spicy is the food at Nusantara by Locavore?
The kitchen cooks to authentic regional standards, and some dishes carry genuine heat. If you are sensitive to spice, inform the restaurant when booking and the staff will guide you through the menu accordingly.
Where is Nusantara by Locavore located?
The restaurant is at Jl. Dewisita No. 09C in central Ubud, within easy walking distance of Ubud Palace and the traditional art market.