We all know that Seminyak and Kuta are Bali’s “it spots” if you’re looking for the chicest restaurants, shopping and out-all-night party scenes.
But is that all Bali has to offer? Heck no!
What about those of you who are in search of a different side of Bali? One less crowded, more low-key and a bit more traditional perhaps?
Once referred to as S’NORE-ville (Zzz), perception has it that Sanur is a sleepy coastal town where only the retired folks retreat to and nothing is open past 8pm.
But as one of the first expat enclaves in Bali, Sanur has developed as a community rather than a tourist magnet, making up for its lack of night bustle with plenty of charm and authenticity to go around.
Though reluctant to give away this small town’s hotspots to the masses, as a Sanur resident myself I feel it is my duty to share with you the true gems that lay beneath the “‘Nur’s” slumberous surface. Tapping into the minds of our most knowledgeable and long-term Sanur locals, we have pulled together a list for you of what makes this southeastern Balinese town so special.
1) Pasar Sindhu
Want to eat where the locals eat but don’t know where to go? Look no further than Sanur’s traditional night market, Pasar Sindhu, and discover foodie heaven while spending less than $5. Every night as the sun sets, food carts and their owners congregate to serve their best rendition of traditional Indonesian fare: mie ayam (chicken noodles), nasi campur (mixed rice dishes), lalapan (hot fried chicken), satay, fresh fruit juice, yummy desserts- the list goes on. My mouth waters just thinking of a Pasar meal! Still relatively unknown to many, the market is tucked just off of Sanur’s main street, Jalan Danau Tamblingan, and offers the true Indonesian street cart experience in a modern and clean environment. Go there once and just wait for the Pasar cravings to kick in.
2) Batu Jimbar Sunday Market
Mark Sunday mornings on your calendar for the best brunch on the island. Every Sunday, Cafe Batu Jimbar converts into a market hub, selling traditional jajan (snacks/sweets), savory rice mixtures and hot quesadillas that continue to prove themselves as weekend must-haves for Sanur residents. Fresh produce, jewelry, clothing and artwork stalls are also set up alongside the tasty treats so you can shop around in between food courses if you wish. Get there by 10am to grab a table and your box of sweets before they run out in a matter of minutes. (Menu favorite: Try the cafe’s rambutan juice, “BJ’s Most Wanted”, any day of the week for a cold and refreshing treat.)
3) Cycle City!
Ditch the car traffic and head to Sanur’s unique esplanade that stretches for 5 kilometers down the length of the beach. Walk, run, or rent a bicycle (around 20.000 rupiah, or $2 a day) and cruise down the shaded boardwalk to find all of the best hidden beach hangouts and cafes. Access points are off of perpendicular streets to Jalan Danau Tamblingan, a popular one being next to Bali Hyatt Hotel. Without the worry of motor vehicles, this is a great morning or afternoon adventure for families with kids. Just make sure to ring your bike bell when encountering other pedestrians!
4) This leads me to the next item on our list: Beach Warungs.
Feeling hot from all that cycling around in the heat of the day? I bet the ocean is looking prime for a dip by now. Park your things at one of the many warungs (small shops) that line Sanur Beach and hop in the sea. Friendly locals, inexpensive prices, and clean sand make for a desirable place to lounge and take in the views of Mount Agung to your left and Nusa Lembongan across the way. Try Warung Baliku to either rent a reclining chair and umbrella on the beach (50.000 rupiah, or $5 for the day) or just pop by for an es kelapa (coconut with ice). Note: the colorful and traditional fishing boats found on the beach also offer a shaded respite from the sun for a quicker and cheaper (if that’s possible) cool-off.
5) Tandjung Sari
One of Sanur’s oldest and most distinguished hotels and restaurants, Tandjung Sari is the perfect place to spend the latter part of your day and watch the light turn to dusk. Styled to reminisce a living room more than a restaurant (complete with lamps and armchairs on the beach), Tandjung Sari boasts a menu offering high-end versions of classic Indonesian and Western dishes. Good Bali vibes, specialty cocktails and delicious food all the while you stick your feet in the sand– my kind of place. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a live jazz performance!
And there you have it folks. A 30-second compilation of Sanur’s best of the best. Hopefully this post has served to uproot some long-standing myths and make some people hungry.
Any Sanur spots I missed or gems of your own? Feel free to leave a comment below and share what makes Sanur special to you!