Rumari at Raffles Bali is often mentioned as one of the best restaurants in Bali, so I had been looking forward to dining there for a long time. The restaurant is tucked away up on the cliffs above Jimbaran Bay, surrounded by lush greenery, and the whole place feels calm and intimate despite the size of the resort. It has that signature Raffles atmosphere where everything feels elegant and luxurious, but still relaxed and welcoming at the same time. You can sit both indoors and outdoors, but the outdoor tables are definitely the ones to go for, especially if you arrive in time for sunset.
Before dinner we were handed one of those folded paper fortune tellers kids used to make in school. Inside was more information about Rumari’s philosophy and their strong focus on sustainability. At least 80% of the ingredients are sourced from Indonesia, and the restaurant works closely with small local producers and family run suppliers.
On the back was an illustration of the entire team with names and hometowns listed underneath. I really liked that detail because it made the whole experience feel more personal from the very beginning. Ratih from Ubud was taking care of our table that evening and she was amazing.
The kitchen is led by Director of Culinary Gaetan Biesuz, who is originally from France but has worked at restaurants all over the world. While the menu is deeply rooted in Indonesian ingredients and flavors, there are also clear influences from other cuisines in both technique and presentation.
We went for the 5 Steps Journey, which is Rumari’s five course tasting menu. The dinner started with a cocktail and a selection of snacks. Steve immediately declared the pork donuts his favorite, and honestly, I think they were mine too.
Then came the bread. Then came the bread. Warm from the oven and somewhere between a brioche and a croissant, flavored with local herbs and served with sambal butter on the side. I usually try not to eat too much bread in the beginning when dining out because I want to save room for the rest of the meal, but there was absolutely no self control happening at our table that night. We finished every last crumb.
The first course was bamboo lobster with rujak and tamarind. Rujak is an Indonesian fruit salad with sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, and it worked so well with the lobster and the tangy tamarind sauce.
Next up was octopus with eggplant, urutan, and balado, layered beautifully on the plate. The octopus was perfectly cooked, tender but with texture, and the urutan, which is a spicy Indonesian sausage, added richness and depth to the dish.
After that came a chawanmushi with clams from Lombok, tomato, and chili. Chawanmushi is a Japanese savory egg custard, and Rumari’s version was silky smooth and incredibly elegant. Probably one of the most refined dishes we had that evening.
The last of the mains was Indonesian wagyu tenderloin served with mole and an incredibly delicious sauce on the side. In fact, the sauce was so good that we ended up ordering more bread just so we could soak up every last bit of it.
The dessert was a chocolate mousse with rosella and chili. Rich, slightly spicy, and beautifully balanced. A perfect ending to the meal. Or so we thought. Just as we were ready to lean back and call it a night, a little drawer arrangement filled with petit fours appeared on the table. Another incredible dinner in Bali.
Read my blog post about the spa at Raffles Bali
Dining at Rumari – My Tips and Recommendations
You do not need to stay at Raffles Bali to dine at Rumari, but there is a dress code and a minimum spend requirement for outside guests, so it is worth checking the current details before your visit. Reservations are also highly recommended, especially during high season.
And come hungry. The 5 Steps Journey is a lot of food.
If you arrive early, start the evening with a cocktail at The Writers Bar next to the restaurant. The bar is gorgeous, and it is the perfect place to watch the sunset before dinner.
If you like cocktails, I can also highly recommend the Bali Sling, Rumari’s Bali inspired take on the legendary Singapore Sling from Long Bar at Raffles Singapore.
The 5 Steps Journey is also available in a vegetarian version.
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Book your stay at Raffles Bali
Rumari, Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera No.1A, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
