It feels so good to be back to creating content after such a long break! I spent the summer (four months) in Bali and I got back to Dubai on October 1.
Although I wasn’t writing blog posts, I made sure to document all the latest cafes and restaurants with my iPhone’s camera and to share only the best places with you.
I hope you had a great summer however you chose to spend it. And if you’re still thinking about visiting Bali, I hope that my stories will inspire you to book a trip there soon!
My Top Canggu Coffee Shops
It can sometimes be challenging to find good, rich, balanced coffee in Bali. Mainly because most cafes use 100% Arabica beans and these tend to be high in acidity and make the espresso very sour.
I personally stopped drinking full Arabica coffee and I switched to a blend instead. As a tip, I encourage to ask the Barista or server about the coffee beans before ordering. That’s what I do when in Bali.
As long as the coffee beans are not 100% Arabica and are a blend of two different types of beans (for example Robusta and Arabica), then you’ll get a balanced and rich coffee cup.
Last year, I wrote a blog post with my top five Canggu coffee shops – you can read it here.
This summer, I spent a considerable amount of time in Canggu since I stayed in hotels and villas around Berawa and Pererenan. So, I got to try out all the new and old, popular cafes.
Here’s a list of my top places to get a rich, balanced and good cup of coffee in Canggu, Bali:
- The Goat Father: This is a small roadside cafe in Canggu. It’s perfect for a post-La Brisa market pick-me-up cup of coffee. Try the charcoal iced latte or other creative iced coffee drinks. There’s always something new on their menu and they serve pastries too. Just know that it’s an outdoor cafe only and there’s no indoor seating. So this is an ideal cafe for when the weather is cool and dry.
- Projects Coffee Canggu: This is a new coffee shop on Nelayan street and the location is so easy to find. They serve specialty coffee and the place is a concept store with activewear on the racks. It’s also quiet and great for sitting somewhere to catch up on things online or just take a break from the heat.
- Campus Coffee: This cafe in Umalas is facing a rice field and has parking for bikes only. If you’re looking for a spot to get some work done on your laptop, this is the best place. The Barista there makes an amazing Piccolo and this says a lot about their coffee. There’s an upstairs seating area with comfortable couches. But the place is small, so you need to get there early to find a place to sit. They also have a long table on the ground floor where you can sit comfortably and use your laptop. The cafe has vinyl-themed interiors and a very cozy vibe. Think of the upstairs area as a man’s cave, where (if you’re the only person there) you will have total peace to reflect, think and plan. I remember when I first discovered Campus cafe, it was so quiet and I was the only one sitting in the upstairs ‘man cave’. Then, when I went back after a few weeks, the place was packed and I couldn’t even sit upstairs because there was no empty seats. I did sit on the front seat facing the entrance once. And I used the long table on another occasion. My favorite spot is the upstairs area when it’s quiet and peaceful. So try and get there early if you can!
- Loma Coffee Seseh: This is another specialty coffee shop that you can visit if you’re around Seseh. The place is small but bright and airy. The coffee was great but on the more expensive side since it’s specialty coffee. I wouldn’t go there unless I was in that area and looking for good coffee. The owner and Baristas there understand coffee and they suggested the coffee beans based on my coffee taste preference. So do ask about the different types of beans available when you visit, before ordering.
- Tolmount Concept Store and Coffee Shop: This is a clothes store and coffee shop at the same time. Although the coffee was really good, the seating area is limited. There are seats outside and I chose to sit there. But there were two women who were sat inside chatting and they would take smoking breaks outside. I think it’s a good place for takeaway coffee, unless you’re a smoker and don’t mind the cigarette smell and smoke. Another cafe that I wouldn’t go to unless I was in Seseh.
- Kurasu Bali: This was a brand new pop-up at Le Bajo in Pererenan when I visited. I was lucky to be staying at a hotel nearby, so it made perfect sense to check this place out. This cafe serves specialty coffee from Kyoto. They also have ceremonial Matcha if you’re a fan. I tried both but I’m a real coffee drinker and so that wins for me hands down. The place is bright, airy and spacious for Bali standards. There were long queues when I went because they had just opened. But I believe it will be less busy in the low season. Great coffee and cool concept, what’s not to love?!
- Beige Coffee Bali: This is a coffee stand with great quality coffee! They have stalls in both Pererenan and Berawa if you’re in the Canggu area. And there’s a stall in Bingin too. This is my go-to place when I need a takeaway iced coffee before a salon appointment. The Baristas are very knowledgeable about coffee and the concept is Australian owned I believe. If you like strong, bold and balanced coffee, this is your go-to stand for all things coffee.
- Blacklist Coffee Roasters: This is a legendary coffee shop in Canggu. They have a roastery at the Batu Mejan store, where they roast all their beans. They sell beans and other merchandise too if you’re interested. This is one of the rare cafes in Bali where I can order a double espresso and be so happy with the taste notes. I always go for the Canggu blend as my beans of choice, which is a full-bodied, dark chocolate blend. The Canggu blend is a medium-dark roast coffee. The Batu Mejan store also hosts coffee tasting sessions and other experiences. I once had a burger at the Tanah Barak store and it was surprisingly good! So, you can have lunch there if you want. I share some photos from earlier this year (when I had a double espresso with some almond or soy milk on the side) and a recent photo of a Piccolo I believe. If you’re into great coffee, this is the place to go!
Did you try any of these Canggu coffee shops? If so, which one is your all-time favorite? And which one do you look forward to checking out on your next Bali trip?
Love,
Leela
