Where to eat in Bali (beyond hotel dining rooms): Chef Geoff Lindsay

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This was published 8 years ago

Where to eat in Bali (beyond hotel dining rooms): Chef Geoff Lindsay

By Julietta Jameson
Swap fast food for street food: "You can always find great sates, bakso and grilled corn" says Geoff Lindsay.

Swap fast food for street food: "You can always find great sates, bakso and grilled corn" says Geoff Lindsay.

Geoff Linsday is the chef behind Melbourne's Pearl and Dandelion restaurants. Lindsay was named Chef of the Year by The Age Good Food Guide in 2005 and, in 2015, opened Bali's new dining hotspot, Saigon Street.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TABLE IN BALI?

I love everything about Locavore in Ubud. It's a world-class dining experience that everyone should try when they are in Bali. The restaurant is very forward thinking, with highly creative food prepared by an inspired team. What I love most about this place is that there is no menu, you just eat whatever they are serving on the day. It's guaranteed to all be amazing through, because they feature fresh and unusual local ingredients, depending on what's available in the markets. They have a great wine list, killer cocktails and some of the best service in Bali. See locavore.co.id.

THE LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF THE PAST YEAR?

I'm really into tipat tahu at the moment, a traditional street food dish of fried tofu with peanut sauce and bean sprouts. There is usually a vendor in the Petitenget Temple car park or the Batu Bolong Beach car park. It's definitely not a new dish for Bali, but new to me and I can't get enough.

WHAT IS BALI'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?

Warung Sulawesi on Jalan Petitenget in Seminyak is a favourite food secret for me. The cooking here is really authentic, with an emphasis on spicy Sulawesi cuisine. They serve up fantastic, cheap but delicious food. It's hidden behind other restaurants on the main road, so it can be hard to find but it's well worth it.

PLACE TO GO ON A DAY OFF?

We live in Canggu, so you can always find us at Old Man's. It's named after the long board surf break it overlooks and is run by ex-Melbourne turned Bali resident, Sean Cosgrove. The sun-drenched tropical beer garden is one of the best places to go when you have a day off. You can always guarantee a good crowd, ice-cold beers, burgers and great tunes! See facebook.com/oldmansbali.

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FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN BALI?

My favourite spot for an indulgent night in Bali is The Plantation Grill by Robert Marchetti, located within Double Six hotel in Seminyak. The restaurant serves up classic old school grill dishes with a specialty for dry aged meats but for me this place is all about the cocktails and brilliant sunsets. I just wish I could chopper in from Canggu, the traffic around Double Six is hell! See plantationgrillbali.com.

WHAT SHOULD A VISITOR AVOID, FOOD-WISE, IN BALI?

I always encourage friends and guests to swap fast food for street food, you can always find great sates, bakso and grilled corn. Another tip is to leave your hotel; there are so many great independent fine-dining options in close proximately to the major hotels like Merah Putih, Bambu and Barbacoa. If you're coming to Bali and only eating in your hotel you are missing out on some great dining experiences. Also swap the over-priced, under-loved Jimberan Bay seafood for the cool groove of Echo Beach.

WHAT'S HOT IN THE AREA RIGHT NOW?

Frank Camora has just opened MoVida in Bali, which is pretty exciting. It's in the new KatamaMa hotel, which is attached to Potato Head. MoVida is one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne and I will always try to make a trip when I'm in Melbourne, so I couldn't be happier the Spanish tapas bar is open just down the road from Saigon Street. See katamama.com.

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