The aroma of the Ubud Food Festival is calling us to Bali. Who are we to stop?
"Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” – Alan D. Wolfelt.
Imagine a warm breeze finding its way to your room in Ubud as you wrap up your tasks for the day, the smell of chargrilled satay mingling with spices, and the hum of lively conversations floating above the crowd. The Ubud Food Festival isn’t just an event—it’s a sensory pilgrimage into the heart of Bali’s culinary soul. Perfectly timed as Bali shakes off the tail end of the rainy season, the festival promises food and culture in every bite.
Why Ubud Food Festival is the crown jewel of Bali in May
Mark your calendar: from May 30th to June 1st, the 2025 Ubud Food Festival will once again transform Bali into a foodie paradise. This isn’t just a food festival; it’s an invitation to rediscover Bali through its kitchens, farmers, traditions, and communities.
Sure, you’ve heard of Bali’s temples and beaches, but have you heard of Bali’s brewed arak—an aromatic local liquor distilled from palm sap—used in cocktails? Or the delicate pepes ikan (fish steamed with spices in banana leaves) served with fiery sambal matah?
Walking into the Ubud Food Festival feels like being enveloped in the embrace of Bali itself. The energy vibrates, amplified by gilded umbrellas, intricate carvings, and the playful giggles of locals dressed in traditional attire. Food stalls line every corner. Smoky satay and crispy babi guling compete with earthy roasted coffee beans for your attention.
This festival is your map. Each plate tells a story. Listening to young chefs talk about reinventing traditional recipes while sipping on a cup of cold es kelapa muda (fresh coconut water), you realise something incredible: the food is just the beginning.
Secrets about Ubud you won’t find anywhere else
You already know Ubud is famous for its rice terraces, yoga retreats, and luxurious Bali Ubud hotels. But here’s the insider stuff—things they don’t print in travel magazines.
- Before the festival begins each day, swing by the Ubud Traditional Art Market on Jalan Raya Ubud. Nestled amongst sarongs and wood carvings is an early-bird surprise: piping-hot jaje bali (Balinese traditional cakes) and fragrant coffee brewed in aluminium kettles.
- The cafes around the festival buzz with energy, but retreat to Taman Dedari for quiet reflection. This under-the-radar spot overlooks the Tjampuhan River and serves seasonal Balinese teas with local snacks.
- Most will visit cooking demos, but true aficionados should attend the “Arak Master Class.” It’s not just about sipping cider-like alcohol; the stories behind its creation, rooted in family tradition, are poetic and haunting.
The Ubud Food Festival is more than tasting food—it’s about understanding why it’s made the way it is. The locals themselves become your teachers as you wander through workshops or discussions about sustainable farming.
Take, for instance, the Bumbu Bali spice paste commonly found in every Balinese kitchen. At the festival, you’ll watch grandmothers demonstrate how to make it from scratch while recounting stories of ancestral wisdom. There’s something distinctly emotional about watching turmeric-stained fingers grind fresh chillies, shallots, and garlic.
Also, don’t skip the Live Music Night—a uniquely Balinese mash-up of food and art held outdoors under fairy lights. Imagine indulging in gado-gado (Indonesian salad with peanut sauce) while tapping your feet to gamelan beats. The festival pulls you into Bali not just through your stomach but through your soul.
Shh… Here’s what not everybody will tell you
The festival hosts joint efforts between international and local chefs. Keep an eye out—some culinary pairings result in artistic dishes like Italian-Balinese fusion pasta (think pesto sambal matah tagliatelle!).
Everyone raves about babi guling, but don’t ignore the dessert section. Treat yourself to klepon, chewy palm sugar-filled rice balls coated in coconut, best paired with thick Balinese coffee.
Post-midday, smaller stalls hosted by culinary students and independent growers become less crowded. It’s here you’ll taste the future of eco-conscious Balinese farming.
Why stop at Ubud Food Festival 2025 when Bali offers so much more? Include extras in your Bali trip package and turn the journey into a full-scale adventure.
- Visit Tirta Empul Water Temple: After indulging in plates of lawar ayam (spicy chicken salad), cleanse your soul in the holy waters at Tirta Empul Temple, less than one hour from Ubud.
- Take a cooking class in your downtime: Enrol in a private cooking experience at Casa Luna Cooking School, where you can learn how to recreate the festival’s dishes at home.
- North Bali excursions: Head to the quieter edges of Bali to watch dolphins or go to hot springs at Lovina Beach. Complement your festival experience with serenity.
It’s easy to get consumed by the frenzy—the workshops, the aromas, the laughter echoing across the festival grounds. But the heart of Ubud isn’t just in its food; it’s in pausing to appreciate the tradition, the community, and their connection to the land.
Let yourself savour everything—from sambal's bold tang to nightly performances' soft hum. Don’t just eat; experience. Don’t just watch; dive in. Let Ubud change you.
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