Sitara Indian Restaurant Ubud — Restaurant in Bali

I came to Sitara Indian Restaurant to escape the rain in Ubud (because it's raining cats and dogs as I give this review), a and I'm happy the rain made me take shelter here. The aroma of the cuisine caused my tummy to grumble so I decided to appease my hungry stomach as i waited for the rain to end. So i was warmly greeted by Trisna and I took the table of my choice. She handed me a menu. The options of cuisine were impressive! After looking through the inticing menu, Trisna asked me what I was in the mood to eat. I said that i love Indian food and would be happy with a recommendation from her. She turned to the page that had 'Mutton Vindaloo'. She pointed to it and said that this is a popular dish. So i trusted her recommendation. I also got basmati rice🍚 and a salted lassi. Trisna thanked me for the order and went to give it to the chef. I then sat listening to the sound of the rain and I got out my book. 'Oliver Twist'. Before long, the 'Mutton Vindaloo' was served just as i got to the page when Oliver Twist asked the cook, "Please sir. I want some more.".... I felt bad that Oliver only wanted another bowl of gruel as i began to happily feast on my 'Mutton Vindaloo' but then i just melted into the ecstasy of the spice and tenderness of the mutton and the perfection of the basmati rice washed down with salted lassi. It was excellent and at the end, I certainly could have asked the chef for "more" like the poor orphan Oliver Twist but there's no need to be gluttonous. The portion was perfect and i was most satisfied! If you're ever in Ubud, please give Sitara Indian Restaurant a try and ye shall surely not be left disappointed! Great atmosphere, the price is right, the staff very friendly and attentive and one can enjoy whatever they so choose to eat, sit, and observe bustling Ubud! I'll definitely come back here again. No doubt. Sitara Indian Restaurant! A place where hungry travelers can satisfy their stomachs and souls with authentic Indian food and a charming atmosphere.

One Love

"Seeds and deeds take time to come to fruition." ~...

★★★★★ Hidden Gem with Seriously Incredible Indian Food

I had very low expectations walking into Sitara—mostly because of the 3.6 Google rating, and honestly, I have no idea how that rating exists. It does not reflect the quality of this place. Sitara is an absolute hidden gem in the heart of Ubud, and the food here is exceptional.

I’ve traveled extensively through India and Sri Lanka—north, south, cities, villages—you name it. I love Indian food, and I’m very picky. And yet: the aloo gobi mutter I had here was, without exaggeration, the best I’ve ever eaten in my life. Perfectly spiced, beautifully cooked, absolutely unforgettable. This dish alone deserves five stars.

Their butter chicken—yes, a more Western-style choice—was also fantastic. Rich, balanced, deeply satisfying. Even the naan, which may or may not be baked in a traditional tandoor (hard to tell), was still very good—soft, flavorful, and a great complement to the mains.

Atmosphere-wise, it’s unassuming but spotlessly clean and very pleasant. A semi-outdoor layout gives it charm, with enough cover to keep you dry during Bali’s rain bursts. The staff are warm and gracious, like most places in Bali—but here it felt especially friendly and genuine. Bonus: easy parking right next door, which in Ubud is a gift.

Also—always a great sign—the place had several Indian families dining in while I was there. That tells you everything you need to know.

I only wish I’d found Sitara sooner. I’ll definitely be back, and I’ll remember this little spot as the place that raised the bar for aloo gobi...

Sitara is a nice little restaurant not far from the Monkey Forest. We chose it because other reviewers mentioned they could cater for dietary requirements, which was important for us. When we arrived around 5pm, there was plenty of space and some lively Bollywood music playing on the TV, which added a nice touch to the atmosphere. The staff were lovely—very attentive and genuinely keen to help with our dietary needs.

Unfortunately, the kitchen didn’t quite deliver on that front. We ordered paneer tikka, specifically asking for no onions due to my wife’s allergy. The dish first arrived with onions on the side, but the staff quickly took it back and returned it without the onions. However, we then found onion pieces between the paneer and capsicum, so we had to send it back again. The staff were apologetic and had it recooked.

For our main meals, one was okay, but we again found onion pieces in the curry, which was disappointing. At that point, we didn’t feel like reordering, so we just ate what we could and left.

Overall, the service was great and the staff really tried, but the kitchen let us down when it came to handling allergies. Would have been a good meal if the chef was as attentive as the wait staff. Not sure if we’ll return if we’re in the area again, but hopefully others have a...