Swan Restaurant Keramas — Restaurant in Bali

We only decided to try here after taking our dog for a walk along the beach when visiting for the first time from Ubud. We couldn't bring the dog in so she was left to guard the scooter while we ate. The size of the restaurant is astounding, especially in an area that does not seem to have much and is a bit difficult to get to depending on the direction that you are coming from. Seriously, this place is really big!

It overlooks the ocean and you can see across to Peneeda and also to the south of Bali, you can even make out the GWK on the horizon. The service here is really excellent, I mean it is fantastic. The staff are really helpful, polite and friendly too. I was starting to feel a bit anxious as to why the place was almost empty....the service is great, so what will the food be like?

Well, I came away from the restaurant so unbelievably full because the food was incredibly delicious. We ended up doing starters, mains and dessert! The sweet potato chips and spring rolls were really tasty, in fact the sweet potato was really delicious and the accompanying sauce really made it great.

We both had the chicken biryani for a main and it is a really good serve. It is done differently to what I am used to having but it still works really well, especially if married up with the garlic naan and paratha beads. Delicious!

Now, at this point we were completely full and we were asked if we wanted dessert. Initially that was a resounding "no" but that eventually changed and chocolate brownie was decided upon. It was really good but also very filling. We highly recommend this place.

While we were there a big storm came in and I had to go out and rescue our helmets and most importantly our dog. I stood near the front soaking wet with my partners poncho while she sorted out the bill. The staff then told me to come inside. I declined because of the dog and the fact that we were both leaving big puddles where we stood but the staff insisted that we come in as it was a really violent storm. For me, this was the most humbling experience I had ever been privileged to experience from such a prestigious place. I cannot thank the staff enough for their empathy...

August 2023. Our guide had taken us to the beach here from Ubud. (Don't swim here, too much trash. We've got to stop with the plastic!) After being on the beach for a bit we decided to try the restaurant. We were the only ones in there mid afternoon, and the service was exceptional. Add to that the food was incredible and they opened basically the entire wall to the beach so it's like you're right on the water. Our guide said it was expensive (and it is for Balinese) but a really good amount of food of really high quality. It worked out to something like $15 CAD per person, so pretty comparable to an average restaurant at home. We don't drink alcohol so allow for that on top. Some advice: I read some comments about not being 'authentic' Indian dishes or whatever, but it's a tourist place. If you travel don't expect so-called 'authentic' dishes unless you're in the country of origin (i.e. Indian food in India) and eating at street level, meaning where the locals eat. What you'll get in these places is someone's interpretation of what local food would appeal to foreigners and usually some sort of fusion. In this case the menu and dish designer was exceptional. Also don't get taken in by some tour guide's 'best restaurants', they're usually getting a kickback to take you there. Expensive doesn't mean good. Too often I see (especially Westerners) people thinking because they see lots of expensive stuff or a really good look that they must be in a fine dining restaurant. Wrong. While it can be true on occasion (like this one) ask yourself if they're spending so much on looks, what are they NOT spending it on? (Hint: the FOOD.) The best restaurant in Vancouver, for example, is in the middle of an industrial site, upstairs, and has basic tables and chairs.

Anyway, closing out my review:

Out of all my travels and my experience (40+ countries, and have worked as a chef in high end restaurants) this is easily on my list of the best restaurants I've...

Beautiful scenery, nice and friendly staff, nice food and spacious scene.

However seems the restaurant is a bit confused about their own identity whether to become nice family restaurant with good taste and portion , or upmarket elite 5 star restaurant that is pretty but nit normal ..

For example, the chicken parmigiana was good, serve with chips, sauce and it was of a good portion. It is like the one you got in all Australian pub.

Similar comment for the spaghetti bolognaise and nasi goreng kambing: good taste, decent portion and relatively representative of what the menu normally should be.

Then all of sudden, the gado gado is somehow a "deconstructed gado gado" ala masterchef show or show case of a 5 star hotel eatery: pretty, ok-ish tastewise , but completely not normal . I dont think any eatery in Indonesia serve Gado Gado like pictured.

All other "problems": take almost 1 hour for all the orders to come to table, water tap for hand washing has no water and all the fried chip we had (the appetizer potato chip and the emping), were hard, not crunchy and hard to bite. (The Indon refer them as "alot").

Made up your...