Pre-booked a table for 11 adults and 2 kids for sunset.
Bawang Merah / (Jimbaran Bay Beachfront) restaurant is nicely tucked away in a quiet area at the end of the beach, away from the more touristy restaurants.
I would recommend arriving directly by car as Jimbaran is a long beach with lots of busy, noisy restaurants, not all of them are clearly identified and Google Maps wasn't quite right I would also be recommend being careful as drivers get commission for taking you to some Jimbaran restaurants - we hired a driver who tried to take us to his own choice of restaurant and was very angry when we said we wanted to go to the restaurant we booked at. It's better to get s bluebird taxi there and ask the restaurant to book you one on the way back.
It was a fantastic place to be on the beach to enjoy sunset.
We were only given the set menus and were only told about the a la carte menu when we wanted to order something that the kids would like.
We ordered the seafood basket without lobster for IDR 350.000. The clear fish soup with carrot, potato & vegetables was ok. The seafood basket was also ok but the show-stopper was the amazing grilled snapper. This was tender and cooked beautifully on a grill with a nice smoky flavour.
For dessert, we were unfortunately not given the choice of mixed fruit platter or Bubur Injin (black rice pudding). They brought tiny plates of sliced fruit but most of us were looking forward to ordering the Bubur Injin.
There was a traditional Balinese dancer who performed a few times throughout the evening which was good to see.
Staff were friendly and helped ordered taxis for us however, in general the service was quite slow and it was extremely difficult most of the time to get the attention of any waiter. Whenever we eventually ordered beer they would bring it after all the other juices were made which we did not think was necessary. In the end we realised it was easier to go up ourselves to the kitchen / desk and order, then take the beers there. We decided to go to the desk to pay at the end as well as it was far easier and faster.
On the whole though, although the prices were reasonable, the food was quite average except for the snapper and the service was quite slow. The other thing that put us off were there were people setting off fireworks on the beach in front of us and we felt exposed, although the restaurant are unlikely to have...
Read moreBawang Merah Beachfront Restaurant has truly earned its well-deserved 5-star rating, thanks to its exceptional service, captivating ambiance, and delectable array of mouthwatering dishes. From the moment you step in, the warm hospitality of the staff sets the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant's beachfront location adds a charming touch, creating a serene backdrop that enhances the overall atmosphere.
The menu at Bawang Merah is a culinary delight, offering a diverse selection of dishes that cater to various tastes and preferences. Each dish is meticulously crafted with fresh and high-quality ingredients, ensuring a burst of flavors with every bite. Whether you're a seafood enthusiast, a lover of local delicacies, or craving international cuisine, this restaurant has something to satisfy every palate.
Beyond the exceptional cuisine, the attention to detail in presentation is evident, elevating the dining experience to a visual feast. The well-thought-out decor complements the coastal setting, creating a perfect harmony between aesthetics and environment.
The attentive and knowledgeable staff at Bawang Merah adds an extra layer of excellence to the dining journey. Their dedication to providing top-notch service enhances the overall satisfaction of patrons, making each visit a memorable occasion.
In conclusion, Bawang Merah Beachfront Restaurant is not merely a place to dine; it's a destination for gastronomic indulgence, relaxation, and memorable moments. It consistently delivers a 5-star experience, making it a must-visit for those seeking a perfect blend of culinary delights and...
Read moreDisclaimer: we walked in at 9pm with no reservation. They claimed that their closing time is 10pm and the last order is 9.30pm, but we still gave them a chance because the reviews are good and we didn't want to risk going to another restaurant and spending unnecessary traveling too close to anyone's closing time.
With that said, I can see that the service staff was trying their best with whatever is left. We kept asking for a few items and they said they had run out. Even we had to struggle ordering coconut because they said they were keeping it for tomorrow's guests. We wanted a la carte but there was a lot of minimum order, or minimum size of the seafood. We ended up ordering the seafood basket without lobster consisting of fish, prawn, squid satay and crab. However we were suspicious because it took a relatively short time from ordering to serving. Turns out we were right, the seafood was not fresh. The crab, the fish and the squid were cold - as if they were grilled and left in the open for a while.
The service staff admitted that they just had 100 guests in the previous slot and they were in the middle of cleaning up. That might explain the food shortage. Even our server had to convince the kitchen staff to release the coconut to us. We came with another group of 20+ tourist which came with a tour bus, which seems to have pre ordered everything. They also still had a balinese dance performance which unfortunately went largely unnoticed.
Overall it had been a disappointing experience, and for the next two days we ended up...
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