ORENDA PENIDA — Restaurant in Nusa Penida Subdistrict

A big disappointment. I honestly don’t understand who’s writing the reviews here – they seem either made up or written by people who don’t really understand food.

I ordered Spaghetti Bolognese, which tasted like it was made with ketchup and ground chicken – really? If you can’t prepare a dish properly, either take it off the menu or at least look up a proper recipe. Just type “Bolognese recipe” on Google.

The listed ingredients for Spaghetti Carbonara in the menu show a complete misunderstanding of this classic dish. And yet, it’s such a simple recipe – spaghetti, pancetta (or even good bacon), Parmesan cheese, and egg yolks. That’s it. You have all of those ingredients locally. So what’s the problem?

The bowl salad was drowning in dressing, which tasted like balsamic vinegar, even though the menu said ponzu sauce. There was some sauce served on the side, but it seemed more like soy sauce than ponzu.

The grilled tuna steak was cooked to death – completely dry and flavorless. I run a restaurant myself, so I know mistakes can happen, but this didn’t feel like a one-off. It felt more like a general disregard for proper recipes and food quality.

The staff were kind and tried to smile, but during slow moments, waiters and bartenders were visibly checking their phones on the floor – which isn’t appropriate in a restaurant setting.

Still, I genuinely hope you don’t dismiss this review as some angry tourist’s rant. I hope you take it as constructive feedback. You have a beautiful venue with great potential to become a true culinary experience – the kind people are willing to pay more for and travel from afar to enjoy. That’s the goal, isn’t it?

One last note – in our country (Czech Republic), people used to believe they needed to have 100 dishes on their menu so everyone could find something they liked. But now most understand that ten excellent dishes are more than enough. It’s almost impossible to consistently prepare every dish on a massive menu at a high level. But when you focus on fewer dishes and make them truly great, guests will notice – and...

Stepping into this hidden jewel in Nusa Penida feels like coming home, thanks to the warm and welcoming embrace of its owners, who I've had the pleasure of knowing. Their passion and dedication to creating an unforgettable experience shine through in every detail, from the meticulously curated decor that harmonizes traditional Balinese aesthetics with modern touches, to the exceptional service that makes you feel like part of their family.

The culinary journey here is a reflection of the owners' love for authentic Indonesian cuisine, with each dish telling a story of tradition, innovation, and the bounty of Nusa Penida. They take great pride in sourcing ingredients from local farmers and fishermen, ensuring that every bite is a celebration of the island's rich culinary heritage. The menu, a collaborative effort between the owners and their talented chefs, offers an array of dishes that cater to all tastes, always served with a personal touch that adds to the meal's enjoyment.

But what truly captivates me every time I visit is the atmosphere. The owners have crafted a space that feels both intimate and expansive, nestled against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. Dining here, with the panoramic views of the island and the carefully designed ambiance, feels like a privilege—a testament to the owners' vision of creating a place where moments are cherished and memories are made.

Evenings here are especially magical, as the setting sun paints the sky with colors, and the twinkling lights create a cozy, enchanting vibe. It's a testament to the owners' attention to detail and their commitment to providing an experience that goes beyond dining.

In essence, this place is a labor of love by its owners, a sanctuary on Nusa Penida where amazing food, great people, and a fantastic atmosphere come together to create something truly special. My heartfelt thanks go out to them for making every visit memorable. Terima kasih for not just sharing your culinary creations but for opening your hearts and this beautiful corner of the...

We booked a table for our last night in nusa penida in attempt to find at least one good place around where we stayed, as reviews were good. We arranged the pick up through the restaurant which was helpful as the place we stayed was unable to offer this.

When we arrived we didn't realise that the place was across the road from the beach with a noisy road with quite heavy traffic separating the beach and the restaurant. This isn't something the restaurant can change, but if we had known we would have not chosen this place for a relaxing meal.

There was loud music playing English music(seems to be a thing throughout nusa penida). We chose to be seated on the top terrace away from the loud music and fumes from the road.

The tables were not very clean, some food crumbs from previous customers still present.

We ordered some cocktails/drinks and food. The glass given with water had dirty fingerprint marks on it, so opted to drink from the bottle instead.

We ordered 2 starters and 2 main courses, stating that mains to be served after we finish the starters as we have been served everything at once in previous places before, however once again the food came out as we were not even half way through the starters.

Something else seems to be a thing in nusa penida is plastic straws which is very disappointing.

All in all... Was the food nice? - Yes! Would we come here again? - No! We very much felt underwhelmed and catfished by the Google photos and reviews. Among the not so good cleaning standards, loud traffic, strong whiff of petrol coming from all the cars/scooters and loud English music trying to mask it all, unfortunately it really did nothing for us. The only thing we did enjoy was the food, so if you do enjoy the loud English music and loud traffic/ fumes don't bother you, then I'm sure the place...