Santanera — Restaurant in Pulau Bali

In the vibrant heart of Bali, Santanera offers an exceptional dining experience that perfectly combines exquisite flavors with an inviting atmosphere. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were greeted by an ambiance that is both chic and comfortable, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. Our experience at Santanera was significantly enhanced by the outstanding service provided by our server, Oky. His extensive knowledge of the menu and professionalism made our dining experience seamless and enjoyable. He was attentive without being intrusive, providing thoughtful recommendations and insights into the dishes that we ordered To start our meal, we opted for the Mahi Mahi Tarama and the Hazelnut & Goat's Curd Tart. The Mahi Mahi Tarama was a delightful introduction to the meal, showcasing the freshness of the fish paired with a creamy texture that melted in the mouth. The flavors were well-balanced, with a hint of tanginess that complemented the richness of the tarama, making it a dish that was both refreshing and satisfying The Hazelnut & Goat's Curd Tart was nothing short of a revelation. The tart's crust was perfectly baked, providing a crunchy contrast to the creamy goat's curd filling. The hazelnut added a delightful nuttiness that elevated the dish, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. This appetizer was a testament to the kitchen’s creativity and ability to marry various elements into a cohesive dish For the main course, we indulged in the Scallop - Prawn Ravioli and the Char-Grilled Octopus. The ravioli was a standout; the piece was expertly crafted, filled with a generous portion of succulent prawns and perfectly cooked scallops. The green sauce accompanying the dish was rich yet light, enhancing the natural sweetness of the seafood. The Char-Grilled Octopus was another highlight of their meal. Cooked to perfection, the octopus was tender and flavorful, with a delightful char that added depth to the dish. The accompanying garnishes and sauces complemented the octopus beautifully, showcasing the chef's attention to detail and dedication to flavor To conclude our meal, we chose the Passion Fruit Sorbet for dessert. It was a refreshing finale that perfectly balanced the richness of the previous courses. The sorbet was vibrant and tangy, capturing the essence of passion fruit while providing a light and palate-cleansing finish to our dining experience Overall, Santanera Bali is a culinary gem that impresses with its innovative dishes, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere. Oky’s knowledge and professionalism greatly enhanced our visit, making us feel welcomed and well taken care of. Whether you're a local or a traveler, Santanera is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to indulge in a remarkable dining...

Gorgeous restaurant with ceiling-high windows, and greenhouse vibes. Their classy interior decoration is lovely for photos. For those craving Latin American cuisine, the delicious food at Santanera makes a great choice.

Yellow Fin Tuna & Salmon Roe Tartlet (8.5/10) Disguised as an ikura maki, this dish features cubes of yellowfin tuna mixed with a citrusy avocado dressing under a blanket of salmon roe, and tappioca pearls. The black tart shell is crisp, and slightly savoury.

Foie Gras Parfait (8.5/10) Behind the curtain of hibiscus petals lies a foie gras parfait topped with sauternes honey-like jelly and sweet blackcurrant jam that complements the richness. They sit atop of a sesame crusted biscuit which is a delightful play on textures.

Duck Empanada (7/10) Buttery biscuit dough encapsulating shredded, savoury duck. The empanada was piping hot, and insides were steaming. Unfortunately, we were unable to taste the mushroom flavours.

Hamachi Ceviche (8.5/10) Presented in a plantain cracker ring to be broken apart, and mixed with the hamachi. The dressing was savoury, with notes of umami from the gooseberries.

Aguachile (8.5/10) Sweet scallops served in a bed of avocado puree, refreshing cucumber, and tangy lime juice. The flavours came together beautifully, and is less heavy-handed than the Hamachi ceviche. There was a side of pork crackling like cassava crackers which we thought paired better with the hamachi Ceviche.

Char grilled Octopus (7/10) Grilled octopus was savoury, tender, and juicy, plated above a bed of char-grilled cabbage, with bitter notes. And an orange sea of tangy lemon emulsion, which was too acidic for us.

Potato Mille Feuille (7/10) This dish was enjoyable, and brought that satisfying crunch. Crisp on the outside, while retaining their soft interior. It is served with a savoury aji amarillo sauce, and topped with leeks. Unfortunately, still rather dry for my liking. As compared to all the other dishes, this dish is huge. We reckon it's too large for 2pax.

Tepache Highball & Pomelo Santo Although the ingredients are different, both drinks had a similar tonic-like profile. While rather weak, they were...

We had dinner for 4 pax at the restaurant to celebrate my parents 20+ years wedding anniversary which i have informed them when I made a reservation booking. The restaurant gave us a complimentary dessert (churros with chocolate and ice cream) Which tasted really nice and not too sweet!👍

Ketut was in charge of serving us throughout the meal. He is very welcoming, heart-warming, fun and converse well, making the whole experience very comfortable for us!🫶❤️

When ordering the food, he let us know the portion size of the menu, and from his years of working experience, knowledge and understanding of the restaurant food, he recommends us how much we should order for each appetiser, mains and dessert so that we don't over-order and we really appreciate this as we can feel his sincerity for the guests!🙏😊

He introduce us the menu and explain to us in detail the components and flavor profile of each dish so that we know what we are eating and have a greater understanding. He is very knowledgeable 👍

He is also good at photo-taking and knows how to adjust the lighting and mode of the camera phone. Helped us take nice pictures!🫶❤️

From Ketut actions, how he served guests and his sincerity, hope the restaurant recognises that it is a blessing for them to have such extradinary staff to inspire others as well. Thank you for the wonderful experience Ketut and Santanera for helping me to create an unforgetable experience for my parents!😊

Food Recommendation: Labneh (On menu, only for 1 serving)

Jamon pair with santanera sour dough bread (comes with homemade butter)

Baby squid appetiser (only for 1 serving)

Duck empanada (On menu, only for 1 serving)

Mozzarella empanada (On menu, only for 1 serving)

Mille feuille

Octopus (It's a must!!! Soft and slight chewy, not hard at all!!!)

Dry-aged duck (it's a must!!! Although dry aged, taste of the duck not too overpowering, crispy skin, eat a lot dont feel oily. Pairs well with the slightly sweet sauce that...