Where can I find the best seafood in Bali?

Short answer

Jimbaran Bay, just south of the airport, is Bali's seafood reference. At sunset, dozens of beach restaurants grill fish, prawns and lobster over coconut husks, sold by weight. For a cheaper, more local meal, buy your catch at Kedonganan fish market at the north end of the bay and have a nearby warung grill it for around IDR 15,000 to 30,000 per kilo.

In detail

Kedonganan fish market opens early, and the best choice and prices are from about 6 to 8 am. Indicative prices are around IDR 70,000 to 90,000 per kilo for red snapper and IDR 100,000 to 200,000 for prawns, depending on size. Lobster is far more expensive.

Choose your seafood, have it weighed and pay, then carry it to one of the grill warungs next to the market. They cook it grilled, fried or with garlic and chilli, and serve it with rice, greens and sambal, sometimes charged separately.

The Jimbaran beach restaurants are grouped along the bay, with tables set on the sand. You pick from the iced display, the fish is weighed and priced, then grilled with Balinese spices. Expect noticeably higher prices than at the market, as you pay for the setting.

Elsewhere, look for sate lilit ikan, Balinese minced fish satay on lemongrass, served in local warungs across the island.

Good to know

At a beach restaurant, ask for the weight and total price before the fish goes on the grill.
Bring cash in small notes to the fish market: cards are rarely accepted.
Wear closed shoes at Kedonganan, as the floors are wet and slippery.

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Sources

Rules and prices in Indonesia change often. Always check official sources before you travel.