When looking for restaurants in Central Ubud, it might be a bit difficult to find Indonesian food that’s not overpriced or inauthentic. Many restaurants in Ubud cater heavily to tourists, often adjusting flavours to suit international palates, or charging premiums prices for traditional food that is normally affordable.
Among the best restaurants in Ubud to try mouthwatering, home-cooked Indonesian food, Compound Warung competes for the crown. Unlike trendy fusion spots, this gem stays true to the taste of Indonesia in a welcoming atmosphere.
About Compound Warung
In the heart of Ubud, Compound Warung is a hotspot for both locals and tourists who are seeking out a charming Indonesian dining experience that maintains the iconic Ubud vibe.
Due to it’s delicious food, cozy location, and welcoming staff, it’s well-reviewed online with near-perfect ratings on Google and TripAdvisor. Guests praise its authentic Balinese flavours, generous portions, and beautifully presented dishes, making this restaurants a must-visit for food lovers.
The intimate setting, tucked away in a traditional Balinese compound, adds to its charm, offering a relaxed and homey atmosphere that perfectly complements the vibrant culinary experience.
- Address: Jl. Gootama No.6, Ubud
- Opening hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, daily
- Cuisine – Balinese, Indonesian
- Price range: $
- Instagram: @compoundwarung
- WhatsApp: +62 812-3901-2189
Compound Warung Location
Your journey to find Compound Warung takes you through the vibrant street of Jalan Goutama (sometimes spelled Gootama). It’s a pedestrian-friendly street and perfect for window shopping for unique spots to eat.
Toward the northern end of Jalan Goutama, you’ll find the sign for Compound Warung, with no actual restaurant in sight – I told you, it’s a hidden gem!
You’ll need to enter the pathway through a very unassuming yard and walk about 30 meters all the way to the back. After encountering some white bunnies that roam through the yard, you’ll find this charming Balinese restaurant built into a home.
The exact location on Google maps is Jalan Gootama No.6, Ubud 80571.
The Cuisine
First off, I will be honest with you. I wouldn’t consider the food at Compound Warung to be actually “authentic Indonesian food.” But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The food at Compound is a great introduction to Indonesian food.
Real, authentic Indonesian cuisine will be full of herbs, spices, and oil and will leave you panting and reaching for your glass of water – that’s part of the experience! However, offering spicy food in an area that’s full of tourists is a bit risky on several fronts.
The menu itself is a modified Indonesian cuisine that makes it suitable for foreigners while maintaining a certain level of authenticity. Even the Sambal (spicy sauce) is adjusted to be enjoyable without turning your face red.
Compound prides itself in providing healthy food with no artificial colouring – all natural ingredients, and no added MSG. Many of the dishes are also vegan and vegetarian friendly.
What to Order: The Nasi Campur
Everyone is raving about the Nasi Campur at Compound Warung – including myself. Even as someone who prefers to eat food on the spicier side of the spectrum, the Nasi Campur was still a fun meal.
To give you an idea of what Nasi Campur really is, it directly translates to ‘Mixed Rice’ (Nasi = Rice, Campur = Mixed). Traditionally, it’s a plate of rice covered with toppings of your choice – a hefty meal.
Unlike the traditional format of Nasi Campur where it’s all in one plate of rice, Compound Warung serves a deconstructed version of it – separated into cute handmade banana leaf containers and beautifully presented.
You’ll have 3 choices for Nasi Campur – vegetarian, chicken, and pork – starting at IDR 35K. Your plate comes with meat or tempe, a couple of skewers, 2 types of sambal, urap (kind of a salad), tempe curry, peanuts, with fruit on the side. You can swap your white rice to red rice.
In terms of alternative choices, here are some other Indonesian foods available on the menu:
- Gado-Gado – Indonesian salad with boiled veggies topped with peanut sauce.
- Satay – Tempe, tofu, chicken, or pork grilled skewers.
- Soto Ayam – Indonesian chicken soup
- Perkedel Jagung – Indonesian corn fritters
For drinks, I usually order the Iced Kombucha Ginger or the Ginger Booster. You can also grab some fresh fruit juices like dragon fruit, papaya, or avocado for just IDR 30k.
Traditional Indonesian Desserts
When it comes to desserts, here’s where it gets fun. This is your opportunity to try freshly-made, authentic Indonesian sweets. Here’s a few on the menu:
- Dadar Gulung – a green rolled pancake filled with coconut and palm sugar.
- Klepon – bright green, doughy rice balls filled with melted palm sugar.
- Es Campur – a mix of shaved ice, coconut, jelly, and some fruits.
- Es Daluman – ice, jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup. super sweet!
How to get to Compound Warung
With a Private Car and Driver
Book yourself a private car and driver and explore Ubud for the day. You’ll be in the comfort of your own air-conditioned SUV driven by a trusted English-speaking driver, and taken around the attractions, restaurants, markets, or anywhere else of your choice.
By Scooter
If you’re staying in Ubud and traveling light or solo, renting a scooter in Bali is perfect for a quick lunch trip. I recommend Bikago Scooter Rental for quality scooters and includes delivery to your hotel or villa.
By Public Bus
If you’re staying relatively nearby and want to cut back on spending, you can hop on Bali’s public bus system, Teman Bus, which has one route through Ubud. Your stop will be opposite Clear Cafe. Keep in mind, Ubud’s traffic can be bad – especially with bigger vehicles like the bus.
Attractions near Compound Warung
Since Compound Warung is located in central Ubud, you’ll find tons of things to do in Ubud here, including some of Ubud’s most popular attractions within walking distance. Book an Ubud Day Tour to get the most out of your time in Ubud.
- Ubud Art Market (800m away) – traditional art market
- Ubud Palace (850m away) – 19th century royal palace
- Saraswati Temple (1km away) – a beautiful temple with a lotus pond
- Museum Puri Lakisan (1.2km away) – Ubud’s oldest art museum
- Campuhan Ridge Walk (1.7km away) – Ubud’s best walking trail
- Blanco Museum (1.9km away) – art museum of Antonio Blanco
- Ubud Monkey Forest (2.5km away) – The famous Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Goa Gajah (5km away) – The Elephant Cave
Final thoughts about Compound Warung
Like I said, Compound Warung is a great local restaurant in Ubud to try Indonesian food – especially if it’s your first time. The food is full of flavour and the prices are reasonable (in comparison to the other restaurants in the area).
In terms of portion sizes, they could do a bit better. But perhaps I’m a bit spoiled with pigging out on a massive plate of Nasi Campur for $1.50 at a local roadside warung. However, since the prices are so cheap, you can order multiple meals without hurting the wallet.
It’s a calm vibe with a laid-back and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect pit stop to take a break and escape from Ubud’s busy streets.
Here are some other useful resources for your Bali trip:
FAQs about Compound Warung
Should I make a reservation?
It gets quite packed in the evening hours for the dinner rush. I recommend making a reservation via WhatsApp. Lunch time also gets quite full but not as busy as dinner.
When is the best time to visit?
Since they’re only open at 11:00 am, you won’t be able to have an early breakfast here. It’s better for lunch or dinner. They do also have all-day breakfast options.
What is the price range?
The menu ranges from IDR 30k to IDR 50k (AUD $3.50 – $5.00 / USD $2.20 – $3.18).
Is it vegan-friendly?
Yes, it is both vegan and vegetarian friendly. They also offer a vegetarian variation of the Nasi Campur. You can also request to swap on certain meats from other dishes for a plant-based option.
There is no special menu for kids. I recommend ordering something from the starters / snacks. The kids will definitely love the desserts!
What to wear?
No need to dress up. This is a casual dining restaurant. Wear whatever’s comfortable for you. Keep in mind, the location is not enclosed. There is no air-con. It might be quite warm depending on the time of day you’re headed there.
How to get to Ubud?
Ubud is quite far from Bali Airport. You’ll have several options to get from Bali Airport to Ubud – airport transfer, airport taxis, or by scooter.
What is there to do in Ubud?
Go through my guide on things to do in Ubud, which includes some of the best temples, waterfalls, unique hidden gems, and fun activities.
Neil
I’ve been in Bali for so long I’ve grown roots (literally and metaphorically). For the past 10 years, I’ve experienced Bali from every angle. I’ve explored the temples, I’ve tried all the food, and I’m proudly fluent in the Indonesian language. I hope our website helps you get an authentic experience for your holiday in Bali, whether you’re here to enjoy the finer things in life, or to learn more about this Bali’s rich culture.
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