Friday, August 8, 2025

Coffee Shops in Ubud Worth Visiting for Real Coffee Lovers and Chill Seekers

Coffee Shops in Ubud Worth Visiting

If you’re the kind of person who plans a trip itinerary around where you’re going to eat and drink (yep, guilty as charged), then hunting down coffee shops in Ubud worth visiting is going to be a real adventure. And not just because Ubud is Bali’s yoga-mat-carrying, kombucha-sipping, artsy soul — it’s also a mini paradise for anyone who appreciates a proper brew. From those tiny hole-in-the-wall joints where the beans are roasted right next to your table, to the lush garden cafés where you might end up sipping a latte while a rooster struts by — Ubud doesn’t mess around with its coffee culture.

Now, before I get into the specifics, let’s get one thing straight — Ubud isn’t your average “tourist coffee town.” Yes, there’s plenty of Instagrammable cappuccinos with hearts in the foam, but the real magic is in the variety. You’ve got baristas who’ve trained in Melbourne, farmers bringing in beans from Kintamani highlands, and little family-run spots where grandma still hand-grinds the coffee like it’s 1972. It’s this mix of the global and the local that makes coffee hopping here so much fun.

Check also: Affordable Bali Vacation Packages 

The Heart of Ubud’s Coffee Scene – It’s More Than Just the Drink

One of the things I’ve learned after spending way too many mornings “researching” cafés here (that’s my excuse, anyway) is that the coffee shop culture in Ubud is as much about where you’re drinking as what you’re drinking. Sure, flavor notes of caramel and citrus sound fancy, but when you’re sitting in an open-air bamboo pavilion with a rice paddy view, somehow even a basic Americano tastes like art.

The coffee scene here blends three main vibes:

  • The Specialty Crowd – Think single-origin beans, precise pour-overs, and baristas who can tell you the exact elevation where the coffee plant grew.
  • The Bohemian Loungers – Spots with floor cushions, incense burning somewhere, and low chatter. Coffee’s good, but so is the slow pace.
  • The Local Heroes – Warung-style coffee places where kopi tubruk (strong, sweet, unfiltered coffee) is the star, and you might get it in a mismatched mug that’s older than you.

Each of these types offers a different kind of experience, and honestly, part of the fun is mixing it up — one day you’re sipping something that took three minutes to pour, the next you’re tossing back a thick, sugary shot that could fuel a marathon.

Specialty Coffee Shops That’ll Win Over the Coffee Snobs

If you’ve ever been the person who politely asks, “Do you have oat milk?” at a roadside stall and gets a blank stare, Ubud will feel like a safe haven. There are spots here that rival the café scenes of Sydney, Portland, or Copenhagen — minus the inflated rent.

Seniman Coffee Studio: The Coffee Lab of Ubud

Let’s start with Seniman Coffee Studio because it’s basically the godfather of specialty coffee here. The place looks like a cross between a science lab and an art installation. You don’t just order a latte — you get a story about where the beans came from, how they were roasted, and why this particular brewing method makes them shine.

One of my favorite things? The tasting flights. You get three or four different brews side-by-side, and it’s like a mini coffee workshop. Plus, they serve them with these little rotating wooden spoons so you can swirl your drink like it’s wine. The vibe is relaxed, but there’s a quiet hum of people really thinking about their coffee. Oh, and they roast their beans on-site, so half the time you walk in and the whole place smells like heaven.

Anomali Coffee: Urban Cool Meets Bali Beans

Anomali is a bit more modern-industrial in style — concrete floors, open ceilings, a lot of steel and wood. But the heart of it is pure Indonesia. Their menu reads like a geography lesson: Aceh Gayo, Toraja, Flores Bajawa, and of course, Bali Kintamani. I like that they serve their coffee strong but balanced — no watery flat whites here.

They also have a great cold brew if you’re melting in the midday sun. It’s the kind of place where you can sit with your laptop and work for hours without anyone rushing you out, though you’ll probably be tempted to keep ordering because their pastry selection is just as strong as the coffee lineup.

Pison Coffee: Where Food and Coffee Are Both Stars

Here’s the thing about Pison Coffee — you go in thinking you’re just having a cappuccino, but then you see someone at the next table with eggs benedict that looks like it came from a food magazine, and suddenly your “quick coffee” turns into a brunch situation.

They take their coffee seriously (their espresso is consistently rich and smooth), but they also make sure the food holds its own. It’s more of a “come with friends” type spot, because between the live music nights and the buzzing atmosphere, you’ll want to hang around longer than you planned.

The Laid-Back Jungle and Rice Field Cafés

One of Ubud’s charms is that you can walk five minutes out of the busy center and end up in a coffee shop that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. These are the places where the view is part of the drink — and you’ll want to order a second cup just to stretch out your stay.
H3 – Clear Café: Zen Meets Cappuccino

Clear Café is basically the wellness version of a coffee shop. You’ll take off your shoes at the entrance, step inside to soft music, lots of plants, and open-air seating. The coffee is smooth, often organic, and pairs perfectly with their fresh juices and smoothie bowls if you want something light.

It’s the kind of spot where you end up staying for hours without realizing it, partly because you’re so relaxed and partly because you’re trying to figure out if you should order another coconut latte.

Café Pomegranate: Sunset Sips Over the Rice Fields

This place takes a bit of effort to reach (you have to walk a small path from the main road), but the reward is an uninterrupted view over bright green rice paddies. The coffee’s good — they serve both Western-style espresso drinks and traditional Bali coffee — but the real magic happens around sunset. The light turns gold, the air cools down, and suddenly your iced latte feels like a little piece of heaven.

They also make a mean iced lemon coffee, which sounds strange but works brilliantly here in the tropical heat.

Ubud’s Local Coffee Staples You Shouldn’t Skip

If you only stick to the polished, expat-friendly cafés, you’re missing out on the real roots of Bali’s coffee culture. The traditional kopi Bali is strong, grainy, and sweet — usually served with the grounds still in the cup, so don’t down it in one go unless you like chewing your coffee.

You’ll find it in small warungs or even market stalls. One of my personal favorites is a tiny stall near the Ubud morning market where the owner roasts beans in a pan over charcoal and then grinds them by hand. No latte art, no fancy milk options — just pure, old-school coffee that’ll wake you up faster than your alarm clock.

Why Coffee in Ubud Feels Different

Maybe it’s the combination of altitude-grown beans from Kintamani, the global crowd of baristas bringing new ideas, and the island’s slower rhythm. Or maybe it’s just the fact that sipping coffee while watching palm trees sway is impossible to beat.

But I think there’s also a deeper reason. Coffee here isn’t rushed. It’s not a “grab-and-go” culture. You sit, you talk, you notice the details. The taste lingers, and so does the memory. And that’s exactly why every trip back to Ubud, I end up adding at least three “new” coffee spots to my mental list — even though I swear I’ve already found my favorites.

Cafés That Remote Workers Practically Live In

If you’ve been to Ubud before, you know it’s got a magnet for the digital nomad crowd. And while coworking spaces like Hubud or Outpost get all the headlines, there’s something magical about posting up in a café all day — coffee flowing, Wi-Fi humming, maybe a banana bread slice to keep you alive through those back-to-back Zoom calls.

Watercress Café: Work-Friendly and Bright

Watercress is technically a restaurant-café hybrid, but their coffee game is strong enough to make it onto this list. The space is airy with lots of natural light — crucial when you’re staring at a screen for hours. Tables are big enough to spread out your laptop and notebooks without accidentally knocking your cappuccino into your keyboard (yes, that’s happened to me elsewhere).

Their flat whites are excellent, the Wi-Fi rarely drops, and the background music is mellow enough to keep you focused. If you’re planning a long session, order the cold brew with coconut water — it’s refreshing and gives you a clean caffeine buzz without the crash.

F.R.E.A.K Coffee: For Serious Bean Geeks

First off, the name stands for Fresh Roasted Enak Arabica from Kintamani. And yes, their beans come directly from farmers in Kintamani, which means they’re not just slinging espresso — they’re actively supporting the local coffee ecosystem.

F.R.E.A.K has this laid-back atmosphere where you can plug in your laptop and just work for hours without anyone giving you the side-eye. Their long black is excellent if you want to taste the beans’ natural flavors without milk getting in the way. And if you’re into the nitty-gritty of coffee production, the staff here love talking about processing methods, roasting profiles, and harvest seasons.

KAFE: Wholesome, Healthy, and Laptop-Friendly

KAFE has that boho-meets-health-food vibe that’s so “Ubud” it hurts — in the best way. Think big salads, vegan cakes, turmeric lattes… but they also pull a solid espresso.

What makes it great for working is the big communal tables and the way it seems to attract a mix of solo workers and small creative meetups. The coffee’s reliable, but if you’re settling in for the long haul, their iced matcha latte is a good “second round” drink to keep you hydrated without overdoing the caffeine.

Vegan-Friendly Coffee Spots That Don’t Skimp on Flavor

Bali’s vegan scene is legendary, and Ubud is basically the capital of it. But here’s the thing — not all vegan-friendly cafés know how to make a proper coffee. Luckily, these spots do.

Alchemy: Plant-Based and Powerful Coffee

Alchemy is better known as a raw vegan restaurant, but their coffee menu is no afterthought. They’ve got almond, coconut, and cashew milk made fresh in-house, which means your latte doesn’t come with that weird boxed-milk aftertaste.

The vibe here is all about clean eating and wellness, but the coffee still has that robust punch you want first thing in the morning. They also do a bulletproof-style coffee with coconut oil and cacao butter that’ll keep you full if you’re skipping breakfast.

Sayuri Healing Food: Coffee with a Side of Calm

Sayuri is a sanctuary — soft lighting, gentle music, and a menu full of plant-based goodness. Their coffee pairs beautifully with their raw desserts (the cashew cheesecake is a personal favorite).

What I love is that they don’t over-sweeten their drinks. If you get an iced latte here, it’s smooth, clean, and refreshing, letting the coffee flavor actually shine instead of drowning in syrup. Great spot for slow mornings when you want to journal or read instead of rush into your day.

Instagram-Worthy Coffee Shops

Now, let’s be honest — part of Ubud’s appeal is that almost everything here is photogenic. But some cafés are built for that “I’m sipping coffee in Bali” shot.

Folk Pool & Gardens: Coffee by the Pool

This is one of those spots where you come for the experience as much as the drink. You can actually rent a cabana, sip a cappuccino, and dip your toes in the pool — all in the same morning.

Their coffee is solid, but the real star is the setting: lush greenery, colorful umbrellas, and little nooks that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into someone’s tropical backyard. It’s the kind of place where you order one coffee, take a hundred photos, and then somehow end up staying for lunch.

Lazy Cats Café: Artsy and Cozy

Lazy Cats has this eclectic, vintage feel — mismatched furniture, local art on the walls, and big windows overlooking one of Ubud’s main streets. It’s moody in the best way, and the coffee is consistently excellent.

The seating upstairs is perfect for people-watching while you sip a cappuccino or flat white. It’s a little pricier than some other spots, but the atmosphere is worth it if you’re after that perfect blend of artsy and comfortable.

Traditional Balinese Coffee Experiences

You can’t talk about coffee shops in Ubud worth visiting without mentioning the local traditions that go way beyond latte art. Bali’s coffee culture has roots that predate the specialty scene, and it’s worth exploring.

Kopi Bali Shops in the Market

Early morning in Ubud’s market is a sensory overload — piles of tropical fruit, baskets of spices, and the smell of freshly brewed kopi Bali drifting through the air. These stalls serve coffee that’s strong, unfiltered, and often sweetened with generous spoonfuls of sugar.

It’s a completely different experience from your V60 pour-over. The grounds stay in the cup, so you sip slowly and stop before you hit the thick layer at the bottom. The taste is earthy and bold — perfect if you want to feel truly “in Bali” for a moment.

Plantation Visits and Farm-to-Cup Tours

A lot of coffee in Ubud comes from the Kintamani region, just a couple of hours away. Some cafés even organize day trips to plantations where you can see the whole process — from picking cherries to roasting beans.

One of my best memories is visiting a small family farm where they still roast beans over an open fire in a clay pan. We ended the tour with a cup of kopi tubruk, sitting on a bamboo bench while the farmer’s kids played nearby. No latte art, no Wi-Fi, just pure connection over coffee.

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