Alchemy Ubud

Alchemy opened in Penestanan in 2011 as what it describes as the island’s first 100% raw, organic and vegan restaurant, and it has shaped Ubud’s healthy-eating scene ever since. The menu remains entirely plant-based and gluten-free, with a strong emphasis on raw preparations and nutrient-rich, locally grown produce.

In 2016 the building was reimagined by architect Alexis Dornier. The original concrete structure was opened up and extended with new two-level wings, supported by recycled telephone poles and topped with tiered alang-alang thatch that keeps the space naturally ventilated. The result is an airy, light-filled 900-square-metre venue that feels part café, part community space.

The food

Alchemy is best known for letting you build your own meal. Choose a base, add toppings and dressings, and create a salad or bowl exactly the way you like it. Smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices, elixirs and raw desserts complete the offering, and everything is free of animal products and gluten.

What to order

• Build-your-own salad bowl, the café’s signature
• Smoothie bowls topped with fruit, seeds and granola
• Raw desserts, cheesecakes and cakes made without baking
• Elixirs and tonics using superfoods and adaptogens
• Fresh juices and plant-based coffee drinks

Wellness on site

The Ubud venue doubles as a wellness hub. Treatments include colon hydrotherapy and Balinese massage, alongside holistic therapies such as naturopathy, acupuncture, osteopathy, somatic healing, breathwork and family constellations. There is also a small shop selling organic groceries and wellness products. Sister cafés operate in Canggu (Jalan Tanah Barak) and Uluwatu (Jalan Pantai Bingin).

Tips for your visit

• Come hungry, custom salad bowls are larger than they look.
• Book wellness treatments in advance via WhatsApp.
• Mornings are quieter; lunch fills up with yoga students.
• Walk up via the Penestanan stairs or rice-field paths for a scenic approach.
• Everything is vegan and gluten-free, making it ideal for strict diets.

Who it suits

Alchemy appeals most to travellers who come to Ubud for yoga, retreats and wellness, but its build-your-own format means even non-vegans usually find something they enjoy. It is a practical choice for anyone with food intolerances, since the whole menu avoids gluten and animal products, and staff are used to answering detailed questions about ingredients.

The wellness centre makes it possible to combine lunch with a massage or therapy session in one visit. Penestanan itself is a pleasant village to explore, with artist studios, yoga shalas and rice-field paths, so allow time to wander before or after your meal. The village is reached by a steep flight of steps from the Campuhan side or by road, and both routes are part of the charm.

More than a decade on, Alchemy remains a cornerstone of Ubud’s wellness culture and one of the easiest places on the island to eat clean.