Merah Putih

Merah Putih takes its name from the red and white of the Indonesian flag, and the idea behind it is just as patriotic: to put the cooking of the entire archipelago on one table. The menu moves from Javanese, Sumatran and Balinese home-style classics to more experimental dishes that play with traditional spices and techniques, all under the direction of Executive Chef Wiwik.

The restaurant sits on busy Jalan Petitenget, but step inside and the noise falls away. The soaring dining hall, with its tall columns, high ceiling and dramatic lighting, is one of the most photographed restaurant interiors in Bali and sets the tone for a proper occasion meal. It has collected a shelf of local recognition, including Diners Choice Best Indonesian Restaurant of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

The food

Dining is family style: plates land in the middle of the table and everyone shares, which is the best way to explore a cuisine this broad. Lunch is à la carte and a little more relaxed; dinner offers both à la carte and a nine-dish tasting menu (served 17:30–22:00) that works as a guided tour through the regions. Vegetarian and vegan options run through every menu, so mixed groups are easy to feed.

Signature dishes

• Bebek goreng – crisp fried duck with sambal
• Bakpao sapi – soft steamed buns filled with beef
• Pepes tahu – spiced tofu steamed in banana leaf
• Ikan bakar – grilled fish with Indonesian marinades
• Kerengsengan sapi – a sweet-spicy East Javanese beef stir-fry
• Nasi campur – a mixed rice plate for tasting several flavours at once

The bar

The bar is worth arriving early for. It pours more than 200 international wines alongside spirits and craft beers, and its cocktail flights lean on Indonesian botanicals and spices, making them a natural match for the food. If you are not ready for a full dinner, a drink and a couple of small plates at the bar is a lighter way to experience the room.

Tips for your visit

• Book ahead for dinner, especially on weekends and in peak season; lunch is usually easier to get into.
• Order more dishes than people and share – portions are designed for the table.
• The tasting menu is the easiest choice for first-timers who want a broad overview of Indonesian cooking.
• Smart casual suits the setting; you will feel underdressed in beachwear.
• Can’t make it in person? The restaurant also delivers via GoFood and GrabFood.

Who it suits

Merah Putih works for almost any kind of table. Couples come for the drama of the room and the candlelit dinner service; families and groups like the family-style format, which means nobody is stuck with a single dish they are unsure about. It is also a smart choice for visitors in their first days on the island, because one meal here gives a broad map of Indonesian flavours – sweet soy, fermented shrimp paste, fresh turmeric, smoky chilli – that makes ordering at local warungs much easier later in the trip.

Whether you are new to Indonesian food or already know your rendang from your rawon, Merah Putih is one of the most polished places in Bali to eat your way across the country in a single evening.