Chef Made Dhanu, raised in Bali and refined in Melbourne, has become a notable figure in Bali’s evolving culinary landscape. As co-founder of the creative collective FED, located in the heart of Seminyak, Dhanu has crafted a dining destination that draws both locals and visitors. With a deep commitment to sustainability and a focus on locally sourced ingredients, he brings the essence of Bali’s vibrant food culture to the table.

Made Dhanu

Our feast guide, crafted by local chef Made Dhanu, founder of FED restaurant, showcases a culinary philosophy that’s as much about community as it is about taste. FED, created by the community, for the community, offers a dining experience that’s deeply rooted in the island’s traditions and its profound connection to the land.

Here, dining is an immersive experience. Many of these restaurants work hand-in-hand with local farmers, fishermen, and producers to ensure that what ends up on your plate not only satisfies the palate but supports the community and the environment. The emphasis is on nourishment—not just for the body, but for Bali’s broader ecosystem.

From plant-based dishes to local specialities, every bite is a journey of cultural heritage. In Bali, food is about feeding the soul, preserving tradition, and celebrating a way of life that has stood the test of time.


Dhanu says there are “good and bad” things about Bali’s ever-evolving culinary landscape, but is wary about the amount of new eateries opening up on the island. “many are not locally owned, and I think there needs to be more control,” he says.

He adds that locally run businesses build “a stronger community” with a “welcoming identity”, something that benefits both locals and visitors alike. ”Tourists from all over the world travel to Bali and would appreciate it if more businesses are owned by locals.”


Find his guide below to the best places to eat sustainably in Bali. 

Bali

Potato Head 

Come and visit our restaurant FED. It’s a welcoming space where you can visit with your mates or on a date. You should definitely try the Chickpea fritter with smoked fish. We embed sustainable values into our cooking, no trimmings or bones go into the bin, we utilise them by adding to other dishes and enhancing the flavours of our favourite snacks. It is one of our ways to tackle food waste and try to be as conscious of our environment as we can. 

Have a drink at our bar and some snacks before starting dinner. Come and visit Friday or Saturday night if you’re into music.

The thing about this restaurant that always amuses people dining in is their welcome snacks, which changes frequently depending on the season of certain
produce. The welcome snacks consisted of 9-10 different dishes. There were two things on that snacks course that blew my mind, which was the gulai of young banana (indonesian curry) and this sour green leaf with tamarind, it's just something that i’ve never tasted before. I would recommend people to come to Nusantara with a group of friends that love tasty spicy food, as the restaurant concept is sharing style and you have to order a lot.

This is a humble spot by Indra Sanjaya, a good friend of mine, located in his house in Batukaru,Tabanan. The food at Standar Lokal is very simple yet it can be addicting. Indra continues his grandmother’s traditional smoked pork sausage and it is served with seasonal veggies like fern tips or cassava leaves, smoked chicken with sambal matah, and rice. People around Bali would drive up to standar lokal to enjoy this delicacy, as it's located close to the mount of Batukaru and it can be a journey to get there. You can go here with a date or group of friends.

American BBQ style smoked brisket run by young local Balinese located in the heart of Denpasar. Komang Tryananda or can be called Nance, a good friend of mine as well. Nance learned American bbq smoking technique from the Internet, built his DIY smoker machine and ran a couple of pop ups until decided to open up his own joint at his home in Denpasar. Everything from the menu is tasty, so better come with groups of friends and order and share everything on the menu. They are taking bookings only, as they have a very limited space.

Another humble warung located in Ubud, serving chicken rice dish. The place is a house courtyard, turned into an eatery with a view of rice fields and now “villas”. The first time I came to this warung was 6-8 years ago with my friend Nikolas, I got hooked ever since then and always took some friends to eat here when visiting ubud.

If you're visiting Bali, Babi Guling is a must on the food list. Babi Guling is a traditional Balinese suckling pig. Spit roasted whole pig served with condiments and rice. Balinese people would normally eat babi guling for breakfast or lunch, back then Babi Guling Selingsing started open at 2am as they only served limited portions. A lot of people go there after a night out in Canggu. As time goes by, the demand increases and they become commercial and open at normal times.