After a month and a half of traveling through northern Thailand, the southern coast of Bali, and the stunning islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, we finally made our way to Ubud. A short boat ride followed by a long car journey from Sanur brought us to the bustling heart of Monkey Forest Road. We settled into a delightful locally-owned spot, featuring an outdoor bathroom and kitchen, just minutes away from the vibrant culture of Ubud
Ubud is renowned for its healing energy, exquisite temples, and an abundance of vegan restaurants. With nine days to explore, we quickly realized that we could have easily spent twice as long soaking in all that Ubud and its beautiful surroundings have to offer. There's truly so much to see, do, and taste here!
Before arriving in Ubud, we heard time and again, “You HAVE to try SAGE.” The anticipation built as we looked forward to lunch at this popular plant-based restaurant. We were even more excited to sit down with the owner to learn about the restaurant's origins, life in Bali, and the future plans for this hotspot known for its vibrant vegan cuisine.
SAGE BALI: A Community Staple
SAGE is a charming and cozy restaurant located on Jalan Nyuh Bulan. Open for three years, it has become a beloved staple in the Ubud vegan community—one of those places that keeps you coming back again and again.One reason for its popularity is the owner’s genuine love for cooking, which is palpable in every dish. It all begins with positive energy and high-quality ingredients. Initially, sourcing organic ingredients proved challenging due to lenient food labeling laws in Bali. This motivated them to establish their very own farm in Bedugul six months after opening. Their commitment to sustainability shines through, as they create every dish from scratch, including coconut milk, ketchup, and bread.
A Menu Full of Flavor
The menu at SAGE is eclectic, featuring smoothies ranging from earthy to sweet, along with simple, healthy bowls of veggies paired with delicious homemade dressings. For those craving heartier options, dishes like tempeh buffalo wings, BLTs, and the infamous Hula Burger are sure to impress.I had to try the Hula Burger that everyone raved about—a kitchari patty smothered in teriyaki sauce and topped with grilled onion and pineapple. The flavors satisfied my Hawaiian roots perfectly! We also opted for the popular jackfruit asada tacos, loaded with pico de gallo, rice, beans, cashew cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce—all made in-house. If you love cauliflower as much as we do, don’t miss the cauliflower fritas baked in cashew cheese and served with a chipotle dipping sauce. To top it off, we indulged in a creamy coconut date shake that was simply divine. Every dish was deeply satisfying.
A Sweet Surprise
As if that weren’t enough, we were treated to a slice of the most incredible coconut cake I’ve ever tasted. This cake is genuinely out of this world! The recipe is a veganized version of the owner's grandmother's cake served at their wedding—so sweet and special to share.With all this deliciousness under one roof and a beautiful organic farm supplying fresh ingredients, it makes perfect sense for SAGE to expand. The owners are currently working on a new venture: an Italian-inspired plant-based restaurant. They are deep in creation mode, developing new recipes for ravioli, cheeses, and custom flour blends. We can’t wait to see (and taste) what they come up with!
A Commitment to Community and Sustainability
We admire SAGE's commitment to sustainability by sourcing ingredients as locally as possible and treating their employees like family. These factors, combined with amazing food, make SAGE a must-visit restaurant on your next trip to Ubud.We’re grateful for the delicious lunch and even better company.
Much love,Patrick and Kahala
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