Bali Mini Series: Coffee
They say that Ubud is also the healthy food capital of the world (or something like that). There’s trendy cafes popping up all over the place, each with its own vibe, look, and take on the holy smoothie bowl.
Ubud has certainly capitalised on the whole Eat, Pray, Love idea. If you haven’t seen the classic film starring Julia Roberts – which, admittedly, I hadn’t done before travelling to Bali – it’s about a newly divorced modern woman who embarks on a trip to Indonesia (amongst other places) in search of herself. So, Ubud has found itself as a destination for healthy and mindful living and has created a tourist industry so heavily centred on this mantra. And the mantra is impossible to escape. Nowhere is it better seen than in Ubud’s coffee shops. Obviously, I couldn’t help but photograph the decor…
Art Kafe
There’s a similar sort of vibe in Canggu. It’s like Ubud, but by the coast. Ubud-on-Sea if you want. Our favourite spot was Crate. It is minimal at its most minimal. The tables are made of wooden slats with glass placed on top and just enough space for visitors to slip through their little momentous – a twitter handle, a passport photo, a London Underground train ticket and a quote or two. This industrial decor is juxtaposed with the vibrant colours of its exotic menu and what can only be described as the effortless cool of its surfer/ yogi clientele. Simple, basic and not at all try hard. Other top spots in Canggu include Monsieur Spoon and The Shady Shack.
One thing is for sure: if you’re heading to Bali, you will not be short of beautiful coffee shops with divine food.
