When you've earned a Michelin star in Singapore, opened two restaurants at one of Bali's most anticipated resort openings, and built a reputation for blending European technique with Asian soul, people tend to ask where you go to eat. Chef Andrew Walsh (the Irish-born force behind CURE at Regent Bali Canggu and the Mediterranean-spirited Sazón on Batu Bolong) gave us an unfiltered, off-the-cuff rundown of his go-to spots across the island. No PR polish, no rehearsed answers: just a chef talking about the places that genuinely make him happy.
Morning Rituals
Walsh isn't much of a breakfast person, he admits. But when he does step out for a morning bite, one place has earned his loyalty.
Barō Bakery in Pererenan is his top pick. Founded by Emerson Manibo, a baker who honed his craft at Tartine in San Francisco before bringing his sourdough expertise to Bali, Barō has quietly become one of the island's most respected artisanal bakeries. Walsh is a devoted fan. "My favourite cafe bakery would have to be Emerson, the amazing chef at Barō Bakery," he says. "I love his pastries and the coffee is excellent."
Lunch
With so many great restaurants on the island, Walsh finds it hard to narrow down a single lunch spot, so he doesn't.
First on the list is Masonry, the wood-fired Mediterranean restaurant on Batu Bolong, Canggu, that has been a favourite since first opening as Mason in 2018. "Masonry is always great," he says. "Beautiful lunch every time I'm there."
He's equally enthusiastic about Shelter in Pererenan, the lush open-air restaurant where British-born chef Stephen Moore (known to regulars as Steve) serves Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with precision and warmth. "Steve at Shelter does a great job," Walsh says.
And for something more casual, there's always BAKED., the popular bakery-cafe chain that has become a Canggu institution, where Walsh is a regular for coffee and a croissant.
Seafood by the Sea
Walsh's pick for seafood carries the weight of a recent discovery. He'd just come from Sundara, the beachfront restaurant at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, and was still buzzing about a snapper he'd had the night before.
"It was a beautiful snapper. I went over to try this Jimbaran fish at a place called Sundara, and I have to say it was absolutely beautiful."
Perched above one of Bali's longest beachfront infinity pools, Sundara draws on Jimbaran's deep-rooted fishing village heritage and serves fire-driven coastal cuisine that clearly left an impression even on a chef who's tasted it all.
The Bar Scene
Ask Walsh where he drinks and the answer starts, predictably, at home. Bar Nua at CURE (named after the Irish word for "new") is his nightly haunt, a seaside cocktail bar where the drinks mirror the restaurant's culinary philosophy of fusing modern technique with Asian ingredients and local produce.
His current obsession? The Caife Gaelich, a cocktail by Bar Nua's mixologist Charles. Named using the Irish Gaelic words for "Gaelic coffee," it's a clever riff on the classic Irish coffee: served cold and layered with coconut, pandan, and a crown of toasted coconut. "He's taken the Irish coffee, made it cold, but he's adding a nice little Asian influence," Walsh explains. "It's beautiful."
When he does leave the property, Walsh heads to Segno, the discreet speakeasy-style cocktail bar on Batu Bolong, Canggu. Founded by master bartender Yutaka Nakashima (also behind Jakarta's acclaimed Koda), Segno is known for its Japanese-influenced precision and moody, intimate atmosphere. For Walsh, it's a gin and tonic kind of place. Sometimes simplicity is the point.
Date Night
No surprises here. If Walsh were planning a proper evening out, he'd bring his date to CURE. The ocean view, a glass of champagne, and a meal prepared by the team he's built. It's his ultimate Bali dining experience, and he makes no apologies for the bias.
"The beautiful view, the ocean, a nice glass of champagne, and of course a great meal cooked by our amazing chefs."
Cure is located at Regent Bali Canggu and is open Tuesday to Saturday evenings. Sazón is on Jalan Batu Bolong, Canggu, open daily from sunset to supper.
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