Canggu, Bali’s vibrant coastal village, has quickly become a mecca for vegan travelers seeking fresh, flavorful, and innovative plant-based cuisine. This eclectic hub offers an impressive variety of cafes and restaurants catering to all tastes—from raw food enthusiasts to fans of traditional Balinese dishes transformed into vegan delights. Whether you’re a committed vegan or simply curious about plant-based dining, Canggu provides a culinary adventure packed with nutritious meals, organic ingredients, and creative fusion flavors.
Popular Vegan Cafes and Restaurants in Canggu
Canggu’s dining scene has exploded with options for vegan enthusiasts. Some standout spots attract both locals and tourists alike with their dedication to plant-based menus and sustainable practices. Places like Crate Cafe offer vibrant vegan bowls and smoothies perfect for a power-packed breakfast, while Shady Shack has become a renowned gem for hearty vegan comfort food with a bohemian vibe. Betelnut Cafe masterfully blends Indonesian flavors with vegan concepts, serving dishes like jackfruit tacos or tempeh salads. Another must-visit is Peloton Supershop, known for its 100% vegan menu emphasizing raw, organic, and whole foods.
For raw food lovers, Milkii offers luxurious vegan ice creams and smoothies made from coconut milk bases, perfect for cooling off after a day exploring. Meanwhile, Avocado Cafe specializes in avocado toast and fresh juice concoctions that celebrate wellness and vitality.
Must-Try Dishes and Local Ingredients
One of the joys of dining vegan in Canggu is discovering how local ingredients are cleverly integrated into plant-based dishes. The abundant tropical produce, unique spices, and traditional herbs of Bali provide a rich flavor palette. Must-try dishes include:
- Gado-Gado – A vibrant Indonesian salad of steamed vegetables served with a creamy peanut sauce, easily found in vegan-friendly versions.
- Nasi Campur Vegan Style – A mixed rice platter featuring tempeh, tofu, sautéed greens, and sambal chili paste, offering a quintessential Balinese culinary experience.
- Jackfruit Rendang – Mimicking the classic spicy beef rendang, this vegan rendition uses tender jackfruit slow-cooked in rich coconut milk and spices.
- Tempeh Satay – Grilled skewers of fermented soy cake marinated in traditional Balinese spices and served with peanut sauce.
- Bali’s Tropical Smoothie Bowls – Packed with dragon fruit, mango, passionfruit, coconut flakes, and nuts for texture and nutrition.
Fresh coconut, turmeric, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves make frequent appearances in dishes, imbuing them with distinctive Balinese aromas and flavors that vegan diners will appreciate.
Raw and Organic Food Options
For those leaning toward raw, unprocessed food, Canggu’s commitment to organic and raw dining is evident in venues like Peloton Supershop and Lawar Vegan. These spots emphasize nutrient-dense meals prepared without cooking, preserving enzymes and vitamins. Expect colorful salads, fermented veggies, raw desserts, and nutrient-packed smoothies, all crafted with organic and local produce.
Organic juices featuring greens like kale and spinach, along with superfoods such as spirulina and maca powder, are staples on raw menus. These choices appeal to both health-conscious visitors and anyone wanting a fresh daily detox.
Vegan-Friendly Markets and Grocery Stores
Beyond restaurants, Canggu hosts several markets and grocery stores that cater to plant-based lifestyles. The Love Anchor Market and Samadi Sunday Market often feature stalls selling fresh organic fruits, vegetables, handmade vegan snacks, and dairy-free treats. For longer stays, shops like Toko Organic and Down to Earth offer a wide selection of vegan groceries, including cruelty-free snacks, non-dairy milks, plant-based protein powders, and eco-friendly personal care products.
These markets not only support vegan lifestyle needs but also encourage sustainable and conscious shopping, allowing visitors and residents to maintain their dietary preferences easily while in Bali.
Dietary Tips and Ordering Advice
When dining out in Canggu, it helps to communicate clearly with staff about vegan preferences, as some dishes might traditionally include fish sauce, shrimp paste, or dairy. Learning key phrases in Bahasa Indonesia like “tanpa susu” (without milk), “tanpa telur” (without eggs), and “tanpa ikan” (without fish) can be useful.
Many restaurants warmly accommodate vegan requests and often have vegan menus or labels. If a dish isn’t explicitly vegan, don’t hesitate to ask if substitutions can be made. Since Balinese cuisine is rich in fresh herbs and spices, customizing your meal ensures an authentic yet completely plant-based experience.
For travelers with allergies or other dietary restrictions, indicating these upfront helps ensure a safe and enjoyable meal. Also, timing your visits to popular spots can sometimes be necessary as bustling tourist seasons mean the busiest venues get crowded.
Community Events and Vegan Meetups
Canggu’s energetic vegan community hosts regular events that promote plant-based living and social connections. Monthly vegan meetups, cooking workshops, and pop-up dinners offer opportunities to engage with local chefs, share recipes, and meet travelers who share your passion for cruelty-free food. These gatherings often highlight Bali’s sustainable food movement and support smaller farmers and producers.
Check social media platforms and local vegan groups to stay updated on events during your visit. Participating in these activities enriches the travel experience and helps build meaningful relationships within Bali’s vibrant vegan scene.
How to Support Sustainable Vegan Businesses
Supporting Canggu’s vegan businesses goes beyond enjoying great food—it helps promote ethical food systems and environmental consciousness. Many vegan cafes in Canggu use biodegradable packaging, source ingredients locally, and collaborate with organic farmers to reduce carbon footprints. By choosing such establishments, you directly contribute to a more sustainable Bali.
Small gestures like minimizing single-use plastics, advocating for fair wages for staff, and spreading positive word-of-mouth also strengthen the ethical ecosystem. When possible, opt for businesses that donate surplus food or actively engage in community welfare programs.
Recipes from Canggu’s Top Chefs
If you want to bring a taste of Canggu’s vegan cuisine into your own kitchen, here are two simple yet delicious recipes inspired by the local chefs:
Jackfruit Rendang
- Ingredients: young green jackfruit, coconut milk, garlic, shallots, ginger, turmeric, galangal, chili, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, tamarind paste, palm sugar, salt.
- Instructions: Sauté blended spices until fragrant, add jackfruit and coconut milk, simmer until tender and sauce thickens, adjust seasoning. Serve with steamed rice.
Gado-Gado Salad
- Ingredients: boiled potatoes, green beans, bean sprouts, tofu, tempeh, cucumber, boiled eggs (vegan substitute: tofu scramble), peanut sauce, fried shallots.
- Instructions: Arrange steamed vegetables and protein on a plate, drizzle generously with peanut sauce, sprinkle fried shallots on top. Serve warm or cold.
Explore Canggu’s Plant-Based Food Trail
Embarking on a plant-based food trail through Canggu is an exciting way to immerse yourself in Bali’s vibrant vegan offerings. Start your mornings with fresh smoothie bowls at Crate Cafe, grab raw cakes and coffee at Peloton Supershop, dive into flavorful Balinese vegan plates at Betelnut Cafe, and indulge in organic ice cream at Milkii. Along the way, visit local markets to taste fresh tropical fruits and shop sustainable products.
This trail not only delights your taste buds but also connects you with a community dedicated to health, compassion, and sustainability—a true reflection of Canggu’s spirit. Whether you’re here for a few days or several weeks, the town’s vegan restaurants and lifestyle will nourish both your body and soul.
