Perched along the cliff’s edge at The Ungasan Clifftop Resort, waatu presents a contemporary dining experience shaped by fire, flavour, and sweeping ocean views. Overlooking the Indian Ocean and named after the local word for stone, the restaurant pairs elemental cooking techniques with refined, modern design.
At the heart of waatu is its wood-fired kitchen, where flame and charcoal define the menu, with no gas or electricity used. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Lachlan Budd, whose modern, creative approach and attention to detail guide the culinary direction. Blistered flatbreads emerge from the oven with a delicate smokiness, while premium meats, line-caught seafood, and seasonal produce are prepared over open coals to enhance depth and character. The philosophy is bold yet considered, celebrating quality ingredients with clarity and restraint.
The menu reflects a connection between people and nature’s freshest ingredients. Yakitori, playfully referred to as Things on Sticks, forms a signature selection of skewers cooked over open flames. From vibrant greens to more robust dishes such as pork and scallop fried rice, the offering presents a range of coal-kissed mains designed to intrigue the palate.
The beverage programme complements the cuisine with equal creativity. Led by Head Mixologist, Eka Adi Putra, the menu features inventive concoctions such as the Lumbung Harmony, a complex blend of mezcal, neat beat, Campari, and berry cordial topped with tonic; and the Embun, a refreshing fusion of vodka and bianco vermouth lifted by the tropical notes of matoa and grapefruit seltzer. A curated selection of natural, low-intervention wines further enhances the experience, offering expressive profiles that are thoughtfully paired.
The setting mirrors this philosophy. Clean architectural lines, natural textures, and warm tones create a space that feels both elevated and welcoming. Floor-to-ceiling openings frame expansive sea views, allowing light and landscape to shape the dining experience from day through to sunset.
As evening falls, waatu transitions into a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, where the glow of fire meets the shifting colours of the horizon. Welcoming both resort guests and visiting diners, it has quickly established itself among Bali’s most compelling clifftop dining destinations.
Exquisite Taste Volume 51
waatu
at The Ungasan Clifftop Resort
Jalan Pantai Selatan Gau, Ungasan
Bali 80362, Indonesia
T: (+62) 81138306286
E: eat@waatu.com
W: waatu.com
IG: @waatu.bali
