Pasir restaurant review – best restaurants in Ubud.
Some of the best meals on holiday aren’t planned.
They happen when you’re wandering, a little tired, not really hungry, and very open to being surprised.
That’s exactly how we found Pasir — on our last night in Ubud, walking with no agenda other than “let’s see what feels right.”
There was live music floating through next door.
Warm, low lighting spilled onto the footpath.
A calm, confident energy — the kind that makes you pause instead of walking past.
So, we stopped.
And I’m very glad we did.
Read This Your Way
(Best enjoyed in order — but jump to what you need)
First Impressions
Calm, Considered, and Effortlessly Inviting
Inspired by the word pasir — meaning sand in Indonesian — the space is wrapped in soft beige tones, textured finishes, and an ease that feels intentional rather than designed. Nothing flashy. Nothing performative. Just a place that gently encourages you to sit, settle, and stay a while.
It felt like a place meant for evenings like this — unhurried, comfortable, and quietly confident. Exactly what we wanted for our last night in Ubud.
From the street, Pasir sits right in the middle of Ubud’s evening buzz — neon signs glowing, music drifting from nearby venues, people flowing past with that familiar where-are-we-eating-next energy.
But the moment you step inside, everything shifts.
Upstairs, where we were seated, the pace slows. The palette turns warm and neutral — beige walls, woven rattan chairs, natural wood tables, and leafy greenery tucked into corners. Large plants line the edges, creating small pockets of privacy so each table feels quietly its own.
The lighting is low and flattering. The kind that softens faces, stretches conversations, and convinces you that dessert is a perfectly reasonable idea — even when you’re certain you’re full.
It’s calm in a way that lets conversation flow easily, and stylish in a way that feels lived-in rather than styled.
Sitting upstairs felt like hovering just above the noise — close enough to sense Ubud’s energy, far enough to let it fade into the background and make room for conversation.
A Menu That Bridges Bali
and the Mediterranean
Pasir’s menu is built around cross-cultural flavours, blending Balinese ingredients with Mediterranean techniques — and it shows.
Everything is made using fresh local produce, and each dish feels intentional. Not experimental for the sake of it, but thoughtful — like someone actually asked “how will this taste together?” before it ever reached the plate.
And before the food even arrived, our server Agus elevated the experience.
He didn’t just take orders — he explained them.
What flavours to expect.
How the elements work together.
Why each dish was built the way it was.
A genuine thank you to Agus — his warmth, knowledge, and quiet pride in the food made the meal feel personal, not transactional.
What We Ordered
And How It Really Was
Octopus Carpaccio – This dish quietly set the standard for everything that followed.
Tender octopus giving way easily under the fork. Smoky chermoula and rich romesco brought depth, while pickled onion cut through with brightness.
Then came the contrast: crisp nori crackers snapping between bites, tiny bursts of umami from black garlic, and fresh herbs lifting the whole plate. Every bite felt deliberate, with just enough texture and contrast to keep you curious.
Different. Confident. Memorable.
Chicken Gyros – This was comfort food that had clearly been thought about.
The flatbread was soft and warm, the kind that folds without tearing. The chicken was juicy and generously spiced — aromatic rather than heavy — and the tzatziki cooled everything just enough. Fresh vegetables kept it crisp and light, while pickled onion added that little punch that stops a dish from feeling flat.
Familiar, yes — but far from boring.
The kind of plate you finish without rushing, then immediately consider ordering again.
Lamb Kofta – This one landed in the okay category.
The lamb was well cooked and nicely seasoned, and the accompaniments were pleasant — cooling yogurt, gentle heat, a touch of smoke.
Nicely presented, flavours were pleasant, but it didn’t quite sing the way the others did. Not bad — just slightly overshadowed by the stronger dishes on the table.
Dessert That made me speechless
Poached Pear – This is not your classic dessert.
Warm pear, soft and fragrant with spice, met cool, smoky yogurt. Sweet caramel wrapped everything together, while lemon gel cut through with brightness. Then came the mango sorbet — clean, cold, and just sharp enough — followed by little pops of candied coconut for texture.
Every spoonful shifted slightly.
Warm to cool. Sweet to smoky. Soft to sharp.
It wasn’t trying to be comforting.
It was trying to be interesting — and it succeeded.
If you think you don’t like non-traditional desserts, order this anyway.
Drinks We Loved
Coconut Lychee Martini
Silky and chilled, with coconut and lychee woven in so gently you almost miss them at first — floral, clean, never sweet. The saline note sharpened everything just enough, while the green olive added a quiet savoury edge that kept each sip interesting.
Balanced. Polished. Grown-up.
The kind of drink you nurse slowly… and then immediately consider ordering again once the glass is empty.
Frappuccino – Comfort in a glass.
Rich espresso softened by vanilla and cream, indulgent without tipping into heavy. Smooth, familiar, and deeply satisfying — especially after a long, flavour-packed meal.
A gentle, cosy note to end the night on.
The Overall Experience
What made Pasir special wasn’t just the food — it was the flow of the evening.
The way the music drifted in, never competing with conversation.
The way dishes arrived at an easy pace, giving each course room to land before the next appeared.
The way flavours unfolded, surprising your palette.
It felt like a place that trusted its craft — and trusted you to take your time.
⭐ Sidelicious Review
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Cuisine: Cross-cultural | Local favourites | Comfort with a twist
Vibe: Calm, refined, quietly confident
Best For: Date nights, relaxed evenings, food lovers who enjoy layered flavours
Average spend per person:
Approximately AUD $35–$55 (based on our experience ordering mains, drinks, and dessert)
Worth It? Yes — especially if you enjoy thoughtful, cross-cultural cuisine
Sid Says:
This was one of those accidental finds that ends up defining a place. Pasir didn’t try to impress — it simply did everything well, and that’s what stayed with me.
Final Thoughts
Pasir didn’t try to be iconic.
It didn’t chase attention or trends.
It simply offered good food, in a beautiful space, at exactly the right pace.
As a closing chapter to our time in Ubud, it felt right — calm, flavour-led, and quietly satisfying.
It was a reminder that sometimes, the best meals are the ones you stumble into.
On a quiet street, with music in the air,
we found a meal where every flavour told its own story.
This dinner was one small but memorable piece of our Ubud story.
If you want the full picture — waterfalls, villas, monkeys, late nights and early swims — you’ll find it all here:
Tell me — Have you ever found a restaurant by accident that ended up being unforgettable?
Share your story in the comments or tag me on Instagram @eatplaytravelwithsid.
