Bali Tourists Are Loving The Honesty Policy At This Ubud Cafe

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In 2024, Bali’s Ubud is set to become a world gastronomic centre for tourism.

This new status will see culinary tourism evolve to even greater heights as the arts and culture capital of Ubud expands its offering even further. 

Leaders in Ubud are partnering with the United Nations World Tourism Organization to develop the town as a world gastronomic center.

This will see culinary leaders and hospitality specialists come together to develop incredible gastronomy experiences for tourists. Whether this be farm tours, cooking classes, dining experiences, and more. 

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Ubud was chosen as the pilot destination for the World Gastronomic Center initiative since it has such a wealth of culinary heritage and tourism experiences already on offer.

For over a decade, Ubud has been one of the world’s best destinations for vegans and is proudly home to some of the finest restaurants in the province.

Though Bali does not have any Michelin-starred restaurants the closest dining experience to a Michelin-starred restaurant can be found in Ubud.

The menus at Mozaic have been crafted and prepared by Chefs Thomas Keller, Yannick Alleno, and Nicolas Sale who have amassed eight Michelin stars between them. 

@vnnca 📍 9 Angels & 9 Bambu Jl. Hanoman No.10, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571. Vegan Buffet – bayarnya pake sistem kejujuran. Jangan lupa cuci piring sendiri. Nasi Putih/Nasi Kuning IDR 10k per centong nasi. Lauk IDR 5k Per Sendok. Ada kopi juga. Cash Only 💸 #Ubud #ubudbali #ubudlife #veganbali #veganbuffet #veganfood #vegan #ubudfood #ubudbali ♬ Little Things – Adrian Berenguer

From fine dining to humble by-donation buffets, Ubud really offers something for every palette, every budget, and every vibe.

As a destination, Ubud has long been synonymous with healthy, often vegan and vegetarian food that caters to the shoestring backpacker budget. 

One of the longest-standing backpacker secrets in Ubud is 9 Angels & 9 Bambu. It’s one of Ubud’s best-kept secrets.

The vegetarian buffet warung is run on an honesty policy and it has been keeping budget backpackers, veggie lovers, and off-the-beaten-path adventures fed and nourished for over 12 years. 

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Hidden in plain sight, tucked off Jalan Hanuman No.10, 9 Angels & 9 Bambu is a self-service buffet where tourists can feast upon healthy, freshly and lovely made food throughout the day.

Diners fill their plates and pop their contribution to the food in the glass bottles when they come to leave.

At first thought, many felt that this kind of honesty policy would be at risk of being abused in this day and age, but at 9 Angels & 9 Bambu, the system is honored and respected by all.

Restaurant owner, Thony, told reporters that when he first opened the cafe over a decade ago people doubted the concept.

Though, it’s not too uncommon a concept in Indonesia; but Thony was one of the first entrepreneurs in Bali to introduce the honesty policy for dining to tourists and travelers at a cafe.

He explained “For example, if we [Indonesians] go to a food stall, visitors are free to take what food they want and at the end when paying they will be asked what to eat. This is similar to here, the only difference is that here they calculate for themselves how much they have to spend.” 

Thony’s cafe is more than just a cafe, it has been a meeting place for tourists and travelers, a type of community space that many feel is fast falling away as cafes and restaurants become co-working spaces for digital nomads, rather than traveler hangouts. 

He told reporters “This place would not be able to survive today if many people were dishonest. So I think with this system there is a picture in the future that people can still be trusted and not everyone is dishonest.”

Diners are also invited to do their own washing up after their meal as another gesture of community support. 

With new restaurants and cafes opening up in Ubud every month, it is heartening for Bali lovers to see the town’s most loved food culture destinations standing the test of time. 

Tourists planning their visits to Bali in 2024 must make time to spend a day feasting in Ubud.

Whether in an honesty policy buffet, a traditional Balinese warung, a fine dining immersive adventure or at one of the many healthy concept cafes, food will always be a top attraction in Ubud, alongside art and culture.