Sanur looks different from the 11th floor. The coastline runs out in both directions, the Indian Ocean sits at the edge of everything, and for once nobody is in a rush. That’s the pitch at Soléa Rooftop Restaurant, the newest address at the Bali Beach Hotel and, by its own count, the highest place to eat in Bali.
The height has a backstory. The hotel went up in 1966, years before Bali introduced building height limits, so the view from here is one you simply can’t get anywhere else on the island anymore. Meanwhile, the name itself carries the same warmth. It blends the Latin words for sun and olive, which is a fair summary of the mood.
The food looks to Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, then fills in the gaps with whatever Bali is growing that season. The concept comes from The Locavore Group, with chefs Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah behind it. Most of the menu is built for sharing. Think scallop crudo with ajo blanco and roasted muscat grapes, baharat spiced beef tartare with pita chips, a seasonal paella with ‘nduja and seafood, and roasted cabbage with harissa and herb pangrattato.
Drinks come from Raka Ambarawan of Ubud’s Night Rooster, who plays with Mediterranean ingredients in unexpected ways. Nile Reverie pairs cardamom-infused brandy with amaretto and ginger, while Garden of Eden gets its savory edge from Parmesan-infused vodka and apple. There’s also a wine list of around 70 labels from eight countries.
Soléa keeps things easy. It works for a long lunch, a late afternoon drink, or a proper night out, and the service matches that, friendly and attentive without any stiffness. It’s open daily from noon to midnight, so there’s plenty of time to get up there and stay a while.
