Santanera in Canggu, Bali, will celebrate its fifth anniversary with El Quinto Aniversario on 19 November 2026. The event brings founding chefs Andrés Becerra and Germán Rincón back together for a special sharing menu, accompanied by live performances, floral installations, and an anniversary party on the restaurant’s rooftop.
Rincón, who now runs Spanish restaurant Tinto in Melbourne, returns to the kitchen alongside Becerra for an evening that reflects their shared culinary beginnings and the experiences they have developed since opening Santanera in November 2021.
The anniversary menu centres on Latin American flavours and dishes designed for sharing. It begins with Sher Wagyu cecina, smoked pineapple, and suero costeño, served with wood-fired potato bread. The beef is brined with red wine and spices before being aged, while barbecued pineapple and pineapple chutney with chilli and brown sugar bring sweetness to the dish. Creamy suero costeño adds acidity, roasted pumpkin seeds provide texture, and shishito vinegar made with peppers from Island Organics in Baturiti, Bali, brings a smoky finish. The peppers are grilled over coffee wood before being compressed in a sugar-and-pickle liquid.
Another opening dish, Normandy scallop tostón, takes inspiration from the twice-fried plantain preparation found across the Caribbean, including Colombia, where it is often served alongside ceviche. The crisp plantain is topped with scallop and whipped mahi-mahi roe, while a green sambal combines elements of West Sumatran sambal ijo with tomatillo, green chillies, citrus, and lime zest.
The menu also features grilled chicken wings that are deboned and stuffed with Spanish-style sobrasada, then topped with crispy chicken skin and egg yolk mousse. Red snapper and navajas ceviche follows, served with piquillo tiger’s milk, a smoky interpretation of the Peruvian marinade.
For the larger sharing plates, the chefs present tallarines rojos, inspired by the Peruvian home-cooking staple. The dish pairs low-hydration egg noodles with a habanero bisque made from smoked prawn heads, local Indonesian crab, and pan-seared tiger prawns.
Dessert draws on Becerra’s childhood memories in Bogotá. Recalling family outings to street stalls selling strawberries and cream, as well as his parents’ weekend dessert shop, Casa Dulce, the chef created a version of fresas con crema. The dish combines strawberries and cream with dried strawberries for texture, buttermilk ice cream, and koji crackers. “For our fresas con crema, we wanted to have a bit of fun. We added dried strawberries to play with the texture, buttermilk ice cream, then koji crackers on top. Still strawberries and cream,” said Becerra.
Latin American Performances and Floral Installations
The anniversary celebration extends beyond the menu with Alma Latina, an immersive performance programme featuring four dancers moving between the restaurant’s two dining floors. The performances combine dance, theatrical appearances, and spontaneous interactions throughout dinner.
After the meal, guests can continue the evening upstairs at the rooftop anniversary party. The programme includes a choreographed finale set to Celia Cruz’s “Quimbara”, followed by freestyle dancing before the DJ takes over.
Floral installations throughout the restaurant take inspiration from Colombia’s Feria de las Flores, incorporating the festival’s colourful floral references with materials and craftsmanship from Bali. Marigolds, anthuriums, and heliconias are arranged alongside baskets and woven elements at the entrance, while flowers, ribbons, and fabric extend across the stairs and around the light fixtures.
Five Years of Santanera
Since opening in November 2021, Santanera has developed through the contributions of its team, producers, collaborators, and returning guests. The restaurant also maintains an ongoing scholarship and training programme in partnership with HOPE Children Home, supporting the education of five hospitality students.
El Quinto Aniversario brings these relationships into focus as the restaurant marks five years in Canggu and looks towards its next chapter.
The celebration takes place on 19 November 2026 at Santanera, Jl. Tanah Barak No. 55–57, Canggu, Bali. The sharing set menu is priced at IDR 950,000++ per person, with dinner reservations available throughout the evening. The rooftop celebration begins at 9 PM and continues until late.
Santanera
Jl. Tanah Barak No.55-57, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351
