Globally renowned chef Will Goldfarb, the visionary behind the globally acclaimed Room4Dessert, has unveiled his latest venture: an experiential banjar in Ubud that seamlessly blends fine dining, boutique lodging, and culinary education. What began as Room4Dessert, a groundbreaking dessert-focused restaurant, has now evolved into a multifaceted destination. Rooted in the Balinese concept of a banjar—a traditional village community—seamlessly blends fine dining, boutique lodging, and culinary education. This innovative space reimagines hospitality as a holistic journey, where food, art, and learning converge to foster connection and sustainability.
The banjar encompasses Room4Dessert, the award-winning fine dining establishment; Powder Room, a chic pastry shop; Shelter Island, a boutique guesthouse inspired by the glamour of the French Riviera; and the R4D Academy, a culinary school dedicated to nurturing talent and promoting sustainability. Together, these elements create a vibrant ecosystem that celebrates creativity, community, and conscious living.
At the heart of the banjar is Room4Dessert, which has been redefining dessert since its inception in New York City in 2005. Now in Ubud, the restaurant offers a 15-course tasting menu that takes guests on a multi-sensory journey. The experience begins with savory snacks at L’hort, transitions to sumptuous desserts in the dining room, and concludes with delicate petit fours on the terrace. Each dish showcases Indonesian ingredients, medicinal herbs, and minimal refined sugar, reflecting Goldfarb’s commitment to circular self-sufficiency and innovation.
Expanding the culinary offerings, chef Goldfarb has introduced the Powder Room, a pastry shop serving handcrafted sweet and savory treats made with locally sourced ingredients and alternative sweeteners. Guests can enjoy these confections alongside artisanal coffee or natural wines in a relaxed setting.
Beyond dining, the banjar also features Shelter Island, a boutique guesthouse inspired by the glamour of the 1960s and 70s French Riviera. The ten-room property, infused with vibrant colors and artwork from local artists, offers a stylish yet comfortable retreat for those looking to immerse themselves in Ubud’s creative and culinary culture.
Education plays a key role in Goldfarb’s vision. The R4D Academy, originally launched in 2020 as a pastry school, has evolved into a broader culinary institute with courses on zero-waste cooking, urban Thai cuisine, and sustainable agriculture. The academy invites global culinary experts to share their knowledge, while also offering scholarships to aspiring chefs from across Indonesia, reinforcing its mission to restore community through food.
Further embracing sustainability, the banjar includes Tanah Teba, a food forest inspired by the Balinese tradition of maintaining communal green spaces. This garden is home to a variety of fruit-bearing trees and medicinal plants, nurtured using composted organic waste from the restaurants. Ingredients such as turmeric, taro, rambutan, and papaya are grown here, supporting both the culinary program and the local ecosystem.
“This banjar isn’t just about food—it’s about creating experiences that connect people and foster community. Whether through a beautifully plated dessert, an insightful workshop, or a relaxing stay at Shelter Island, everything here is designed to spark connection and inspiration,” said Chef Will Goldfarb.
The village embodies Goldfarb’s philosophy of merging creativity, hospitality, and education. Each element, from Room4Dessert’s innovative dishes to the hands-on experiences at R4D Academy, is designed to create a space where people feel connected, enriched, and inspired.
