Bali guide › South Bali beaches and surf
Is a Jimbaran beach dinner worth it, and what will it cost?
Absolutely, it is a classic, as long as you keep an eye on the bill. Jimbaran is a 4 km (2.5 mile) crescent of sand facing west, only 10 minutes from the airport, where dozens of restaurants set their tables directly on the beach every evening. The fish is grilled over coconut husk fire, with the sunset as your backdrop. Behind the postcard, it is also an old fishing village, and the day's catch lands at the Kedonganan market at the north end of the bay.
How it works: at the restaurant entrance you pick your fish, prawns or lobster from the display, the kitchen weighs them and quotes a total, and you agree. Then you sit down, and the sunset welcomes you.
The traps to avoid:
- Weight and price per kilo: ask for both before you agree. A lobster can cost 800,000 to 1,500,000 IDR ($45 to $84) each.
- The listed price: check whether tax and service are included (shown as “++” on menus). They can add around 15 to 20%.
- Set menus: a fixed-price menu is often the simplest option. Expect 90,000 to 350,000 IDR ($5 to $20) a head depending on the menu and the fish.
For a more authentic and cheaper version, do as Indonesian tourists do: buy your seafood at the Kedonganan market (lively in the morning) and have it grilled at a nearby warung, which will charge you for cooking by the kilo. On your own it can be a little complicated, but if you have a guide with you, don't hesitate to ask them to help you in Indonesian.
Verdict: worth doing once, for the setting more than the cooking. Choose a set menu, weigh everything in front of you, and don't treat the beach restaurants as bargains.
Tip: arrive an hour before sunset, around 5 pm, to get the best tables by the water. Booking is a good idea, especially at weekends.
Prices checked in October 2026; confirm before you go.