Food & Drink
Ubud Food Festival
A Celebration of Indonesian Cuisine
The Ubud Food Festival celebrates the extraordinary depth of Indonesian culinary culture. Top chefs, food writers, and producers from across the archipelago gather for cooking demonstrations, panel discussions, street food markets, and exclusive dinners — all in the world's most picturesque food festival setting.
Launched in 2015, the Ubud Food Festival (UFF) has rapidly established itself as one of Asia's most exciting culinary events. Founded by Janet DeNeefe — the same creative force behind the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival — UFF celebrates the breathtaking diversity of Indonesian cuisine, from the spice-laden dishes of Padang to the delicate flavours of Javanese cooking, and the uniquely rich culinary heritage of Bali itself.
Indonesia is one of the world's great food nations, with over 5,700 traditional recipes spanning 17,000 islands — yet its cuisine remains one of the least known internationally. UFF exists to change that. Over four days in the lush surroundings of Ubud, leading Indonesian chefs, food writers, farmers, and producers come together with international guests to explore, cook, eat, and debate.
The festival is centred on the purpose-built Festival Hub at Taman Kuliner, where a series of cooking demonstrations, panel talks, masterclasses, and street food markets take place daily. Highlights include the Morning Market tours — early morning visits to Ubud's traditional produce markets with a chef guide — and the spectacular nightly Street Eats market, where dozens of vendors serve regional street food from across the archipelago under fairy lights.
A growing programme of exclusive Signature Dinners pairs celebrated chefs with unique settings across Ubud — from jungle river restaurants to ancient temples — for intimate dining experiences that highlight Indonesian ingredients and techniques. Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful throughout, and many events are free or low-cost, making the festival accessible to all.
Highlights
- ✓ Cooking demonstrations and masterclasses with Indonesia's top chefs
- ✓ Nightly Street Eats market showcasing food from all 34 Indonesian provinces
- ✓ Morning Market tours with chef guides through Ubud's traditional markets
- ✓ Exclusive Signature Dinners in stunning Ubud settings
- ✓ Panel discussions on food culture, sustainability, and Indonesian identity
- ✓ A celebration of over 5,700 traditional Indonesian recipes and ingredients
Practical information
- Location
- Ubud, Bali
- Admission
- Most daytime events free. Signature Dinners from approx. $50–$120 USD per person.
- Best time
- Evenings for the Street Eats market (from 5pm). Mornings for market tours and free cooking demos.
- Category
- Food & Drink
Tips for visitors
- • Pre-register for Signature Dinners — they sell out weeks in advance.
- • The Street Eats market runs from 5pm to 10pm; go hungry and pace yourself across multiple stalls.
- • Morning Market tours begin at 7am — book ahead and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- • Many daytime talks and demonstrations at the Festival Hub are free to attend.
- • Bring cash — many smaller street food vendors are cash only.
- • Try dishes from provinces you've never heard of; the regional diversity is astounding.
- • Visit the food producers' market to buy spices, sauces, and ingredients to take home.
Plan around this event
- All Bali events & festivals — calendar of what's on across the year.
- AI Bali Trip Planner — build a personalised itinerary around the event dates.
- Where to stay in Bali — area guide and accommodation search.
- Bali visa & entry requirements — visa-free, VOA and e-VOA explained.