Melo Villareal
TABANAN, BALI — A new culinary and cultural destination has opened in Tabanan, Bali, inviting travelers to explore Indonesia through its regional cuisine, coffee, art, and cultural heritage.
Nusantara, the latest destination at Nuanu Creative City, brings together nine Indonesian regional cuisines, contemporary fine dining, single-origin coffee, and an exhibition of 1,000 tribal artifacts in one expansive venue. The concept officially opened on August 14, offering visitors a different way to experience the diversity of the Indonesian archipelago without leaving Bali.
At the heart of Nusantara is the idea that Indonesia’s own culinary traditions and cultural heritage can take center stage. Rather than relying on imported dining concepts, the destination highlights flavors, ingredients, cooking techniques, and stories from across the country.
A Culinary Journey Across Nine Indonesian Regions
The experience begins at Warung Nine Islands, an all-day restaurant serving dishes inspired by Java, Sumatra, Bali, Lombok, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sumba, Flores, and Madura.
Spice pastes are prepared from scratch each morning, and traditional cooking techniques are retained to preserve the character of each regional dish. The menu also draws on ingredients sourced from local producers, fishermen, and foragers.
For chef and Nusantara founder James Ephraim, authenticity was central to developing the concept. His team spent months traveling across nine islands, meeting fishermen, foragers, and cooks and learning about the techniques and ingredients behind regional Indonesian cuisine.
The result is a menu designed to introduce diners to dishes and flavors that are often difficult to find outside their places of origin.
Contemporary Indonesian Dining at Meja 36
For a more refined dining experience, Meja 36 presents contemporary Indonesian cuisine through a fine-dining format.
The restaurant applies modern culinary techniques while maintaining the bold flavors and character of Indonesian cooking. Its tasting menu is priced at IDR 499,000 per person, making it an option for travelers seeking an elevated experience of Indonesian cuisine.
Rather than significantly altering traditional flavors to suit international palates, the restaurant focuses on presenting Indonesia’s diverse culinary identity with contemporary technique and presentation.
Coffee and Indonesian Sweets at The Mangrove Café
Coffee lovers can continue their culinary journey at The Mangrove Café, which showcases single-origin beans from several Indonesian coffee-producing regions, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Flores.
The café also highlights Indonesian flavors through its selection of pastries and cakes. Ingredients and inspirations include pandan, palm sugar, klepon, and dadar gulung, giving familiar Indonesian flavors a modern café setting.
For visitors exploring Nusantara throughout the day, the café provides a more casual stop for coffee, snacks, and Indonesian-inspired desserts.
Exploring Indonesia’s Cultural Heritage at The Gallery
Nusantara’s culinary experience is complemented by The Gallery, which opens with INDONESIAN VISION, an exhibition featuring 1,000 artifacts from Indonesian tribes.
Curated by Pascal Morabito, the collection offers visitors an opportunity to explore Indonesia’s cultural diversity through traditional objects and artifacts. Each piece is accompanied by a digital guide providing information about its history, techniques, and cultural context.
Selected works are also available for acquisition, with prices ranging from IDR 500,000 to IDR 625 million.
The gallery adds another dimension to the Nusantara experience, connecting Indonesian food with the country’s broader traditions of craftsmanship, community, and cultural expression.
The Interior of Meja 36 by Nusantara
Showcasing More of Indonesia Through Bali
Bali welcomed 6,948,754 direct foreign arrivals in 2025, according to BPS Bali, reflecting the island’s continued importance as an international tourism destination.
Against this backdrop, Nusantara aims to encourage travelers to look beyond Bali and discover the wider Indonesian archipelago.
“Bali is Indonesia’s gateway, and we want Nuanu to open the door wider,” said Lev Kroll, CEO of Nuanu Creative City. “Our guests already fall in love with Balinese culture — Nusantara is our invitation to fall for the rest of the archipelago too: its cuisine, its craft, its regions.”
The concept also reflects Nuanu’s broader vision of creating spaces that connect visitors with Indonesia’s culture, communities, and natural environment.
Supporting Local Culture and Communities
Beyond food and tourism, Nusantara is also connected to the Nuanu Social Fund (NSF), with a percentage of its revenue supporting initiatives focused on Bali’s culture, nature, and communities.
This approach gives the destination a broader purpose: encouraging visitors to experience Indonesian cuisine while also supporting the culture and communities behind it.
Nusantara forms part of Nuanu Creative City’s broader development in Tabanan, which spans 44 hectares and includes initiatives focused on education, art, wellness, and nature.
For travelers looking for a deeper introduction to Indonesian culture, Nusantara offers an experience that goes beyond a typical restaurant visit. It brings together food, coffee, art, and heritage to create a single journey through Indonesia’s diverse regions.
Nusantara Venue Guide
Warung Nine Islands
- Concept: All-day regional Indonesian dining
- Capacity: 70 covers
- Hours: 12 PM–10 PM
- Cuisine: Regional dishes from nine Indonesian regions
- Mains: From IDR 120,000
- Live performance: Daily at 6 PM
- Chefs: James Ephraim and Chef Wayan Mustika
Meja 36
- Concept: Contemporary Indonesian fine dining
- Capacity: 50 covers
- Hours: 12 PM–10 PM
- Tasting menu: IDR 499,000 per person
- Chef: James Ephraim
The Mangrove Café
- Concept: Single-origin Indonesian coffee and traditional-inspired cakes
- Coffee origins: Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Flores
- Hours: 12 PM–10 PM
The Gallery
- Exhibition: INDONESIAN VISION
- Curator: Pascal Morabito
- Collection: 1,000 Indonesian tribal artifacts
- Artwork prices: IDR 500,000–IDR 625,000,000
- Hours: 12 PM–10 PM
Nusantara is located within Nuanu Creative City in Tabanan, Bali, and is now open to visitors.
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