At Nuanu Creative City, a new journey through the Indonesian archipelago has begun. Opened on 14 August in Tabanan, Nusantara brings regional cuisine, indigenous art and single-origin coffee together in one immersive cultural destination, offering a heartfelt celebration of Indonesia without relying on imported concepts.
Extending 120 metres, the venue is among Bali’s longest restaurants. Yet its appeal lies not simply in its scale but in the richness of the stories unfolding within it.
The experience begins at Warung Nine Islands, where guests can discover dishes from Java, Sumatra, Bali, Lombok, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sumba, Flores and Madura. Spice pastes are freshly ground each morning, while traditional cooking methods are carefully preserved. Many recipes are rarely encountered beyond their places of origin, making every plate an invitation to explore.
At Meja 36, familiar Indonesian ingredients are elevated through contemporary fine-dining techniques without losing their distinctive character. Produce is sourced directly from regional farmers, fishermen and foragers, creating a meaningful connection between each dish and the communities behind it.
The journey continues at The Mangrove Café, which serves single-origin coffee from Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and Flores. Its pastries playfully reinterpret nostalgic flavours such as pandan, palm sugar, klepon and dadar gulung.
Adding another cultural dimension is The Gallery. Its inaugural exhibition, Indonesian Vision, presents 1,000 tribal artefacts curated by French designer Pascal Morabito. Digital guides reveal the history, craftsmanship and cultural significance of each piece, while selected works are available for acquisition.
For Lev Kroll, CEO of Nuanu Creative City, Nusantara allows Bali, Indonesia’s international gateway—to introduce visitors to the wider archipelago. “Our guests already fall in love with Balinese culture,” he says. “Nusantara is our invitation to fall for the rest of the archipelago too.”
Chef, founder and owner James Ephraim spent months travelling across nine islands, meeting producers, fishermen, foragers and cooks. Authenticity, he explains, remains the clearest measure of success: if a grandmother from Padang recognises the flavour of the rendang, the team has done its job.
Nusantara also participates in the Nuanu Social Fund, contributing a percentage of its revenue to initiatives supporting Bali’s culture, nature and communities. More than a dining destination, it is a warm and generous tribute to Indonesia, one that invites discovery while helping preserve the traditions that make the archipelago extraordinary.