Bali's Cemagi Emerges as a Premier Cafe Destination
Nestled on the western edge of Canggu, the bustling heart of tourism in Bali, the tranquil beachside area of Seseh-Cemagi has rapidly become one of the island's most coveted locations. This serene district, surrounded by lush rice fields and traditional villages adorned with numerous Hindu temples and shrines, is now home to some of Bali's most innovative and charming hole-in-the-wall cafes. Here, we explore three standout favorites that define the culinary scene in this emerging hotspot.
Seseh General Store: A Community Cornerstone
When I first visited Cemagi in early 2020, during the pandemic when Bali was nearly devoid of tourists, there was only one cafe—and it remains arguably the best. Located on a prominent corner just a block from the beach, the Seseh General Store is compact, roughly the size of a small hotel room. It features an L-shaped sofa, three tables, a bar with three stools, and outdoor tables arranged around a quaint garden and shrine.
The kitchen, though occupying a small corner, delivers far beyond its size, offering delicious fresh and toasted sandwiches packed with ingredients such as bacon, egg, and avocado, or poached chicken, cheddar, and mixed leaves. The menu also includes wraps, salads, muesli, thickshakes, Anzac cookies, and a variety of coffees. More than just a relaxed spot for coffee and breakfast, the Seseh General Store serves as a social hub and a cherished institution in Cemagi, deeply embedded in the community fabric.
Copenhagen Bakery: A Franchise Success Story
With five bustling outlets across Bali, Copenhagen Bakery stands as one of the island's most successful bakery-cafe franchises. Most are situated on trendy walking streets like Berawa and Pererenan Road, but the newest addition, Copenhagen Bakery Seseh, opened in 2024 and is located near a traffic-clogged corner on a busy arterial road leading into Cemagi.
Despite its less-than-ideal location, it thrives due to the exceptional quality of its offerings. The hot chocolate, made with 70 percent cacao, is rich and creamy—comparable to what you might find at a Swiss ski resort. Inspired by ancient Nordic baking traditions, the sourdough is crunchy on the outside and slightly fluffy inside, while items like pain au chocolat, lemon cake, and cinnamon swirls are exceptionally good. After 4 pm, all baked goods are half price. I highly recommend the fresh focaccia and tuna sandwich, but be sure to arrive early as they often sell out by noon.
ADE Living: A Unique Culinary Philosophy
Created by a Spanish couple who spent decades in the fashion industry in China before relocating to Bali, ADE Living is a cafe-bakery founded on a simple yet bold philosophy: every item on the menu must be distinct from what other cafes and bakeries in Bali offer. Craving a bacon and cheese roll? It comes in a house-made golden baton baguette, flavored with sun-ripened tomato gratin instead of traditional tomato sauce.
For a twist on the Bali staple of scrambled eggs and avocado on toast, try their egg tornado. The chef prepares the eggs in a Japanese style, turning them repeatedly to achieve a well-done exterior with a runny interior. The avocado is served not as guacamole but as a creamy avocado jam on a slice of turmeric charcoal sourdough. And for dessert, skip the croissants—they offer 'roundssants' filled with raspberry or chocolate mousse, showcasing their commitment to innovation.
Essential Information for Visitors
- Seseh General Store: Located at 1 Jalan Pantai Seseh, Cemagi. Open from 6 am to 8:30 pm. Visit sesehgeneralstore.com for more details.
- ADE Living: Situated on Jalan Pantai Mengening, Cemagi. Open from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm, closed on Mondays. Follow them on instagram.com/ade.living.
- Copenhagen Bakery: Found at Jalan Raya Tanah Lot, Munggu. Open from 6 am to 6 pm. Check out cphbali.com for additional information.
These cafes not only highlight the culinary diversity of Cemagi but also contribute to its growing reputation as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts exploring Bali's vibrant cafe culture.
