Bali Bali

I have been visiting Bali Bali (also in previous incarnations) since 1985 so its probably about time I wrote something. For fans of 'oriental food', the menu variety, the value for money, the wonderful flavours, the consistent standards, and the friendly ambiance, all add to a dinner thats always eagerly anticipated. Down the years, I've dined with family, friends, colleagues and clients all of whom have been won over by the above factors. Whilst exploring the menu is fun, letting Johnny and his team decide for you with a Rijstafel menu encourages you to try dishes that you might not otherwise order. Whilst top chefs 're-invent' themselves and their restaurants every few years, it's refreshing that Bali Bali's strong basic customer values and menu/cooking constistency carry it on from one decade to the next.
Comment on this reader review

Mark H
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Good Roti canai but accompanying curry sauce a little wet. Pankin Dagin (sp?) was perfect balance of hot and sour. Acar lovely. Chicken curry also very nice Excellent value for money. Came away very satisfied.
Comment on this reader review

Sarah - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 27, 2009

Very busy but a great atmosphere. Excellent and interesting food, although our sauces were a little sweet, and not expensive. Very friendly staff and good service. Recommended.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 15, 2009

Ate there two days before Christmas, food was absolutely fantastic, couldn't fault it. Good location and friendly staff. We ate the set menu with 7 different dishes for four of us, great portions and amazing flavours. Was surprised that enjoyed it more than a Chinese!
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, December 26, 2008

Their Singapore Laksa used to be lush, but I've noticed a drop in quality lately.

Also, the waitress tried to rush us out once we had eaten. I know it's central London, but on a quiet evening, when there were plenty of empty tables in the restaurant, there was really no need.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Thursday, December 04, 2008

I always make time to go to Bali bali when visiting London as I rate this restaurant highly. Don't know what the others have ordered but I always struggle to eat everything. Atmosphere very informal.

Good value for money and also for anyone who has not had Indonesian before.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 29, 2008

I cant complain about a thing! Great food (and im Indonesian), lovely service (family owned) decent price. Those who have mentioned small portion size probably ordered pre-theatre, its supposed to be small and fast!

Go for the set menus, there were six of us and they advised to order for 5 as it would be enough (And God knows it was).

Been a few times, will defo go again.
Comment on this reader review

- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, September 05, 2008

I have eaten at the restaurant several times - it is one of my favourites in London. it is well located, reasonably priced, highly attentive staff and the food is delicious! What more could you want?
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Went to Bali Bali with my partner. Food was nice but I thought it was not that much, I was still hungry afterwards and I don't even eat that much! When I asked about the amounts I was told I have to order vegetables as well, but in my opinion, a main dish is a main dish, you shouldn't have to order extra vegetables!

In the end I had to have their pancake for desert which was stuffed with dried coconut and served with condensed milk - they said it was coconut milk???

I had fried fish in with green chillis. It was nice and surprisingly spicy but I was not impressed becuase it had its head cut off! - The reason I was not impressed was because I could not tell if it was actually a whoe fish as they claimed or if it was a fillet of fish.

Food came out really quickly which made me think, hmm, for the amount of money how fresh is this food??? it was almost £9 for the dish.

We were in quiet a cramped corner, I think they try to fit too many round tables in, but hey, this is west end, with hardly any space!

Overall it was ok, food was something between Thai and Chinese, so it was a nice change.
Comment on this reader review

Tasha
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Friday, May 02, 2008

Bali Bali might be fine for London standards, given the little choice in Indonesian restaurants here (possibly accounting for the many good reviews so far submitted), but good (/authentic, whatever you want to call it) it definitely ain't.

I've eaten there twice and on both occasions been disappointed. On our last visit the sate was dry and the sauce did not look like any Indonesian (or even Malaysian, because they are different) sate sauce that I've ever seen before in my life. It looked and tasted like a chutney more than anything. The sauce also appeared to be exactly the same sauce used for the gado-gado (if you know Indonesian you know gado-gado sauce is different from sate sauce).

Sambal goreng dishes came with sambal that looked like it was nothing more than plain sambal sauce out of a jar, and certainly didn't taste like any more spices had been added to it. And our tumis buncis was so bland that we couldn't eat it. I recall on our first visit also being disappointed with the sayur lodeh. Essentially none of the dishes had the spices that make Indonesian food so good!

I would advise you to avoid it - you'll get a very wrong impression of Indonesian food!
Comment on this reader review

G
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Friday, April 04, 2008