Latin Flavors Meet Balinese Highlands: Antojitos Opens at Ubud Resort

Padma Resort Ubud has launched Antojitos at Payangan Lounge, bringing refined Latin-inspired cuisine to Bali's serene upland regions. The new dining concept debuted at the end of May, offering daily service from 11 AM to 9 PM with a menu that reimagines classic comfort food through contemporary techniques and premium ingredients.

Located in the quiet village of Payangan, the lounge capitalizes on Bali's highland setting to create an intimate dining experience that balances sophistication with relaxation—a growing trend among Ubud's upscale hospitality venues seeking to differentiate themselves through culinary innovation.

A Menu Built on Layered Flavors and Technique

The Antojitos menu centers on small plates and sharing dishes designed for communal dining. Each offering reflects careful attention to balance and complexity, moving beyond standard Latin fare into more nuanced territory.

Signature dishes include:

• Achiote Prawns — combining smokiness with bright, citrus notes
• Wagyu Beef Tacos — featuring premium beef paired with house-made elements and soft tortillas
• Wood-Fired Chicken Wings — elevated with an espresso BBQ glaze for deeper complexity
• Beef Nachos — a familiar comfort dish executed with refined ingredients

The sharing-plate format reflects a broader shift in Ubud's dining scene toward experiences that encourage conversation and connection, rather than individual plate presentations.

Beverage Program Celebrates Local and Global Craftsmanship

Complementing the food are signature cocktails that bridge Indonesian and Latin influences. Drinks such as the Pandan Pomericano, Kintamani Punch, and Penglipuran Hi-ball demonstrate the resort's effort to integrate local ingredients—like Bali's renowned Kintamani coffee—into international cocktail culture.

The curated beverage programme celebrates both craftsmanship and narrative, featuring signature cocktails alongside house-fermented refreshments and thoughtfully chosen wines and spirits.

This approach aligns with a wider trend among Bali's premium venues to create distinctive drinking experiences rather than relying on standard international offerings.

Context: Latin Dining Gains Foothold in Ubud

The arrival of Antojitos reflects international hospitality chains' growing confidence in Ubud's diversifying food scene. While the town has long been associated with vegetarian and wellness-focused cuisine, recent years have seen an influx of more adventurous dining concepts targeting affluent travelers and long-term expat residents.

Padma Resort Ubud, part of the Padma Hotels collection, positions itself as a bridge between wellness tourism and culinary exploration—a strategic positioning that acknowledges Ubud's evolution beyond its yoga-and-rice-terrace reputation.

Getting There

Payangan Lounge is located at Padma Resort Ubud in Banjar Carik, Desa Puhu, Payangan. The resort can be reached at (0361) 301 1111 or through their website at www.padmaresortubud.com. For updates, follow @padmaubud on Instagram.

Source: Indonesia Expat