Seafood and Sanur are a natural match.
With the coast stretching alongside much of the neighbourhood, eating fish, prawns or shellfish near the water feels like part of the Sanur experience rather than simply another dinner choice.
But if you search for seafood in Sanur, you will quickly discover plenty of options. There are casual local warungs, beachfront restaurants, hotel dining rooms and more contemporary restaurants serving seafood with influences from Bali, the Mediterranean, Japan and beyond.
So where should you begin?
The answer depends on the experience you want.
You might be looking for grilled fish after a day at the beach, prawns and cocktails beside the sea, seafood to share with friends, or a relaxed dinner where some guests want fish while others would rather order pasta, pizza or meat.
This guide explains what to look for when choosing a seafood restaurant in Sanur, which dishes are worth exploring and how to turn a seafood meal into one of the highlights of your time by the coast.
Why Sanur Is a Great Place for Seafood
Sanur's relationship with the sea is impossible to miss.
Walk along the beachfront and you will encounter fishing boats, coastal paths, restaurants and beach cafés occupying the same stretch of shoreline. Seafood naturally forms part of the area's dining culture.
Today, that means diners have a wide range of choices.
Some restaurants focus on straightforward grilled fish and Indonesian preparations. Others take a more international approach, combining local seafood with Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese or contemporary influences.
Current restaurant directories list dozens of seafood-focused or seafood-serving restaurants around Sanur, showing just how established this part of the local dining scene has become.
For visitors, that variety is good news.
You do not have to choose between a casual beach atmosphere and interesting cooking. The key is finding the style of seafood restaurant that matches your occasion.
What Makes a Good Seafood Restaurant in Sanur?
The best seafood meal is not determined by one ingredient alone.
When comparing restaurants, consider the complete experience.
A varied seafood menu
A good seafood menu should give you more than a single grilled fish option.
Look for variety across:
Fish
Prawns
Shellfish
Octopus
Raw or lightly cured seafood
Sharing plates
Grilled seafood
Different sauces and accompaniments
That variety is particularly useful when several seafood lovers are eating together.
At COSTA, for example, the current menu ranges from seafood mezze such as Hokkaido scallop, crispy prawns, octopus and barramundi ceviche to larger dishes including mahi-mahi, barramundi, tiger prawns, salmon steak and prawn-and-fish kebab.
Cooking that suits the ingredient
Seafood often benefits from relatively straightforward preparation.
Different ingredients, however, need different treatment.
A delicate white fish may work beautifully with citrus, herbs or a light sauce. Prawns can stand up to grilling and stronger seasoning. Octopus benefits from careful cooking, while raw or lightly cured preparations depend heavily on balance and texture.
Rather than automatically choosing the most complicated dish on the menu, look for combinations where the supporting flavours still allow the seafood to remain central.
A setting that fits the occasion
Sometimes you are primarily looking for food.
Sometimes you want seafood and the experience of eating near the ocean.
Sanur is particularly well suited to the second option.
A beachfront table can transform a seafood lunch into a slow afternoon or turn dinner into part of an evening by the coast.
Seafood by the Beach in Sanur
There is something satisfying about eating seafood within sight of the water.
It does not necessarily change how the dish tastes, but it certainly changes how the meal feels.
A relaxed beachfront restaurant is particularly well suited to seafood because the setting encourages sharing and slower dining.
Instead of everyone ordering one main course immediately, you can begin with several smaller dishes, add grilled seafood or fish and continue the meal depending on how hungry the table is.
COSTA sits directly on Cemara Beach in Sanur, making it possible to combine seafood dining with a beachfront setting rather than having to choose between the two.
This quieter section of the Sanur coastline also works well for guests who want to make lunch or dinner part of a longer beach visit.
Seafood to Try in Sanur
If you are staring at a seafood menu and wondering what to order, start by thinking about texture and preparation rather than simply choosing the ingredient you already know.
Here are some options worth exploring.
1. Prawns
Prawns are one of the easiest places to begin.
They work grilled, fried, chilled, tossed into salads and paired with both Asian and Mediterranean flavours.
At COSTA, prawns appear in several forms across the current menu.
Crispy prawns are served with chilli cream and passion fruit, while grilled prawns offer a simpler preparation. Larger tiger prawns are served with nasi uduk, salsa verde and broccoli. There is also a prawn-and-fish kebab with white fish, pickles, pita and tomato salad.
That range makes prawns particularly good if you want to compare different preparations during the same meal.
What pairs well with prawns?
Fresh citrus, chilli, herbs and creamy sauces can all work well depending on the preparation.
If the prawns are grilled, consider lighter sides and a crisp drink.
For richer fried preparations, acidity can help balance the dish.
2. Barramundi
Barramundi is another seafood option worth looking for in Sanur.
Its relatively mild flavour makes it approachable even for people who do not normally order fish.
It can work grilled, pan-cooked or in lighter preparations.
COSTA currently uses barramundi in two distinctly different ways: barramundi ceviche with pineapple and a larger barramundi dish served with potato purée and pesto.
That makes it a good example of how one fish can create two very different dining experiences.
Choose ceviche when you want something light and bright.
Choose the main course when you want something more substantial.
3. Mahi-Mahi
Mahi-mahi is another fish you may encounter while dining in Bali.
It has a firmer texture than many delicate white fish, making it well suited to grilling and stronger accompaniments.
At COSTA, mahi-mahi is currently served with hash brown, salsa and coconut sauce.
The combination illustrates something worth remembering when choosing seafood: the sides matter.
A seafood dish does not have to be minimal to work well. Contrasting textures, acidity, spice or creaminess can create a much more interesting plate.
4. Octopus
Octopus can be one of the most rewarding dishes on a seafood menu when it is prepared carefully.
Texture is particularly important.
COSTA currently offers octopus both among its seafood mezze and as a larger seafood dish. The mezze version is paired with miso cream and salsa verde, while the main-course preparation comes with caponata Siciliana and potato purée.
If you are sharing dinner with several people, ordering octopus as one of several smaller dishes is an easy way to try it without making it your entire meal.
5. Scallops
Scallops are ideal when you want to start with something lighter and more delicate.
Because their natural flavour is subtle, they generally benefit from accompaniments that provide contrast without overwhelming them.
COSTA's current seafood mezze menu includes Hokkaido scallop with furikake cucumber and ponzu.
It is the kind of dish that works particularly well at the beginning of a shared seafood meal.
6. Oysters
Oysters are another classic option for a long lunch or dinner by the sea.
They are often best enjoyed simply, with something acidic or lightly spicy alongside them.
COSTA currently serves oysters in sets of six with either classic accompaniments or nam jim.
They can work well as the first order for the table while everyone decides what they want next.
7. Salmon
Salmon might not be the first fish that comes to mind when imagining Bali, but it remains popular because of its rich texture and versatility.
For diners who prefer a familiar fish, it can also provide an easy entry point into a seafood-focused dinner.
COSTA's current salmon steak is served with ubi cream, asparagus and lemon sauce.
The menu also uses salmon differently in nasi goreng, where it appears alongside salmon tartare, shrimp bisque and egg.
8. Vongole and Shellfish
Seafood dining becomes particularly social when shellfish arrives in a pot or large sharing dish.
Vongole — clams — are a classic example.
Instead of a neatly separated individual plate, dishes like this invite everyone to eat together.
COSTA currently serves a one-kilogram vongole pot with garlic and white wine sauce, designed as a sharing plate.
Pairing a shellfish dish like this with bread, salads and several smaller seafood plates can turn a simple dinner into a much more communal experience.
Raw and Lightly Prepared Seafood
Not every seafood dish needs to be grilled or fried.
Ceviche, tataki and other lightly prepared seafood can be particularly appealing in Bali's warm climate.
These dishes typically depend on freshness, texture, acidity and careful seasoning.
At COSTA, the current seafood mezze menu includes barramundi ceviche with pineapple and butterfish tataki with melon and yuzu ponzu.
They make useful starters if you want something lighter before moving into grilled seafood or larger dishes.
Sharing Seafood: Often the Best Way to Order
One mistake when visiting a seafood restaurant is treating the menu exactly like a standard one-course dinner.
You do not have to order one starter and one main course per person.
Seafood is particularly suited to sharing.
A table of four, for example, might begin with oysters, scallops, ceviche and crispy prawns.
Then add a pot of vongole.
Follow that with mahi-mahi, barramundi or tiger prawns.
Add salad, bread or another side for the table.
Suddenly everyone has experienced several dishes instead of tasting only one.
This approach also makes it easier when some guests are adventurous seafood eaters and others prefer familiar flavours.
What if Someone in Your Group Doesn't Eat Seafood?
This is an important consideration, especially when travelling with families or groups.
A specialist seafood restaurant may sound ideal until one member of the group does not eat fish.
That is why checking the full menu before booking matters.
A restaurant with seafood as one of its strengths — rather than its only offering — gives groups much more flexibility.
Alongside its seafood menu, COSTA currently serves meat dishes, steaks, salads, pizza and pasta.
That makes mixed-group dining easier.
One person can order tiger prawns.
Another can choose pasta.
Someone else can have steak or pizza.
Children can use a separate kids menu.
Nobody has to compromise simply because the group chose to eat seafood by the beach.
Seafood for a Romantic Dinner in Sanur
Seafood and beachfront dining work particularly well for date nights.
Instead of rushing through separate courses, order dishes for the table and make the meal itself part of the evening.
A simple format works well:
Start with oysters or scallops.
Add a lighter seafood mezze.
Share a larger fish or prawn dish.
Order wine or cocktails.
Finish with dessert instead of immediately moving elsewhere.
The beachfront setting adds atmosphere without requiring an overly formal dining room.
If the position of the table matters, request beachfront seating when making your reservation rather than relying on availability when you arrive.
Seafood Dining With Children
Seafood restaurants do not automatically have to be adult-only experiences.
For families, the deciding factor is usually not seafood itself but whether the restaurant accommodates children comfortably.
Look for:
A children's menu
Familiar options alongside seafood
Space for children
Shaded seating
High chairs where available
Activities or play facilities
Tables where parents can keep an eye on younger children
COSTA is particularly well positioned for this type of meal because its beachfront restaurant includes children's facilities and a dedicated kids menu.
Parents can enjoy seafood while children have options suited to them rather than trying to persuade the entire family to order from one seafood-focused menu.
Lunch or Dinner: When Is the Best Time for Seafood in Sanur?
Both work, but the experience is different.
Seafood lunch
Lunch is excellent if you want something light and casual.
Consider:
Ceviche
Prawns
Salads
Grilled fish
Sharing plates
Pair the meal with a cold drink and you can easily turn lunch into a long afternoon by the beach.
Late afternoon
This is a particularly pleasant time to arrive if you want to experience the beach during daylight before settling in for dinner.
Begin with drinks and smaller seafood dishes, then decide whether to continue into a full meal.
Seafood dinner
Dinner is better suited to larger sharing meals, date nights and groups.
Start with seafood mezze, take your time between dishes and allow the evening atmosphere to become part of the experience.
What Drinks Go Well With Seafood?
You do not need to follow complicated pairing rules.
The easiest principle is balance.
Lighter seafood preparations generally pair well with fresh, crisp drinks.
Rich or grilled dishes can handle drinks with more body.
Spicy seafood often works well with something refreshing.
And non-alcoholic drinks can work just as well when they bring acidity, fruit or freshness to the table.
The goal is not to follow a rigid formula.
Choose something you enjoy that does not overpower the flavours of the seafood.
How to Choose Where to Eat Seafood in Sanur
With so many options, narrow your search by asking a few simple questions.
Do you want beachfront dining?
If eating beside the ocean is important, verify the restaurant's actual location.
“Near the beach” and “on the beach” are not necessarily the same thing.
Are you travelling with children?
Choose somewhere with a kids menu and family-friendly facilities rather than selecting purely on the seafood menu.
Does everyone in your group eat seafood?
If not, choose a restaurant that offers strong non-seafood alternatives.
Are you celebrating something?
For birthdays, anniversaries and larger groups, reserve in advance and tell the restaurant about the occasion.
Do you want a quick meal or a long evening?
A local seafood warung may be perfect for a fast, casual meal.
A beachfront restaurant with drinks, sharing plates and evening atmosphere works better when dinner itself is part of your plans.
Neither option is inherently better.
They serve different occasions.
Seafood on Cemara Beach
For diners who want seafood combined with a relaxed beachfront setting, Cemara Beach offers an appealing alternative to some of Sanur's busier areas.
COSTA is located directly on Cemara Beach at Jl. Cemara No.3, Sanur, within easy reach of several major resorts in the area.
The location allows you to combine a beach walk, drinks and dinner without turning them into separate activities.
Arrive while it is still light.
Order something small.
Stay for seafood.
Let dinner become the evening.
That slower pace is one of the reasons beachfront dining fits Sanur so well.
A Seafood Dinner at COSTA: What Could You Order?
If it is your first visit and you want to explore different parts of the current seafood menu, sharing is the easiest strategy.
For example:
To start
Choose oysters alongside one or two seafood mezze dishes.
Scallops, barramundi ceviche or crispy prawns give the table several different flavours and textures.
Then share
Add the vongole pot or seafood dips for the table.
For larger dishes
Choose contrasting seafood.
You could combine mahi-mahi with tiger prawns, or barramundi with octopus.
That means everyone can try several preparations rather than committing to only one.
Add non-seafood dishes if needed
Bring in salads, pizza, pasta or another main course depending on the group.
The point is not to order everything.
It is to create a meal with enough variety to make sharing worthwhile.
Should You Reserve a Seafood Restaurant in Sanur?
If you have a specific restaurant, table or evening in mind, yes.
Reservations become especially useful when:
You want beachfront seating
You are visiting at dinner
You have a larger group
You are celebrating a birthday or anniversary
You are dining with children and want a convenient table
You do not want to change restaurants if your first choice is full
For a spontaneous lunch, walking in may be perfectly reasonable.
For an important dinner, booking gives you more control over the experience.
Where to Eat Seafood in Sanur
There is no shortage of seafood in Sanur.
The better question is what kind of seafood experience you want.
If you want something local and simple, explore Sanur's seafood warungs.
If you want a more refined hotel experience, there are several established options along the coast.
And if you want to combine seafood, beachfront dining and a menu broad enough for families, couples and mixed groups, look for somewhere that does all three well.
At COSTA on Cemara Beach, seafood ranges from oysters, scallops and ceviche to prawns, barramundi, mahi-mahi, salmon, octopus and sharing dishes, alongside Italian food, meat dishes and family-friendly options.
That flexibility matters because the best seafood dinner is rarely just about what is on one plate.
It is the table, the people around it, the view, the dishes you share and the time you allow yourself to enjoy them.
And in Sanur, the sea makes a very good backdrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I eat seafood in Sanur?
Sanur has many seafood options, ranging from casual local warungs to hotel restaurants and beachfront dining venues. Choose according to the experience you want: quick local food, beachfront dining, family-friendly facilities or a longer dinner with drinks and sharing dishes.
What seafood can I eat at COSTA Sanur?
COSTA's current menu includes seafood such as scallops, prawns, octopus, barramundi, mahi-mahi, salmon, oysters, vongole and other seafood preparations. Menu items can change, so check the current menu before visiting.
Is COSTA a beachfront seafood restaurant?
COSTA is located directly on Cemara Beach in Sanur and combines beachfront dining with seafood, Italian-inspired dishes, drinks and other menu options.
Is COSTA suitable for people who do not eat seafood?
Yes. In addition to seafood, the current lunch and dinner menu contains meat dishes, salads and other choices, while separate pizza and pasta options are also available.
Is a seafood restaurant in Sanur suitable for families?
It depends on the restaurant. Families should check for a kids menu, comfortable seating and children's facilities. COSTA offers family-focused facilities alongside its main dining area.
Should I book a seafood restaurant in Sanur in advance?
Booking is recommended if you want a particular beachfront table, are visiting at a popular dinner time, have a larger group or are celebrating a special occasion.
