Paella with a Passport at Adriana Cocina & Bar

Head to the eighth floor of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali, within Samasta Lifestyle Village, and you’ll find Adriana Cocina & Bar, where a vibrant new paella is stirring appetites and conversations alike.

Adriana is helmed by chef Gerardo Milan, hailing all the way from Mexico, who brings a soulful take on coastal Latin cuisine to Bali. He has honed his skills opening restaurants in different states across America, before starting a new chapter in Indonesia. With Adriana, chef Gerardo aims to deliver authentic Mexican seafood and meat dishes done right. “Adriana Cocina & Bar is not just a restaurant, it’s a love letter to the flavours and spirit of Southern Mexico, served with heart here in Bali,” he muses.  

The Caribbean Style Seafood Paella is Adriana Cocina & Bar’s version of a celebration on a plate. A rich, spiced broth anchors every grain of creamy, slow-cooked rice, while golden tiger prawns, briny mussels, and a crisp, show-stealing soft-shell crab create a symphony of texture and taste. Top it all off with the house-made Veracruz sauce, made from dried Mexican chillies – a crucial ingredient that makes all the difference and creates a strong talking point – and you’ve got a memorable feast. 

There’s also something deeply satisfying about its presentation, served fresh off the flame in a wide, shallow paellera. It evokes the essence of island living: laid-back, generous, and unapologetically bold. Each spoonful offers a dance of contrasts: heat and sweetness, land and sea, refinement and rustic charm.

But at Adriana Cocina & Bar, it’s not just about the food. The space itself invites you to linger. Breezy and sun-drenched, the open-air venue blurs the line between dining and gathering, with the easy warmth of a backyard celebration. Whether you’re here for an intimate date or a lively dinner with friends, the ambiance hums with relaxed sophistication and soulful charm.

Capable of hosting up to 200 guests for sit-down affairs and 400 for cocktail soirées, the venue blends coastal energy with Bali’s effortless flair. The interiors nod to tropical textures and warm, earthy colours, but it’s the spirit of the place – generous, joyful, and flavour-forward – that truly defines the experience.

This is not paella by the book. It’s paella with a passport – infused with storytelling, heritage, and heart. A dish meant to be passed around, talked over, and remembered long after the last bite.

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Adriana Cocina & Bar, Jalan Wanagiri No. 1, Jimbaran, Bali 80361, Indonesia, +62 361 4725777, adrianacocinaandbar.com,@adrianabali.rooftop