Set against the serene backdrop of Payangan’s lush valley, The Pool Café & Bar at Padma Resort Ubud presents a dining experience shaped by Mediterranean dining sensibilities and the timeless allure of open-fire cooking. Here, the landscape becomes part of the table – an ever-present horizon of green that softens the pace and invites a more considered way of dining.
At the heart of the menu is a refined interplay between flavour and craftsmanship. Signature dishes such as the flame-grilled octopus reveal a careful balance of smoky depth and bright citrus lift, each element thoughtfully composed to enhance the other. Elsewhere, familiar classics – seafood paella and prawn tagliatelle – celebrate the richness of the sea, layered with nuance and anchored by quality ingredients that speak for themselves.
Guiding this culinary direction is Damian Pentelow, whose South African roots bring a distinct perspective to the kitchen. Drawing from the tradition of braai, where fire is central not only to cooking but to gathering, his approach embraces flame as both technique and philosophy. It is a way of cooking that feels inherently social, echoing Indonesia’s own culture of shared meals and convivial dining.
By day, the restaurant unfolds as a relaxed poolside setting, where guests linger over light, flavourful plates and refreshing drinks beside the resort’s iconic infinity pool. As evening settles in, the atmosphere shifts almost imperceptibly – becoming more intimate, more reflective. Surrounded by the quiet of nature, the experience transforms into something altogether more immersive.
Rather than presenting Mediterranean cuisine in its purest form, The Pool Café & Bar interprets it through a local lens, weaving global inspiration with the textures and spirit of Payangan. The result is a dining experience that feels both familiar and distinct, inviting guests not simply to dine, but to pause, to connect, and to savour each moment as it unfolds.
For more information, visit padmaresortubud.com and @padmaubud.
