Ubud Food Festival 2026: The Four-Day Culinary Event Taking Over Bali This May

Ubud Food Festival 2026 returns from 28-31 May, transforming the cultural heart of the island into a four-day celebration of flavour, fire and the people behind Indonesia’s extraordinary food story.

Now recognised as one of Southeast Asia’s leading culinary events, the festival draws chefs, farmers, producers and serious food lovers from across the region. But beyond the headline names and long-table lunches, what makes this year especially compelling is its theme: “Farmers: Guardians of Land and Sea.”

In a destination often celebrated for its beach clubs and sunset dinners, Ubud Food Festival shifts the focus back to where it all begins: the soil, the sea and the hands that grow, harvest and nurture the ingredients.

What Is Ubud Food Festival?

Held annually in Ubud, the festival blends high-profile dining events with open-air markets, masterclasses, chef collaborations and conversations about sustainability and food culture. In 2025, it welcomed more than 18,000 attendees and over 160 industry leaders, cementing its place as Indonesia’s largest culinary festival.

The heart of the action unfolds at Taman Kuliner, where a free Food Market showcases dozens of artisan vendors serving regional dishes from across the archipelago. Around it, Ubud’s most celebrated restaurants and resorts host ticketed events, from intimate degustations to one-night-only chef takeovers.

What’s Planned for the 2026 Festival?

This year’s theme places farmers firmly at the centre of the table. From volcanic highland produce to saltwater seafood traditions, the programme honours the ecosystems and communities that sustain Indonesia’s culinary identity.

It is being described as a celebration not just of chefs, but of the entire food chain - growers, fishers, fermenters and artisans. In a time when sustainability and responsible sourcing matter more than ever, that feels timely.

As a traveller, you’re not just booking a dinner. You’re stepping into a broader conversation about food, culture and preservation.

The Chefs Bringing Global Energy to Ubud

The 2026 line-up spans Indonesia, Australia and beyond.

From Australia, cult pastry innovator Kate Reid of Melbourne’s Lune Croissanterie headlines with a special breakfast event at Indus Restaurant, complete with a Bali croissant competition judged by Kate herself. Coastal cooking champion Ben Devlin (Pipit, NSW) collaborates with Syrco Bakker at Syrco BASÈ for a produce-led dining experience rooted in land and sea.

Spanish-born Frank Camorra of Melbourne’s MoVida reunites with Santanera’s Andrés Becerra for a fiery Spanish-Latin feast at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, while acclaimed mixologist Darren Leane brings his bold cocktail craft to the beverage program.

Regional culinary heavyweights also take the stage. Bangkok’s Prin Polsuk of Samrub Samrub Thai presents a heritage-driven Thai menu at Mozaic. Jakarta’s Jovan Koraag showcases the bold heat of Manado cuisine at Casa Luna. And collaborations across Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Filipino and Indonesian kitchens promise nights built on smoke, spice and storytelling.

The Events Worth Booking Early

While the free Food Market is a highlight, the festival’s ticketed events are where things get special.

A ten-course, four-hands dinner at Api Jiwa at Capella Ubud brings together Petty Pandean-Elliott and Arvie Delvo in one of Bali’s most atmospheric dining rooms. A MoVida x Santanera collaboration at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan blends Spanish technique with Latin flair. And Syrco BASÈ’s garden collaboration with Pipit offers a refined, produce-driven showcase under the stars.

For something lighter, the Sunday mahjong, dumplings and sparkling session at Casa Luna leans into slow ritual and shared tables, a reminder that food festivals aren’t always about intensity. Sometimes they’re about lingering.

More Than Just Dinner

Beyond chef takeovers, the program includes masterclasses, food tours, cooking demonstrations and talks exploring heritage recipes, fermentation, indigenous ingredients and the evolving identity of Indonesian cuisine.

The Food Market alone is worth a visit, especially for travellers seeking authentic regional bites without committing to a full degustation. It’s vibrant, accessible and deeply local.

Planning Your Visit

Ubud Food Festival 2026 runs from Thursday, 28 May to Sunday, 31 May across venues throughout Ubud. Ticketed events range from accessible long-table lunches to premium multi-course collaborations, with many expected to sell out.

If you’re in Bali during those dates, this is one event that rewards planning ahead. Whether you book a headline dinner or simply wander the market stalls beneath Ubud’s wide skies, the festival offers something that goes beyond tourism.

It’s a reminder that Bali’s story is told not just through landscapes, but through flavour, shaped by land, sea and the communities who protect both.

For the full program and ticket details, visit https://www.ubudfoodfestival.com/

If you’re turning the festival into a long weekend or full Ubud escape, explore our guide to the best places to stay in Ubud.