Ubud: Romantic Floating Dinner Under the Stars

Ubud’s most unusual dinner setting is a candlelit floating deck, where you dine privately with the sounds of nature around you and stars overhead. The setting does much of the work, but the six-course menu gives the evening enough substance to feel like more than a photo opportunity.

I like the choice between beef tenderloin and Jimbaran Bay lobster, and I like that the price includes a full bottle of wine rather than only a welcome drink. The main drawback is practical: at $346 per couple, transportation is extra, and the experience is not suitable for children under 12 or people with certain health and mobility concerns.

Key points

• Private dinner for two: You get exclusive use of the Awana Pool area, rather than sharing the meal with a larger group.
• Six polished courses: The menu moves from scallop and prawn mousseline to foie gras, consommé, sorbet, a choice of main course, and chocolate dessert.
• Beef or lobster: Choose pan-grilled Australian beef tenderloin or Jimbaran Bay lobster for the centerpiece of the meal.
• One bottle of wine included: This adds useful value for couples planning a long, unhurried dinner.
• Rain plan provided: An indoor location is available if weather interrupts the floating-deck setting.
• Arrive before 7:00 PM: Smart-casual clothing is required, and you should arrive at least 15 minutes early.

A candlelit dinner on the Awana Pool

The appeal here is simple: dinner becomes the evening’s main event. You are not rushing between several stops or trying to fit a meal into a busy sightseeing schedule. Instead, you spend up to four hours in one private setting, with candles, water, food, wine, and the surrounding sounds of Ubud.

The floating deck is decorated for a romantic occasion and set within the Awana Pool area at Kamandalu Ubud. The available information does not name a personal guide or host, so you should think of this as a private dining experience rather than a guided tour.

That distinction matters. If you want stories about Balinese food, a cooking lesson, or a host leading you through local traditions, this is not designed for that. If you want privacy and a carefully arranged dinner with minimal distraction, the format makes good sense.

The experience begins at 7:00 PM, and arriving at least 15 minutes early is important. A late arrival could cut into an evening planned around several courses, so give yourself time to reach the venue and settle in before the candles and plates take over.

What the six-course dinner includes

The meal is structured as six courses, with each serving intended to change the pace and flavor of the evening. This is a formal menu, not a casual Balinese feast with many shared plates, so portions are likely to be presented one course at a time.

Sea scallop and prawn mousseline

The opening amuse-bouche combines sea scallop and prawn in a smooth mousse. It is meant to awaken your appetite without filling you up, and it starts the meal with seafood and delicate seasoning.

This first bite also signals the style of the dinner. The menu leans toward polished hotel dining, with classic techniques and carefully paired sauces rather than rustic local dishes. That will suit you if presentation and a slow sequence of courses matter as much as regional flavors.

Pan-seared foie gras

The second course is pan-seared foie gras with star fruit jam and grape wine sauce. The foie gras brings a soft, rich texture, while the star fruit adds sweetness and acidity. The grape wine sauce gives the plate a deeper, fruit-led finish.

This is one of the more luxurious parts of the menu, but it may not appeal to every diner. Foie gras is rich and distinctive, so if you prefer light food throughout the evening, this course could feel heavy. The small portions and gradual pace should help, though the menu clearly aims for indulgence.

Beef consommé with agnolotti

Next comes beef consommé, a clear broth built from slow-simmered beef. It is served with red sorrel, spinach, and Parmesan agnolotti, adding pasta, greens, and cheese to what might otherwise be a very light soup.

I like this course on paper because it gives the meal a warmer, more comforting pause after the foie gras. It also brings a touch of classic European dining style to the menu. Do not expect a spicy Balinese soup or a bold local curry here. The food is designed as a refined Western-style sequence.

Lemon sorbet

The lemon sorbet acts as a reset before the main course. Its sharp, cold flavor should clear away the richness of the foie gras, sauce, consommé, and Parmesan.

This is a small detail, but it matters in a six-course dinner. Without a palate cleanser, the meal could feel like one long run of rich flavors. The sorbet gives you a fresh break and makes the main course feel like a new stage of the evening.

Choosing beef tenderloin or Jimbaran Bay lobster

For the main course, you choose between pan-grilled Australian beef tenderloin and pan-grilled Jimbaran Bay lobster. This is the decision that most clearly lets you shape the dinner around your own taste.

The beef tenderloin is the safer choice if you want a classic, substantial centerpiece. Australian beef gives the dish an international fine-dining feel, and tenderloin is known for its soft texture. The menu information does not specify the sauce, side dishes, or preferred cooking temperature, so you should not expect to choose every detail of the plate.

The lobster offers a stronger connection to Bali’s coastal setting through its Jimbaran Bay origin. It is the better pick if seafood feels more special to you than beef, or if you want something lighter after the earlier foie gras and consommé.

Because the experience is private, you and your companion do not have to order the same main course. The supplied details say you can choose between beef tenderloin or lobster, but they do not spell out whether one person can select each option. If that matters, confirm the arrangement when booking.

Chocolate mousse and strawberry ice cream

Dessert finishes the meal with layers of chocolate mousse and strawberry ice cream. The combination gives you both richness and cold fruit freshness, a familiar pairing that should appeal to most sweet-toothed diners.

After foie gras, broth, sorbet, and a full main course, a restrained dessert would be welcome. The menu description calls it decadent, so this is not meant to be a tiny afterthought. I would plan to enjoy it slowly rather than expect a simple coffee-and-dessert ending.

No separate coffee or tea service is listed, so do not assume those drinks are included. The stated inclusion is one bottle of wine, along with the six-course set menu.

Why the setting matters more than the menu

The strongest reason to book this is the setting. A six-course dinner can be found in many upscale hotels, but dining on a decorated floating deck with candlelight and night sky gives the meal a clear sense of occasion.

The atmosphere is also intentionally quiet. The experience promises peace, natural elegance, and the sounds of nature rather than entertainment or a busy dining room. That makes it a good fit for an anniversary, proposal-style celebration, honeymoon evening, or a special night during a Bali stay.

At the same time, you should keep expectations realistic. The description does not promise a particular view, a clear sky, live music, flowers, photography, or a special ceremony. You get the floating deck, candles, food, wine, and private use of the pool area. The romance comes from that combination, not from a long list of extras.

One verified booking from the Netherlands gave the highest possible rating and praised the view and food. Those are the two areas I would focus on when deciding. The view provides the emotional setting, while the menu gives the evening enough structure and quality to feel like a full celebration.

Is $346 good value for two?

The price is $346 per group of up to two people. That works out to $173 per person before transportation and any personal spending.

That is a considerable amount for dinner, but it covers more than a standard restaurant meal. You receive a private setting, exclusive use of the Awana Pool area, six courses, and one bottle of wine. For a celebration, paying for privacy and presentation may feel worthwhile.

The value is weaker if you are mainly paying for the food. The menu contains premium ingredients such as foie gras, Australian beef tenderloin, lobster, and wine, but the package does not include transportation or additional drinks. If you are comparing it with a regular dinner in Ubud, this experience will cost much more.

I see the price as reasonable for a one-night romantic splurge, especially if privacy is important to you. I would not recommend it as a casual meal or a budget-friendly way to try Balinese cuisine. This is an occasion dinner, and the cost reflects the setting as much as the plate.

Timing, clothing, and the rain plan

The dinner starts at 7:00 PM and lasts four hours. Arrive at least 15 minutes early, and wear smart-casual clothing. This is not the place for beachwear, but you also do not need formal evening clothes.

Rain is the main uncertainty. If the weather turns bad, an alternative indoor location is provided. That protects your dinner reservation, but it may change the visual appeal of the evening. The floating deck is the central feature, so a rainy-night substitute will not feel identical.

Advance booking is required because the deck is arranged for private use. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Bali plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check availability for your preferred date.

Transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own way to and from the venue, and you should allow enough time to arrive before the 7:00 PM start. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and smoking and flash photography are not allowed during the experience.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this dinner to couples who want a quiet, private evening and are happy to pay for a special setting. It suits people celebrating an anniversary or another important occasion, particularly if a long meal feels more appealing than a busy night out.

Food-focused couples should also find plenty to discuss between courses. Foie gras, beef consommé, lobster, beef tenderloin, chocolate mousse, and wine make this a more ambitious menu than a basic romantic dinner.

I would hesitate to recommend it to families with young children because children under 12 are not allowed. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with heart problems.

The experience may not fit you if you want a strongly local menu. Jimbaran Bay lobster connects the meal to Bali, but the overall cooking style is international and formal. For local dishes, market food, or a relaxed warung meal, choose a different evening.

Should you book the floating dinner?

Book it if you want privacy, candlelight, and a full six-course meal in one memorable setting. The view and food are the most highly praised parts, and the choice of lobster or beef makes the main course easy to tailor.

Skip it if $346 feels too high for dinner, if you need transportation included, or if rain would seriously spoil the occasion even with an indoor backup. I would also avoid it for a casual night or a family meal.

For the right couple, this is a focused splurge: arrive early, dress smart-casually, choose your main course in advance, and treat the floating deck as the reason for booking. The food supports the occasion, but the private candlelit setting is what you will remember most.

FAQ

Where does the romantic floating dinner take place?

It takes place at Kamandalu Ubud in Bali, with exclusive use of the Awana Pool area and a decorated floating deck.

How long does the dinner last?

The experience lasts four hours and starts at 7:00 PM.

What food is served?

The six-course menu includes a sea scallop and prawn mousseline amuse-bouche, pan-seared foie gras, beef consommé with red sorrel, spinach, and Parmesan agnolotti, lemon sorbet, a choice of beef tenderloin or Jimbaran Bay lobster, and a chocolate mousse dessert with strawberry ice cream.

Is wine included?

Yes. The package includes one bottle of wine.

What happens if it rains?

An alternative indoor location is provided in case of rain.

Is the dinner suitable for children?

No. Children under 12 are not allowed. The experience is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.