From washing dishes in his dad’s kitchen to cooking alongside Lennox Hastie on Lizard Island, Michael McGairy’s path has been anything but ordinary.
A scouser by birth with a strong Perth chapter—including time at The Reveley and The Storehouse—he now finds himself on Bali’s southern cliffs, head chef at Teja Uluwatu.
Since the restaurant opened in May, McGairy has been shaping its kitchen with a mix of UK roots, Australian know-how and a love for island life. Few chefs know Uluwatu’s food, drink and lifestyle scene better right now—here’s his guide to the best of it.
Let’s start with your favourite spots to eat and drink in Uluwatu:
Where’s the best place for a relaxed breakfast?
For breakfast, Ulu Artisan is hard to beat. Steak and eggs with the crispiest rosti in town—just make sure you get there early to guarantee a good spot as it’s always packed!
Your go-to coffee spot?
Thankfully Bali wasn’t just blessed with amazing scenery and beaches! There’s plenty of good coffee too. Baked and BGS are standouts in Uluwatu for an iced long black, and Coffee Cartel in Seminyak is always worth a stop for a pre-shopping coffee hit.
Your favourite restaurant for a long lunch?
Legong Bumbu Bali near Kedonganan seafood markets is a must for a long lunch, just be sure to bring your appetite! Shopping at the market, choosing everything your heart desires from coral trout to abalone, this place has it all! Just sit back and watch the waves crash in as they BBQ everything to perfection.
And for a casual dinner?
You can’t go wrong with a laid-back dinner on Jimbaran Beach. Look for New Bayang Cafe, that’s my favourite, the clams are always on point, and who doesn’t love local seafood with a cold beer to watch the sun go down?
Any hot tips for a sunset drink?
Teja Uluwatu, obviously!
What does a late night out in Uluwatu look like for you?
For a night out, start at La Playa before a short ride to Il Salotto for those nevermind small bar vibes and solid cocktails before finishing at Notte speakeasy for a proper nightcap (The Gentlemen’s Choice is worth it), and of course, no night out is complete without a stop to BB52 for a cheeseburger and waffle fries.
Moving on to your favourite places to unwind:
Where do you go when you need a reset?
To reset, there’s only one choice: The Istana meditation retreat. Breathtaking views of the cliff face and outdoor ice pools and hamams, it’s a total no phone zone, so the perfect place to take a break and escape reality.
What’s your favourite local escape for a day trip or weekend?
For a weekend escape, Sidemen is the spot that has it all, waterfalls, caves, stunning rice terraces and local art. Samanvaya Hotel is a small yet beautiful gem worth checking out. Set between the rolling hills, it’s truly the perfect weekend escape.
If friends are visiting from overseas, where’s the one “wow” spot you always take them?
Melasti Beach is the best beach in Bali, if you ask me. It has everything you could need—it’s dog-friendly, there are beach clubs, and the view from the top still leaves me in awe every time I see it. So it’s a definite must for taking the family, even just to take in the view!
Where do you go when you need a reminder of why you love living here?
I consider myself very lucky to be able to call Bali home and when there’s a quiet buzz in the air after a big service when I’m riding the bike home, it’s hard not to feel lucky in those moments. Or even just stepping back during prep and seeing the team in the kitchen—music on, everyone’s in rhythm, bit of banter flying around. It’s those small day-to-day moments that remind me why I’m here. Life’s slower, more connected. It feels real.
If you had 48 hours to spend in Bali, how would you spend them?
Start with a morning walk at Nunggalan Beach and a coffee in hand. A light lunch at Ulu Gardens, then kick back at Mana poolside with a cold beer. Dinner out and finish the night at Il Salotto.
The next morning, hit the sauna and ice bath at The Istana, then ride up to Ubud to check out Locavor NXT and the markets (and maybe grab a Bintang singlet).
Wrap it all up with dinner in Seminyak and a few natural wines at Mosto before the clock runs out.
And finally, the quickfire questions:
- Best sunset spot? Teja’s got to take the win on that one.
- Most underrated place to eat? Akasa isn’t exactly underrated, but it’s always been solid—great if you want to taste the best of Bali.
- Favourite shop or market stall? My favourite “shop” is actually a local warung—can’t beat Ibu’s campur.
Looking for more Bali recommendations? Head to Bali Stays for our curated guide to the best Bali properties to book before your next trip.