Tuju

You'd never guess that behind the busy Jalan Suweta lies this gorgeous jungle retreat. TUJU opened in July 2024 and quickly became one of those places everyone talks about – the kind of spot where you plan to stay for lunch and end up watching the sunset.The space flows beautifully between different areas. There's the main infinity pool where the energy is social and fun, plus a quieter second pool called The Nest when you need some peace. The bamboo architecture and tropical design make everything feel organic, like the jungle just naturally grew around the restaurant.What really sets TUJU apart is how the vibe shifts throughout the day. Mornings are chill with great coffee and poolside breakfast. Afternoons get lively with DJ sets starting at 4 PM. Then evenings turn magical with their daily fire pit gathering at 6 PM, where strangers become friends over cocktails around crackling flames.The food is seriously good – they blend Asian and Mediterranean flavors using fresh local ingredients. Everything from light bites by the pool to proper dinner feels thoughtful without being fussy. The cocktails are crafted by bartenders who really know their stuff.When night falls, the hidden Jungle Lounge opens up with intimate lighting and Japanese izakaya vibes. It's cozy and sophisticated, perfect for deep conversations or just watching the jungle come alive in the darkness. On Fridays, they add Fire Dance performances that feel authentically Balinese rather than touristy.The best part? Free entry, no minimum spend, and you're right in central Ubud. It's that rare combination of accessible, beautiful, and genuinely welcoming that makes you want to come back every day.

We discovered TUJU by accident – walked past the entrance on Jalan Suweta and got curious about the jungle sounds drifting from inside. Best spontaneous decision of our Ubud trip.Started with lunch by the main pool, where the atmosphere was relaxed but buzzing. The two-level pool setup was brilliant – we could swim and socialize, then move to the quieter Nest Pool when we wanted to actually read our books. The DJ playing mellow beats made everything feel like a tropical daydream.Around 6 PM, we joined the fire pit ceremony and it felt genuinely special. Not touristy at all – just people gathering around flames, sharing stories, with the jungle as our backdrop. Met a photographer from Germany and a local artist who gave us the best restaurant recommendations for later in the week.The food surprised us. We expected typical pool club fare but got beautiful dishes that actually had soul. The Asian-Mediterranean fusion made sense when you tasted it – familiar flavors but with creative twists that worked perfectly.Stayed for the Jungle Lounge after dark, which felt like discovering a hidden speakeasy. Intimate lighting, comfortable seating, and cocktails that were proper craft creations. We ended up talking with the bartender about local life in Ubud until way past our usual bedtime.Walking back through quiet Ubud streets, we felt that perfect combination of energized and relaxed that only happens at really special places.