Ubud: Romantic Floating Dinner Under the Stars

The unusual part comes first: you dine on a floating deck at Kamandalu Ubud, with candles on the water, stars overhead, and the quiet sound of nature around you. It is a four-hour evening built for two, not a quick meal squeezed between sightseeing stops.

I like the choice between Australian beef tenderloin and Jimbaran Bay lobster, and I like that the meal has enough structure to feel special without requiring you to plan each course. The setting and food earn the strongest praise, with one verified booking describing both the view and dinner as wonderful. The main drawback is the price: at $346 per couple, this is a major splurge, especially since transport is not included.

Key details at a glance

• A six-course dinner on water: The meal runs from scallop and prawn mousseline to chocolate mousse and strawberry ice cream.
• A choice of main course: Pick pan-grilled Australian beef tenderloin or pan-grilled Jimbaran Bay lobster.
• Private use of the Awana Pool area: This is a private-group experience for up to two people.
• One bottle of wine included: Drinks are part of the package, but personal expenses are not.
• Rain has a backup plan: An indoor location is provided if the weather turns wet.
• A late-evening romantic setting: Dinner begins at 7 PM, and smart casual dress is required.

A floating dinner made for two

This is not simply dinner beside a pool. The table is set on a decorated floating deck, giving the evening its main sense of occasion. Candlelight softens the setting, while the surrounding greenery and night air do much of the work.

You get exclusive use of the Awana Pool area, which matters more than it may sound. Instead of sharing a large dining room with other tables, you have a private setting for the full four-hour booking. If you are marking an anniversary, proposing, celebrating a honeymoon, or simply want one polished evening together, privacy is a real part of the value.

The setting is peaceful rather than lively. You will not be booking this for music, entertainment, or a busy social scene. The appeal is the chance to slow down, talk, eat carefully prepared food, and watch the evening change around you.

The floating deck also brings one practical point: this is not the best choice for anyone who needs a very easy, fully supported dining setup. The activity specifically lists people with back problems, heart problems, and pregnant women as unsuitable. Children under 12 are also not allowed.

What happens from 7 PM onward

Dinner starts at 7 PM, so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. That buffer gives you time to reach the venue, settle in, and begin the evening without turning the first course into a race.

Transportation to and from the venue is not included. You will need to arrange your own ride to Kamandalu Ubud and back. If you are pairing this with a full day in Ubud, leave enough time for traffic and do not aim to arrive at exactly 7 PM.

The booking lasts four hours. That is generous for a six-course meal and allows the dinner to unfold at a relaxed pace. Still, you should think of this as a complete evening, not a meal to fit around another scheduled activity.

The experience is private for a group of up to two. The supplied price of $346 is therefore the total for the couple, rather than a per-person rate. At about $173 per person, it is expensive by ordinary Bali dinner standards, but easier to assess if you are comparing it with a special occasion package that includes a private setting, a bottle of wine, and a long, multi-course meal.

The opening bite: scallop and prawn mousseline

The first course is an amuse-bouche of sea deep scallop and prawn mousseline. This is a delicate start, with scallop and prawn blended into a smooth mousse and seasoned to wake up your appetite.

It sets the tone for the meal: refined portions, careful presentation, and seafood flavors before the heavier courses arrive. If you prefer a large first plate, this small opening may feel modest. Its purpose is to begin the dinner gently, not fill you up.

Because the dish uses shellfish, this is worth checking before booking if you have food allergies or strong dietary limits. No alternative menu is listed, so you should not assume substitutions are available.

Foie gras with star fruit and grape wine sauce

Next comes pan-seared foie gras with star fruit jam and grape wine sauce. The foie gras brings a rich, buttery texture, while the star fruit adds a sweet and tangy note. The sauce gives the dish a deeper finish.

This is one of the more luxurious plates on the menu, and it helps explain why the meal is priced above a standard dinner. It is also a course with a distinctive flavor profile. If you enjoy rich food paired with fruit, it should be one of the evening’s memorable moments. If foie gras is not your style, this dish may be the least appealing part of the menu.

The portion is not specified, so you should expect fine-dining pacing rather than generous family-style plates. The meal is designed as a sequence, with each course playing a small role.

Beef consommé and agnolotti

The third course is beef consommé, a clear broth made from slow-simmered beef. It is served with red sorrel, spinach, and Parmesan agnolotti.

This course brings warmth and balance after the foie gras. The consommé should feel light in texture but concentrated in flavor, while the pasta adds a more filling element. It is a useful midpoint in the meal because it shifts the menu from rich appetizer flavors toward the main course.

The combination also gives you more than a series of luxury ingredients. You get contrast: seafood, foie gras, broth, greens, pasta, and then a main course. That variety helps the dinner feel like a full progression rather than a single expensive plate.

Lemon sorbet resets the palate

Before the main course, you receive lemon sorbet. It is a simple but sensible pause between the savory courses and the main.

The bright citrus flavor is meant to clear away the richness of the foie gras and consommé. In a long dinner, this kind of reset keeps the meal from feeling heavy too early. It also gives you a clean break before choosing the centerpiece of the evening.

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 to make when booking or before dinner, depending on how the venue handles your selection.

The beef is the more familiar choice, with a tender cut and a substantial feel. Choose it if you want a classic special-occasion dinner and prefer red meat. The lobster offers a stronger connection to Bali’s coastal setting and will suit you if seafood is the main reason you are tempted by the menu.

The wording identifies the lobster as coming from Jimbaran Bay, a useful local touch. It is not just a generic seafood option. Still, no side dishes, sauces, or cooking preferences are given in the details provided, so do not expect to customize the main beyond choosing beef or lobster.

This choice also makes the dinner more personal. One person can select steak while the other chooses lobster, rather than both being locked into the same plate. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask about them in advance, since the menu includes shellfish, foie gras, dairy, and other animal products.

Chocolate mousse and strawberry ice cream

Dessert finishes the meal with layers of chocolate mousse and strawberry ice cream. It is a familiar pairing, but a well-judged one: rich chocolate on one side, cool fruit on the other.

After six courses, a layered dessert gives the evening a clear finish without adding another complicated flavor combination. The strawberry ice cream should provide the lighter note, while the chocolate mousse supplies the indulgent ending.

The menu is not aimed at guests seeking a plant-based or low-sugar meal. No alternate dessert is listed. If that matters to you, contact the venue before reserving rather than counting on an adjustment.

Wine, dress, and the details that shape the evening

One bottle of wine is included for the private dinner. That adds useful value, especially for a couple who would otherwise order a bottle separately. The package does not list additional drinks, so plan to pay for anything beyond the included bottle.

Smart casual clothing is required. You do not need formal evening wear, but beach clothes and flip-flops would be out of place. A neat outfit that works for a romantic dinner is the safe choice.

Smoking and flash photography are not allowed. The photography rule fits the mood: candlelight and the night setting are part of the experience, and harsh flashes would spoil the atmosphere. You should also note the restriction on alcoholic drinks in a vehicle. Since transportation is not included, this mainly matters if you arrange a separate ride and plan to carry or consume drinks during the journey.

Rain does not automatically cancel the evening. An alternative indoor location is provided if conditions change. That is reassuring in Ubud, where wet weather can arrive quickly, but the indoor setting may not deliver the same floating-deck effect. If the outdoor atmosphere is the main reason you are booking, keep that tradeoff in mind.

Is $346 a fair price for a private dinner?

The price is $346 per group of up to two, with the six-course menu, one bottle of wine, private Awana Pool access, and the floating dinner setting included.

That is not good value if you are comparing it with ordinary restaurant meals in Ubud. You could eat well for far less. It becomes more reasonable if you are comparing it with a private celebration that combines dinner, decoration, a special setting, and a long evening in one package.

The strongest value comes from the privacy and setting, not from the food alone. A six-course menu gives the evening substance, while the floating deck makes it different from a standard tasting dinner. The included wine helps, but it does not transform the price into a bargain.

I would book it for a clear occasion, such as an anniversary or proposal, when paying for atmosphere is part of the plan. I would skip it if your priority is inexpensive local food, a flexible menu, or a casual night out.

Who will enjoy this best?

This suits two adults who want a quiet and polished evening. It is particularly fitting for couples who care about atmosphere, photography without flash, and a meal that unfolds slowly over several hours.

It is less suitable for families, large groups, or anyone looking for lively entertainment. Children under 12 are not permitted, and the private booking is designed for up to two people.

You should also think carefully about comfort. People with back problems, heart problems, and pregnant women are listed as unsuitable. The activity does not provide enough detail to judge how easy the deck is to access, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask before booking.

The food is also important. The menu includes shellfish, foie gras, beef, lobster, Parmesan, chocolate, and dairy-based dessert elements. If you need strict dietary changes, confirm what can be altered in advance.

Booking advice for a smooth evening

Advance booking is required because the floating deck has limited availability. This is not the sort of activity to leave until the afternoon of your special day.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early for the 7 PM start. Since transport is your responsibility, allow extra time for the journey to Kamandalu Ubud and keep the return trip in mind.

The booking allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Ubud plans are still shifting. Those terms make the high price a little easier to manage, but they do not remove the need to secure the date ahead of time.

The experience is provided by Kamandalu Ubud. No guide is listed, and this is primarily a private dining experience rather than a guided tour. You are paying for the setting, meal, service, and privacy, not for sightseeing commentary.

Should you book the floating dinner?

Book this if you want one memorable romantic evening and are comfortable paying for privacy and presentation. The candlelit floating deck, six-course dinner, wine, and choice of beef or lobster create a clear special-occasion package.

Skip it if you are watching your budget, need a flexible or vegetarian menu, or want a more casual taste of Ubud. The price is high, transportation is extra, and rain may move the dinner indoors.

For the right couple, the value is in the whole four-hour ritual: a quiet arrival, carefully paced courses, a bottle of wine, and a private table beneath the night sky. The view and food are the evening’s strongest cards, and that combination is what makes this more than just dinner.

FAQ

Where does the romantic floating dinner take place?

It takes place at Kamandalu Ubud in Bali, in the Awana Pool area on a decorated floating deck.

How long does the experience last?

The dinner lasts four hours.

What time does dinner begin?

Dinner begins at 7 PM. You should arrive at least 15 minutes early.

What food is included?

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

Is wine included?

Yes. One bottle of wine is included for the group of up to two.

What happens if it rains?

An alternative indoor location is provided if rain prevents the floating dinner from taking place outdoors.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the venue is not included, so you must arrange your own travel.