Jalan Kayu Aya (Eat St) in Seminyak

Everyone knows this street as Eat Street but very few people actually know the real name; Jalan Kayu Aya.

The street runs about 2 km and begins at the restaurant Cornerhouse and ends right up the top at the Petitenget area where it turns into the  Batu Belig district.

As you walk along Jalan Kayu Aya you will pass hundreds of places to eat, drink, relax, grab a massage, coffee, lunch or dinner, buy a souvenir or even get a tattoo. It’s really geared for tourists who are staying in  Seminyak or Legian and as you would expect as it covers the 3 main tourist hubs of Bali; Seminyak, Oberoi and Petitenget as well as some parts of Kerobokan.

Most people strolling around the area will be staying in a Villa in Bali and this is why they are so eager to get out and explore the area around them.

Famous landmarks that are worth seeing along Jalan Kayu Aya are Sisterfields Restaurant, Motel Mexicola, Seminyak Village and Seminyak Square which is next to this (you could spend a whole day here just in these 2 locations as there are so many shops).

You will also pass Ku De Ta, Potato Head, La Favela Restaurant, Livingstones, My Warung, Char Char, Kynd (for great vegan food), Kayu Aya Village (where local vendors sell in a market – perfect for that extra sarong), Pison & Revolver Coffee, Ling Ling ( you will see the neon signs for this place a mile away) just to name but a few.

Unlike other parts of Bali, don’t expect to bargain too much here as these are all western-style shops and the price is always fixed. There are however a few local vendors who are keen on your business and will be prepared to knock a bit off the price.

Kynd Community: one of the most popular organic cafes along Eat Street

Walking is the best way to see Kayu Aya but it can get really hot between the hours of 11am – 3pm so this is the time you either stop for a really long lunch, head back to the villa for a breather or go to a day spa for a little self pampering. Once it gets a little cooler in the afternoon and the suns not so harsh you can resume your excursion along what is the most famous strip in Bali.

The pace and noise of Kayu Aya can get at times a bit overwhelming with trucks loaded with workers and screaming motor bikes making there way to other areas nearby. The trick we find is to stop into a cafe, doughnut shop or juice bar, perhaps even have some lunch and take a break.

If you try to do the whole stretch in one go your going to miss out on so much as you will tend to rush things. There are loads of places to recharge your batterie,  where you can pop in for a quick coffee or juice. They also all have amazing wifi so you can check your emails & post those recent pics to Instagram.

If you want to sample some local Balinese cuisine along your walk, there are a dozen or so what’s called Warungs where you can try the local favourite Masakan Padang. Be warned it can get very spicy. The food, however, is cheap, delicious and don’t stress as it’s always clean.

We are not trying to dissuade you from walking the entire street, all we are saying is it can get extremely hot and in some cases a tad overwhelming with the scooter exhaust so it’s important that if you want to enjoy the experience, that you actually take a breather. Pace yourself!

At the end of the road or Jalan, it’s best not to try and walk back. Save this for another afternoon or morning and simply get a taxi back to your villa or hotel. Your legs and wallet are probably going to be hurting by this stage so you should take this advice on board.

Access to the main 2 beaches in the area: Petitenget & Seminyak is along Kayu Aya. There is a huge temple area known as Petitenget temple which is just around the corner from Ku De Ta & this is where you enter the beach.

There are loads of accommodation options along with Kayu Aya catering for all styles and budgets. From high-end luxurious villas to budget hotels, you will find them all scattered along the road as you make your way northwards towards Batu Belig & Umalas.

Also read:  15 BEST LUXURY VILLAS IN SEMINYAK