Ambar at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Bar & Restaurant Review

Location: Ubud, Bali
Cuisine: Japanese Fusion
Price: £££
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Perfect for: Curated Cocktails & Stunning Sunsets

Ambar means sky in Sanskrit and this beautiful bar and restaurant offers not just breathtaking views, but excellent Japanese fusion gastronomy and decadent handcrafted cocktails.

Located in Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel, this gorgeous setting is in the spiritual heart of Ubud where the lush jungle meets the Ayung River. This offers up magical sunsets, and one of the best places to be for golden hour - with a drink in hand of course!

The Decor

Ambar is an elegant open space decorated with wooden elements and surrounded by greenery. The new outdoor wooden deck takes a scenic moment to a new level overlooking the abundant lush forest of Mandapa village during the golden hour.

There are tables set for dining, as well as more causal seating areas for those who just want to enjoy a drink.

Ambar also has daily live jazz music, which adds a beautiful musical touch to the atmosphere.

TOP TIP: Book your table for sunset for magnificent views of the jungle and river.

The Food

The food menu at Ambar is anchored in the intersection of Balinese ingredients and Japanese culinary techniques.

This Japanese fusion cuisine includes a selection of maki, Usuzukuri, tartare and a few starters too. The stand-out dishes for me included the Udang Salad which was composed of crispy prawn topped with tonkatsu served with green soya olive oil.

The Toro Tartare is a Ambar speciality and one of their most popular dishes. This dish arrives with some theatre, as it is completed at the table. The fatty tuna is served with ginger, spring onion, egg yolk and avruga pearl. This combination is delightful and a must-try dish at Ambar.

We also tried the Soft Shell Crab Maki, which arrived as a large portion packed full of delicious flavours and textures.

The dishes are intended for sharing and grazing, so it is easy to have a relaxed meal here, rather than a formal sit-down dinner.

For dessert we tried the platter which arrived as a trio of desserts. My favourites were the Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream Sandwich and the Matcha Mascarpone Cream Puff which was soft and creamy and the perfect sweet treat to end the meal on.

The Cocktails

The handcrafted cocktails at Ambar are one of their highlights. The menu is constantly evolving to keep the mixologists creativity flowing, and I enjoyed asking for their recommendations on which drinks to try next, as they were all delicious!

They are a few menus to select drinks from, including Belantara, an Ubud focused cocktail menu incorporating handpicked ingredients of the surrounding forest and Japanese drinking culture, to create a modern take on hyperlocal herbs, fruits, and spices.

The Fruits of the Forest menu features a selection of classic cocktails with unique twists and eclectic spirits including a range of Gin & Tonic’s and Tropical Aged Cocktails for guests to sample.

What I enjoyed about the cocktails at Ambar was this use of local ingredients and flavours to elevate the drinks and create something extra special.

My favourite cocktails were the Yuzu Negroni, as it was a fantastic twist on one of my favourite classic cocktails. I also enjoyed the Bilimbi Punch and the Buttered Kacang.

There is also a diverse offering of international wines, curated craft beers, and non-alcoholic drinks for guests to enjoy too.

Overall

Open from 2pm – 11pm, Ambar is a celebration of the rich flavours of Bali paired with the traditional beverage and culinary techniques of Japan. This makes it the perfect destination to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and Japanese fusion gastronomy all in the beautiful surroundings.

Ambar is open to the public every day from 2 pm – 10 pm.

Address: Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Phone: +62 813-3910-1992
Email: fb.reservation@ritzcarlton.com
Instagram: @AmbarUbudBar

For more information visit Ambar’s website.