Make Your Book Dream About Asia Come True: Living the Eat Pray Love Journey in Ubud, Bali
For many travelers, a story is what sparks the journey—and few stories have done this more powerfully than Eat Pray Love. Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir captured the hearts of those seeking meaning and healing, and her time in Bali, especially in Ubud, painted a vision of quiet mornings, spiritual awakenings, and unexpected love.
It was here, among rice terraces and temple offerings, that the “Love” part of her journey unfolded. If you’ve ever felt the pull to step into that story, to trade routine for reflection, here’s how to make your Eat Pray Love moment come true—with depth, intention, and just the right amount of indulgence.
Where the Story Settles: Ubud’s Timeless Spirit
Ubud isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling. Surrounded by thick jungle, sacred rivers, and rows of emerald rice fields, it offers something few destinations can: stillness.
It was here that Gilbert famously sought guidance from Ketut Liyer, the traditional healer who shared with her the importance of balance between pleasure and devotion. And while Ketut has since passed on, Ubud still offers those in search of clarity a place to pause and reconnect.
Today, Ubud remains the spiritual and creative soul of Bali—home to healers, seekers, artists, and those chasing clarity. And at the heart of this experience lies Samsara Ubud, a serene hideaway nestled in the highlands of Payangan, just outside central Ubud. With its private villas, personal pools, and enveloping forest views, Samsara is more than a place to stay—it’s a retreat for the soul. Wake to birdsong, spend the afternoon journaling in a jungle pavilion, or take part in a water purification ritual nearby—everything is curated to quiet the noise and open space for something new.
Eat (and Love) in Ubud: A Culinary Journey of Meaning
While Eat Pray Love placed culinary excess in Italy, in Bali, food becomes spiritual—rooted in nature, memory, and ceremony. In Ubud, you’ll find dining experiences that are both deeply local and wildly imaginative.
- Nusantara by Locavore
Step into a quiet laneway and find yourself immersed in the rich, rarely seen side of Indonesian cuisine. Nusantara celebrates recipes from every corner of the archipelago, with ancestral spice blends, heirloom vegetables, and flavors that tell stories. Much like Gilbert’s own journey—rediscovering the old to understand the new—Nusantara invites you to taste tradition through a modern lens. - Locavore NXT
Inventive, unforgettable, and wildly respected, Locavore is not just a restaurant—it’s a statement. Each dish is crafted from ingredients sourced within Indonesia, with a focus on sustainability, storytelling, and transformation. It’s a place that mirrors the essence of personal change: unexpected, challenging, beautiful. - Apéritif
For the grand finale, reserve a table at Apéritif, where fine dining meets Gatsby-era elegance in the lush hills of Ubud. With its art deco interiors and an eight-course tasting menu, it’s the kind of experience that surprises the senses while celebrating Bali’s bounty. It’s a place where romance—both culinary and personal—feels entirely possible.
Seek, Heal, Reflect: Mindful Moments in Ubud
Just as Gilbert sat cross-legged at dawn in search of stillness, you too can discover Ubud’s spiritual side. From sunrise yoga to traditional Balinese healing sessions, opportunities to reconnect are abundant.
Samsara Ubud offers more than privacy and luxury. It also curates intimate experiences—forest bathing walks, holistic spa rituals, and access to sacred ceremonies—allowing you to absorb Bali’s rhythm at your own pace.
Take the Campuhan Ridge Walk at golden hour. Visit Tirta Empul for a traditional water blessing. Or simply sit with a cup of herbal jamu and listen to the breeze move through the trees. These small rituals are where the transformation happens.
Write Your Own Ending
The Eat Pray Love story may have ended in Ubud, but for many, that’s where their own begins. You don’t need to experience heartbreak or escape the world to find yourself in Bali. You only need the willingness to pause—and let the island work its quiet magic.
Stay where silence is sacred, like Samsara Ubud. Dine where culture is honored, at Nusantara, Locavore NXT, and Apéritif. Wander, wonder, and maybe—just maybe—fall in love with the world again.
Because your story doesn’t have to stay on the page. In Ubud, it can come to life.
