There are at least a few parallels between Melbourne and the Pererenan on Bali’s southwest coast, so it only makes sense that Melbourne’s coffee authority, ST. ALi, would open its first Bali locale in the up-and-coming suburb. And those familiar with ST. ALi would be right in assuming they’ve pulled out all the stops for this one—including Executive Chef Daniel Dobra, known by his several hundred thousand followers across Instagram and TikTok as Dobbers, though more importantly known for his stellar cooking at the likes of Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel, The Beaufort, and the beloved Bedford Street in Collingwood.
Nestled comfortably underneath FURTHER Hotel’s Gallery Suite, the cafe caters to even the most discerning ST. ALi fans with a menu that nods to the brand’s foundations while welcoming more than a few new additions, too. My Mexican Cousin, a dish that’s featured heavily across ST. ALi menus over the years makes a prominent appearance for those chasing a hefty feed, while the light and bright tapioca number laced with fresh mango and lime puree takes a more refreshing approach to the first meal of the day.
Skimming through the menu and it’s clear Chef has curated something that ticks all the right boxes and then some. Several ST ALi spins on classics—like the Salmon Hash and Dirty Eggs—lead the charge, while Dobbers’ confidence in his craft shines through in more playful numbers like the Nourishing Traditions (aka Dobbers’ Pancakes), the Lumberjack Brekky, and a prawn pasta that you could and should order in the early AM if you fancy.
You’d be remiss to visit ST ALi and not have a coffee or two, no matter which location, and At ST. ALi Pererenan, the stuff is expectedly in abundance. World-class flat whites, lattes, and black coffee short and long come standard at any time of day, but anyone wanting to indulge in a little coffee snobbery can lean into their exclusive filter offering.
The Bali Kintamani comes fruity with a hint of chocolate, a crowd favourite for good reason; meanwhile the Indonesia Toraja Kalosi serves up a more mysterious profile—and one you’ll want to come back for more than a few times while you’re there.
Like the coffee and food, the space is unapologetically ST. ALi whilst not forgetting a nod to its locality…and the result, a space you just want to spend time in.
Working with Indonesian design studio Fivefold, the interior brings in plenty of organic forms, shapes, curves and earthy colours that blend seamlessly with tinges of industrialism. Boho brutalist perhaps? You decide. Either way, we’re here for it for at least the time it takes to drink several piccolo’s on the patio.
ST. ALi sits along Jalan Pantai Pererenan, the main drag that’ll take you down to the beach and several top-notch surf breaks post-coffee. And along that drag, the perceptive might notice a signature terracotta brickwork found above several buildings (including ST. ALi). It’s one of several considered design cues of FURTHER Hotel, a partner of ST. ALi that makes up what the team has coined as a ‘diffused hotel’, kind of like a resort that’s weaved inconspicuously throughout the community.
And after an evening in one of the sultry and spacious suites up above, it’d be a missed opportunity not to meander downstairs to let ST. ALi pull out all the stops that they do so well.
ST. ALi Pererenan is located at Jl. Pantai Pererenan, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia. Open seven days a week from 6am through to 5pm.
Image credit: ST ALi | supplied