Balinese Spice Magic image

Balinese Spice Magic

Restaurant Cafe Vegan restaurant Indonesian restaurant Meat restaurant Gluten free restaurant Catering food and drink supplies Traditional restaurant Balinese restaurant Culinary school Cooking school

One of the Top rated Vegan restaurants in Wollongong City Council


Address

130 Keira St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia

Website

balinesespicemagic.com.au

Contact

+61 2 4227 1033

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (212 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 5 to 9 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 5 to 9 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 5 to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 5 to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: staff (26) Balinese (25) service (22) delicious (18) vegan (18) friendly (18) great (13) Magic (13) options (12) recommend (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Kresta 1 year ago on Google
    Been here 3 times and the food never disappoints. We ordered sate lilit, babi guling, be celeng base kecap, Balinese beef rendang, and perkedel jagung. The portions were decent, the taste was delicious, definitely will come back.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jayne W. 2 years ago on Google
    The vegan menu has lots of options! I ordered the Gado-Gado, which was delicious and very filling! Will visit again next time I’m in Wollongong.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Amy J. 8 months ago on Google
    If this is a true portrayal of Balinese food, then I'm pleased we tried it. There is plenty on the menu to choose from and it caters for meat and non meat eaters. They try the best they can service wise, but because there is limited staff they're not overly attentive. I had to get up and grab the attention of the wait staff more than once. BYO wine is a great incentive at $4 per person corkage, but there is a fully stocked bar too.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 lachlan h. 1 year ago on Google
    Try the salty, tasty, fragrant nasi goreng: with crunchy bean sprouts, soft caramel-like onions and capsicum, fresh carrots, stir fried with tofu, rice, red rice and topped with crunchy nuts. A real delight in Wollongong. With hot green tea and crispy prawn chips, it’s worth two visits. Next time I’ll have my eyes on the slow cooked rendang.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Henness W. 6 years ago on Google
    Food was delicious and service friendly. My favourite was the Pepes Tofu, that was spicy and wholesome. Thank you for lovely vegetarian food.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ivana 1 year ago on Google
    I would recommend coming here. The food was nice but beware the spice level is higher than you’d expect. The staff there are all very kind and friendly and give good recommendations. The top dish in the photo was the best but I personally did not love two of the dishes we chose… but that is just personal preference.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 tracy s. 5 years ago on Google
    My husband and I had dinner at spice magic tonight for the first time The food is absolutely delicious and authentic. tasty with the perfect amount of spice. The staff are lovely and friendly, we had a nice chat with the owner who is also the head chef, great to see the genuine interaction with the customer. Will definitely go back. Highly recommended.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peter B. 5 years ago on Google
    This place is great! My partner and I live in Bellambi and last night we drove into Wollongong just to eat at this place. We got the combos and a refreshing tumeric drink. The staff were helpful, the food is quality and just as importantly it was presented in a way that shows they actually care. Definitely recommend and will be back for these unique flavours.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sharon S. 5 years ago on Google
    Clean fresh warming nourishing food, impeccable service, relaxed vibe, great to bring wild toddler. Unique amazing tempeh, tumeric drink is yum, actually hard to pick a favourite dish - one of the best restaurants in Wollongong!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rowan H. 5 years ago on Google
    Really delicious dishes! Super friendly staff.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Heather J. 5 years ago on Google
    VEGAN YUMMMMMMMM with close to 0 good options for Vegan food in the gong, BSM has an amazing menu with as many vego dishes as meat, - and they are delicious!! This is our new Friday take away
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Phuong B. 5 years ago on Google
    Best Vegetarian/Vegan menu, with the friendliest staff. If you like your spices, full flavours and fun variety of authentic Balinese food, then you have to go here!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michel L. 5 years ago on Google
    Fantastic food and service! We had a large birthday party here and the staff were so kind and accomodating. I'd highly recommend a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vishal K. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful and tasty Balinese food! Tons of options even for vegans. The Nasi Goreng tasted super authentic and all of the starters especially the jackfruit one steamed in banana leaf were superb. Highly recommended and we will definitely be going back regularly from Sydney!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Craig E. 5 years ago on Google
    Excellent lively and well balanced food. Highly recommend. Reasonable prices too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Calum M. 5 years ago on Google
    Delicious food and 90% gluten free.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patrick M. 5 years ago on Google
    Last night we had an exceptional meal here. Service was friendly and attentive, without being over the top. We shared 4 entrees and 3 mains amongst a group of 4. Not a single one was less than excellent. We will definitely be back!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Riza P. 5 years ago on Google
    The food tastes authentic and full of spice. This place is beyond my expectation. The Nasi Campur and Sate Ayam are very tasty!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yani S. 5 years ago on Google
    Five Stars. Awesome food. Great people. Super friendly
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fabian E. 5 years ago on Google
    A restaurant that takes its produce and balance of flavours seriously. The chefs are obviously so passionate about their food which tastes amazing. You can tell that the produce is sourced locally and pretty much everything is made from scratch. The homemade tempeh is to die for and the sambal is mouth watering. We came here with a big group with a couple of vegans, vegetarians and a coeliac. All easily catered for without a fuss and their food was incredible. Everything is delicious!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tatiana C. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a delicious meal this evening (full of flavour, without being heavy) and would definitely recommend heading to Balinese Spice Magic for your next dinner out!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gary M. 5 years ago on Google
    I had the beef rendering. It was very tasty. I tried a few dishes while there as well, all very nice. Everything is a bit on the spicy side. People may not enjoy that. Also a bit pricey. Lovely staff though.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew R. 1 year ago on Google
    We've been for dinner a few times and got takeaway once. The food is amazing and the staff are very friendly and helpful. We have a vegan friend that we've been here with and there are some superb vegan options that I really enjoyed too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mark H. 6 years ago on Google
    The food is really nice and they have great service.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Garth D. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautiful food fantastic atmosphere & the service was awesome. We had the satay chicken sticks, beef rendang, mi goreng & some sort of tofu in banana leaf all of which were delicious
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniel & Germaine M. 1 year ago on Google
    We enjoyed a delicious dinner here last night. Great menu & very impressed with the variety of vegan options too! Lovely service, we will definitely be back :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pat A. 4 years ago on Google
    We went to BSM(first time) on Thursday night for a pre-show dinner for my wife's birthday and were floored by the experience. With a discerning palate due to the fact that both my parents are chefs, i was amazed by the authenticity and high level of food preparedness. The combinations and the intertwining of the flavours were perfect. We ordered three dishes :Sate Chicken with peanuts sauce served with rice cakes, a traditional Balinese pork roast and lastly the staple of Balinese cuisine " The Rendang Beef" topping off with a homemade 10/10 spiciness sambal chilli!!. The meals served were well proportioned but the icing on the cake(haha food pun) was the service we received that night. The hostesses were friendly constantly checked in on us at to make sure we had everything we needed. The Chef/owner came out of the kitchen and conversed with us as if we had been there for years and made us feel extremely at ease.We learned that the restaurant helps to support Illawarra region by using local produce in their cuisines and that is very cool indeed. Being from Thailand i rarely go out to "South East Asian" restaurants anymore due to the fact that a lot of the cuisines have been somewhat westernised in a misguided attempt to please local's taste. If you have a passion for authentic Balinese cuisine and love for chilli(Like me) do yourself a favour and get down there but make sure you call and book as it can get busy there.The only down side to this night was that i was too full to indulge myself in the other delights BSM has to offer, well i guess i have to go back
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dee Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Banquet was a lot of food. Seating downstairs was a bit stuffy and smelt like old room. The staff were mixed, some very friendly and another with dark hair never smiled just looked annoyed at everything

  • 5/5 Noel B. 5 months ago on Google
    Tastiest feed ive had in a hot minute. The only disappointment I had was when it was finished. Already planning on taking the misso there for date night. Very friendly staff. Would highly recommend.

  • 5/5 Danielle C. 6 months ago on Google
    Loved it! Great atmosphere- staff SO nice. I had a vegan tasting plate (Vegan Magic) with so many things, all delish. So many vegan and vegetarian options and gluten free foods. Will definitely be back. Oh yes and the pandan rolls were delish.

  • 5/5 Joseph N. 7 months ago on Google
    Amazing flavour and selection of dishes. Very authentic

  • 5/5 Michael S. 10 months ago on Google
    We just had our wedding over the weekend and we got Balinese Spice Magic to cater for it. From the initial consultation we knew Jules and her team were going to make our day even more special. The kind and accomodating nature of Balinese Spice Magic made our day stress free and magical. They went above and beyond to make our guests the most delicious and fresh food. There were constant compliments by all our guests saying how much they loved the food and how good it was to not just have your typical wedding food. They not only did our food service but also the bar service too and helped clean up the venue afterwards. They were the cherry on top of our great day and we couldn't imagine doing it with out them. If you are looking for someone to cater your wedding, I would highly recommend Jules and the Balinese Spice Magic team!

  • 5/5 John G. 10 months ago on Google
    The Nasi Campur combo plates are a great option if you’re unfamiliar with Balinese cuisine. Comes in a meat or vegetarian version and includes tasters from several delicious dishes. Good value. Downstairs seating was less busy on a Saturday night and probably best to book anyway.

  • 5/5 P 11 months ago on Google
    Embark on a tantalizing expedition through the vibrant flavors of Bali at Balinese Spice Magic, a hidden culinary gem nestled in the heart of Wollongong. Prepare to be spellbound as this extraordinary restaurant unveils a symphony of taste sensations that will leave your senses reeling. Balinese Spice Magic is no ordinary eatery—it's a haven of gastronomic artistry where the boundaries of flavor are pushed to their limits. The talented team of culinary virtuosos effortlessly combines authentic Balinese ingredients and age-old techniques to create dishes that are nothing short of extraordinary. Each bite is a revelation, bursting with intense and perfectly balanced flavors that transport you straight to the exotic shores of Bali. What sets this place apart is its commitment to culinary inclusivity. Whether you're a devout meat lover or a proud vegan, Balinese Spice Magic has you covered. In fact, their vegan menu is so exceptional that even devout carnivores find themselves converted. It's a true testament to the culinary prowess of the chefs who pour their passion into every dish. But Balinese Spice Magic isn't just a feast for the taste buds; it's a feast for the eyes as well. The restaurant is adorned with exquisite Balinese decor, immersing you in an atmosphere of exotic beauty. Every corner tells a story, enticing you to explore the depths of this culinary wonderland. However, it's not just the artful ambiance that captivates; it's the team of dedicated staff who elevate your dining experience to new heights. With genuine warmth and a genuine desire to please, they ensure that every aspect of your visit is a memorable one. From their expert knowledge of the menu to their impeccable service, they are the true magicians behind the scenes. And let's not forget the libations that accompany this enchanting feast. While you have the freedom to bring your own wine, why not delve into their curated drink menu? From exotic cocktails that ignite your imagination to mocktails that sparkle with creativity, the choices are as diverse as the flavors on your plate. At Balinese Spice Magic, every element of your experience is meticulously crafted to transport you to a world of culinary wonders. It's no wonder that this restaurant has become a timeless favorite, capable of accommodating even the largest of parties at a moment's notice. So, to the exceptional team at Balinese Spice Magic, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for an evening of culinary enchantment that will forever linger in our memories. Prepare to be dazzled and let the magic unfold before your eyes.

  • 4/5 Raymond L. 1 year ago on Google
    We found the food here to be very good and the serving sizes generous. Service was also good. We’d particularly recommend the nasi campur.

  • 5/5 Jessica L. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious food with friendly and prompt service. Currently the only Indonesian restaurant in Wollongong. The owner, Jules, is da bomb!

  • 5/5 Desi D. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was delicious!! Enak banget pokoknya! The hottest sambal was super spicy so be careful. I loved the details such as batik tablet clothes and the servers wearing traditional Balinese style kebayas. We had a chat with the owner of the restaurant who was super lovely. I would return again if ever I'm in Wollongong!

  • 5/5 Dafat Vegan t. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious and a lot of vegan options, I would recommend and comeback! The staff was lovely too

  • 5/5 dingo w. 2 years ago on Google
    We had Jules from balkanise spice magic cater our wedding , the food was fantastic tasty and affordable. We had a lot of people with special dietary needs ( I’m Celiac so gluten free) and we had vegetarians ect, she made sure all the food was labeled and free of allergens which made us able to enjoy and celebrate with our family’s - highly recommend

  • 5/5 Ehab G. 1 year ago on Google
    Great food and service, highly recommend. Naomi was so nice and recommended different things to us. And her recommendations were great. Will definitely be back. Thanks Naomi for your help.

  • 5/5 Corinne A. 2 years ago on Google
    Food is faultless! Staff are wonderful. Prices are very reasonable. Great atmosphere. All DF and 90% are GF!! I walk away a very happy customer.

  • 2/5 Jeroen 1 year ago on Google
    Booked via email and booking confirmed. Arrived at stipulated time and were shown to our table, ordered, ate meals and paid. Whilst still seated after paying, received an email from the manager thanking us sarcastically for not showing up to our booking and how it affected their business and that our table could have been utilised by other persons, apparently more reliable??? Approached staff (who were lovely and somewhat embarrassed) with a view to speak with this manager in relation to this email, took quite some time before she build up the courage to see me. Then blamed it on everything else bar her rude email which was written before she had obtained the facts. Not visiting ever again, food okay, nothing to write home about, decor included stacked furniture in dining area. Could be a cosy and nice place with some greater effort regarding food and general tidiness with a dash of better customer service from the manager before she fires off pre-emptive and erroneous sarcastic emails, becoming defensive when critiqued!

  • 5/5 Stephanie S. 1 year ago on Google
    AMAZING vegan food, the vegan magic was nothing short of magic (everything in it was so flavourful and delicious) and the lumpia sayur (vegan spring rolls) were so delicious! Also loved the klepon dessert. Will definitely be back, the flavours are just incredible!

  • 3/5 Mirai T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The price is too be honest too expensive. But the service is good! I like the wild boar the best. How dare seasoning ?? (Original) Harganya too be honest terlalu mahal. Tapi servicenya bagus ! Paling suka sama lawar celengnya. Berani banget kasi bumbunya ??

  • 5/5 Michelle Y. 4 years ago on Google
    The young staff were really helpful with selections and could not be faulted. Happy to split the bills and felt really welcome. Will be back soon.Balinese Spice Magic offers a refreshing change to the same old flavours you get used to with the gambit of Asian Cuisine. Very aromatic and I found some beautiful spices within the dishes that I was unfamiliar with

  • 5/5 terry Q. 4 years ago on Google
    WOW. First time I have been to this restaurant and I will definitely be going back. The food was amazing and the staff so friendly and helpful with our food selection.

  • 5/5 Jade B. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely dining experience! The food was delicious and staff so friendly, the head chef even rocked our newborn to sleep while we ate our meal. The food was even better than the Balinese food I ate in Bali!

  • 5/5 Andy G. 4 years ago on Google
    This is the place to go when you are missing Bali and want a taste. The wait staff are very helpful and let us know when a dish contained chilli (sambal) even as a garnish. I would recommend the hot chocolate for the warmer dishes - hot chocolate & chilli & Bali spices go so well together.

  • 5/5 Chris p. 4 years ago on Google
    Tried the food from the vegan options (first time I’ve ever tried eating like this ) The food was really tasty and also looked great ! Staff were friendly and attentive We will be back

  • 5/5 Anne H. 4 years ago on Google
    Really good service, great food and nice cosy setting for a winter meal. The young staff were really helpful with selections and could not be faulted. Happy to split the bills and felt really welcome. Will be back soon.Delighted to see such a high awareness of coeliacs and gluten free and also vegan food. Super fresh flavours and the yummiest food.

  • 5/5 Megan F. 3 years ago on Google
    Delicious food, you wont be disappointed! So fresh, many choices & great service. Make sure you go with an empty stomach.

  • 5/5 Viraj S. 3 years ago on Google
    Their servings seem to be authentic food without artificial flavours or colours. The taste of spices if really good.

  • 5/5 Chris T. 3 years ago on Google
    Fantastic vegan options - try the Vegan Magic for a taste of everything!

  • 5/5 Rachel O. 3 years ago on Google
    We decided to try BSM because they had such a great range of celiac-friendly gluten free dishes. We weren't disappointed! The food was delicious (gobbled up by our three year old!), the portions were generous and the service we received was friendly and helpful. We'll most definitely be back!! Thanks guys!

  • 5/5 Manikkam I. 3 years ago on Google
    A truly rare gem of a place with fantastic vegan and non-vegan options! We had the eggplant/potatoes, black bean tempeh, chicken curry and Pandan crepes; each dish was brilliant in its own unique way! Wonderful drinks menu and warm service from Jules and everyone else made for a memorable experience! We will definitely be back ?

  • 5/5 Wifey 4 years ago on Google
    Took a drive from Western Sydney today and ended up here. Beautiful food! Very friendly staff. Will definitely be eating here again.

  • 5/5 Jeremy M. 1 year ago on Google
    Terrific food. I enjoyed everything I tasted. Balinese cuisine can be spicy, but the chefs can turn it up or down to suit your palate. This is one of the most authentic ethnic cuisine spots around. Many spice mixes are available to take home and they do occasionally offer cooking classes. Will be back again and again….

  • 5/5 Tanya A. 4 years ago on Google
    The staff were pleasant from the very beginning and so helpful to us newcomers to Balinese cuisine. Steve and I enjoyed our meals greatly. The flavour combinations in the spices were among the best that we've ever had!

  • 5/5 Geoff H. 4 years ago on Google
    Came here for a birthday celebration. We were pre-warned over the phone that because there were more than 10 people the banquet option was the only option, but upon getting there it was revealed that even that was flexible and they were more than happy to meet dietary needs outside the confines of the banquet. The food was delicious and filling, any "blandness" was due to having to go easy on the conservative members of the group rather than anything to do with the cooking :). In fact the vegetarian options were amazing - they know how to do their spices! Wait staff were wonderful. Standout dishes were the sweet soy pork and the mie goreng. Be warned it's not for everyone but if you are brave and experimental you wont be disappointed as the flavours are incredible.

  • 5/5 Oliver E. 4 years ago on Google
    Great staff, abundant portions and never disappointed with the flavours. REal tasty, good for families, friends, birthdays etc. Also, if you like your chilli , they sell an amazing and very potent chilli paste!!! Enjoy :)

  • 5/5 Gabriel B. 4 years ago on Google
    Really really good food and super friendly staff! Highly recommended!

  • 5/5 Adam B. 4 years ago on Google
    So good!

  • 5/5 Evan W. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing food, so full of flavour and so fresh. Very coeliac aware and vegan friendly with lots of gluten free food options, brilliant choice if you're after amazing Indonesian food

  • 5/5 Jacqueline O. 5 years ago on Google
    Magical. So authentic. The best Indonesian food we've tasted in NSW. We had the perkedel, sambal udang, and sticky pork and each dish was amazing with the right amount of spice. There is now a solid reason to drive to Wollongong from Sydney more often. Yum!

  • 5/5 Gabrielle Q. 5 years ago on Google
    Jules and the crew did an amazing catering performance for the Circus WOW AGM this year. Wonderful customer service, so polite and the food fantastic.

  • 5/5 Daniel B. 5 years ago on Google
    Pretty tastey, good vegetarian/vegan choices but a little pricey.

  • 1/5 Kasy C. 5 years ago on Google
    Bad presentation and food was bland. The wait for food was too long(over an hour wait to get food for 2 people). The environment was too crowded. Not worth the crowded.

  • 2/5 intrepiddwarf 5 years ago on Google
    The mains were great: lunch special beef rendang and nasi campur. The service however was lousy. The waitress did not look up from whatever she was doing behind the at to see if we needed more water and wanted to order more. We had to get up to get her attention. Unfortunately when we ordered dessert (banana pancakes) it then took forever. After 30 mins we asked to see if it was actually being cooked, then we saw them start to cook it. After another 20 minutes the dessert still hadn’t arrived. We had to go so, we got up and paid without dessert and then they got the bill wrong and overcharged us a glass of wine that we didn’t have. Pity that an otherwise lovely culinary experience had to be ruined by sub standard service.


Call +61 2 4227 1033 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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