Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie: Semarang’s Sweetest Escape

Travelling around Java, especially Central Java is becoming more popular, thanks to new the toll road from Jakarta that makes the drive possible in just five to eight hours. While Yogyakarta has always been a tourist favourite, Semarang is starting to steal the spotlight. Some visit for its iconic landmarks like Kota Lama and the historic Lawang Sewu, while others are all about the street food.

But did you know Semarang’s cafe, restaurant and bar scene is also flourishing? I won’t go into all the great spots in this article, but I have to share a little gem that stole my heart and keeps me coming back every time I’m in town; Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie.

Goolali Gelato Bar & Patisserie at Padma Hotel Semarang

The lively and inviting space in the lobby of Padma Hotel Semarang – image by Goolali

Located in the city’s current “it” spot – Padma Hotel Semarang, which has been the talk of the town since it opened, Goolali is home to over 35 flavours of gelato (well, the name does have “gelato bar” in it, hehe). They also serve beautifully crafted mini gâteaux with unique flavours, macarons, bonbons, and oh! I have to rave about the pastries! Their croissants and danishes are out of this world, especially when they’re fresh from the oven (you have to show up early in the morning for this, but it’s totally worth it!).

Another highlight of visiting Goolali is their afternoon tea. Instead of the usual tiered setup, they’ve gone for a whimsical-magical-fantastical style that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. And it’s very…I hate to say this word…“Instagrammable“. There, I said it.

A very unique afternoon tea experience – image by Goolali

The name Goolali is a playful twist on the traditional snack gulali. The overall ambiance is fun and vibrant, with bright colours and quirky dessert monster illustrations adorning the packaging and interior, created by Bandung-based artist Addy Debil. Though located in a luxury hotel, Goolali has a warm and welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home, even if you’re just stopping by for a sweet treat (yes, they happily welcome outside guests!).

Some of the #TravelwithGoolali collection – image by Goolali

The cute packaging makes Goolali a great gift or oleh-oleh from Semarang. Take home some homemade jams, dragées, or cookies and don’t forget to hashtag #travelwithgoolali when posting on social media! They also create beautiful hampers for special occasions, and with Ramadan around the corner, they’ve got a special collection ready.

Follow @goolalisemarang on Instagram to keep an eye on their mini gâteaux of the day. Plus, be ready for the chef’s special surprises!

Stay Tune at Kata Bella for more!

Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie

📍 Padma Hotel Semarang

Jl. Sultan Agung No.86, Wonotingal, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50252

⏰ Opening Hour: 8am – 10pm WIB

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28 Aug 2026 by Bella in Eats

Where to Go for Burgers in Bali - Kata Bella's List 2026

Where to go for Burgers in Bali Sometimes you go on holiday and make it your mission to try all the local food, eat at all the new places, and be as adventurous as possible. But every now and then, you just want something easy and familiar, like a good burger. There’s something comforting about a soft bun, a juicy patty, some cheese and sauce...hmm yum yum! Lucky for you, Bali is a place where you can pretty much find whatever kind of meal you’re craving. So if you’ve had your fill of local food and are craving a little comfort, here are some of our usual burger spots in Bali. You may also like this article: Breakfast Spots in Canggu Worth Waking Up Early For Where to go for Burgers in BaliDaeng BurgerPit StopFive MonkeysGrill'dMr. Smash Burger2080Bo$$man Daeng Burger They made our list of cheap eats in Canggu for a reason - the burgers are genuinely good, but they’re also pretty affordable, which is probably why this has become one of our most frequent burger spots, hehe. And wile the burgers are definitely the star, their paninis are worth trying too, and we’re also fans of the chips. They have branches in Umalas, Canggu, Uluwatu, Kedungu and Ubud, so there’s a good chance you’ll find one close to you. 📍Locations: https://daengburgerbali.com/store Lihat post ini di Instagram Pit Stop Pit Stop and I go way back. From late-night munchies after a night out, to my brief vegetarian era (yes, I tried it once and their chickpea and tempe burger did not disappoint!) And now back to my meat-eating era, I’ve pretty much worked my way through their entire burger menu - except the lamb and the beef brisket, simply because I’m not a lamb person and I haven't had the chance to try the brisket burger - but I'm sure they're good. Ps. they're open 24 hours! 📍Google Map: Pit Stop Burger Seminyak Image credit: Pit Stop Burger Instagram Five Monkeys I used to go to Five Monkeys a lot when I worked in Legian - but I always went for their chilli cheese fries, not the burgers. That was until one day I had lunch there with a friend and decided to give their burger a try, and it was actually really good! I later found out that they have branches in other major cities in Indonesia. The one in Legian has now moved to Kuta, and there's another outlet in Bali's biggest shopping centre, Living World. 📍Google Map: Living World Bali Image credit: Five Monkeys Instagram You may also like this article: Restaurants in Legian and Seminyak - Kata Bella's Picks 2026 Grill'd This Australian burger chain keeps things light without compromising on flavour. The burgers taste just like the ones in Australia in my opinion, and you can customise your order with your choice of bun, including a gluten-free option. There are also chicken and vegan burgers, plus fried chicken for when you’re extra hungry. 📍Google Map: Grill'd Burgers - Bali Image credit: Grilld Burger Bali Instagram Mr. Smash Burger As the name suggests, this place does literally smashed patties, stacked into a proper burger. You can choose from sizes S to XXL, depending on how many patties you’re feeling, all tucked into a soft brioche bun. And just like any good burger joint should, they’ve got all the extras for a full indulgence; crispy chips, fried chicken and milkshakes. With five locations around Bali, it’s an easy one to add to your burger list. 📍Locations: https://www.mrsmashburger.net Image credit: Mr. Smash Burger Instagram You may also like this article: Kata Bella's List of Good Coffee Shops in Denpasar 2080 This one came highly recommended by our friends, and maybe you’ll want to come very hungry. Especially if, like me, you have a small appetite, because their burgers are massive. And if you’re one of those people who love putting chips in their burger, they’ve got exactly that, haha! If you're not in the mood for a classic patty, they also do an 18-hour smoked beef brisket burger, which is definitely worth a try. 📍Google Map: 2080 Burger Uluwatu Image credit: 2080 Burger Instagram Bo$$man You probably know this one already, but it just has to be mentioned. Their menu has pretty much everything you could want - from smashed burgers and classic patty burgers to chicken and fish burgers, plus hot dog. Whether you’re just a little snacky, moderately hungry, or veryyyy hungry, they’ve got you covered. 📍Google Map: Bossman Burger Seminyak, Bossman Burger Canggu Image credit: Bossman Burger Instagram And there you have it - our favourite spots for burgers in Bali. So, the next time a burger craving hits, you know where to go. Know a burger spot we’ve missed? Send it our way - we’re always on the lookout for new finds!

28 Sep 2026 by Bella in Lifestyle

Oleh-Oleh Bali to Bring Home Other than Pie Susu

Oleh-Oleh Bali other than Pie Susu If there's one thing Indonesians take seriously when travelling, it's oleh-oleh. These are little presents you bring back from your trip for the people at home; family, friends, neighbours or colleagues. More often than not, they come in the form of food. I actually think it’s a pretty sweet tradition. It’s like bringing home a little piece of your holiday and sharing it with the people you care about. I still find myself buying oleh-oleh every now and then when I travel, although in some circles, it has become less of a tradition and more of an unwritten rule, haha! Among the usual favourites from Bali are pie susu (milk pie) and pia (sweet filled pastry). I have no idea who popularised them, but somehow they’ve become the unofficial stars of Bali oleh-oleh. These days, though, there are plenty of other interesting things to bring home beyond the usual suspects. So here are some of them that the Kata Bella team has gathered. You may also like this article: Restaurants and Cafes in Ubud with Rice Field Views Oleh-Oleh Bali other than Pie SusuConfiture de BaliJungle Gold ChocolateBalinese Coffee "Kupu-Kupu Bola Dunia"Bali CrispigRosalie CheeseTitilesHarum CakeSate Lilit Bu Putu Confiture de Bali These guys have been making artisan jams since 2012, turning all kinds of fruits into little jars of deliciousness, each topped with an adorable batik lid cover. You’ll find pretty much every fruit you can think of here, from tropical fruits like soursop and mangosteen to more unusual ones you’ve probably never even heard of, like buni, kepundung and kaliasem. With so many flavours to choose from, you’ll probably have a hard time deciding, but you can try the testers before committing. Our personal favourites are the lemon butter, passion fruit, and mango vanilla. 📍Google Map: Confiture de Bali Image credit: Confiture de Bali Instagram Jungle Gold Chocolate It used to be called Pods Chocolate, but the brand has since rebranded as Jungle Gold. They’ve got the classics, with chocolate ranging from 64% to 100% cacao, plus fun flavours like Balinese coffee, orange, sea salt and Earl Grey. And if you’re feeling adventurous, there are some seriously unexpected ones too like rujak mangga, durian, mie goreng (fried noodles), and even rendang! Whoah! You can find most of the flavours in supermarkets around Bali, but it’s also nice to pop into their big store in Sanur. 📍Google Map: Jungle Gold Chocolate Sanur Image credit: Jungle Gold Chocolate Instagram Balinese Coffee "Kupu-Kupu Bola Dunia" Kupu-Kupu Bola Dunia is a Balinese coffee brand with a pretty unique name - it translates to “butterfly and globe”, any guesses why? Hehe. 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