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Dining in Bali with Strangers: My Unique Supper Social Dining Experience

10 Jan 2026 by Bella

Dining in Bali with Strangers: My Unique Supper Social Dining Experience Image

Supper Social entered my life during my peak introvert mode. Ever since I left my job last year, I’ve definitely had more spare time. But believe it or not, it’s also been feeding the introvert in me. I barely go out and I spend most of my days doom-scrolling baking videos on TikTok, lol. Life in your 30s, am I right? So my friend Jess, fully aware that the quickest way to get me out of the house is through food, invited me to something she’s hosting called Supper Social: Dinner with Friends. She lured me in with a 50% food discount at good restaurants in Canggu. Damn, Jess – aren’t you a hardcore marketing person.

Supper Social Bali: A Fun Take on Dining in Bali With Strangers

So Supper Social is basically dining with strangers – but in a fun, non-awkward way. It’s a weekly event designed to bring together locals, expats, and travellers around one communal table, hosted at curated restaurants across Canggu (and apparently they’ve expanded to other parts of Bali and even overseas too!). Each dinner is capped at around 15 to 30 people, so it wouldn’t feel too hectic or overwhelming. At first, I was like, ummm… do I really need to meet new people and make new friends at this stage of life? But then again…food. “Alright, I’ll try this once,” I told myself.

Supper Social - Paparempa Canggu

My first Dinner with Friends experience at Paparempa – Image credit: Supper Social Instagram

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A First-Timer’s Experience on Dining in Bali with Strangers

The first dinner I attended was at Papa Rempa. I didn’t really know what to expect, but when I arrived, I ended up spotting a few familiar faces; friends and acquaintances I hadn’t seen in ages. A fun detail: there’s a QR code on each table that you can scan to take photos with an analogue camera filter. You can upload your POV shots from the night and share them with the other guests – like a collective memory of the evening. Ok – the first experience wasn’t bad at all for someone who’s not exactly a social butterfly hehe. And just when I thought that was my first and last Supper Social, they went and updated their restaurant list, adding Artisan Pererenan!

Dinner with Friends - Artisan Pererenan

The second dinner I attended at Artisan Pererenan – Image credit: Supper Social Instagram

Growing Bali Restaurant Line-Up

I swear the last time I checked, they only had five regular restaurant partners on rotation: Numero Quattro, Longtime, Origen, Sazón, and Ghost. I blinked, and suddenly there were heaps more! Now there’s also Kilo Pererenan, Alma Tapas Bar and plenty others – clearly, they know exactly how to keep foodies happy. Anyway, I’ve been wanting to try Artisan for their famously good pasta. So guess who joined Supper Social again? Meeeee! This time, I even brought a few friends along with me.

Sazón, one of their restaurant partners – Image credit: Supper Social Instagram

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If You’re New to Bali, This Is Your Sign

So, if you’re on holiday in Bali or new to the island, do come hang out at Supper Social. Don’t be afraid to be an awkward turtle – it’s a low-pressure setting with a genuinely friendly vibe. Come for the food, stay for the people, or… just come for the food and let the rest happen naturally hehe. Either way, it’s a pretty solid excuse to leave the house, and honestly, I’m glad I did. Thanks, Jess 😉

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Fun Communities in Bali for Every Kind of Lifestyle Image

29 Apr 2026 by Bella in Lifestyle

Fun Communities in Bali for Every Kind of Lifestyle

Communities in Bali. Bali is often seen on social media for its beaches, postcard sunsets, surfing culture, wellness activities, temples, and cute brunch spots - but beyond the surface, there’s so much more to do, see, and experience. It’s also home to a vibrant network of communities that shape the island’s true rhythm. Togetherness is, after all, the heart of Indonesia, and in Bali alone I’ve come across such a unique mix of groups you can be part of, whether you’re just here on holiday or calling it home - here are some of them. Jumpa Lagi ClubBe VocalThe Sketch CollectiveVinyl Book ClubContinuum AthleticsFilm Photography ClubExit Haven You may also like this article: What It’s Like to Live in Bali: Cost, Culture, and Everyday Life Jumpa Lagi Club This artsy bunch of genuinely lovely humans run all sorts of workshops like canvas painting, cake decorating, flower arranging, and more. “Jumpa Lagi” means “see you again,” which feels fitting for a space that keeps bringing people with shared interests back together. From just 100K a session, you get to tap into your creative side while they sort out all the tools (no stress, just show up and have fun). They also often collaborate with their chosen venues, so you can sneak in a cheeky food and drink deal while you’re at it - win win! Follow their Instagram @jumpalagiclub to check out their schedule. Image credit: Jumpa Lagi Club Instagram Be Vocal This has to be one of the cutest groups I’ve come across. Exactly as I imagined when I heard it’s a singing group - it’s literally just a bunch of people meeting at a scheduled time… to… sing together! And yes, it’s as wholesome as it sounds. When I was there, they kicked things off with a fun singing game, then moved on to learning a traditional Indonesian song from Maluku, and wrapped it all up with the best part: open mic. So cute. If you’re looking to meet new friends, definitely give this one a go. Follow their Instagram @bevocalindonesia to check out their event calendar. Image credit: Be Vocal Instagram The Sketch Collective If you’re an artist, an art lover, or someone who just enjoys putting pencil to paper, make your way to Sketchy Tuesday. Held every Tuesday at The Canggu Studio, this weekly gathering brings people together for live figure drawing, creative conversations, and a relaxed evening of sketching.  Follow their page @the.sketchcollective for more information and updates on upcoming sessions. Image credit: The Sketch Collective Instagram Vinyl Book Club Hands up, everyone! Literature and the art of properly listening to good music are not dead yet. I stumbled across this group on Instagram and immediately wanted in. They host sessions at Analogue Listening Space on Sunset Road, and the concept is beautifully simple: reading + listening to music. You get access to their vinyl library, can bring your own book, or borrow from their collection. It’s the perfect activity for introverts or anyone looking to slow down after a busy week. I think the world needs more spaces like this. Check them out on Instagram @vinylbookclub to learn more. Image credit: Vinyl Book Club Instagram You may also like this article: Things to do in Bali - Fun Art Classes at Rumah Rabbit Continuum Athletics This one’s for all you energised bunnies around Canggu. Three times a week, they get together for different types of training. 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Oleh-Oleh Bali to Bring Home Other than Pie Susu Image

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. 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Lokananta: Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo Image

23 Feb 2025 by Teman Bella in Lifestyle

Lokananta: Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo

An Article by Natasya Soetantyo Solo is one of the cities in Indonesia that I always wanted to explore but never got a chance to (despite travelling to Central Java quite often since I was young). Last January, this long-overdue bucket list was finally ticked off. After a comforting lunch of soto and a cheeky es dawet selasih from the nearby market, food coma didn't stop us from exploring the city further - after all, it was only a two-day trip. We then made our way to Lokananta, located on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Laweyan. You may also like this article: Swapping Beaches for Mountaintops - A Chilly Christmas in Bromo Lokananta is a sacred pilgrimage site for those passionate about music, art, and history. Established in 1956, it was Indonesia’s first record label and vinyl record producer. In their heyday, they were the ones that introduced Indonesia to legendary musicians; Gesang (famously known for his song ‘Bengawan Solo'), Titiek Puspa, and Waldjinah to name a few. Its archive is not limited to only pop and Keroncong music at the time; but also home to Indonesia’s largest collection of Gamelan recordings, various ethnic/ folk music throughout the country, and even a recorded speech of Presiden Soekarno reading the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. After several challenging decades trying to adapt to technological advances of cassettes and CDs, Lokananta was revitalised in 2022 and is now functioning as a modern creative hub for the public. Exploring Galeri Lokananta The museum, Galeri Lokananta, is an essential part of the visit. It is a ticketed entry with limited time slots - you can either explore the exhibition by yourself or with a guided tour. I opted for the first option; this gave me a bit more freedom to enjoy each part of the exhibition at my own pace. I wouldn’t mind doing the guided tour on my next visit though; turns out the discography room can only be entered with the tour guide present. My share of tips: book a guided tour online as we were unable to book it in-person. Fun, Concise, and Engaging Those three words sum up the experience. The first part of the exhibition depicts the origin of Lokananta and its transformative journey in becoming a significant part of Indonesian music history. Brimmed with cool memorabilia (a room full of original Lokananta vinyls!), clear information, and immersive multimedia installations - the entire exhibition was easy to digest. My personal favourite was the room explaining the vinyl production process. You may also like this article: Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie - Semarang’s Sweetest Escape The later part of the exhibition (only until 8 March 2025) delves into a more general theme of Indonesia’s pop music in the 60s - especially its tumultuous journey under Soekarno’s era of censorship. As I go along enjoying their colourful, aesthetically-pleasing pop graphics and listening to rare Lokananta original recordings, two things particularly caught my attention - the existence of a local genre music called Lenso (please look up its interesting history!) and a once-banned Indonesia Raya recording that was deemed too subversive. Even if a museums are not your thing, the precinct’s line-ups of trendy coffee shops, restaurants, and retail spaces are still worth a visit. I do suggest you stop by the Lokananta Record Store - their collection of rare Indonesian vinyls from the 60s and 70s really sparked my interest to start a vinyl collection. Planning Your Visit ⏰ Museum (Galeri Lokananta) Hours: Daily, 10am – 8pm 🎟️ Entry Time Slots (10 sessions per day): Session 1: 10am - 12pm (with a guided tour) Session 2: 11am - 12pm Session 3: 12pm - 2pm (with a guided tour) Session 4: 1pm - 2pm Session 5: 2pm - 4pm (with a guided tour) Session 6: 3pm - 4pm Session 7: 4pm - 6pm (with a guided tour) Session 8: 5pm - 6pm Session 9: 6pm - 8pm (with a guided tour) Session 10: 7pm - 8pm 💰Ticket Prices: Adults: IDR 35,000 Kids (above 100cm), Students, Seniors: IDR 25,000 Foreigners: IDR 70,000 (with tour guide) / IDR 50,000 (without tour guide) 💬 Guided Tour Booking: Online only at Galeri Lokananta Website 🙋‍♀️ Personal Tips: ● If you opt for a guided tour, make sure you book online before you arrive as time slots can be limited. ● All exhibition materials were written in Indonesian; perhaps getting a tour guide is worthwhile if Indonesian is not your first language. ● Bring an umbrella on rainy day