Balistar Coffee Ubud Review: Trying Bali Luwak Coffee

When you think of Indonesian coffee, Kopi Luwak—the famous civet cat coffee—is undoubtedly the first thing that comes to mind. As a massive coffee lover, I wanted to revisit a specific Bali cafe from a previous trip to give it another taste and see how it holds up today in 2026.

The spot is called Balistar Coffee. While its location on Google Maps remains the same, the cafe actually relocated slightly tucked away during the pandemic years.

It hasn't moved far—just a quick turn off the main street. If you head toward the original location, you will see a sign pointing you down the alleyway.

Stepping inside, the cafe feels like a beautifully converted local Balinese home. It has a much quieter, more laid-back vibe compared to its old location on the bustling main street. In fact, it was so peaceful that I had the entire place to myself!

Before the move, this was one of those highly popular Ubud cafes constantly packed with travelers eager to see the civet cats and sip on authentic Bali coffee.

The resident civet cat (luwak) is still here. I couldn't help but wonder if it was the exact same friendly face from my last visit years ago.

When ordering, you will find two main options on the menu: Breeding Luwak and Wild Luwak. The difference comes down to sourcing. Breeding Luwak coffee comes from caged civets fed a controlled diet of coffee cherries, while Wild Luwak is sourced from wild civets roaming free in nature.

The wild option is about 1.7 times more expensive. Given the ethical considerations and the sheer effort of harvesting wild beans, that price difference makes perfect sense—and honestly, it probably should be even higher.

Coffee experts say that wild civets naturally select only the ripest, highest-quality coffee cherries to eat, which is why wild Kopi Luwak is supposed to yield a vastly superior, smoother cup. Whether my palate could actually detect that nuance was about to be tested!

Here they are: Breeding Luwak on the left, and Wild Luwak on the right.

To be completely honest, my tastebuds couldn't quite tell them apart. Perhaps I am just not a certified coffee sommelier yet!

I kept my expectations modest because my very first experience with Kopi Luwak years ago left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Back then, though, I didn't appreciate coffee nearly as much as I do now.

My real obsession with home brewing started during the lockdowns, grinding beans daily and experimenting with different origins.

It actually reminds me of a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam. I stumbled into a brand-new shop on a quiet coffee street. The staff was so incredibly welcoming that I felt bad leaving empty-handed, so I bought just 3.5 oz (100g) each of Luwak and Weasel coffee. That batch turned out to be absolutely mind-blowing.

The memorable spot in Hanoi

The depth of flavor and aroma from that Vietnamese shop was on another level. I still regret not buying more, and I haven't found a cup since that quite matches that memory (though, to be fair, nostalgia might be playing a part!).

But back to Bali! If you are exploring the vibrant Ubud Market and need a quiet, peaceful sanctuary to rest your feet, Balistar Coffee is a fantastic escape.

If you enjoy the taste, they also sell packaged beans. Bali coffee makes for an incredibly popular and thoughtful souvenir to bring back home to friends and family.

Once you get close to this address, look out for the wooden directional sign mentioned earlier to guide you down the quiet alley.

With solid reviews and plenty of repeat visitors, it remains a highly recommended, cozy spot to tick tasting authentic Indonesian Luwak coffee off your Bali bucket list.