What are the business hours of Massimo Italian Restaurant and when does the gelato stand close?

The restaurant's official business hours are from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. However, the gelato stand usually closes and packs up around 10:45 PM to 10:50 PM, so you should visit earlier if you want to buy gelato.

Do you recommend a cup or a cone for eating gelato at Massimo Restaurant in Sanur, Bali?

We recommend getting a cup because the ice cream starts melting rapidly as soon as you receive it due to the hot weather in Southeast Asia. Unless you strongly insist on a cone, choosing a cup makes it much easier to eat.

What are the atmosphere and features of the indoor and outdoor seating at Massimo Italian Restaurant?

Both outdoor and indoor seating are available, and the overall atmosphere is much better outdoors. However, please note that the outdoor seating is designated as a smoking area.

Massimo Sanur Review 2026: Famous Bali Gelato

Massimo Sanur Review 2026: Famous Bali Gelato | TRVLOGUE

After landing in Bali, our very first stop was the laid-back coastal town of Sanur. By the time we dropped our bags at the hotel, our stomachs were growling, so we immediately headed out to find some local eats.

However, since it was already quite late, many of the nearby spots were winding down for the night. That is when we spotted a massive crowd gathered outside one particular spot. We knew instantly: this had to be the place.

While most people were lining up for the famous gelato, we needed a proper meal first, so we decided to head inside.

The restaurant features a lovely open-air outdoor seating area and an indoor dining room. The outdoor patio has a much better tropical vibe, but since it is designated as a smoking area, we opted for the indoor section. (In hindsight, the patio was open and not too crowded, so we probably should have just sat outside, but we were too lazy to move once seated!)

Massimo Italian Restaurant Sanur indoor seating

You can definitely feel the difference in atmosphere between the two areas!

Even though we were in Bali, we were craving some classic comfort food, so we ordered a pizza, a pasta dish, and, of course, some ice-cold Bintang beers. They had large and small bottles, so naturally, we ordered both to compare sizes.

Large and small Bintang beer bottles comparison

First up: the Bintangs. Side-by-side, the large bottle is definitely a generous pour! It is the perfect size to share a couple of glasses while waiting for your food.

Shortly after, they served this complimentary starter. It looked a bit like a giant, puffy dough ball, so I did not expect much, but it was surprisingly delicious! It is crispy on the outside, airy on the inside, and paired perfectly with our cold beers while we waited for the mains.

Our pizza and pasta arrived soon after. While it was not the absolute best Italian food we have ever had, everything tastes incredible when you are starving after a long travel day.

But let us be honest—the real reason people flock to this Sanur hotspot is the gelato, not necessarily the sit-down dinner.

Once we finished eating and paid the bill, we eagerly headed out to the front counter to grab some gelato, only to find... they had already closed up the stand for the night! Talk about a disappointment.

The crowd lining up for gelato at Massimo

Naturally, we had to go back the next day! We just had to see what the hype was all about. Sure enough, the crowd was just as big as the night before.

Now, we know we are in Southeast Asia. We know it is incredibly hot and humid (easily 85°F+). Logically, a cup is the only sensible choice... but we simply could not resist the aesthetic appeal of a classic waffle cone!

You could tell how popular this place is by the number of empty metal trays. When ordering gelato, I usually love flavors packed with chunks and mix-ins, so I pointed to one that looked super decadent.

The second the server handed it over, it began melting at warp speed. I scrambled to take a quick photo and took a bite, but my initial reaction was... "Wait, really? People wait in line for this?"

I was ready to write a review calling this the most overrated gelato in Sanur... until I tried a bite of my friend's order. Wow, what a difference! Both of her flavor choices were absolutely incredible—rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor.

Lesson learned: flavor selection is absolutely everything here!

Given how packed it was two nights in a row, Massimo is definitely a verified Sanur staple. Just make sure you choose your flavors wisely, and maybe stick to a cup unless you want to race against the Bali heat!