Massimo Sanur Review 2026: Famous Bali Gelato

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!)

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.

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.

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!

📍 Massimo Italian Restaurant
Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.228, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80237, Indonesia

The restaurant is open from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. However, even though the official closing time is late, they start packing up the outdoor gelato stand around 10:45 PM, so make sure to get there early if you are aiming for a late-night sweet treat!