Wild for authentic Italian: review of Wild Habit in Seminyak, Bali

Since the early 1980s, Bali has had a great affinity with Italian cuisine. In fact many Italians moved over to Indonesia’s tourist capital, settled in, and set up shop there – mainly in the area of fine dining. I only first visited Bali in the early 2000s but even then Italian restaurants appeared to be everywhere.

While other cuisines – from Greek to Vietnamese, Moroccan to Japanese – have all found their niches on the Indonesian culinary map, Italian continues to be a high favourite. And when the Italian food in Bali is good, it’s very, very good. Buonissimo, you might say.

There are times when a holiday calls for savouring a local dish, and times when only a really good pizza will do. In Seminyak, Wild Habit is making a convincing argument for the latter, serving up Italian-inspired comfort food with stylish but laidback holiday flair.

The secret, or at least part of it, is in the dough. Wild Habit gives its pizza base a three-day fermentation window, helping develop flavour and that highly sought-after contrast between a soft, airy interior and a beautifully textured crust. It’s the sort of detail that separates a forgettable pizza from one that has you contemplating a second slice before you’ve finished the first.

The menu extends beyond the pizza box, with pasta dishes including beef ragù rigatoni and carbonara, alongside tempting extras such as truffle fries and garlic bread. Margherita, salami and prosciutto pizzas have all attracted praise from diners, while the pasta offerings give anyone travelling with a carb enthusiast plenty of reasons to linger. And linger you might.

Wild Habit’s beef ragù rigatoni.

Wild Habit has the feel of a place that understands the holiday brief: good food, friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere and no particular need to rush off anywhere. Customer reviews regularly highlight the welcoming staff and value for money, making it an appealing alternative to some of Seminyak’s more elaborate dining experiences.

Then there’s the drinks situation. The restaurant advertises its daily Twice as Nice happy hour between 3pm and 6pm, with a buy-one-get-one-free cocktail offer. Which sounds like a rather civilised way to transition from sightseeing to doing absolutely nothing for a while. Check the current terms before visiting, of course. As for the coffee, it’s so good you might just drop into this place every day for a cup of capuccino or cafe latte.

Wild Habit and its Neapolitan-inspired approach shouldn’t be confused with proof of traditional Italian ownership or cooking methods. But it does offer a satisfying change of pace in Bali’s ever-evolving food scene.

For those who like their travel experiences served with a generous helping of cheese, a little dough science, or a quality coffee or cocktail on the side, Wild Habit deserves a spot on the Seminyak shortlist. Sometimes the best holiday decision is also the simplest: follow your appetite, order another slice, and let the afternoon take care of itself.

Antonino Tati

Wild Habit is situated at Jl. Kunti I No.6, Seminyak, Bali. Bookings on +62 821-2214-1475 or just pop in for a casual drink and bite to eat.

Check them out online here.

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