Swept Away at The Samaya Ubud Guide: Tickets, Highlights & Visiting Tips

Swept Away is a distinctive restaurant and dining experience that is placed over the Ayung River, one of Bali's holy and beautiful rivers. The eatery is part of The Samaya Ubud Resort, a high-end hotel noted for its peaceful riverside villas and green forest. Contrary to typical restaurants, Swept Away combines al fresco dining, the beauty of nature, and pretty lights, thus providing a meal that is just as much a tasting experience as the environment.

With a wooden deck for dining that looks like it is floating over the longest river in Bali. Usually, guests are sitting outdoors overlooking the river that is deep below, yet they are nice and cool due to the winds and shaded by umbrellas or the tree cover. The food here is a syncretism of the local Indonesian touch and the international sophistication, fresh products combined with ideas and the beauty of presentation. This is an ultra-exclusive experience where the entire riverbank is lit with 100 real candles. It is usually limited to only one or two bookings per night and must be reserved months in advance.

Fun Fact: The Samaya Ubud and Swept Away are uniquely built so that the majority of the seating options have a direct view of the river canyon, thus nature is incorporated into your meal, irrespective of where you dine.

Seasonal Tip: While the river’s flow can be more dynamic in Bali’s wet season, the lush greenery around the valley becomes even more vibrant. The dry season offers more predictable weather and clearer skies, ideal for lunch visits and photography.

• Spectacular Riverside Setting: Dine over the Ayung River with panoramic jungle views.
• Creative Cuisine: A fusion of Indonesian and global flavours prepared with fresh, quality ingredients.
• Al Fresco Ambience: Outdoor seating designed to bring you close to nature.
• Romantic Evenings: Candlelit dinners and intimate lighting add a magical feel.
• Peaceful Retreat: An escape from busy tourist hubs into tranquil jungle serenity.
• Cultural Context: Ubud’s arts and spiritual heart blend seamlessly with this unique setting.

Whether you’re here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the experience at Swept Away is crafted to be memorable, special, and deeply connected to nature.

Location: The Samaya Ubud, Jalan Raya Sayan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Suggested Duration: 1.5–3 hours (depending on meal pace and sunset timing)

Nearby Attractions & Day Trips

• The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: A famous nature reserve and temple complex.
• Campuhan Ridge Walk: A scenic ridge trail perfect for sunset strolls.
• Ubud Art Market: Souvenirs, local crafts, and artistic treasures.
• Pura Taman Saraswati: A lotus pond temple with beautiful architecture.
• Ubud Palace: Traditional Balinese royal compound with daily performances.

Day-Trip Tip: Visit Swept Away for an early dinner, then stroll through central Ubud’s boutique streets, markets, and temples under calming night lights.

1. Riverside Dining Experience

The soul of Swept Away is its immersive river setting, perched above the Ayung River in a stunning jungle canyon. The ambience feels organic, peaceful, and connected to the earth — part restaurant, part natural theatre.

• Feature: Open-air decks with unblocked river views
• Experience: Enjoy waves of breeze, bird calls, and verdant forest sights
• Why It’s Special: Few places in Bali combine gourmet food with such a natural backdrop

2. Seasonally Curated Menu

Cuisine at Swept Away carries Balinese influence while incorporating international techniques and flavour profiles. Dishes are prepared with attention to detail and seasonal ingredients.

• Experience: From fresh salads and seafood to creative entrées and desserts
• Food Philosophy: A blend of local taste and globally refined cooking
• Best For: Food lovers and travellers seeking quality culinary experiences

3. Al Fresco Ambience & Design

Swept Away’s open design maximises views and airflow, allowing guests to feel part of the surrounding environment. Natural materials, wood finishes, and thoughtfully placed lighting enhance the setting.

• Experience: Candlelit dinners under the sky, casual lunches in light
• Design Insight: Tables spaced to provide privacy and nature views

4. Romantic & Sunset Dining

For many, the highlight of Swept Away is its sunset dining experience — when the river canyon glows golden and the valley comes alive with shifting light. Romantic & sunset dining in Swept Away is the best experience to add to your Bali honeymoon tour packages. 

• Experience: Golden hour meals evolve into tranquil evenings
• Best Light: Around 5:30–7:30 PM (depending on season)

5. Beverage & Lounge Options

Start with fresh juices, tropical cocktails, or a glass of wine as you watch river views. The beverage selection complements both local and international flavours.

• Feature: Creative cocktails, local wines, fresh juices
• Experience: Sip and savour alongside a natural soundtrack

Pro Tip: Reservations often include minimum food & beverage spend requirements, especially for sunset and dinner seating — so check when booking for the best time and table choice.

Lunch: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM

Dinner: 5:30 PM–10:00 PM 

Best Visiting Tips

• Lunch: Enjoy lunch with gentle light and fewer crowds.
• Late Afternoon: Ideal for photographers and golden hour ambience.
• Dinner: Candlelit dinners offer a romantic and atmospheric experience.
• Weekdays: Often quieter than weekends, perfect for relaxed dining.

From Ngurah Rai International Airport: Roughly 75–120 minutes by car, depending on traffic.

From Central Ubud: Around a 10–15-minute drive up scenic jungle and valley roads.

From Seminyak / Kuta: Approximately 90–120 minutes via inland routes.

Transport Options

• Taxi / Ride-hailing: Convenient and reliable for most travellers
• Private Driver: Best for combining multiple Ubud stops and sightseeing
• Scooter Rental: Great for independent riders familiar with regional roads

• Reserve Early: Sunset dinner tables are highly recommended and often quickly filled. 
• Ask for River-Facing Tables: Not every table has direct views – express your desire when booking. 
• Check the Weather: A bright day will be an added bonus for the views, however, at the same time, under the covered area comfort will be provided even if light rain falls. 
• Bring a Light Layer: Night time at the riverside might be windy – a light wrap or shawl will be of great help. 
• Photography Timing: The best light for taking pictures is at the golden hour (about one hour before sunset).

• Main Restaurant: Seasonal menus focused on fresh ingredients and balanced tastes.
• Snack & Lounge Areas: One-off treats and cocktails by the water.
• Local Artisan Shops: Nearby Ubud crafts and boutiques offer souvenirs and art — perfect to browse before or after dining.

Morning:

• Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary for spiritual walks and lush greenery.
• Enjoy brunch in Ubud’s café quarter.

Midday:

• Wander through the Ubud Art Market and Ubud Palace.
• Stop by Pura Taman Saraswati for lotus pond views.

Late Afternoon:

• Head to Swept Away around golden hour for riverside lunch or early dinner.
• Capture scenic photos and relax in a tropical ambience.

Evening:

• Return to central Ubud for arts performances, live music, or casual night strolls.

Swept Away is an immersion into nature—water, sounds, and atmosphere gradually reconciling along the riverside to create an unforgettable memory with Bali's creative cuisine. It is a spot that turns food into a part of nature, making the river an ally to every course, and where the nature, taste, and mood all blend to perfection with no struggle at all.

Swept Away will give you a consumable experience well-matched with the serene beauty and deliberate hospitality, whether you are honouring a special event, trying to capture photographic memories, or just hunting for a signature meal in Bali.

1. Enjoy your meal at the golden hour and witness the fabulous sun in the valley. 
2. Have a signature drink and enjoy the sound of the birds and the river. 
3. Take beautiful pictures of your food with the Paradise Valley in the background. 
4. Taste the seasonal signature dishes that are inspired by and combined with the local and global culinary world. 
5. Combine your dining experience with Ubud sightseeing — temples, markets, art, and culture.

Swept Away at The Samaya Ubud is an extraordinary restaurant that offers much more than food; it is a landmark of high taste, nature, beauty and a nice atmosphere for all senses. It is a perfect place to experience the best of Ubud and Bali: living in complete serenity with nature, artistic food and unforgettable moments which remain even after the meal is over. 

No matter whether you visit for lunch, sunset dinner or a romantic evening, Swept Away not only opens the door for you to relax, enjoy and taste the tranquil beauty of Bali but also allows you to reap the benefits of life.