1.5-Hour Wait for This Pad Thai? Is This Bali Thai Spot Really That Amazing?
qponx
2026-02-01
Is the super popular Lemongrass in Bali worth the long queues? This Thai spot in Legian is famous for its incredible Pad Thai with wok hei, rich Green Curry, and must-have Mango Sticky Rice. While the food gets rave reviews, be prepared for potentially long waits and slow service in a loud, lively atmosphere. This review weighs the amazing flavors against the drawbacks and offers tips on how to beat the crowd for a taste of this famous restaurant.
You guys, who gets it? Passing by this Lemongrass in Legian during mealtime, the queue outside was so long I thought there was a concert! Seeing 4.7 stars and 3700+ reviews on Google Maps, I thought to myself, is it really that Mantap? Skeptical, I deliberately came back the next afternoon during an off-peak time.
Once inside, the ambiance was indeed good, with a bit of a design aesthetic, and the AC was strong. But... the music was so loud that I basically had to shout to talk to my friend. If you're looking for a quiet Chill time, you can cross this off your list. However, their restrooms were genuinely clean, thumbs up for that![1]
Sat down and quickly ordered, I was so hungry I could eat a horse. First, I have to rave about their Pad Thai[2], it's truly Anjay! Full of wok hei, with rich layers of flavor, even more amazing than some places I've eaten at in Thailand. And the Green Curry[3], the coconut milk aroma and spiciness were perfectly balanced, absolutely amazing with rice. The pineapple fried rice portion was quite generous, but I heard the Tom Yum soup portion is rather mini, so it might not be enough to share among many people[4]. Most importantly, I finally got to eat the Mango Sticky Rice[5] that was sold out yesterday! Warm, sticky rice paired with fresh mango and black sesame, wow!
Alright, enough praise, time for some honesty. The biggest bug with this place is – it's slow![6] Even if it's not peak hour, the serving speed is entirely up to luck. As for the taste, I personally think it's good, but some friends feel it's been modified to cater to foreign tastes, not 'Thai' enough[7]. The prices are considered mid-to-high in Bali; our family of three casually ate and drank, and it cost us over 500k. Oh, by the way, they have Happy Hour cocktails, but it's best to ask about the rules before ordering. My friend wanted to swap vodka for gin, but was told they couldn't get the buy-one-get-one-free deal then, which was a bit of a letdown[8].
Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls ✍️
- 1. 【Reserve! Reserve! Reserve!】: Important things are said three times. If you don't want to wait endlessly at the door, you must book in advance! During peak hours, if you don't have a reservation, you'll likely be turned away.[9]
- 2. 【Off-peak is king】: If you can't get a reservation, do what I did and come between 2-4 PM. There are far fewer people, and your chances of getting mango sticky rice greatly increase!
- 3. 【Don't hesitate when ordering】: If you see something you want to eat, grab it quickly, especially signature dishes and desserts, they can sell out in minutes. Don't leave yourself with regrets.[10]
- 4. 【Dietary restriction friendly】: If you have a gluten allergy (Coeliac), you can come with peace of mind; the staff are very knowledgeable and will help you arrange things, which is a big plus.[11]
- 5. 【Relax your mindset】: Don't rush, just treat it as a place to Nongkrong. After all, the serving speed is really not suitable for impatient people or hungry babies.
- The Pad Thai [1] is Anjay! Wok hei, layered flavors, beats some Thai spots. A must-try!
- The Mango Sticky Rice [2]? A knockout! Warm sticky rice, fresh mango & black sesame. Perfectly sweet, no wonder it sold out!
- Coeliac-friendly [3]! Professional, attentive staff ensure peace of mind.
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