A Magical Dinner Guided by Oracle Cards at Merlin's, Ubud

2026年7月17日

"Let the food choose you"— that's the concept behind Merlin's,a magic-themed restaurant tucked away.

You draw three original oracle cards, and whatever they reveal becomes your meal — a "magical dinner" you genuinely can't find anywhere else.

Between the otherworldly setting and the story built into every course, it's the kind of dinner that sticks with you long after the trip.

Here's what it's actually like to visit Merlin's, straight from experience.

This article is perfect for:

・You want a dinner in Ubud that's actually memorable

・You're drawn to restaurants built around a concept or experience

・You're into oracle cards or all things spiritual

・You're after a meal you'll actually remember

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TOC

Getting to Merlin's

It's easy to reach from central Ubud, making it a simple stop between sightseeing.

Merlin's sits on Jalan Pengosekan in Ubud, the road leading toward Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman — a street already known for its restaurant scene.

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It's about a 10 to 12-minute walk from Monkey Forest.

This is the exterior — there's no sign saying "restaurant," so at first glance, you might walk right past it.

Step Inside, Step Into Another World

The moment you walk in, reality falls away and a whole story unfolds around you.

Merlin's spans two floors, home to two restaurants, a hidden bar, and a shop.

Ground Floor: The Magical Shop

Right past the entrance is the Magical Shop, where bookshelf-style displays hold crystal jewelry and raw stones for sale.

Trust Your Gut and Open It

There's a thick book with a message written on every page. Whatever page you happen to open might be exactly the message you need.

Reach In and Make a Wish

There's an object labeled "Make a Wish" with a hole cut into it.

Reach inside, and there's a glowing crystal waiting.

The idea is to hold your hand over the crystal and silently make your wish.

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And yes, I made the wish myself!

Just when you think the ground floor is only the shop, the bookshelf wall swings open to reveal a secret bar: Merlin's Secret.

This is a reservation-only space, open exclusively to those who've booked ahead

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You leave your shoes at a hidden door by the entrance before going in.

Despite the name, it's not just drinks — there's a small tapas menu alongside soft drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, and coffee.

If you're already at Merlin's, this hidden bar is worth building into your visit — just reserve a slot before or after your meal.

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I booked a 30-minute slot starting at 5:30pm, had a café latte, then headed upstairs to the restaurant.

Check the[reservation page]for Merlin's Secret

▼ The Restaurant

This is the main restaurant, and it's where you can order the "Food Choose You" menu.

▼ The Royal Court Salon

The second restaurant is called the Royal Court Salon, built on a delightfully quirky concept — every guest is treated as royalty for the evening.

A courtyard connects the two spaces

Greenery fills both the indoor and outdoor areas, and honestly, every corner looks like it belongs in a photo.

The Oracle Card Dinner: Letting the Food Choose You

The whole experience starts with drawing a card, and that's what transforms an ordinary dinner into something else entirely.

Here's a closer look at the signature "Food Choose You" course, unique to Merlin's.

STEP

Draw three cards

The Food Choose You experience comes as a set course — choose either 3 courses (appetizer, main, dessert) or 7.

YUKI

I was completely full after the 3-course menu, so I'd say that's plenty for most people!

STEP

Read your card's message

The cards come in three colors — draw one of each, three in total — and flipping them over reveals both a message and a menu number at the bottom.

YUKI

The number on your card corresponds to the menu, so technically you could look up what's coming — but I skipped that on purpose and just let the surprise happen!

STEP

Enjoy whatever the cards chose for you

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Here's a look at some of what my friend and I got to try!

▼ Appetizer (card: the past)

The soup came with coconut yogurt and curry oil — spicy, subtly sweet, with an unmistakably Asian flavor profile.

A Caesar salad with a twist: crisp kale topped with cranberries and bonito flakes.

▼ Main (card: the present)

This one was a tenderloin steak, charcoal-grilled, with that deep smoky aroma and full beefy flavor coming through.

It came with a black pepper sauce, mushrooms, and asparagus — all wonderfully fresh.

There was also a basil pasta loaded with green beans, fern tips, and spinach — it felt more like eating a salad, and the vegetables worked right into the pasta itself. Genuinely refreshing.

▼ Dessert (card: the future)

A white chocolate mousse shaped like a rose, called "Lovers Flirt" on the menu — apparently a nod to romantic playfulness. If this is what the cards say about my future... well, we'll see!

The other option was an olive oil sponge cake with pineapple and passion fruit cream — light and refreshing.

Line up the card's message, the dish name, and the theme — past, present, future — and you might notice more than a few surprising connections.

Food choose youの[reservation page]for Merlin's Secret

The Takeaway

If you're after dinner that's also an experience, Merlin's belongs on your Ubud list.

There are a few more fun surprises woven into how the dishes arrive, but I'll keep those under wraps — no spoilers here.

Information

Area	Ubud
Name	Merlin’s
Map	Google Map
Bussiness Hours	14：00〜23：00
Budget	The 3-course menu runs around Rp 600,000 per person
Reservation	Reservations required (via the official website)
Quick Tip	An à la carte menu is also available beyond the set courses

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YUKI Bali Girls Note

Sharing tips and inspiration for women who want to experience the very best of Bali.

Ex-publisher turned Freelance Editor & Writer
Photography & Research Coordinator
Spotify Podcast: "Sunset Drinks in Bali"

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