Once it was the only place in Bali where you could get chocolate cake, but I remember Poppies as the home of the best smoothies in Kuta Beach.
When Poppies was the only place in Bali for chocolate cake
It was a time when a room at a losmen (local guest house) cost $2 for the night and that included a banana for breakfast if the monkeys didn’t get them first.
Today Google photos threw up some snaps taken during a visit to Bali in 2010, some 30 years after my first visit. The precinct of Kuta Beach was unrecognisable from the early days, except for the beach, which still looked similar.



The Kuta of my memories had narrow streets lined with palm trees and grass, where the only traffic was the occasional bemo (first form of share riding, hailed like a taxi).
Untouched Kuta
After a fruitless search through the very hot streets at midday and then armed with the knowledge that there were two Poppies Lanes, we finally found the entrance to Poppies Café. It was almost untouched from the original, still a beautiful, calm oasis with the best nasi goreng around for around $6 Aus.
Nasi Goreng is perhaps Indonesia’s best-known dish. A combination of stir-fried rice with shrimps, saté, fried chicken and pickles, topped with a fried egg and a prawn cracker. I’ve sampled it many times but nothing matches the dish prepared with Poppies style.
In its early years, however, Poppies reputation was developed on the quality of its western food. It was a place of refuge for those who were seeking the familiarity of home style cooking.

Poppies opened in January 12, 1973 and has been a favourite for travellers since then. Loved for its romantic, tropical canopy of vines and flowers, its grounds filled with pools and waterfalls and cuisine focused on Indonesian and international favourites.
We snuck around the Poppies Cottages for a look and managed to find one that was empty and open. It has to be one of the best spots to stay in Kuta for an authentic Balinese experience. Located right in the middle of all the Kuta madness, it somehow manages avoid the noise, hustle and bustle.
Where is it?
You’ll find Poppies at Poppies Lane 1, south end of Jalan Legian, Kuta, close to Bemo Corner on the Indonesian island of Bali.
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Disclaimer: Ed+bK is reliving memories here.

Very apt song Peter! Unfortunately, traffic jams in Asia seem to be a common occurrence, but it still holds a fascination for travellers. I wonder if my rose tinted glasses will come off on my next visit? Judging my friends social media posts, there are still plenty who can find and love the chill vibe of Bali.
Hi Kerry, very nostalgic. Glad to see somethings have retained their magic, but when I was in Bali last year in a traffic jam that extended from the coast to Ubud, I recalled fondly the days when you were able to escape to the hills and it was beautiful, tranquil and special. By the time I left on this occasion I couldn’t help but recall Joni Mitchell’s “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot” line.
I was amazed how familiar it was. Even the loos, although they were clean and tidy, seemed the same.
I was first in Bali/Kuta/Poppies in 1975. Our Losmen was 90 cents/night. Returned in 1979 and got a flash place for $5/night. Haven’t been back since. Can’t believe Poppies is still more or less the same!
Yes, it was the place. It struck me as remarkably untouched.
OMG Poppies. I was transported back to 1983, a hippy happening, Kuta sunsets, special mushroom omelettes and Poppies for long breakfasts . . .what a happy memory.