How to Plan an Incredible Family Trip to Japan in 2023/2024. Learn more.
Top Restaurants in Myanmar - Handpicked Restaurants

Top Restaurants in Myanmar - Handpicked Restaurants

By Wendy Updated Oct. 26, 2022

Which are the top restaurants in Myanmar? Those that present local cuisine, have good dining ambiance, and are reasonably priced, can fit the bill.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When you are traveling to an exotic land, a good restaurant doesn’t always have to be a fancy one, but a place that brings out the best from the local food. If you are looking for top restaurants in Myanmar, consider this article as a starting-point, based on feedback from Asia Highlights’ customers.

Although Myanmar cuisine doesn't enjoy the same high reputation as that of its neighbors Thailand and India, eating in Myanmar is also a great chance to experience local lifestyles.

What's more, as the country is home to over 50 ethnic groups and each has its own interpretation of what’s really delicious, local Burmese cuisine is certainly something you shouldn’t dismiss if you really want to know about the people.

Below is a list of good restaurants selected by Asia Highlights for discerning travelers.

Recommended Articles

Top Restaurants in Yangon

Being the biggest city in Myanmar and an important port, Yangon offers plenty of choice for dining experiences, ranging from street-side vendors to high-end restaurants.

Most well-known restaurants can easily be found when wandering around the streets of downtown Yangon, specifically 19th Street where you will find Chinatown, and Mahabandoola Road. The city was originally centered round Sule Pagoda, and that is also home to many good restaurants. No matter what flavor you feel like trying, Yangon will have it on offer.

Padonmar Restaurant

Widely-known for its healthy cooking, Padonmar Restaurant stands out for its authentic Burmese food, with light use of oil and salt, friendly to those whose palates prefer mild. The garden setting, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Yangon, is also a plus, for a fine dining experience.

Shan Yoe Yar

Located in Lanmadaw Township, this restaurant is near the National Museum and creates a good post-museum-visit dining experience. Its menu mainly features Shan food, which is lighter in spice and focuses more on releasing the original taste of the ingredients themselves.

Le Planteur

Le Planteur, as evidenced by its name, boasts a choice of French and European food, as well as some Asian options. It has a great location in the garden of a large villa overlooking a lake, and service is professional and friendly. A wonderful wine list is a bonus, for a special dinner in Yangon.

For more details about top restaurants in Yangon, read our article: Top Restaurants in Yangon.

Recommended Itinerary

98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
Tour Review
Gerd, Jan 2018
Teri Simpson, Apr 2023
Jennifer Roth Krieger, Apr 2023
Isabelle Dessaux, Apr 2023
Monica, Mar 2023
Leo Pospichal, Mar 2023
Deb M, Mar 2023
Carol Jones, Feb 2023
Len S, Feb 2023
Pho Lover, Feb 2023
Danielle Blount, Feb 2023
Kaaren, Feb 2023
Barbara Cornyn, Jan 2023
John Mullin, Jan 2023
Prema, Jan 2023
Koustuv Sarkar, Jan 2023
Karen Brooks, Dec 2022
Tugba Balc, Dec 2022
Bob Bosshard, Mar 2020
Frank & Nadia, Nov 2019

Top Restaurants in Mandalay

Mandalay does not have as many restaurants as Yangon, and most are scattered all over the city. As the city is located where lower Burma and upper Burma meet, dining in Mandalay offers an opportunity to try out something different.

The busiest region, around the Royal Palace, is always the go-to place when you are looking for something to fill your stomach. Traveling beyond Mandalay sometimes means you would have to “surrender to” local food even though you might be craving a cheese burger. However, nice views and friendly villagers can compensate for any sacrifices.

Mingalabar Restaurant

Boasting good Burmese food, Mingalabar would provide a nice dining experience for the day of your city tour of Mandalay. It is close to the palace and the food comes in good portions, with side dishes and desserts included. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are also available.

Spice Garden

Located in a two-story wooden building inside the Red Canal Hotel, Spice Garden originated as an introduction to Indian food, enriched by Burmese inspiration. Some key ingredients and spices, as well as a tandoor (a hot oven for roasting chicken), are brought straight from India.

Bistro At 82nd

Certainly a winner, if you would like to indulge your palate with some western food. The homey feeling of this tavern-like restaurant is inviting, as is its long list of western food, including schnitzel, burgers, steak, compote and a wide range of wine.

Want to know more about the eating options in Mandalay? Check out our list on Top Restaurants in Mandalay.

Top Restaurants in Bagan

Also an important destination in the Mandalay Region, Bagan often seems to be the biggest reason why people travel to Myanmar in the first place. Besides its mirage-like pagoda scene, Bagan is also a good place for finding creative cuisine, both western and local. The longest list of restaurants is in Nyaung U, the main town of Bagan, followed by Old Bagan and then the recent settlement of New Bagan.

Sanon

Sanon is a member of the international NGO Tree ALLIANCE, so dining there is dining for a good cause. Providing training and working opportunities for local youngsters, Sanon will be a special treat on your trip to Bagan. Shan Khauk Swe (spicy rice noodles with chicken, tomatoes, radish, coriander and peanuts) is its specialty.

Bagan Zay

Proudly advertising itself as creative modern Burmese, Bagan Zay is absolutely a delight if you are in the mood for something different. Hip and chic, first impressions of Bagan Zay draw you in. Expect fresh and tasty food, as well as widely-popular drinks made with local rum. Vegetarian dishes are also available.

Kyaw Kitchen

Owned by a French man and run by Kyaw his Burmese wife, this homey garden-restaurant caters for travelers who are willing to “waste” time finding it, in a hidden alley of New Bagan.

The menu is international, with some Burmese options. Members of staff speak good English and are eager to share their stories. Their seafood risotto is considered top notch.

For more information about eating in Bagan, see Top Restaurants in Bagan.

Recommended Itinerary

Top Restaurants at Inle Lake

Nestled in the highlands and surrounded by mountains, during British rule Inle Lake used to be a summer resort, and it is still a vacation destination with fine hospitality on offer. Most restaurants at the lake focus on Shan-style cuisine but you can also find some international alternatives with a good reputation.

A majority of resorts and hotels are built around the lakeshore, and so are the restaurants. A view of the floating restaurants is a bonus, in addition to the organic, home-grown ingredients.

Golden Kite Restaurant

This is a good option for dining outside your hotel. The chefs were trained by Italians and they bring out the real authentic taste of pasta, along with traditional Burmese cuisine.

The restaurant has three branches, one in Nyuang Shwe, one in Indein and one in a floating house near the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda. Whether you are on a sightseeing boat tour or exploring on your own, one of these restaurants will be easy to get to.

Eyeful Lake

The biggest attraction of this restaurant, besides its well-cooked food, must be its awesome view of the lake. The deck of the restaurant is built on a floating house, from where you can watch the busy river traffic and see stilted houses in the distance. The menu is Burmese; fish and fried tomatoes is recommended.

Green Chilli Restaurant

Green Chilli, true to its name, focuses on Asian food, and especially spicy food. Don’t run away so fast, however, because it has more to offer: grilled fish or jungle curry for example, and a cool beer as an excellent conclusion to a good meal.

The restaurant’s location, on the way from the airport to the lake, gives it an advantage as a suitable introductory venue, as you begin your stay at the lake.

For more ideas about restaurants at Inle Lake, please see our article: Top Restaurants at Inle Lake.

Top Restaurants at Ngapali Beach

Ngapali Beach was nominated by CNN as one of Asia’s Top 25 Beaches and it is certainly an ideal destination for a rest, after a long trip in the high temperatures of Myanmar.

Unlike many other beaches in Asia, Ngapali is vulnerable to monsoon weather and shuts down from May to September, when typhoons and rainstorms violently shake the coast.

Hence, hotels and restaurants run their businesses for just for a few months at a time and no effort is spared in providing the best possible service. Seafood is the dominant theme for all restaurants.

Pleasant View Islet Restaurant

This would certainly create a highlight from your vacation at Ngapali Beach! Pleasant View Islet Restaurant offers an exclusive, picturesque and up-market dining experience, with its superb location on a rock in a fishing village.

Hardcore foodies wade their way through shallow water to get to the islet, or take a free boat at high tide. Enjoy a seafood platter, followed by a scrumptious main course at sunset. This is the kind of vacation you deserve.

Catch

Catch is the name of the restaurant at Bayview Beach Resort. Most meals, however, are served at the sunset bar; especially dinners, at which an amazing sunset view on the ocean comes along with the hot plates of food.

Catch serves western-inspired food, with a wide range of wine and cocktails. Soft music plays in the background and customers are caressed by tender ocean breezes. What else could you ask for?

Recommended Tours

Ngapali Kitchen

Smaller and more unassuming, Ngapali Kitchen is a family-style restaurant by the main road. Besides seafood, its specialty is traditional Burmese food. Despite its small scale, dining tables for 2 and 4 people are well separated, to ensure everyone feels comfortable.

See other dining options at Ngapali Beach in our article Top Restaurants at Ngapali Beach.

Before you embark on a trip to Myanmar, keep in mind that the country is still on its way to becoming a world-class leisure destination. Respect and understanding will be highly appreciated at every point of your Myanmar trip, especially while dining in Myanmar.

For any special requests, such as pure vegan, gluten-free or halal, we will do our best to make it happen for you. Not only on the food front, every detail of your Myanmar trip should be and can be done in your own way. Talk to our travel advisor and tailor-make your trip now!

Visit Myanmar with Asia Highlights

We provide tailor-made tours to Myanmar. Tours typically start or end in Yangon or Mandalay and last approximately 9 days; visiting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.

You might like:

9-Day Myanmar Highlights Tour

14-Day Myanmar and Thailand Essence Tour

16-Day Myanmar Tour in Depth

You might like to read

Top 5 Destinations to Visit in Myanmar

Top Accommodation in Myanmar

Top 9 Attractions in Myanmar

Top Beaches in Myanmar

Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)

  • Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
  • Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
  • Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.

Get Inspired with Our Sample Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

We are here to help you...
Start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create My Trip
4.9 ExcellentTrustPilot rating TrustPilot Logo

The Asia Highlights Experience

1-to-1 Expert Planning

1-to-1 Expert Planning

Your tour will be tailor-made to suit you by a destination expert. Your personal travel advisor will always reply within 24 hours.

Personal Journeys

Personal Journeys

Enjoy having your own personal local guide and ride. Explore destinations at your own pace. Have as much flexibility as possible.

Authentic Experiences

Authentic Experiences

Go beyond the sightseeing. Understand the destinations by practicing the local culture and interacting with local people.

One-Stop Service

One-Stop Service

Leave all the booking work to us, including international and internal transportation, visas, hotels, meals, and activities.

About Us
At Asia Highlights, we are committed to providing you a premium, quality private tour, whether it's a milestone trip, family trip, or bucketlist trip — your planning will be made easy with just one specialist throughout. Know more ...
Rated 4.9 out of 5 | Excellent
China Highlights International Travel Service Co., LTD
Corporate Number: 914503003486045699
Featured on
Medias