Where should one dine in Yangon? Downtown Yangon offers a wide range of food, from 10-cent local snacks to high-end French dinners. As the former capital of Myanmar, Yangon is the gateway to this amazing country and also an attractive advertisement for traditional Burmese cuisine.
More and more international restaurants are being built in Yangon to cater for travelers who would like something familiar. It shouldn't be hard to find a good restaurant, with our insider guidelines for top restaurants in Yangon.
Restaurants in Yangon
Yangon is the biggest city in Myanmar, but diners tend to set their radar within the downtown area, namely the area enclosing Sule Pagoda, Chinatown and Inya Lake. Curry-based, Indian-inspired local Burmese food might seem a little surreal to first-timers to Yangon, and many would prefer to dine at a restaurant rather than at a street-side vendor.
Once used to the exotic appearance of Burmese cuisine, however, every traveler develops an interest in trying out something local. This article covers both restaurants renowned for fine dining and mid-range eateries.
Fine Dining
Le Planteur
The owner, Boris Granges, was born in Switzerland and worked under some renowned chefs during a 3-year career in Thailand.
The original site of Le Planteur, opened in 1998, was at the far end of the city of Yangon. The restaurant moved in 2014 to its current location by Inya Lake, near the house of Aung San Suu Kyi, and Boris added a wine bar, a tea room and a bistro.
The outdoor dining area, terraced section and indoor dining room are all well maintained, and you can see ducks and geese swimming in the pond, while rabbits run under your table on the lawn.
Le Planteur mainly offers European food, especially French. Besides the ordinary choice of cakes and steaks, it boasts creativity in joining some Asian elements with western cuisine. Recommended dishes include beef tenderloin, duck breast, lamb and foie gras.
Location: 80 University Avenue | Bahan Township, Yangon
Category: international
Cost: USD 100 to 150 per person
Halal- and vegetarian-friendly: yes
Mandalay Restaurant at The Governor's Residence
The Governor's Residence was built in the 1920s in the elegant Embassy Quarter of Yangon, and during the colonial era used to be the residence of the governor of Kaya State. It was renovated and has become one of Yangon's best luxury hotels, enjoying a good reputation for both accommodation and dining.
Mandalay Restaurant is tucked away in a tree-shaded garden, dotted with lotus ponds. It exudes a strong colonial ambiance and a meal there is regarded as one of the most exclusive dining experiences in Yangon.
An international menu is tempting and inviting. For those who would prefer some authentic Burmese food, try out the curry menu, including pork and mango, duck with green tea, and tiger prawn with coconut milk. The curries are lighter than common Indian curries, yet with a lingering aftertaste.
Soft shell crab, tiger prawns, butterfish and veggie curry are all restaurant specialties. It also has a good wine list, ranging from the finest local Burmese wine to imported Sauvignon Blanc.
Location: 35 Taw Win Road | The Governor's Residence, Yangon
Category: Burmese, international
Cost: USD 100 to 150 per person
Halal- and vegetarian-friendly: yes
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


![]() ![]() |
Excellent planned and executed Myanmar excursion
Asia Highlights and their local Myanmar partner "mAsia" did an excellent job in planning and execution of a one week trip to Myanmar.The various tour guides and drivers had good knowledge and good command over English. More
Gerd,
Jan 2018
|
Planning our trip
We have spend that last eight months planning a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Alisa Lia was creative & patient helping us customize our tour to include the sites and adventures we were excited to see. Hard waiting for the trip to start. More
Jamie Danner,
Oct 2023
|
My experience in Thai
All of this was well organized by the local office. The holiday was wonderful. Our guide, Mr. Longdy( Siem Reap)were exceptional. He shared his extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. Thank you so much .shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. More
kelli,
Jul 2023
|
Seamless Planning
From the day I submitted an inquiry request, I instantly received a response from Monica asking my preferences for my trip. She has been attentive and responsive to our every needs and we very much appreciate it. Looking forward to our trip in November but many thanks to Monica for making this experience to seamless thus far. More
Sana Samhouri,
Jul 2023
|
Very professional agency for a memorable trip to Asia
A special thanks to Albee who worked with us and helped to tailor the itinerary to our taste, she was amazing and always available for whatever we needed. The trip would not have been the same without her and her team. Thank you! More
Daniela,
Jul 2023
|
It was our first time in Cambodia and …
It was our first time in Cambodia and we had a wonderful time. The accommodations, food, and sites were really beautiful. We ended our trip with a relaxing massage. Sam was very accommodating to our needs and knowledgeable. Thank you for the laughter and for being so kind. More
Amy Oakes Moon,
Jun 2023
|
Our guide Borin - never boring!
Our guide Borin, in Cambodia, was knowledgeable, understanding and thoughtful in every aspect of the plan he put together for our trip to Siem Reap and in its execution. He can read the room, and knew exactly how to pace the tour, when to pause, when to break, and how to prepare us for the maximum benefit. He is extremely kind and caring, and it showed at every turn. He also is a dab hand with the camera, and we have a lot of great pictures to show for it. Kudos to my Asia Highlights coordinator - Cathy Chen, for picking Borin. Borin works with a driver (007) who was also very kind and caring. Whenever we returned to the car, he would have cold towel rolls and chilled water to refresh us. So amazingly considerate. It was an unforgettable experience More
David Muliyil,
Jun 2023
|
Great visit!
Our guide, Anna, was fantastic! She was highly informative and a delight to spend our days with. Would request her again if we were to return! More
Alejandra M Almonte,
Jun 2023
|
We've had such a great experience…
We've had such a great experience planning our honeymoon with Alisa at Asia Highlights! We gave her our dream itinerary, thinking that it might be impossible to do all the things we wanted, but Alisa made our dreams a reality! She's gone so far above and beyond to answer ALL of our questions and make little adjustments that will make a huge impact on our experience. More
Lauren,
Jun 2023
|
Alisa knows how to work fast and please a customer.
Alisa is very helpful and works very fast. I am a very difficult client because Inknow what I want in therm of hotels and comfort. She had a lot of patience with me, and moved a lot the plan of the trip, always following my requests. It was a pleasure organizing my trip with her. I recommend her a lot! Thanks Alisa. Malala from Argentina. More
maria laura artola,
Jun 2023
|
Trip-of-a-lifetime
In addition, I want to specifically mention the guides provided in certain locations. Rum, in Siem Reap, made the most memorable experience possible. His positivity was contagious - even when it felt like 1000 degrees and we were tired. He brought it all to life, and created a couple days of Ankor Wat, etc. that we will never forget! He heard my daughter's request for specific Cambodian food, and changed our itinerary to go to a village and eat at a locally known shop. He brought the dessert she asked about to us in the car! Overall, he and his driver "Lucky" were a reason to go to Siem Reap. In addition, the other guides (minus one which was switched out immediately) were stupendous. Mon in Bangkok was friendly and provided a great day there; Eak in Chiang Mai gave us a world-class food-tour and day touring the city and its surrounding temples with lots of laughs; Tommy in Hanoi kept us from getting killed in the traffic and gave a stupendous food and architecture/history tour - so very friendly and funny; the fishing village tour in Hoi An, as well as the side-car tour in Saigon, were both unforgettable! Thank you Sharon, and Asia Highlights. Would definitely use again for future trips! More
Teri Simpson,
Apr 2023
|
Cambodia and Vietnam adventure!
Our guide in Cambodia, Meas Darapolaith (Pol), was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, friendly and so helpful. His English was excellent and he shared important insights about history and the magnificent sites we visited. We highly recommend him! More
Jennifer Roth Krieger,
Apr 2023
|
My daughter and I wanted to discover SE…
My daughter and I wanted to discover SE Asia. Being the first in that region, we wanted to use a tour service company. We ended up using Asia Highlights. From the beginning we were impressed with their services. We left home with of mind because all the pre-travel arrangements were taking care and communicate to us efficiently. All our questions were answered promptly. Once in the countries, we were welcome by our excellent tour guides. Everything was taking care for us. We did not have one issue. They selected the right tours guides for us, they were highly knowledgeable and so much attentive to our needs. We had Dhat in Vietnam and Borin in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I came back home so much rested, and with plenty of wonderful pictures and memories. I will definitely use Asia Highlights again for my next trip to Asia. More
Isabelle Dessaux,
Apr 2023
|
Fabulous tour and guide in Cambodia
We have been touring Cambodia, guided by Borin ( and driver 007) for the last 2 days. What a fabulous experience! Borin has been a wonderful guide, the best so far in Southeast Asia, explaining the history and culture of Cambodia through his tours of the temples in and around Angkor, as well as the Landmine museum. He has answered all our questions, made sure we were comfortable, and that we have had great food. 007 made sure we always had enough water and cool towels for our face/neck.We highly recommend Borin as a tour guide for Cambodia!! More
Monica,
Mar 2023
|
Best Travel Service for Asia Travel
Alisa Liu was in charge of making the arrangements and she helped us from the start to make all of the arrangements and also helped us when we had questions and requested some adjustments. Her service is of the highest professional level. We are 100% confident that our trip will be perfect. We’re also 100% confident that, if anything comes up during our trip, that Alisa will be there to guide us through and take care of us. We won’t even consider using another agency for travel around Asia and we would like to have Alisa work for us again. More
Leo Pospichal,
Mar 2023
|
Tour of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand
The tour guides and drivers were another high point. All were very good, friendly, knowledgeable and spoke English well. There were two that I want to call out for their excellence. Chan Sovannarith in Siem Reap was our guide in Cambodia. He really made the experience special. His knowledge, willingness to answer all my questions, helpfulness and general attitude made him fun to be around. In order to praise the second exceptional guide I have to explain about an unfortunate occurrence that I had. I'm normally a very active senior, but after leaving Cambodia for Laos I was suddenly struck by the most intense back pain I've ever experienced, couldn't even roll over in bed (turned out to be sciatica). The guide, Mr. Sonophet, really went the extra mile. He went with my traveling companion and bought a back brace and medications for me. When that didn't help much he took me to a clinic where I was seen by a doctor, given a shot and pain meds. He hand-made a walking stick for me that I'm still using! He made it possible for me to somewhat participate in the activities, i.e. a bed on the boat down the river. When it was time to move on to Bangkok he got me a wheelchair at the airport. I can't thank him enough for these kindnesses! This problem lasted for the remainder of the trip, through Bangkok and Phuket and these guides were also very helpful getting wheelchairs, etc. It was a terrible disappointment to have this wonderful trip disrupted, but it would have been SO much worse without the great help that I received from the guides and my poor travel companion! More
Deb M,
Mar 2023
|
In good hands with Sam
Sam Ol took very good care of us - lots of information, listened to and answered all our questions, was passionate about the places we visited and about his people and country. He was kind, had a great sense of humor, and made sure we felt safe and comfortable at all times. He helped us to fall in love with Cambodia in 3 short days. More
Carol Jones,
Feb 2023
|
Best tour guide in Cambodia
When we first arrived at the airport in Siem Riep it was so nice to be greeted by Mr Sam Ol. We instantly fell at home when we saw his friendly smile. We were impressed by his great English and knowledge of the temples. On the tour to the temples Sam took care of us every step of the way. He took awesome pictures of us. It felt like we were on a tour given by our brother who is also a professional photographer. Also, we appreciate his humor as well as the fact he had an answer for every question we had. I give Sam 5 stars, best tour guide ever :) More
Len S,
Feb 2023
|
Mr. Sam
Mr. Sam our guide in Cambodia, he and the driver out standing service they went above and beyond touring, my wife so amazed beautiful country, we're planning back here near the futures. Thank Mr. Sam,We'll feedback the whole trip next week when we be home in US More
Pho Lover,
Feb 2023
|
Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand
We are still in the middle of our trip, but we are just finishing up our time in Cambodia and our guide, Borin, has been AMAZING!!! He has truly made our time here unforgettable and I plan on referring all of my friends and family to come visit this beautiful country! Thank you, Borin, for everything you did to make our trip so fantastic! More
Danielle Blount,
Feb 2023
|
Mid-Range
Shan Yoe Yar – Asia Highlights' Top Pick
Located close to Bogyoke Aung San Market and the National Museum, Shan Yoe Yar is known as one of the best Burmese restaurants in Yangon, quite reasonably priced. The two-story wooden restaurant is a renovated colonial house.
The ground floor is spacious and good for big groups, with five people or more, while dining on the second floor is quieter. Members of staff are all smiling and attentive, and eager to explain the origins of each dish in fairly good English.
Shan-style cuisine is the restaurant's specialty, lighter, with less spice and oil than at other Burmese restaurants.
Vegetables cooked in Shan-style are highly recommended; such as Shan potatoes (mashed potatoes in sweet, sour and slightly spicy sauce), Shan tofu (tofu cut into rectangular slices, dressed with toasted dried chili, crushed garlic and peanuts) and Shan-style sour vegetable soup.
Bamboo stuffed with minced seafood, Shan noodle soup, Shan omelet and catfish curry are listed among the all-flavor choices.
Location: 169 War Tan Street | Lanmadaw Township, Yangon
Category: Burmese
Cost: USD 25 to 35 per person
Halal- and vegetarian-friendly: yes. Muslim diners, however, should first check if anything is cooked with pork oil.
Padonmar Restaurant
Renowned among locals and travelers alike, Pandonmar Restaurant is noted for its healthy ways of cooking. Oil, salt and spices are used sparingly compared with other Burmese restaurants, which is welcome to those who prefer a milder taste. Pandonmar provides catering services for the local community for important occasions such as weddings and family reunions.
The indoor dining area is divided into a main dining hall and some private boxes. If the weather is good, the garden dining area is even better. Sometimes during lunch the restaurant organizes a traditional Htwe Oo Burmese puppet show.
Behind the main building, there is a chamber where the master chef holds exclusive cooking classes on request. Specialties on the vast menu include Shan-style tofu, sauteed watercress with mushrooms, prawn curry, chicken curry, tea leaf salad and grilled butterfish.
Location: No.105/107, Kha Yae Pin Road, Dagon Township| Yangon
Category: Burmese, Thai
Cost: USD 30 to 40 per person
Halal- and vegetarian-friendly: yes. Muslim diners, however, should first check if anything is cooked with pork oil.
Café Sule
A nice café in the Shangri-La Hotel, Café Sule is close to the famous Sule Pagoda and can be a nice stop after a morning's sightseeing. As hotel guests finish breakfast before 11 am, members of staff remain busy preparing for another round of lunch, also in buffet-style.
The large dining room is well-lit and stylishly decorated, with smiling staff happy to show you to your table. The international lunch buffet provides a rich variety of food both local and international, with many hot stations.
Fresh made-to-order mohinga is a great option for local Burmese cuisine. Shan-style baked fish and chicken curry are popular for their freshness and flavor. This is generally a good option for dining, where everyone can find something they like.
Location: Sule Shangri-La | 223 Sule Pagoda Road, Yangon
Category: international
Cost: USD 30 to 45 per person
Halal- and vegetarian-friendly: yes.
L'Opera Italian Restaurant & Bar
A rare authentic Italian restaurant nestled in a palm tree garden beside Inya Lake, L'Opera caters to the most fastidious eaters, who want nothing but the best. Established in 1997, it has received several awards from Myanmore Dining & Nightlife.
It is ideal for a romantic dinner at sunset by the lake. Notable offerings include pizza, beef tenderloin with truffles, tiramisu and mint pineapple juice.
Location: 62D U Htun Nyein Street | Mayangone Township, Yangon
Category: Italian
Cost: USD 30 to 45 per person
Halal- and vegetarian-friendly: yes for halal, not so much for vegetarian
Monsoon Restaurant
This is a great spot for lunch after a visit to Botahtaung Pagoda. Monsoon is proud to provide local cuisine from Myanmar and other Asian countries. The building itself has a long history and is now decorated with historical photos and paintings from the colonial era. The restaurant has a welcoming vibe and is good for friends and families.
Notable Dishes: eggplant curry, tea leaf salad, Cambodian beef salad
Location: 85, 87 Theinbyu Road | Botataung Township, Yangon
Category: Asian
Cost: USD 30 to 45 per person
Halal- and vegetarian-friendly: yes.
Café/Desert
Acacia Tea Salon
An up-market café, Acacia Tea Salon is dedicated to offering the best delicate desserts and most relaxed atmosphere for a good afternoon with friends. It's a bit far from downtown, which makes it harder for big groups of tourists to frequent, so that attentive service and quietness are more likely here.
Notable Dishes: cheesecake, Eggs Benedict, English muffins
Location: 52 Saya San Road | Bahan Township, Yangon
Visit Myanmar with Asia Highlights
Yangon is the first stop for most travelers, and first impressions certainly matter. A good restaurant in Yangon helps ease you in to an exotic land, and to embrace expectations for the upcoming trip.
One good thing is that you will not be alone. Our experienced and thoughtful tour guide will be a good advisor for your restaurant hunt in Yangon. Let us know your food preferences while tailor-making your trip to Myanmar.
- Top 8 Things to Do in Myanmar
- Best Time to Visit Myanmar
- Plan a First-time Trip to Myanmar
- Top 9 Attractions in Bagan
You might like:
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.
- 14-Day Myanmar Photography Tour
- 14-Day Myanmar Photography Tour
- Myanmar Essence Tour
- 16-Day Myanmar In-Depth Tour with Irrawaddy Cruise
- 17-Day Private tour to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos
- 17-Day Private tour to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos
- 14-Day Myanmar and Thailand Essence Tour
- 17-Day Private tour to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos
- 5-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary: 3 Options (2024/2025)
- Plan a 3-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary: Best 3 Itinerary Ideas
- Plan a 3-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary: Best 3 Itinerary Ideas
- 5-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary: 3 Options (2024/2025)
- How to Plan a Trip to Southeast Asia 2024/2025
- Plan a 2-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary 2024/2025: Top 5 Itinerary Ideas
- The Ultimate 4-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary for You! (Expert Advice)
- 10 Days in Southeast Asia: 5 Perfect Itineraries (with Maps & Prices)
- The Ultimate 4-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary for You! (Expert Advice)
- Plan a 2-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary 2024/2025: Top 5 Itinerary Ideas
- Plan a 3-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary: Best 3 Itinerary Ideas
- Myanmar Weather in January - What to Wear and Bring
- Myanmar Weather in February - Lots of Sunny Days
- Myanmar Weather in March - From the Cool to the Hot
- Myanmar Weather in April - the Hottest Month
- Myanmar Weather in May - Beginning of the rainy season
- Myanmar Weather in June - the Rainy Season
- Myanmar Weather in July - Rainfall Reaches its Peak
- Myanmar Weather in August - Heavy Downpours
- Myanmar Weather in September - Monsoon Rains Let up
- Myanmar Weather in October - Rainfall Decreases
- Myanmar Weather in November - Dry and Cool
- December Weather in Bagan - The Peak Travel Time
Get Inspired with Some Popular 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.