Must-see restaurants in Asia

  • Nimtho

    Gangtok

    Beautifully designed with adobe walls and a mock-up earthen stove, Nimtho gives Sikkimese food a gourmet twist. Sample with a local thali (₹250 to ₹350),…

  • One Eyed Jack

    Canggu

    Izakaya, the style of Japanese dining that encourages groups of friends to enjoy drinks and shared plates of food, is exemplified by this wonderful small…

  • Peshawri

    Gujarat & Diu

    Rough stone walls, heavy wooden beams and hanging copper vessels conjure a northwest frontier feel at Vadodara's best restaurant, with loyal customers…

  • Madame Bee’s Kitchen

    Kuala Terengganu

    In a delightful heritage building in the heart of Chinatown, Madame Bee turns out excellent renditions of Peranakan dishes with local Terengganu…

  • Atsuta Hōraiken Honten

    Nagoya

    The head branch of this hitsumabushi chain, in business since 1873, is revered for good reason. Patrons queue during the summer peak season for…

  • Kappō Yano

    Ehime Prefecture

    Yano-san and his family have been serving traditional meals at their popular seafood place a block back from APA Hotel for more than 30 years. Choose from…

  • New Bungli Restaurant

    Rajasthan

    Under billowing sails this breezy, rooftop restaurant delivers high-quality food. The veg and nonveg curries, including rich laal maas (mutton curry),…

  • Diǎn Dōu Dé

    Guangzhou

    With around 25 branches in Guangzhou, Diǎn Dōu Dé is one of the best-loved names in dim sum, turning out delicious shrimp dumplings, shāomài (烧卖, shrimp…

  • Hideaway Restaurant

    Arugam Bay

    This classy hotel restaurant features a menu that changes daily and lots of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Staff are professional and welcoming. Many…

  • Matsumoto Karaage Center

    Matsumoto

    This wildly popular 4th-floor (above Midori in the station building) shrine to karaage (deep-fried chicken) is a must, with tender, juicy boneless chicken…

  • Krua Apsorn

    Bangkok

    This is the original branch of this homey, award-winning and royally patronised restaurant. Expect a clientele of large families and middle-aged ladies,…

  • Royal Dutch Cafe

    Galle

    The sign says 'Relax Zone' and this is a fine place to sit back and enjoy the company of cafe owner Fazal Badurdeen, who has a million stories to tell. He…

  • Yang's Fry Dumplings

    Hongkou & North Shanghai

    Hoover up Yang’s signature, time-honoured and much-applauded fried shēngjiān dumplings in various incarnations from pork to shrimp. Order per liǎng (两,…

  • Kesar Da Dhaba

    Amritsar

    Originally founded in Pakistan's Punjab province, this 100-year-old eatery relocated to Amritsar after Partition. Since then it has been serving up…

  • Indique

    Jodhpur

    This candlelit rooftop restaurant at the Pal Haveli hotel is the perfect place for a romantic dinner, with superb views to the fort, clock tower and Umaid…

  • Hotel Venite

    Panaji

    With its cute rickety balcony tables overhanging the cobbled street, Venite has long been among the most atmospheric of Panaji’s Goan restaurants. The…

  • Quan Bui

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Stylish Indochinese decor features at this slick place where the focus is on authentic local cuisine. Many dishes feature the more hearty flavours of…

  • Taco Ngon

    Danang

    This small spot thrust down a back street serves quite possibly Vietnam's best tacos. Tuck into fusion flavour combos like pork with wasabi coleslaw, fish…

  • Iya Bijin

    Shikoku

    For a taste of local Iya soba, head to Iya Bijin, in an attractive black-and-white building with lanterns hanging out the front, overlooking the gorge…

  • Snow King

    Taipei

    Snow King is a legend, serving intensely flavoured homemade ice cream for more than 70 years. There are scores of wild tastes, from the expected …

  • Turm-Rom

    Khon Kaen

    This superb place combines one of the best kitchens in town with a covered garden to create the perfect place for a night out, rain or shine. The þá·sá…

  • Ocean's Resto

    Balikpapan

    Fresh fish and crustaceans (the menu is a book in itself) are the standout here, but there's also steaks, burgers, pizzas, Indian and Indonesian dishes,…

  • Fú Hé Huì

    Shanghai

    Started by the team behind Fu 1015, Fu 1088 and Fu 1039, Fú Hé Huì is the standout in an amazing bunch. Set in an elegant private room, the strictly…

  • El Willy

    Shanghai Old City

    Ensconced in the stunningly converted South Bund 22, Willy Trullas Moreno’s fetching and fun restaurant is a more relaxed counterpoint to many other…

  • Yoshikawa

    Downtown Kyoto

    This is the place to go for delectable tempura with a daily changing menu. Attached to the Yoshikawa ryokan, it offers table seating, but it’s much more…

  • Gaia Restaurant

    Kathmandu

    This popular and dependable place combines good breakfasts, salads, sandwiches and organic coffee in a pleasant garden courtyard with global music,…

  • Chibō

    Osaka

    One of Osaka's most famous okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) restaurants, Chibō almost always has a queue, but it moves fast because there's seating on…

  • Bulgogi Family

    Mongolia

    Bright, friendly, genuine Korean restaurant featuring bulgogi (grilled meat), spicy soups, tasty bibimbap (rice topped with meat, vegetables and an egg,…

  • Riverside Restaurant

    Northern Laos

    Since being damaged by a storm, Riverside has come back better than ever. In the evening its Chinese lanterns sway in the breeze on the decked terrace,…

  • Otona-no-Izakaya Kagoya-Tarō Kamuan

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    There aren't many nonsmoking izakaya out there! This place, up the white stairs almost at the end of the arcade, offers a smoke-free environment, healthy…

  • SO – The Sky Kitchen

    Hyderabad

    Jubilee Hills rooftop restaurant, with candles and loungey playlists, which makes a highly atmospheric eating spot. The superb menu has been crafted…

  • Flower Space

    Hualien

    Delicious vegetarian meal sets contain such a multiplicity of ingredients and subtle flavours that the menu can't keep up, but whatever you pick is likely…

  • Dasoni

    Jeju-si

    Sit cross-legged at rustic wooden tables, peering out into the wild garden of this meat-free restaurant. Dishes use local Jeju produce for dishes such as…

  • Yakumo-an

    Western Honshū

    This busy soba restaurant and its beautiful grounds are an excellent place to sample the local warigo soba, served in a stack of three round lacquerware…

  • Madam Thu

    Hue

    Ever-stuffed and frugal-looking Madam Thu draws in the crowds for its superb menu and lovely, very polite and helpful staff. The mushroom-and-carrot fried…

  • Rice Paddy

    Phang-Nga Province

    This sweet, German-owned Thai-international kitchen is very special. Flash-fried sôm·đam (spicy green papaya salad), fantastic falafel and hummus, spicy,…

  • Lake Bistro & Bar

    Sepilok

    This open-sided restaurant makes the most of its lakeside setting with the dark tropical timbers complementing the lush garden and carriage lighting. Pan…

  • Chicken and Bee

    Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf

    Against the lush greenery of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Chicken and Bee is an organic farm and open-air restaurant where you are sure to feel at home…

  • Gomanaru

    Chungcheongnam-do

    This restaurant serves the prettiest ssambap (assorted ingredients with rice and lettuce wraps) around, with a fragrant array of leaves and handfuls of…

  • Hanh Restaurant

    Hue

    Newbies to Hue specialities should start at this busy restaurant. Order the five-dish set menu (120,000d) for a speedy lesson in banh khoai (savoury prawn…