Kowloon
Hong Kong’s most authentic Northern Chinese–style roast lamb is served at this long-standing locals' favourite. Better known is the perfectly bronzed…
Must-see restaurants in Asia
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
This tiny place on the corner of a narrow gali (lane) is famous for its dahi bhalle (fried lentil balls served with yoghurt and garnished with chutney)…
Hoi An
This remarkable cafe-restaurant, serving Vietnamese and Western food, has a terrific riverside location (the upper terrace has stunning views). A relaxing…
Melaka City
This unassuming but lovely little Nonya restaurant is a real find. Try the creamy udang lemak nenas (prawns with pineapple and spicy coconut) or the rich…
South Goa
The menu at this lovely garden cafe is something special, with a delicious range of tapas-style Middle Eastern and Mediterranean plates – choose two or…
Kagawa Prefecture
This fabulous washofu (local eating house) in the heart of the entertainment district offers a well-priced and hearty dining experience. A number of…
Candidasa
One of east Bali's better restaurants, Vincent's has several distinct open-air rooms and a large rear garden. The comfy front bar area hosts live jazz on…
Mai Chau
Want to join the locals on a night out? Consider this simple, tasty restaurant, located on Mai Chau's main strip. Everything on the brief menu is made…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
Quiveringly tender beef brisket is the big draw here, eaten with noodles either in a soup or 'stirred' with soy sauce (you still get a little bowl of…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Yauatcha has garnered a solid reputation in town for serving Chinese food of the fine-dining variety. There's a vast range of delicious dumplings on the…
Shanghai
Named after an ethnic group in China's northwest, this excellent restaurant is a tad pricey compared to other Xinjiang options in Shanghai, but makes up…
Dushanbe
This grand Soviet-era, Persian-style, open-sided chaikhana (teahouse) is the Dushanbe classic – a great place to sip tea, slurp a bowl of noodles or enjoy…
Northeastern Thailand
Contender for the best cafe in Isan, this coffee shop and restaurant has a wonderful lakeside perch and is serious about its beans (all Thai-grown). It's…
Phu Quoc Island
The hippest casual dining on Phu Quoc delights with fusion dishes lifted from designer cookbooks. The seasonal appetisers excel in bao (steamed buns…
Chengdu
Drolmala is something of a social centre for the young of Chengdu's big Tibetan community. This superb space mixes fabulous modern Tibetan cuisine with…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This lovely little izakaya (bar-restaurant) in Echoland is so popular that you'll need to make a booking; get your accommodation owner to set you up at…
Kampot
It's worth the trip to this cafe on the outskirts of town. The owners are real foodies and offer a global menu that traipses from vegetarian quesadillas…
Colombo
This organic and artisan food market is held in the northeast parking lot of the Colombo Racecourse and attracts a range of high-quality vendors. Breads,…
The Bund & People's Square
A fixture on Huanghe Road Food Street, this humble tiled restaurant is a real contender for one of Shanghai's best dumpling places, with juicy pork-and…
Borobudur
A true 'Garden of Java', this idyllic cafe is well hidden away in a stunning location among landscaped rice paddies, natural springs and dreamy mountain…
Shangri-la
French-run bistro in a hundred-year-old courtyard house, with the finest wine list in town (from ¥30 a glass) and a diverse local and international menu…
Udaipur
A wonderful, classy, rooftop restaurant with superb views towards the city palace, Lake Pichola and Hanuman Ghat. Choose from an extensive selection of…
Thanon Sukhumvit
Cocotte brings a fine selection of organic farm products – sourced from Bangkok and Chiang Mai – to the table and pairs them with a classy selection of…
Merdeka Square & Central Jakarta
One of Merdeka Square's best features is this well-organised assortment of food stalls. Sample foods from across the archipelago from more than 50 cheap…
East Bali
Don't be put off by the unusual mix of cuisines on Gusto's menu (Indonesian, Italian and Hungarian) – the chefs have mastered them all. Serving the best…
Chiang Mai
As you enter this local hole in the wall, you'll pass the main course: delicious whole tilapia fish, grilled on coals and served with a fiery Isan-style…
Ubud
Based at its own permaculture farm, Moksa shows that extraordinary meals can be created with vegetables prepared simply. Half the dishes are raw, half…
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Bong, Pizza Khirikhan's owner, has put lots of love into his tiki-style restaurant. The former location – a beach hut – has been re-created with palm…
Kuala Lumpur
Wall murals by local tattoo artist Apoh Apoh adorn the walls, DJs and live reggae bands entertain the crowds on weekends, and barman Rick concocts kick…
Western Mongolia
The top contender for date night in Uvs, with bow ties on the staff, chandeliers and a globetrotting menu that includes Greek salads (T6000), udon noodle…
Around Manila
Dine among hanging angel's trumpets, begonias and other exotic flowering plants on the garden patio of this superb bakery-restaurant specialising in…
Beijing
Take your taste buds on a dreamy sojourn southwest at Beijing's most stylish Yunnan restaurant. A sophisticated, industrial-chic space is the setting for…
Ubud
This is the type of place that Ubud does particularly well. Attractive decor, laid-back vibe, friendly staff and healthy food are the hallmarks, and…
Taichung
A no-frills restaurant where you can see the chef whipping up delicious and beautiful western vegan meals. Kale, quinoa, and fermented beans in all forms…
Shenzhen
This is one of the most popular Cantonese chains in town, so expect noisy waits for a table after 11.30am. Must-try dim sum here are the sweet durian…
Mandalay
This massive, two-storey, traveller-friendly favourite doubles as a traditional Burmese pick-and-pig-out kind of spot, or you can sit down and order by…
Puri
Grab yourself a table at this tranquil restaurant, either in one of the thatched pavilions or the air-con dining room, and tuck into excellent house…
El Nido
Everyone ends up here at some point, and rightfully so. The large 2nd-storey dining room is a relaxed place to eat, drink and get your bearings…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Great North and South Indian veg cuisine in bright, spotless AC premises. Meals (thalis) are only available from 11.30am to 3.30pm but top-notch dosa,…
Labuan Bajo
Bajo's best Italian is known for superb thin-crust pizza and fresh pasta. Sit in a stylish, semi-open dining room or air-conditioned cellar with river…
