Hong Kong
Tai Cheong was best known for its lighter-than-air beignets (deep-fried dough rolled in sugar; sa yung in Cantonese) until former governor Chris Patten…
Must-see restaurants in Asia
Nyaungshwe
Run by a pleasant Shan-Chinese couple, Sin Yaw is deservedly one of the most popular places in town. The food is authentic and flavoursome – they'll tone…
Lhasa
With a wide-ranging menu of Nepali, Indian and Tibetan dishes, good breakfast options, decent prices, pleasant seating and a great location, it’s no…
Ho Chi Minh City
At the rear of a nail-bar alley near Ben Thanh Market, this superb resto offers rustic, honest dishes from rural Vietnam in hip surrounds. On the ground…
North Goa
This lovely, German-run, chilled garden cafe draws diners to the back lanes of Assagao. Salads, sandwiches, filled bagels and cakes are specialities, but…
Seminyak
Trendy Sisterfields does classic Aussie breakfasts such as smashed avocado, and more-inventive dishes such as salmon Benedict and maple-roasted-pumpkin…
Anjuna
Artjuna is right up there with our favourite cafes in Anjuna. Along with all-day breakfast, outstanding espresso coffee, salads, smoothies, sandwiches and…
Chiang Rai
One of Chiang Rai’s most delicious dishes is available at this simple, friendly shophouse restaurant. There’s an English-language menu on the wall, but…
Shikoku
You'll need to be a tad adventurous to eat here as there's no English menu, but it's a top spot for regional meat cuisine, especially wild venison shot by…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
A top spot both at lunchtime, when soba-noodle dishes are to the fore, and in the evening, when Zen morphs into an izakaya (bar-restaurant), this place…
Uttarakhand
If you're looking for that authentic (and delicious) local dining experience, you've found it. Unlimited thalis are served on plates made of dried leaves…
Izu Peninsula
Elegant, understated ambience and fantastic seafood. The isōjiru soup is made from more than a dozen varieties of shellfish and looks like a tide pool in…
Tokushima & the Anan Coast
A superb little spot a tad east of Shishikui, Bahati is run by keen surfer Tsuji-san. Serving everything from pasta to katsu-kareē (pork cutlet, curry and…
Malaysia
This spartan banana-leaf restaurant in an old shophouse, two blocks to the right as you leave the train station, usually has only a couple of choices…
Semporna
Let's be clear about this: Fat Mom's is Semporna's go-to place for some of the tastiest, freshest seafood around – so fresh that your dinner might be…
Kerobokan
Seafood fresh from the famous Jimbaran market is the star at this elegant yet intimate, casual yet stylish restaurant. It's in a beautiful bamboo pavilion…
Hong Kong
Be prepared to bump elbows with locals at this tiny, basic joint known for its roast goose. Anthony Bourdain gushed over the bird. The leg is the most…
Puerto Princesa
This is a sophisticated open-air dining room with a small menu of pasta, seafood and grilled or stewed meats (including duck rendang). Attention is paid…
East Bali
Head to this riverside bale (open-air pavilion) in the Darmada Eco Resort to dine on tasty Balinese and Western dishes, including pizza and home-made ice…
Kota Kinabalu
This cosy bijou cafe is run by a Hungarian chef and is a real fave with travellers thanks to its eclectic, well-thought-out menu. The Middle Eastern…
Bukhara
A welcome addition to the eating scene, this restaurant fronting the Lyabi-Hauz is housed in a beautifully appointed two-storey building with both…
Kunming
Try authentic Yunnan cuisine in a beautifully restored heritage courtyard building with outdoor seating – this is one of our favourite restaurants in the…
Nagano Region
Gohonjin means 'a residence for the lords', and in the Edo period Fujiya Gohonjin played host to the feudal lords of the Maeda family. The present 1925…
Canggu
Tucked away from the bustle of Jl Batu Bolong, this Canggu gem is equal parts charming cafe and boho concept store. Between the downstairs garden and…
Luang Prabang
One of Luang Prabang's top destinations for fabulous Lao food. The eggplant dip and fried Mekong riverweed are as good as anywhere. Most seating is on…
Bangkok
With an emphasis on seafood, this alfresco restaurant in a cosy bungalow is the place to come if you're craving a jumbo platter of steamed mussels, juicy…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
These mouth-watering, deep-filled sandwiches served on wide, half-loaves of pillowy bread are beloved by locals and expats. Try the wickedly seasoned (and…
Anjuna
It's tucked away on the back road between Anjuna and Baga but Baba Au Rhum's reputation (it was previously in Arpora) means it's always busy. Part bakery,…
Central Mountains
There's a French accent and excellent food at this cafe, which has lovely lake views. Breakfast features pancakes, while later in the day there are meaty…
Niseko
Musu offers great food, sweet service, and a lovely airy dining experience, plus easily the best cocktail menu in Niseko, with treats like the Yuzu…
Shanghai
If you choose one place to try Shanghai's famous pork-and-crab xiǎolóngbāo soup dumplings, let it be here. This critically acclaimed restaurant steams…
Kerobokan
On a Kerobokan backstreet, this casual restaurant serves well-nuanced versions of Indonesian dishes drawn from across the archipelago. Many are cooked…
Visakhapatnam
Chef Devi cooks Andhra-style curries the way her mum did. Biryanis are spicy-delicious and filling, and you'll also find a short menu of local fish,…
Darjeeling
Popular Glenary's sits above the famous bakery-cafe of the same name and is a classy Darjeeling staple. Of note are the Continental and Chinese dishes and…
Izu Peninsula
Generous seafood sets come with sashimi, perfectly grilled fish and multiple tiny appetisers at this traditional restaurant beside the little port (go for…
Northern Seoul
Around lunchtime and on weekends Seoulites queue up at this posh mountainside mandu (dumpling) house for elegantly wrapped dough parcels stuffed with…
Bagan
Run by a French-Burmese couple, this lush garden-cafe and restaurant is a pure delight. It's a pleasant place to relax over creatively prepared and served…
Almaty
Yes, this place is self-consciously trendy, with pulsing ambient music, hip young staff and decor comprising giant steel feathers, but the food is…
Kuala Lumpur
One of the best places in the greater KL area to sample authentic Malay cuisine, served in the traditional buffet style. At lunchtime more than 50 dishes…
Hyderabad
During Ramadan, Hyderabadis line up for Shah Ghouse's famous haleem (a thick soup of pounded spiced wheat, with goat, chicken or beef, and lentils) and at…
