Must-see restaurants in Asia

  • Ruby's Cafe

    Gili Air

    At this expanded back-lane eatery, one of the finest places to eat in the Gilis, candles flicker atop wooden tables. The menu is short with daily specials…

  • Cafe by the Ruins

    Baguio

    Rising from the ashes after burning down in 2017, Baguio’s most beloved restaurant is back and better than ever. The new space is a more contemporary,…

  • Kitcho Arashiyama

    Arashiyama & Sagano

    Considered one of the best kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto (and Japan, for that matter), Kitcho Arashiyama is the place to sample the full kaiseki experience…

  • Old Man's

    Canggu

    You'll have a tough time deciding just where to sit down to enjoy your drink at this popular coastal beer garden overlooking Batu Bolong Beach. The self…

  • Gallops

    Bikaner

    This contemporary cafe and restaurant close to the Junagarh entrance is known as ‘Glops’ to rickshaw-wallahs. There are snacks such as pizzas, wraps and…

  • 1st Gate Home Fusion

    Jaisalmer

    Sitting atop the boutique hotel of the same name, this split-level, open-air terrace has dramatic fort views and a mouthwatering menu of authentic…

  • A Reverie

    Calangute & Baga

    A gorgeous lounge bar, all armchairs, cool jazz and whimsical outdoor space, this is the place to spoil yourself, with the likes of Spanish tapas, truffle…

  • Snowland Restaurant

    Lhasa

    This old-timer has a new location but is still an extremely popular place that serves a mix of excellent continental and Nepali food in very civilised…

  • Hana Yakiniku

    Mandalay

    Saying it's easily the best Japanese restaurant in Mandalay isn't necessarily high praise, because competition is slim. However, Hana Yakiniku could hold…

  • Anzani

    Cebu City

    One of the best fine-dining restaurants in the Visayas, classy Anzani is the perfect location for a special meal with sweeping views of the city from its…

  • Live Dim Sum House

    Nyaungshwe

    More and more people are making the walk to this laid-back place for the tasty and inventive dim sum – like prawn, bamboo shoot and water chestnut, or…

  • Dong Vui Food Court

    Mui Ne

    This attractive open-air food court has loads of independently run cook stations offering everything from Punjabi cuisine to paella, German sausages and…

  • Samwon Garden

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Serving top-class galbi (beef ribs) for over 30 years, Samwon is a Korean idyll, surrounded by beautiful traditional gardens including several waterfalls…

  • Korea's Best Seafood Hotpot

    Chungcheongnam-do

    Seafood soup served in a hotpot (해물뚝배기) is the popular dish here. Boil the soup on the table burner and ladle out servings brimming with shellfish, shrimp…

  • What the Fork

    Tacloban

    A brilliant pop-up on the Yellow Doors Hostel rooftop that draws a creative, arty crowd for its delicious marinated meats and hand-rolled pizzas. Also…

  • Ambient Café

    Thimphu

    A warm, friendly bolthole above Norzin Lam, used by many expats as a de facto office. Drinks include good espresso coffee, juices and smoothies, and the…

  • Tim Ho Wan – North Point

    Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island

    This less hectic outpost of Hong Kong's famously cheap (for the quality) dim sum chain, is now a global brand with branches in Southeast Asia, Australia…

  • Premium Sweets

    Dhaka

    A Dhaka institution in its own right, this legendary store offers an amazing variety of traditional Bangladeshi sweetmeats, as well as a delicious mix of…

  • Yūnangi

    Naha

    You'll be lucky to get a seat here, but if you do, you'll be treated to some of the best Okinawan food around, served in traditional but bustling…

  • Olive Bistro

    Hyderabad

    Located in a secluded leafy location with lake views from its terrace, this atmospheric restaurant is one of the hottest places in town for Italian and…

  • Saffron

    Jaisalmer

    On the spacious roof terrace of Hotel Nachana Haveli, the veg and nonveg food here is excellent. It’s a particularly atmospheric place in the evening,…

  • Casa Vintage Beach

    Gili Trawangan

    Facing Bali's Gunung Agung (which sometimes appears through the haze) and some superb sunsets, Casa Vintage is the best place to enjoy a sundowner on…

  • Get Real Cafe

    Coron Town

    This place works equally well for drinks or a meal. It's sort of a TexMex menu with more emphasis on the Tex (marbled Angus rib-eye steak) than the Mex …

  • Wan Thai

    Pulau Langkawi

    Langkawi is geographically closer to Thailand than the Malaysian mainland, so you can expect some blisteringly authentic Thai food at this hugely popular…

  • Malis

    Phnom Penh

    The leading Khmer restaurant in the Cambodian capital, Malis is a chic place to dine al fresco. The original menu includes beef steamed in lotus leaf,…

  • Passion 5

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    A luxe spin-off of the Paris Baguette chain, Passion 5 is the Rolls-Royce of Korean bakeries, offering a Fortnum & Mason–like experience as you wander the…

  • Healthy Penguin Cafe

    Matsumoto

    This cute little cafe on a tiny side street off atmospheric old Nawate-dõri gets rave reviews for plates such as smashed avo toast (¥700) and cinnamon…

  • Zeebop by the Sea

    South Goa

    The most famous beachfront restaurant north of Colva, Zeebop is renowned for its excellent seafood and party nights. Stylish and award-winning Zeebop is…

  • Eathai

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    This expansive food court spans Thai dishes from just about every corner of the country, including those from several famous Bangkok restaurants and…

  • No1 Dewmini Roti Shop

    Mirissa

    The original and still the best local rotti shop. It also makes kotthu (rotti chopped up and mixed with vegies) and delicious, more substantial rice-and…

  • Cafe Alee

    Eastern Cambodia

    This friendly cafe has one of the more interesting menus in town, including a generous smattering of vegetarian options, a hearty lasagne and the full…

  • Colonial Restaurant

    Padangbai

    The most stylish eatery in town, this pavilion cafe overlooking the pool at the OK Divers resort is a great place to while away a few hours. Food is much…

  • Kastanie Karuizawa Roast Chicken

    Nagano Region

    For something a little uncommon in Japan, pop into this original place for succulent and tender roast-chicken dinners, pizzas, pastas and sausage platters…

  • Warung Dewi

    Gili Trawangan

    The best traditional warung on Gili T is just a few steps back from the high-priced bustle of the main strip. The nasi campur is fantastic (coconut sambal…

  • Tham Mada

    Vang Vieng

    The name here means 'normal', but there's lots that's unusual about this place. Chief among these is that the Korean owner is doing some of the better…

  • Hanguk-jip

    Jeonju

    Some folks say this is the best bibimbap restaurant in the city's historic district. The classic Jeonju dish comes with bright yellow mung-bean jelly, a…

  • Pou Kitchen

    Siem Reap

    Under the direction of homegrown chef Mengly, Pou Kitchen has taken off as one of the most popular and innovative Cambodian restaurants in town. Choose…

  • Tindahin it Boracay

    Boracay

    At this open-air food park, social enterprises such as Red Box prepare scrumptious seafood bought fresh at the adjoining palengke (wet market). A DIY…

  • Damai

    Lovina

    Enjoy the renowned organic restaurant at this boutique hotel in the hills behind Lovina. Tables enjoy views across the north coast. The changing menu…

  • Terasse Cafe

    Khiva

    Dining experiences in Khiva don't get better than on a cool summer evening in the rooftop terrace of this well-run place, surrounded by the spotlit…