Tana Toraja
Now with two to choose from, the original serves a mix of tasty local and international dishes, while Cafe Aras 2 (100m south) has a similar, but halal…
Must-see restaurants in Southeast Asia
Batanes
Basic little eatery on the corner of National and Lopez. The mother-and-daughter team cooks up classics such as lechón kawali (deep-fried pork belly) and…
Ko Samui
The simply roaring roadside setting puts it on the wrong side of the tracks, and the dated, eclectic decor is limp and tired; that said, almost unanimous…
Pontianak
Not to be confused with Apollo to the left, the sign on which proudly states, 'Since 1968. Never moved.' Polo's sign retorts simply, 'Moved from next door…
Sarawak
A good place to pick up snacks, fresh fruit and Malay favourites such as satay and nasi lemak – rice boiled in coconut milk and served with fried ikan…
Chin State
Basic, with nothing more than two tables separated by a curtain in a cramped room serving chicken or mutton curry. But importantly, it's open Sundays …
Central Laos
Our French friends will have to excuse the spelling, but this is a delightful little cafe opposite the post office. Mains are limited to salads and…
Savannakhet
A huge colonial-style compound is home to one of the city's most upscale restaurants and a linked cafe. The likewise huge menu is an around-the-world tour…
Little India & Kampong Glam
This is Singapore’s Little Thailand. Forget the fancy restaurants with their Buddha statues and cultural knick-knacks: if you want real Thai food, head to…
North Sumatra
Berastagi’s local bohemians hang out at tiny Café Raymond, which serves fruit juices, beer and a mix of Indonesian and Western food (including steaks),…
Koh Kong City
Formerly called Seta's Ice Cream and still known for its desserts, this riverfront place also features meat-and-potatoes continental fare, pizza and…
Trang
Accessed either from the street or via the Sri Trang Hotel, this cosy contemporary-style cafe-restaurant with wall murals and a varnished-brick bar is…
Savannakhet
This riverside restaurant is one of the only places in town to offer great Mekong views. The hefty menu spans Lao, Thai and Chinese dishes, but Lao Derm…
Singapore
Serves up fresh-from-the-oven roast chicken, with hot and cold sides like coleslaw, fries and pretty good mashed potatoes with gravy. Grab a seat near the…
Manado
Of the ikan bakar huts stacked along this stretch of the waterfront – famous for their cheap dishes – Tuna House is our favourite. That's not to say the…
Phuket
A handy food, drink and petrol stop on the road up to Big Buddha, this place rustles up simple Thai favourites to tuck into at tables painted with flowers…
Chau Doc
This informal spot with metal tables and chairs has so-so service and little English spoken (but an English menu), yet the food is really something, with…
Sarawak
Opposite the airport (on the other side of the runway from the terminal building), this relaxed cafe has chicken rice as its speciality. One of the cafe's…
Sumatra
Serving Italian-Indonesian fusion dishes and tempting cakes, this popular coffee-shop chain will also satisfy those with caffeine cravings with its wide…
Kupang
This is first-rate Chinese Indonesian food. It's spotless with an enormous range of veg, chicken, seafood, noodle and rice dishes. Get the ikan bakar rica…
Puerto Princesa
A lingering reminder of the Vietnamese community that once called Puerto home, this is the cleanest of a number of Rizal Ave chaolong restaurants – small,…
Bolaven Plateau Region
Attapeu is pretty light-on with air-con coffee shops, so if you're on the hunt for a quick caffeine fix, this is the spot. The coffee is decent, and there…
Ranong Province
If you are hankering for some sushi, this small sushi bar on the main drag serves up perfectly made fresh rolls, as well as hot curry dishes, donburi and…
Bagan
Set on the riverside, this breezy place whips up Chinese and Thai dishes such as green-papaya salad, chicken curry and fish with ginger. The food receives…
Koh Rong
The proprietors, natives of Krakow, are indeed jolly at this cleverly named dumpling shack on Koh Tuch's middle pier. Nothing fancy here, just five…
Fruit Pulse Healthy Juice Bar & Cafe
Chiang Mai
An excellent stop for fresh juices, smoothies, and healthy breakfasts such as the acai bowl. The cafe also serves traditional Thai curries with your…
Vientiane
With gentle jazz drifting onto the fan-cooled terrace of glass-topped wicker tables (and upstairs in the ochre-hued restaurant), La Signature is perfect…
Nong Khai
Don't be put off by the name – it isn't 'hospital food'. Located across from the hospital, this food court whips up Thai standards at low prices. The food…
Sihanoukville
Run by students from Don Bosco Hotel School, this cafe specialises in gelato (Italian-style ice cream) but offers so much more, including coffee, pizza…
Trat
In the old town by the river, Pier 112 has a large selection of vegetarian dishes, as well as reliable curries. You can eat outside in a plant-festooned…
The Cordillera
Goldfish takes a stab at 'cosmopolitan', with chocolate French toast and omelettes sharing the menu with pesto pasta, (rather sweet) pad thai and fancy…
Medan
This boutique little cafe with mosaic flooring and colourful booth seating has Melbourne-style breakfast items of avocado on toast and poached eggs to go…
Kuta & Legian
This popular patio fronts a busy strip at Double Six Beach. Sunset is prime time; the best views are from the tables on the 2nd-floor terrace. Dishes…
Central Laos
This glass-fronted cafe overlooking Fountain Sq offers a fusion menu of Lao, Thai and international dishes in a cool atmosphere, both figuratively and…
Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf
This alfresco restaurant serves up regular Thai dishes such as garlic fried chicken, green curry and the like, but there's also a good seafood selection,…
Chau Doc
On the way to Sam Mountain, 1km out of town, this simple eatery makes a great pit stop for roll-your-own nem nuong (fresh ricepaper rolls filled with…
George Town
A pocket-sized breakfast spot that draws a largely local following, despite being close to the backpacker strip. There’s a classic-rock soundtrack and a…
Labuan Bajo
This beach house-chic restaurant rambles beneath whitewashed rafters above a boat posing as a bar. Mains have an outdated fine-dining feel, but bubbly…
Chiang Mai
This fairy-tale-inspired cafe is a hit with families and students thanks to its whimsical coffee and home-style desserts baked by the owner. If you’re…
Sulawesi
It's all smiles and good-natured jokes (usually at your expense) at the night market which typically hosts a few dozen ladies selling all kinds of grilled…
