Must-see restaurants in Asia

  • Eating roast duck at a Beijing roast duck restaurant

    Jingzun Peking Duck

    Beijing

    An unsung purveyor of Peking duck, Jingzun's bargain birds (¥138/79 for a whole/half) are every bite the equal of Beijing's more elite brands, unruly…

  • Nightlife Kuala Lumpur Food

    Jalan Alor

    Kuala Lumpur

    KL's biggest collection of roadside restaurants and street food vendors sprawls along Jln Alor, just north of Jln Bukit Bintang. While a few restaurants…

  • Garden of Dreams.

    Kaiser Cafe

    Kathmandu

    This cafe-restaurant in the Garden of Dreams is run by Dwarika’s so quality is high. It’s a fine place for a light meal (such as savoury crêpes or build…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Supara Ethno-Complex

    Bishkek

    This delightful though somewhat contrived 'ethno' complex is a rapid-fire presentation of all things traditionally Kyrgyz, attracting mainly well-heeled…

  • Burnt Ends

    Burnt Ends

    Chinatown & the CBD

    The best seats at this mod-Oz hotspot are at the counter, which offers a prime view of chef Dave Pynt and his 4-tonne, wood-fired ovens and custom grills…

  • Plate of high-grade beef, part of a course of Asakusa Imahan's famous sukiyaki lunch, Asakusa & Sumida River.

    Asakusa Imahan

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Among the oldest and most famous of Tokyo's wagyū (Japanese beef) restaurants, Imahan (in business since 1895), specialises in courses of sukiyaki and…

  • BANGKOK, THAILAND - 2010/08/29: The interiors of David Thompson's restaurant, Nahm, in Bangkok. Thompson, an Australian native, is widely regarded as the world's foremost expert in Thai cuisine and cooking. (Photo by Leisa Tyler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    nahm

    Bangkok

    In the modern-day melee of top-notch restaurants here, nahm may no longer be on top of the competition, but it's still one of Bangkok's nicest Thai…

  • Fire & Ice Pizzeria

    Kathmandu

    This excellent and informal Italian place serves the best pizzas in Kathmandu (wholewheat crusts available, as well as combo pizzas), alongside breakfasts…

  • Interior of OKU

    OKU

    Jakarta

    Inside Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, OKU is an outstanding Japanese dining experience. Its Zen-like minimalist dining room allows the food to stand out. Chef…

  • A Noodle Story

    Chinatown & the CBD

    With a snaking line and proffered apology that 'we may sell out earlier than stipulated timing' on the facade, this one-dish-only stall is a magnet for…

  • Zhang Mama

    Beijing

    An absurdly affordable spice-fest, humble Zhang Mama is run by a multi-generational family of Sichuan exiles (including mama), all with mad wok skills…

  • Lorong Baru Hawker Stalls

    George Town

    Ask locals where their favourite hawker stalls are and most will pick this night-time street extravaganza. It's a great spot for ikan bakar (grilled…

  • Sühring

    Bangkok

    Twin chefs Mathias and Thomas Sühring from Germany present a mix of family recipes in explosive renditions that could be framed and hung in a modern art…

  • Interior of Common Grounds

    Common Grounds

    Jakarta

    Common Grounds is a pioneer of Melburnian third-wave coffee culture in Jakarta. Its award-winning baristas brew fine coffees roasted in-house, while the…

  • Men preparing food, Thip Samai.

    Thip Samai

    Banglamphu

    This institution reputedly serves the definitive version of pàt tai (fried noodles) – period. Every evening, scores of eager diners queue on the pavement…

  • Exterior of Lucky Seven Teahouse

    Lucky Seven

    Yangon

    The most central of this small chain of high-class traditional tea shops, Lucky Seven is much more than a pit stop for a cuppa. Its streetside tables are…

  • T-Lounge by Dilmah

    Colombo

    A product of Sri Lanka's best tea producer, Dilmah, this gem of a cafe is in an annexe to the hugely successful Old Dutch Hospital. The interior…

  • Line Brew

    Almaty

    This branch of the popular nationwide microbrewery attracts the carnivorously inclined with stone-cooked meats, an assortment of steaks, some of the…

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    Spoon's Cafe

    Galle

    For authentic Galle-style rice and curry, this minuscule place (there are only four tables) can't be beat. Chef Shamil Roshan Careem hails from one of the…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Shashlyk No. 1

    Bishkek

    It claims to be the best shashlyk in town...and may actually be right. Aside from the obvious meaty treats, the mushroom (шампиньон) kebabs are a real…

  • Luna

    Guangxi

    This fine rooftop restaurant experience is one of Yangshuo's best. The view of Moon Hill isn't quite as amazing as it used to be – thanks to a neighbour…

  • DLF Cyber Hub

    Delhi

    This is a food court par excellence, and you'll find any type of cuisine you fancy here, from Indian street food and Tibetan momos (dumplings) to high-end…

  • Gianyar Night Market

    East Bali

    The sound of scores of cooking pots and the glare of bright lights add a frenetic and festive clamour to Gianyar's delicious and wonderfully aromatic…

  • Chinatown Complex

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Leave Smith St's revamped 'Chinatown Food Street' to the out-of-towners and join old-timers and foodies at this nearby labyrinth, now home to Michelin…

  • Korea House

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Scoring a hat trick for high-quality food, entertainment and shopping is Korea House. A dozen dainty, artistic courses make up the royal banquet. The…

  • Bohri Kitchen

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    Served up in a family home, this weekend-only pop-up dining experience was cooked up by former Google employee Munaf Kapadia. It showcases both the…

  • Yúfúnán

    Beijing

    One of the best modern Chinese dining experiences in the capital, Yúfúnán is an insanely stylish spice fest, serving the sweat-inducing fare of Hunan…

  • Tunday Kababi

    Lucknow

    This is the cleaner, more tourist-friendly outlet of Lucknow's renowned, 100-year-old, impossible-to-find kebab shop in Chowk, where buffalo-meat kebabs…

  • Taco Bar

    Beijing

    The king, nay the emperor of Chinese taquerias, Taco Bar packs out with punters feasting on fiendishly tasty Mexican street-style tacos including al…

  • Hill Club

    Nuwara Eliya

    Dinner at the Hill Club is an event in itself. The menu focuses on traditional English dishes such as roast beef with all the trimmings and rich puddings …

  • Jīn Dǐng Xuān

    Beijing

    Dripping in red neon and lanterns, this raucous Chinese restaurant by the south gate of Ditan Park is a magnificent monstrosity that never closes – even…

  • Taste of Dadong

    Beijing

    This casual concept eatery from Beijing's duck maestro Dong Zhenxiang – of famed sister restaurant, Dadong – lets you enjoy a portion of his famous roast…

  • Chaloklum Food Market

    Ko Pha-Ngan

    Ko Pha-Ngan's most authentically local food market is in the far north, where every Sunday in front of the village pier, a series of red tables and chairs…

  • Element Fresh

    Nanjing

    Ever-trendy Element Fresh gives the iffy Nánjīng cafe culture a good kick in the pants. The setting is smooth, the ambient tunes funky, the lines clean,…

  • China House

    George Town

    You can't really say you've been out in George Town until you've stepped inside China House. This block-wide amalgamation of shophouses is packed with hip…

  • Rangoon Tea House

    Yangon

    This stylishly designed hipster teahouse is as popular with cashed-up locals as it is with travellers and expats – at peak meal times expect to wait for a…

  • Bombay Canteen

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    Bombay Canteen is one of Mumbai's hottest restaurants, courtesy of former New York chef and Top Chef Masters winner Floyd Cardoz, and executive chef…

  • Grandma

    Inner Mongolia

    Overlooked by a portrait of Genghis Khan, diners love this colourful, fun and vibrant upstairs restaurant that does a roaring trade. There's a huge…

  • Cauliflower Old Memory

    Penghu Islands

    Gather a group of four or more then make the 25-minute trek to the town's eastern edge for a full range of authentic Penghu specialities, including…

  • Bali Asli

    East Bali

    The green hills around Amlapura are some of east Bali's most beautiful and Australian chef Penelope Williams takes full advantage of the vistas at her…

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