THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN YANGON (2018-19)

 

 

Yangon’s in the midst of an exciting food revolution, and here’s our selection of the best places to eat (in alphabetical order, not ranking).

 

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Gekko (Japanese / Korean)

 

 

Located on the ground floor of the Sofaer & Co. building, Gekko doubles up as one of Yangon’s best restored colonial bars and a top-notch Japanese-Korean-Vietnamese fusion restaurant. It’s rarely empty and the atmosphere’s always jovial, making it an ideal choice for those after something hip and happening. Keep your eyes peeled for the Manchester-made ceramic encaustic floor tiles and the steel beams manufactured by Lanarkshire Steel Company; prior to Gekko opening its doors, these were left covered and forgotten about for decades. Live music performances (usually jazz) take place from 19:00 until 21:00 every Friday evening; this this is not to be missed!

 

Price: $$
Address: Sofaer & Co. building on Merchant Street (close to where it crosses with Pansodan Road)
Tel: +95 (0) 1254 041
Web: https://gekkoyangon.com

 

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Green Gallery (Thai)

 

 

This small, unassuming Thai restaurant can be found tucked away down the equally unassuming 52nd Street. The owner, Ma Bo, spent over a decade living in Thailand so it’s no surprise she fell madly in love with the country’s cuisine. Wanting to replicate the authentic flavours she grew accustomed to, the decision was made to open up Green Gallery back in 2013. Since then, it has become a favourite haunt of self-confessed foodies looking to get their Thai culinary fix in Myanmar. Due its popularity and small size, making a reservation beforehand is advised.

 

Price: $
Address: 52nd Street, Lower Block
Tel: +95 (0) 9257 259 779
Web: https://web.facebook.com/yangongreengallery

 

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Kipling Restaurant @ Savoy Hotel Yangon (Pan-Asian cuisine)

 

 

Florian Eberhardt, the Head Chef at Savoy Hotel Yangon, is up there with our favourite chefs in the country. Wanting to spice things up in his kitchen, the end of 2016 saw him introduce a delectable Pan-Asian menu featuring signature dishes such as crispy octopus and pork belly, grilled red snapper with sambal matah and a ‘five spice’ marinated tenderloin steak. With great food, a partial view of Shwedagon pagoda, a spread out seating arrangement, candles and a mostly teak wood interior, dining here never fails to conjure up a sense of The Orient.

 

Price: $$$
Address: Savoy Hotel, Dhammazedi Road
Tel: +95 (0) 1526 289
Web: https://www.savoy-myanmar.com

 

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Lucky Seven Teashop 49th Street

 

 

Lucky Seven is a famous brand in Myanmar, known for its diverse range of tasty, quick and affordable Myanmar cuisine. The branch on 49th Street is our favourite option and we would strongly recommend to those looking to sample Myanmar cuisine in an authentic teahouse setting.

 

Price: $
Address: 49th Street, Upper Block
Tel: +95 (0) 1 292 382
Web: Not available

 

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Nourish (Vegan)

 

 

Thankfully, the number of vegan and vegetarian friendly options in Yangon are on the increase. Nourish’s philosophy is simple; eat unprocessed whole foods, mostly plants. Even in sweet snacks, such as their popular dark chocolate energy bar, they also strive to use natural sweeteners such as maple syrup and coconut sugar, along with super foods like chia seeds, quinoa, and ginger. If you’re looking to start or end your trip in Yangon with some green goodness, stopping for lunch or an early dinner here is a must. Alternatively you can order directly to your hotel using Yangon Door2Door.

 

Price: $
Address: Alan Pya Pagoda Road (located down a narrow lane opposite Park Royal Hotel)
Tel: +95 (0) 9973 802 714
Web: http://www.yangonyogahouse.com/nourish

 

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ORNG Kitchen (down to earth European fine fining)

 

 

Orng Kitchen is probably one of the most unassuming fine dining restaurants in Yangon and hence, it is one of the most exciting. Chef Orng is the brains behind it, classically trained in Edinburgh, he focuses on using fresh, sustainable, locally sourced produce to create his European-inspired dishes. The cuisine is well-executed and fantastic value but most of all, it is served in a no frills, relaxed setting. Food of this standard for such a reasonable price is incredibly difficult to find in Myanmar so it’s no surprise the expats are raving about it.

 

Price: $$$
Address: 7th Mile, U Sein Maung Road, just off Pyay Road (close to Hotel 7 Mile)
Tel: +95 (0) 9771 195 020
Web: https://web.facebook.com/orngkitchen

 

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Pansuriya (Myanmar)

 

 

Originally opened as an art gallery, Pansuriya has now been converted into an laid-back café cum restaurant space, with elegant seating, friendly staff and a diverse menu of affordable and scrumptious Myanmar fare. The walls are adorned from top to bottom with antique photographs and paintings; whilst waiting for your food, we’d urge you to get up from your seat(s) and enjoy these. Another reason to eat at Pansuriya is its location; it can be found on Bogalay Zay Street, a bustling thoroughfare full of charm, colonial heritage and local life. If you’re after something in-between Rangoon Tea House (see below) and Lucky Seven teashop on 49th Street, this is the place.

 

Price: $
Address: Bogalay Zay Street, middle block (almost opposite  the YWCA building)
Tel: +95 (0) 9778 949 170
Web: https://web.facebook.com/pg/pansuriyamyanmar

 

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Rangoon Tea House (Myanmar)

 

 

Since it opened in 2014, Rangoon Teahouse has fast become one of the most popular Myanmar restaurants in town. Although it is safe to say that you will not be the only tourist eating here, Tour Mandalay believe Rangoon Teahouse provides the best introduction to Myanmar cuisine in a modern, hygienic and downtown setting. They also offer an impressive selection of craft ales, cocktails, authentic lahpet yay (tea) and freshly squeezed fruit juices. It’s so good that we wouldn’t be surprised if branches open up in London and New York within the next decade.

 

Price: $$
Address: Pansodan Road (close to the Merchant Street intersection)
Tel: +95 (0) 1254 041
Web: https://web.facebook.com/RangoonTeaHouse

 

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SEEDS (European fine dining)

 

 

The last couple of years have seen some great restaurants come and go in Yangon, but mark our words when we say that SEEDS Yangon is here to stay. Not only does it have one of the best lakeside locations in the city, but Lucia and Felix are bringing with them a wealth of cultural, culinary and operational experience from Le Planteur. Due to its small size (similar to Shwe Sa Bwe, but with a lakeside location) it’s likely to feel quiet and relaxed even when fully booked. From the plates to the restaurant’s interior design, Lucia’s evidently put her heart and soul into this project and the fact she’s backed by her husband, a Michelin star chef, only makes the experience more genuine, connected and unique.

 

For a dining experience that’s truly unique, we’d recommend dining inside The Birds Nest, an elevated bamboo sphere with a hard to beat view over Inya Lake.

 

Price: $$$$
Address: U Htun Nyein Street (in the vicinity of Inya Lake Hotel)
Tel: +95 (0) 9972 784 841
Web: https://www.seedsyangon.com

 

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Sharky’s (European)

 

 

The Sharky’s menu is European in style, but with the majority of ingredients used being organic and Myanmar sourced. The man behind the idea is U Ye Htut Win (otherwise known as Mr. Sharky), who spent a decade hurdling the obstacles of producing European food in the tropics. With 20 years worth of Swiss catering experience under his belt, his dream was finally realised and the business has now become one of the most sought-after suppliers of fresh produce in Myanmar. Their pizzas, salads and whole roast marinated chickens come highly recommended.

 

During her time under house arrest, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is said to have ordered goat’s cheese from here; if it’s good enough for The Lady then it’s certainly good enough for us.

 

Price: $$
Address 1: Dhammazedi Road (a few doors away from Savoy Hotel)
Tel 1: +95 (0) 1523 840

 

Address 2: Lower Pansodan Road (next door to Rangoon Tea House)
Tel 2: +95 (0) 9253 511 032

 

Web: https://www.sharkys.com.mm

 

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Shwe Sa Bwe (European fine dining)

 

 

Founded by Francois Stoupan in early 2013, Shwe Sa Bwe is a hotel and restaurant training centre which aims to provide training to financially disadvantaged Myanmar youth looking to pursue a career in the country’s burgeoning hospitality industry. The restaurant setting is small and intimate, the service first-class and all of the ingredients used are of the freshest and finest quality. Don’t let the fact it’s a training centre put you off; Shwe Sa Bwe is more than capable of going head to head with some of Yangon’s most popular fine dining establishments in a taste off.

 

Price: $$$
Address: 20 Malikha Street, just off Parami Road (a short walk from Parami Pizza)
Tel: +95 (0) 9421 005 085
Web: https://web.facebook.com/ShweSaBwe

 

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Three Good Spoons

 

 

Although it’s technically not a restaurant, Three Good Spoons is where some of the freshest, healthiest and most interactive Myanmar cuisine is served. We say that because the dishes here are all cooked from scratch, by you, with the help of one of the social business’s experienced chefs. Any profit made from these classes then goes towards funding the free and heavily subsidised hygiene, nutrition and cooking classes offered by Three Good Spoons to disadvantaged and unemployed women.

 

To learn more about the Three Good Spoons cooking experience click here.

 

You can also enjoy ‘Supper at the Spoons’. This is a themed monthly group dinners for 12 people featuring meals prepared by the Spoons team. ​No cooking or class component but a lovely relaxed meal with friends, old and new. This only takes place once a month though, so you’ll need to check the schedule to make sure it works with your arrangements.

 

Price: $ to $$$ (depends on whether you look to book shared or privately)
Address: 102A Dhammazedi Road (close to the corner of U Wisara Road intersection)
Tel: +95 (0) 1 292 382
Web: https://www.threegoodspoons.com