As the commercial capital of Myanmar, Yangon has the best fine-dining spots in the country. Master chefs from all over the world are ready to offer examples of their outstanding national cuisines with the best service, all with the aim of delivering a truly fine-dining experience.
So, if you are planning a special dinner or lunch for your first date or an anniversary, or need to impress someone—perhaps a business client—The Irrawaddy lists here the city’s best fine-dining restaurants; those places that provide gastronomic cuisine in outstanding surroundings.
SEEDS Restaurant & Lounge
The restaurant is located on Inya Lake; its lush lakeside garden is its signature element along with their outstandingly flavorsome dishes, of course. The restaurant has garnered outstanding reviews and ratings for both its fine-dining set menus and its a la carte menu. The wine list is extensive. The restaurant offers mainly European and international dishes for lunch, dinner and brunch.
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Olea Mediterranean Restaurant
Olea, one of the dining venues at the Melia Yangon Hotel, offers mainly Spanish with other Mediterranean cuisines. The restaurant environment offers a genuine Mediterranean atmosphere that is unique in Yangon. It is beautifully decorated in bright shades of white, blue and cream—right down to the crockery, which features a Mediterranean blue-and-white pattern—with plenty of natural light. Chef Lluis Cantons Pesarrodona creates authentic Spanish dishes offered in set menus and a la carte style. The restaurant serves lunch, high tea and dinner.
The Strand Restaurant
Guests can experiences French and other great European cuisine in The Strand Restaurant’s historic dining room, a classic Yangon venue. The restaurant is housed in The Strand Hotel Yangon on The Strand Road. Chef Patrick’s outstanding dishes use high-quality imported ingredients as well as locally sourced all-natural and organic products.
Open from 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays.
Le Planteur Restaurant
Having opened its doors in 1998, Le Planteur is among the oldest fine-dining experiences in Myanmar, with a long-established reputation among both locals and foreigners for purveying authentic French cuisine with a beautiful view of the shore of Inya Lake. Sunset is a favored time to eat here, as the scenery is at its most beautiful. The interiors are decorated with Myanmar handicrafts and there is a showroom for local high-end fashion brand Yangood on site.
Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Located at No. 80, University Avenue Road, Bahan Township, Yangon.
Orng Kitchen
The main attraction at this restaurant is owner/chef Orng himself. This experienced chef offers his own creative concepts when it comes to food and menus, which make extensive use of local organic ingredients. The beautiful lake view is an added bonus. The restaurant’s focus is French and other international dishes. A set lunch menu is offered but bookings are required.
Open daily from 6 p.m. The restaurant is located at No. 1 U Sein Mg land, Kong Myint Thar Rd, Mile 7, Mayangone Township, Yangon.
Mandalay Restaurant at Belmond Governor’s Residence
The restaurant at the Belmond Governor’s Residence is surrounded by a green tropical garden and lotus pond. The restaurant’s specialty is Myanmar cuisine but the menu includes European fare.
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. The restaurant is located at No. 35, Taw Win Rd, Dagon Township, Yangon.
L’Opera Italian Restaurant and Bar
This multiple-award-winning Italian restaurant welcomed its first guests in 1997. Famous for its homemade pastas and authentic wood-fired oven pizzas, L’Opera uses fresh natural ingredients, both local and imported. Housed in a colonial building with a tropical garden, its views of Inya Lake are stunning, making it the perfect place for a date, an anniversary celebration or any other romantic occasion.
Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. for dinner. The restaurant is located at 62 D, U Htun Nyein St, Mayangone Township, Yangon.
