You don’t read much about Myanmar food that is complimentary. Many people seem to think the meals here are tasteless and if you stick to the tourist cafes, that is probably correct. Go to places where the locals eat, however, and the situation changes. Here you’ll get some huge and delicious meals. If you’re unsure what to order, just point at what the locals are eating.
Local food has been influenced by neighboring Thailand, India and China, but some Burmese dishes retain a character as distinctive and flamboyant as the country’s Buddhist architecture.
In Myanmar, each day seems to begin and end with a cup of tea. The tea comes packed with sugar and condensed milk so it is typically enjoyed with deep-fried snacks. If this sounds too much, the alternatives are neon-colored soft drinks, quite reasonable local beer, or cocktails and spirits in a few top-end hotels and nightclubs.
The Basics
Rice is the country’s staple and main cash crop so much food is built around this. For the main meal, you’ll often be offered a thin soup (hingo), with leafy greens in it. This will be accompanied by at least one curry of meat, poultry, fish or egg which might be spicy hot but is more likely to be a milder concoction of coconut gravy and turmeric.
There will be a bowl of vegetables of some kind as well and probably, balachaung, a mix of dried prawns, deep fried garlic and onions, chilli powder and vinegar.
Burma’s national dish – mohinga – is devoured at food stalls and tea houses across the country, particularly at breakfast time. It’s basically a fish broth with vermicelli noodles seasoned with dried shrimp paste, lemongrass, ginger, onion, and garlic.
Another popular noodle dish is kyauk shwe which has been borrowed from Thailand. It consists of chicken simmered in a spicy coconut milk gravy made from onion, garlic, ginger and chili. This is then poured over egg noodles, slices of boiled egg, fried onions, chili flakes, fresh coriander and a wedge of lime.
I normally don’t recommend salads when traveling in a country where the water supply is doubtful but in Myanmar, you must taste a local specialty. Raw vegetables are first covered in salty’ fish or soy sauce and dried shrimp paste.
Sourness is added with tamarind, and peanuts, roasted chickpea powder, sesame seeds and soya beans are added. Finally, it is garnished with crisp fried onions and garlic, chili and mint, kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass or coriander.
Another salad that you should try is tea leaf salad. The sour, slightly bitter tea leaves are mixed with shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes, nuts, and peas. The dish can be a snack, an appetizer or, coupled with a plate of rice.
Nangyi thoke is a popular dry noodle dish. Thick, round rice noodles are served with chicken, thin slices of fish cake, boiled bean sprouts and slices of hard-boiled egg.
Shan-style noodles is a relatively simple dish. Thin, flat rice noodles are served in a clear, peppery broth with marinated chicken or pork. It’s served with a side of pickled vegetables.
All kind of tropical fruits are available throughout the country, but one that you may not have seen before is durian, whose foul-smelling, spiky exterior encloses large seeds covered with a buttery flesh that locals love. It is not my favorite but can be worth trying.
Tea shops are great places to enjoy cups of milky tea and also various local delicacies. They serve baked sweets as well as meaty steamed buns and dim sum. Sweet snacks aren’t generally packed with sugar; the sweet flavors come from ingredients such as grated coconut, coconut milk, rice flour, cooked sticky rice, tapioca, and fruit.
In Yangon and Mandalay, there are some excellent restaurants by any standards. Elsewhere it is difficult to find any up-market restaurants outside a few hotels. That shouldn’t put you off, however, as some of the tastiest, best value food is available in small no-nonsense restaurants scattered all around the country. Here is a selection to help get you going.
Popular Restaurants
Yangon
Karaweik Hall
This is the bird-shaped floating restaurant on the eastern side of a lake. They serve an international buffet in large ornate halls along with a cultural show of traditional Kachin, Shan, and other dances.
Opening Hours: 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
Cultural show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Natmauk Road and Kandawgyi Kanpat Road
Le Planteur Restaurant and Bar
This French restaurant is one of the finest places to dine in Yangon and the price reflects this. Dishes include salmon, lobster, foie gras, and prime rib of beef. They also have an impressive selection of cheese and wine.
Opening Hours: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Location: 22 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township
L’ Opera Restaurant and Bar
This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Yangon. They serve authentic Italian dishes such as homemade pasta, wood-fired oven pizzas and fresh salads in a romantic atmosphere.
Opening Hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.-11.39 p.m.
Location: 62D U Tun Nyein Street, Mayangon Township
Monsoon Restaurant and Bar
This long-time Yangon landmark is popular with tourists, expats, and locals. The ambiance is elegant and you will find Burmese, Vietnamese, Thai, Lao, and Cambodian cuisine at a reasonable price.
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – n p.m.
Location: 85-87, Theinbyu Road, Botataung Township
L’Achemiste
On the bank of Inya lake, in an old Colonial mansion with a large garden, you can enjoy, a French cuisine lunch or dinner.
Location: 5, II Htun Nyein Street
50th Street Bar and Grill
This is a popular place for hanging out and the colonial facade and the spiral staircase helps the atmosphere of this spacious pub. They serve pizza and a wide selection of western cuisine and well-known local bands such as Side Effect play on occasion upstairs on weekends.
Opening Hours: from 11 a.m. to midnight
Location: No.9/13, 50th Street, Botataung Township, Yangon
Ashoka Indian Restaurant
This rather pricey two-storey colonial-style restaurant serves traditional curries with Indian bread. All dishes are authentic Indian cuisine and are prepared by chefs from New Delhi.
Opening Hours: n a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: 28B Pho Sein Road, Bahan Township, (near Nikko Royal Lake Hotel)
Inya 1 Restaurant and Bar
This is an up-market Indonesian restaurant which gives a modern twist to traditional Indonesian dishes. Many items are fusion style, and they also have European, Burmese, and vegetarian dishes.
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. – li.p.m.
Location: No. l, Inya Road, Kamayut Township
Pandonmar Restaurant
This is an elegant restaurant serving both Burmese and Thai dishes. There are two separate kitchens, one for each cuisine.
Opening Hours: from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: 105/107 Kha Yae Bin Road, south of Ahlone Road
Sky Bistro
This has a weekly set menu of western, Asian, and Burmese traditional cuisine. Pickled tea leaf salad, hot and sour Szechwan soup, sweet prawn curry, and chicken marsala, are a few of the upscale international dishes you will find here.
Opening Hours: from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: 20th FI., Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd., Kyauktada Township
Rakhine Seafood
This inexpensive restaurant is very popular with the locals for the fresh seafood brought in from Rakhine State. Options are soft-shell crab, lobster, prawns or clams either boiled, barbequed or in a curry sauce.
Location: Parami Road, Hlaing
Gekko
Beautifully designed and popular Japanese restaurant which also serves up tapas style dishes, and sake, yakatori, and cigars in addition to its regular well stocked bar.
Location: 535 Merchant Street, Kyauktada Township
House of Memories
This is set in a colonial building that once housed Aung San’s office. It serves a range of Myanmar and international dishes.
Location:290 U Wisara Road, Kamaryut Township
Erawan by IndoChine
Serving Lao, Vietnamese and Khmer cuisine this i9:h century heritage residence is a nice place to come with friends in the evening with crispy appetizers to share and a decent selection of French and Italian wines.
Opening hours: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Location: 9A Win Gabar Lane, Bahan township
My Garden
Along with your Chinese, seafood, salads, western and vegetarian food, you can listen to live bands playing rock, pop, and contemporary Myanmar music.
Opening Hours: from 6:30 p.m.to 11:30 p.m.
Location: Ahlone Rd., opposite Summit Parkview Hotel
De Jade Kitchen
Good authentic Chinese cuisine with roast duck, pork, and freshly made dim sum.
Location: Ground Floor, Capital Hypermarket, 14E Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Township
Shan Kan Restaurant
This is the most popular restaurant when it comes to Cantonese cuisine. The deep-fried soft shell crab is a favorite of most of the restaurant’s patrons.
Location: Kandaw Mingalar Park, U Wisara Road, Yangon
Singapore’s Kitchen
This affordable place is very popular with locals, expats, and tourists. The restaurant serves Chinese hawker food in a beer garden atmosphere and is particularly noted for its seafood and crispy duck.
Opening Hours: from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Location: 330 Ahlone Rd, International Hotel Compound. Dagon Township
The Corriander Leaf
This Indian restaurant provides a taste of authentic sub continental traditional cuisine and has all your vegetarian and non-vegetarian favorites, including traditional great tasting curries.
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: #12 Yangon International Hotel Compound. Ahlone Rd., Ahlone Township
Onyx Restaurant
This is a great place for steak. The wines are wonderful and the prices impressively low.
Location: opposite Savoy Hotel on the corner of Inya Road and Dhamazedi Road
Cafe Dibar
This restaurant with an interesting decor has traditional Italian food at fairly reasonable prices. It features Italian favorites such as spaghetti, lasagne, pizza, pasta, and they also have grilled fish, chicken, pork, Australian lamb chops, and more.
Opening Hours: from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: No.104, University Avenue Road, Kamaryut Township
Golden Duck (Kan Taw Min)
This is a very popular restaurant that feature roast and steamed duck, but they also have many other favorite Chinese dishes and a selection of Thai food.
Opening Hours: from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Inside Kan Taw Mingalar Park, U Wisara Road
Green Elephant Restaurant
There are three branches in Myanmar of this Burmese restaurant that also offers Thai and Chinese food. It is very popular with visitors but does not necessarily have the best local food.
Opening Hours: from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: 33 Thirimingalar Lane (Attia/Augustine Road), Kamayut Township
Zawgyi House
This open air cafe is next to the Bogyoke Aung San Market. It has excellent Western-style salads and sandwiches as well as Asian fare. It is a great place for people watching.
Location: 372 Bogyoke Aung San Road
Green Gallery
Thai food cooked by the owner is delicious and the place has a happy vibe.
Location: No 58, 52nd Street Lower Block, Yangon
Acacia Tea Salon
This is a good lunch and dinner place with fragrant tea in a beautifully restored colonial house. They also sell bread, croissants, and some cakes.
Location: 52 Sayasan Road
Aung Thukha
The flavorful curries are outstanding and with the meal, you get rice, soup, vegetables, peanuts, palm sugar candy, dessert, and tea. There is not much English spoken, but try it for a real Burmese food experience.
Opening Hours: from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: 17-A 1st Street, West Shwegondine, Bahan Township (just south of Thai Kitchen)
Feel Myanmar Restaurant
We had lunch here on my first day in Yangon and it set the standard for Burmese cuisine at budget prices.
Location: 124 Pyihtaungsu Avenue and several other locations around town
Lucky Seven Teashop
This is a really local experience. It serves the best tea in town.
Location: There are several outlets around town including one near the airport
J’donuts
Tea, coffee, cool drinks, donuts and a few extras are available here in this fast food restaurant.
Location: Can be found in all the major shopping centers.
Boon Dutch Deli and Expresso Bar
This possibly has Yangon’s finest coffee though there are now multitudes of places serving great coffee.
Location: Next to Bogyoke Aung San Market
Let Ywe Sin
This is Yangon’s answer to Starbucks. Sit on a low wooden stool and sample the hot, sweet tea made with evaporated milk.
Location: 128 Side Pagoda Road.
Bagan
There are some places to eat in Old Bagan serving traditional Burmese dishes, especially noodle soup. Most have an a la carte menu but some have excellent buffets where for about $4~5 you can select from dozens of different traditional dishes. New Bagan has three up-market restaurants on the river and several good local restaurants in the center of town. Nyaung U has plenty of local restaurants which are frequented by international backpackers.
At the southern end of the Old Bagan-Nyaung U Rd. where a dirt road leads to the Ananda Temple, there are several al fresco restaurants serving complete budget meals. Several of these are vegetarian. A meal priced at 3000 kyats consists of rice with the main dish, plus clear broth, 4 small plates of appetizers, and fruit. Here is a selection of reasonable restaurants you could try.
Golden Myanmar Restaurant
A traditional Burmese curry meal will cost around 3,000 kyats and you will get a wide variety of dishes and more food than you can possibly eat.
Location: New Bagan
Black Rose Restaurant
Standard fare curries, stir fry, fried rice and soups are available for less than 3,000 kyats. It has very friendly staff and free, but slow, Wi-Fi.
Location: Khayaye Street between 3rd street and 4th Street, New Bagan
La Min Thit
Typical Myanmar home-style food, tasty and reasonable priced are the hallmarks of this basic restaurant.
Location: Near New. Bagan market
San Carlo Restaurant
This hole in the wall down a quiet street is not much to look at but the Chinese, Burmese, and Italian fare on offer is quite good. There is free WiFi and they also rent bicycles.
Location: Behind Thiri Malar Hotel in New Bagan
Riverside restaurants New Bagan
There are three attractive restaurants overlooking the river in New Bagan. They have excellent locations, quite nice decor, average food, terrible service and outlandish prices.
The Moon Vegetarian Restaurant
This is a notable vegetarian restaurant providing a great eating experience. Dishes are from 1500 to 4000 kyat.
Location: North of Ananda temple, Old Bagan
Yar Pyi Vegetarian Restaurant
This excellent family-run vegetarian restaurant is across from The Moon. The food and service are and the owners are friendly and helpful.
Location: North of Ananda temple, Old Bagan
Star Beam Bistro
This is run by a friendly man with extensive experience in Myanmar hotels and restaurants and it shows. It offers beautifully presented Burmese food and a few western favorites including crunchy, fresh French baguettes.
Location: Near Ananda Temple, Old Bagan and a new outlet in New Bagan.
Sarabha Restaurant.
There are two Sarabha restaurants back to back just outside Tharabar Gate in Old Bagan. The Myanmar/Thai/Chinese food is good, the price is right and the service is relaxed and friendly.
The Library Restaurant
This newly opened place with an Italian chef is expensive for Bagan and it is still finding its feet but the food is excellent and the staff friendly.
Location: on main road between the Winner Guest House and the bus station, Nyaung U
Weather Spoon’s
This small family-run restaurant & bar tries to do everything with European, Burmese, Thai, and Chinese food and it pretty much succeeds. Drinks are reasonably priced, there is free Wi-Fi, and good service.
Location: No. 5 Main Road, Nyaung U (Opposite Pann Cherry Guest House)
Golden Emperor Restaurant
This small roadside restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating has excellent food and a varied menu, and it is clean and very reasonably priced. Location: Bagan-Nyaung U Main Road
New Idea
It has good Asian food and very friendly staff. Prices are 1500-2500 kyat per dish.
Location: No. 4 Main Road, Nyaung U
Mandalay
Rainforest
This open-air restaurant above an antique shop has delicious Thai food and truly flavorsome curries with freshly cooked rice. It has a friendly atmosphere and safe food.
Location: 27th street between 74th and 75th Streets, Mandalay
Super 81
You can either sit in the open-fronted downstairs area or upstairs in an air-conditioned room. There is an extensive menu of Myanmar dishes as well as other regional alternatives in this very popular place.
Location: 582, 81st Street, between 38th and 39th Streets, Mandalay
Bistro At 82nd
European food at European prices in cozy surroundings. Good for those who are tired of Myanmar food and need a change.
Location: 82nd St, Mandalay
Aye myit tar
This is a fast, cheap Burmese food restaurant with helpful waiters and though it’s not fancy, the food is great and you end up with an unexpected range of side dishes. Not everyone speaks English.
Location: 530, 81st Street, Mandalay
Marie Min
This cute little upstairs Indian vegetarian restaurant has friendly waiters and good but somewhat limited food. Servings are generous.
Location: 27th Street, Between 74th and 75th Street, Mandalay
Green Elephant
This beautiful restaurant has a large garden lit with lanterns and good food. It caters to tourists rather than locals so prices are higher and the food is somewhat bland. Nevertheless, it is charming and safe and will appeal to many.
Location: 3H, 27th Street, Mandalay
Tom Yam Koong
This is an authentic Thai restaurant, with a garden, a pond, and an air conditioned area. Sometimes there is a buffet for tour groups but the a la carte menu is the way to go.
Location: 86th street, Mandalay
Tu Tu
It looks like a canteen and the food presentation is very simple but this is popular with tourists because of a guide book recommendation. Frankly, I think it is under-whelming and somewhat over-priced.
Location: 27th Street, between 74th and 75th streets, Mandalay
Unique Myanmar
This relatively new restaurant has friendly staff and good food at reasonable prices. Perhaps there is not much atmosphere but it is safe and has clean toilets.
Location: Corner 27 X 65 Streets, Mandalay
Spice Garden
This restaurant in the Hotel by the Red Canal is the place for an up-market Indian food experience. It overlooks the small hotel pool and has both outdoor and indoor seating. Prices are higher than many places but the atmosphere and service are excellent. Reservations are recommended.
Location: corner of 63 and 22 Roads, Mandalay
Mandalay Donuts
This modern, clean two-storey restaurant sells Thai and Myanmar food, pizza and an excellent range of bakery goods. Most dishes are under 2000 kyats.
Location: 78th Street between 30th and 31st
VIP Korean BBQ
I haven’t eaten here but am impressed by the smart, modern appearance and the fact that it was full when we called to visit.
Location: Near corner of 77th– and 33 rd Streets.
Inle Lake
Most of the resorts have good restaurants and if you are staying in one of these you have little alternative for breakfast and dinner. For lunch, you can eat at one of the lake restaurants or those in Nyaung Shwe. Those staying in town have more choice.
Green Chilli Restaurant
They offer Thai and Myanmar cuisine in an upscale setting and balcony seating is available. The food tends to lack authenticity because it is primarily aimed at tourists.
Location: Hospital road, Mingalar Quarter, Nyaung Shwe
Shwun Lae Wai
This has good quality and well priced Burmese and Chinese food and beer, and friendly staff who speak some English.
Location: No. 6 Museum Road, Nyaung Shwe, opposite the Paradise Hotel
Red Mountain Estate Vineyards
As expected, both the wine and food are average, but the tasting menu can be enjoyed with lovely views and cool breezes so it can be a very pleasant afternoon.
Location: Taung Chav Village out from Nyaung Shwe
Ann’s Restaurant
They have local Intha specialties as well as tasty Burmese and Chinese dishes.
Location: Myan Ni Gone Village
Golden Kite Restaurant
There are several of these in the area. The one in Nyaung Shwe is considered to be the best place for pasta and pancakes and it also has omelets, fruit shakes, and vegetarian tagliatelle. The majority of the staff speak good English. There is also a large one in Nam Pan village. I like the one in In-Dein village but it’s often crowded with tour groups. The Bambu Forest restaurant next door has good food and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Nice Restaurant
The restaurant is open on all sides so you get a nice breeze while enjoying Burmese and Western dishes.
Location: Nampan Village, Inle Lake
Inn Thar Lay Restaurant
This is in a quaint two-storey wooden house and is highly recommended for its Shan and Chinese cuisine.
Location: Near the Phaungdawoo Pagoda.
Inthar Heritage House
This has recently opened the Inthar Vocational Training Centre, training students in sustainable tourism and Myanmar’s natural and cultural heritage, alongside every aspect of hospitality.
This is a fully functioning hotel and restaurant with bungalow accommodation and a portion of the tariff goes to the training school. The development uses solar energy and has purpose-built wetlands for waste water management.
Elsewhere in Myanmar
Bago
Hanthawaddy
This is a tour group restaurant set up for tourists but the food is reasonable and the service and ambiance are OK.
Location: 192, Hintha Street, Shin Sawpu Quarter, Bago
Shwe Li
This is a family run restaurant which is clean and comfortable but there is no air-conditioning. It has a fairly small menu but the Myanmar food is appealing.
Location: N0.194, Strand Street, North- Zaingganaing Quarter, Bago
Chaung Tha
Chaung Tha is known, for its seafood. Fresh red snapper, barracuda, prawns, and crabs are available from most resorts (many restaurants are open to non-guests), some small restaurants and straight from the vendors on the beach. Amazingly, these vendors will also cook the food for you and bring it to your hotel room.
Pasta Fresca
This is an Italian-owned family restaurant.
Great homemade Italian specialties are served in a pleasant garden setting.
Naypyitaw
Siam Lotus Thai Restaurant
This is one of the fancier restaurants in town, atop a hill with a number of other eateries. The food is very good, service friendly and there’s free Wi-Fi that works.
Location: No.n Restaurant Hill, ThaPyayGone Quarter, Zabuthiri, Naypyidaw
Santino Cafe & Restaurant
The food is tasty and includes a range of Western and Myanmar dishes while the service is friendly. They have a nice range of desserts and baked goods to eat there or talk away.
Location: 10 Restaurant Hill, ThaPyayGone Quarter, Naypyidaw
Emerald Restaurant
They do their fresh pasta every day under the guidance of an Italian chef. It has good atmosphere, good wine, and good service.
Location: Yarza Thingaha Road
Tai Kitchen
Helpful staff and good food make this a good choice. The Thai style fish is highly recommended and there is a limited selection of wine.
Location: Yaza Thingaha Road, Tungapuri, Naypyidaw
Cafe Flight
This is a restaurant built inside a salvaged airplane that was apparently wrecked and brought here as an attraction for visitors hungry for local cuisine.
Ngapali
Min Tim – Seafood Restaurant
This is a simple family run restaurant with great food and exceptional personal service by the owner. The lobster and some fish need to be ordered one day in advance. Pork and chicken are also on offer.
Location: near Aureum Palace Hotel, Ngapali,
Htay Htay’s Kitchen
Excellent service, very decent seafood, delicious cold watermelon shakes and prices that are very reasonable make this cute place a popular choice
Location: Thandwe Linthar Street, Ngapali
Pleasant View Islet Restaurant
This upscale outdoor restaurant at the Pleasant View Resort has a stunning view, great atmosphere, and delicious fresh food.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Myanmar has traditionally been quiet compared to most other countries. Sure, the markets, beer stations, and local restaurants are a hive of activity’ after dark but bars and entertainment venues like you find in places like Thailand are almost non-existent apart from in the major hotels. Things are slowly changing, however, and Yangon in particular has some interesting venues.
There are pubs, clubs, discos and other nightlife destinations. While there are some independent night-time establishments, most clubs and pubs in Yangon are located in five-star hotels.
At some nightspots, you can expect more than local beer and good music.
There are entertainment plazas that include karaoke, fashion shows, and some venues have traditional dance performances. Some nightlife venues in Yangon tend to close comparatively early (between 1 a.m. or 3 a.m.), but in recent years, closing times are getting later. Entrance fees to clubs can range from $3 to $6, but for clubs in hotels, entrance is free for hotel guests.
Local drinking establishments are called ‘beer stations’. They offer cheaper drinks, but few tourists seem to go there. Drinking is not culturally accepted for women in Myanmar, and beer stations are places for local men to drink, talk, and chew betel nut. They close early, around 9 or 11 p.m.
Yangon
50th Street Bar and Grill
This is very popular among expatriates for pizzas and hamburgers and a place to hang out with other expatriates over a drink.
Location: 9-13 50th Street (off Merchant St.)
Union Bar
This provides a relaxing atmosphere for a coffee, for checking e-mails, for lunch or dinner or cocktails in the evening. There is a well-stocked central bar and comfortable seating. A la carte breakfast is available on Saturday’s and there is a set brunch menu on Sunday. There’s two for one martinis on Friday nights.
Location: 42 Strand Road
Vista Rooftop Bar
In close proximity to the Shwedagon Pagoda, this place has a great view and a well-stocked bar.
A glass of Myanmar beer is around 1,500 kyats ($1.50) and a whiskey around 3,500 kyats (S3.50).
Location: 168 West Shwegondine Road, Bahan township, Yangon
ABC Country Pub
It is possible to enjoy live country-western music in Yangon. There are live performances by the pub’s resident band and TV screens to watch sport. This establishment also serves food.
Location: 404 Mahabandoola Road, Yangon.
Asia Plaza Disco
While this is a discotheque, there are sometimes traditional dance shows, and fashion shows with beautiful models. Opening hours are 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Location: 277 Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
The Water Library
This high-end establishment is truly impressive – but expect to pay premium prices. It probably has the widest selection of spirits and liquors in the city.
Location: Corner of Manawharri and Pyay Road
BME 2
This draws crowds in with its superb house music and live rock, while its kitschy ambiance attracts the expatriate community in Yangon. Opening Hours: till 12:30 a.m.
Location: Beside Summit Parkview Hotel at 350 Ahlone Road, Yangon.
Vista Bar
This is arguably the best place to soak up the view of the Shwedagon Pagoda by night. The food and drinks here are more expensive than many, but the service is prompt and the music is loud enough without being a barrier to conversation.
Location: 188 West Shwegondine Road
Club Pioneer
This government-owned establishment is one of the main entertainment destinations in the city centre and because it is popular with both locals and tourists, it is often packed with people.
Location: 44 Alan Pya Pagoda Street, Yangon.
Mr. Guitar
This iconic bar is one of the hippest places in Yangon with both locals and tourists. Country, classical and rock & roll can all be heard here and there is a great in-house band. Opening hours are 7 p.m. – midnight.
Location 22: Sayasan Street, Bahan Township.
Frienship Bar
Location: corner of Dhamazedi Road & Inya Road
Paddy O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar
This basement bar in The Sedona Hotel is a great nightspot for drinking or just hanging out. There is a pool table and they have a band some nights.
Location: Sedona Hotel, 1 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yankin Township, Yangon.
Silver Oak Cafe and Restaurant
Combine a beauty parlor, ice cream shop, pub and rock club and you have Silver Oak.
Opening hours are 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Salon); 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Restaurant)
Location: No 83/91, Bo Aung Kyaw St.,(Lower Block) Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
The Music Club
This is a popular place with a Filipino band. You can dance or just enjoy drinks and there is a DJ to keep the music flowing until the early hours. There is a door charge most nights.
Opening hours are 7 p.m. – late
Location: ParkRoval Yangon Hotel, 33 Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Township, Yangon.
Escape Gastro Bar
This opened in 2013 and has proved very popular with both foreign and local patrons. It opens from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is a bar and restaurant with Thai fusion and some Western dishes. The bar has a bewildering array of cocktails priced from 3500 to 4000 kyats. Wednesday night is Ladies night, Thursday is Students night, Friday is pitches night and Saturday they offer vodka shooters. It has become a hangout for the local rich and famous.
Location: 31D Kan Yeiktha Street, Mayangone, Yangon
Mojo Bar
It has been recently renovated and now sports exposed brick walls, long timber tables with candelabras and an overall industrial look that’s very hip indeed. It has an upstairs area with a loungey feel and plenty of comfy sofas.
Location: corner of Inya and Dhammazedi roads
debar
This provides a unique pub experience in a cool and relaxed ambience. Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, cognac, coffee, juices and bar snacks are accompanied by chill out music and a range of entertainment.
Location: No. 60, Ai-B, Gant Gaw Housing, Boyar Nyunt Street, Dagon Township, Yangon
Zero Zone Roof Top Beer Garden
An attendant takes you up in an old elevator to the roof. They have live dance performances, model shows, and a live band. Food includes a barbecue buffet, seafood, Chinese, and more. Opening hours are until n p.m.
Location: Top Floor, 2 Thain Gyi Zay, C Block, Shwe Dagon Pagoda Road, Pabedan Township, Yangon
The Yangon Boat Party
The Yangon Boat Party has become a fixture in Yangon’s social scene and offers free-flow alcohol, food, and music on a three-hour Yangon River cruise. There are a range of party trips at different times of the year.
Mandalay
73rd Street
There are several eating and drinking places along this street in the vicinity of 34 Street. None are outstanding and most are heavily male dominated but females will not feel out of place at some of them. They tend to close early.
Cafe JJ
Cafe JJ is a cozy coffee house, a place the whole family can enjoy. This modern, air-conditioned venue offers wireless internet and a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks until 10pm. It is located on Adipadili Road between 32 and 33 Streets. A sister property Cafe JJ 2 is at 65th Street.
Pacific Beer Garden
This typical place on 66th Street to the east of the palace has a bit more appeal to visitors than many beer gardens. They also sell food.