lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

62YANGONL’Opera Restaurant ITALIAN $$$(Map p38 ; %665 516; www.operayangon.com; 62DU Tun Nyein St; mains from $10; hlunch & dinner;a) One of the better and more elegantrestaurants in Yangon, L’Opera boasts welltrainedand smartly dressed waiters, butmore important is the Italian owner andchef’s meticulous preparation. The outdoorgarden seating is a bonus in good weather.The restaurant is located off Kaba Aye PagodaRd, at the northern end of Inya Lake.Alamanda Inn FRENCH $$(Map p 48 ; %534 513; 60B Shwe Taung Gyar Rd/Golden Valley Rd, Bahan; meals K7000-10,000;hlunch & dinner) In a quiet residential neighbourhood,this breezy open-air restaurantand bar under a covered patio is a relaxingplace to put the cares of Yangon behind you.The house speciality is tagines, but it alsodoes good steaks and sandwiches as well askiller cocktails, all reasonably priced.House of Memories BURMESE, INTERNATIONAL $$(Map p 48 ; %525 195; 290 U Wi Za Ra Rd; hlunch &dinner) Housed in a mock Tudor colonial villastuffed with antiques and old photos (andincluding an office where General Aung Sanonce worked), this an interesting place todine on dishes such as a hearty beef curryand an authentically smoky-tasting grilledeggplant salad. Although it also boasts a‘piano bar’, the live music is sporadic – callahead to see when the next performance willbe. Located off U Wi Za Ra Rd.Green Elephant BURMESE $$$(Map p 48 ; www.greenelephant-restaurants.com;519A Thirimingalar St; mains K1500-18,000, set lunchK8000; hlunch & dinner) Popular with tourgroups, the Green Elephant is a safe but tastyenough introduction to Myanmar cuisine.The open-air wooden dining room boasts aromantic atmosphere and the restaurant alsoincludes an upmarket crafts shop.Hla Myanma Htamin Zain BURMESE $(Map p 48 ; 17 1st St; mains from K1500; hlunch & dinner)This longstanding place is a traditionalMyanmar-style restaurant, where a blastingTV fills in for interior design. This place,which doesn’t have a roman-script sign, issometimes called Shwe Ba because a famousactor of that name once had his house nearby.Inlay Amathaya SHAN $(Map p 38 ; cnr Kaba Aye Padoga Rd & Kanbe Rd;mains from K500; hlunch & dinner) There’sneither a roman-script sign or an Englishmenu. However, the menu does feature tinypictures to guide you through the basicsof Shan cuisine. Most head straight for thenoodle dishes, but this is a great place to tryShan rice dishes such as weq-thà jeh (ricesteamed with blood – much better than itsounds) or ngà t’avmìn hneiq, turmeric ricewith fish.Sabai @ DMZ THAI $$(Map p 48 ; 232 Dhama Zedi Rd; mains from K2500;a) This semi-formal Thai-owned placeboasts a Thai chef and an extensive and appetisingmenu. The range of salads is particularlyimpressive for someone craving alight lunch in the heat of the day.Singapore’s Kitchen SINGAPOREAN $$(Map p 48 ; 333 Ahlone Rd; mains from K2500; hallday; a) Located next door to Summit Parkviewhotel, the menu here has pages devoted tocheap and tasty Singapore hawker food (thinkHainanese chicken rice, rojak, mee goreng) aswell as Chinese-influenced seafood dishes.Thai Kitchen THAI $$(Map p 48 ; 126 Dhama Zedi Rd; mains from K2000;hall day; a) This place boasts a thick, illustratedmenu, with a variety of dishes giventhe stamp of approval by Thai tourists.Yin Fong Seafood Restaurant CHINESE $$$(Map p 48 ; Kan Yeik Tha Rd; dishes from K4500;hlunch & dinner; a) The setting, beside a busymain road, isn’t ideal, but the seafood sureis. This pricey restaurant has carved a wellfoundedreputation as one of the top Chineserestaurants in Yangon.Black Canyon Coffee INTERNATIONAL, THAI $$(Map p 48 ; Ahlone Rd; dishes from K2000; hlunch &dinner; aW) Located next door to the SummitParkview hotel, this is a swish little Thai restaurant,which also delves into fusion foods,eg spicy pasta. The noodles are decent, as arethe Wellington boot-shaped coffeecups.Coffee Circles INTERNATIONAL $$(Map p 48 ; 107 Dhama Zedi Rd; mains from K3000;hall day; aW) Located in front of the GuestCare Hotel, this chic restaurant-café is theplace to go if you want to forget you’re inYangon. In addition to real coffee, it offers amenu that ranges from Thai to burgers, andhas fast wi-fi to boot.Café Dibar INTERNATIONAL, ITALIAN $$(Map p 48 ; Inya Rd; mains from K4000; hlunch &dinner; a) Like your corner Italian place backhome: not outstanding, but always reliable.