Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING AND DRINKING
There's a decent spread of
places to eat
in Bagan, although most are fairly humdrum, offer-
ing generic menus of pseudo-Western, sort-of Thai, insipid Burmese and plodding Chinese,
often at above-average prices. Look out, though, for the delicious little local tamarind flakes
wrapped in paper, a local speciality, which are served free at many places after meals as a
digestive aid. The main cluster of restaurants is in
Nyaung U
along Thiripyitsaya 4 St (aka
“Restaurant Row”), with further places spread along Main Rd and down into the nearby vil-
lage of
Wet Kyi Inn
. In
New Bagan
a bunch of similar-style places flanks the roundabout
right in the middle of town about halfway up Kayay St, while in
Old Bagan
there's a fun
little group of vegetarian-leaning restaurants near Tharaba Gate. There are no real Western-
style
bars
, although many of the restaurants are also nice places to drink.
NYAUNG U
on a large but rather gloomy terrace which many lanterns fail to quite illuminate. Food is av-
erage, and a humble chapati will cost you an extra K3000, although meals come with a nice
spread ofhome-made chutneys (including an excellent tamarind pickle). Mains K5000-6000
(meat), K2500-3500 (veg).
Daily 11am-3pm & 6-10/11pm.
ation at this upmarket restaurant, set in a gorgeous riverside position on a high terrace over-
looking the Ayeyarwady. Food (mains K7000-1100) is decent but decidedly pricey, with the
usualmixofChinese,ThaiandWesternstaples-orjustcomeforasundownerandthenhead
off elsewhere to eat.
Daily 8am-9pm.
Thant Zaw Aung and his wife makes eating here a real pleasure. The menu covers Myanmar
salads, soup and curries, plus a few Western dishes and a good selection of Thai curries
and soups (mains K2000-3000) - not terribly authentic, but tasty enough, and competitively
priced. Drinks include a good cocktail selection: a snip at K1500 each, and a positive give-
away during the two-for-one happy hour (5.30-7.30pm).
Daily 8am-9pm or until the last
customer leaves.
the best-looking place to eat in Nyaung U, although food (and for that matter service)
don't live up to the setting, with the usual mishmash of Asian and Western cuisines (mains
K4000-6000) competently prepared, although a bit disappointing given the above-average
prices. There's also decent coffee, a good drinks list and fresh home-made ice cream.
Daily
9.30am-10pm.
hankering after olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Parmesan, pancetta and home-baked foccacia,
