Top best restaurants in Mandalay, Myanmar

Most travelers stop in Mandalay for at least two days and it is possible to discover some great food in the non-tourist restaurants. Below are the best restaurants you should try.

Lashio Lay

Although Mandalay’s Burmese population is largely made up of Bamar people, the city’s proximity to the rural Shan State has contributed immensely to the local cuisine. One of the most popular restaurants in the city, Lashio Lay is also the best place for authentic Shan fare. Freshly cooked dishes are displayed at the till, from which you can select the dishes you wish to try. Delicacies include shan tohu (chickpea-flour tofu fritters), wet tha chin (minced pork in rice) and papaya salad, with an emphasis throughout on sesame, peanut and garlic flavours.

Aye Myit Tar

Brightly lit, this simple but historic thick-walled colonial-era merchant's building houses central Mandalay's most popular upmarket curry eatery. There is a big range of chicken, fish and pork curries; all come with sides, soup and rice. Alternatively, boost your meal by choosing from the salad and vegetable dishes on the menu.

DOSE Mandalay

Since opening in October last year, DOSE has become a real game changer for Mandalay’s nightlife. Whether you are craving wine, beer, great tunes or steaks, DOSE Mandalay has it all. Of course, the cocktails are enough to tempt most inside, but with its amazing offers and mouth-watering food, do not miss out if you are visiting.

Ko’s Kitchen

For much of their history, the countries now known as Myanmar and Thailand were composed of small warring states with constantly shifting boundaries. Lanna, the northern Thai kingdom centered on culinary haven Chiang Mai, was under Burmese control until 1775. There remains a significant Thai minority in Mandalay, and Ko’s Kitchen serves the most elegant Thai food in town.

Located just west of the incredible reconstructed Mandalay Palace, it is housed in a pleasant art deco building and features a glass-walled kitchen that you can watch as you wait.

Green Elephant

This is basically Burmese cuisine for tour groups, although individuals can usually get a slightly adapted version with six or so dishes on request. The food is good, so if you are nervous about trying Burmese outside on the street, this is a solid bet, but otherwise it is local cuisine with significantly marked-up prices.

Super 81

With southern Chinese immigrants accounting for over a third of the city’s population, it is no surprise that many of Mandalay’s best eateries specialize in Cantonese and Yunnan food. Super 81 stands out in a crowded field, serving up a huge variety of dishes; there are a dozen variations of steamed duck alone, along with excellent squid and sea bass, all served in generous portions. Its labyrinthine layout only adds to the charm, with a sprawling network of rooms, terraces and roof gardens hidden behind an unassuming shop front.

Read more: Mandalay, a cultural and religious hub in Myanmar

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Visit Myanmar's most famous destinations, Bagan and Mandalay

It’s a tough tossup: whether to go to Bagan or Mandalay first in Myanmar? Or maybe it's a little of both.

Visiting Bagan

Culture vultures flock to Bagan, previously known as Pagan. The ancient city is home to more Buddhist pagodas, temples, and stupas than any other city in the world. The majority of Myanmar’s population practice Theravada Buddhism, and most tourist attractions are religious structures reflecting this tradition.

Most of Bagan’s temples were built during the 11th and 12th centuries. There was once around 10,000 temples on the plains of Bagan, before many were destroyed by war and natural disasters. Today, it is estimated that over 2,000 remain in the Bagan Archaeological Zone.

The city charges an entrance fee of 25,000 kyat (US$18). Visitors who are on a strict budget may want to head to Mandalay instead.

The main form of transportation around Bagan’s temples is electric bicycle. Hiring a taxi would be much too expensive, and part of the fun of exploring this city in the first place is doing so by bike. The roads are often bumpy, and visitors who aren’t keen to explore by bike may prefer to head to Mandalay instead.

Other things visitors should consider is that the party scene in Bagan is essentially nonexistent, and that the structures of Bagan are considered sacred by the locals, and they should be respected as such. While short shorts and tank tops might fly in Mandalay, this is not the case in Bagan.

Visiting Mandalay

Mandalay certainly has a more urban vibe than Bagan. This riverside city is the second largest in Myanmar, and has more of a variety of things to see and do than its ancient neighbor. Mandalay is great destination for active travelers. You can explore on foot or by regular bicycle.

One of the top attractions in Mandalay is the 760 foot high Mandalay Hill. Though it can be reached by taxi, many visitors take the scenic route, climbing for thirty minutes or so to the top on foot.

Located at the foot of the hill is the Mandalay Palace. The structure is lackluster at best, as the original structure was destroyed during World War II. Mandalay is also known for its many monasteries, the most famous being the Royal Monastery. More commonly known as Shwe Kyaung, meaning Golden Monastery, this is a great-stop off point for visitors wanting to escape the hustle of the city and simply meander the peaceful grounds. Monks are often willing to stop for a chat. This monastery is best for tourists who want to witness ancient craftsmanship at its best, as it’s beautifully constructed of teak, and remains almost exactly as it was when built in 1878. Just adjacent to this monastery is Atumashi, another impressive monastery.

Traffic is certainly not a problem in Mandalay, but there are more vehicles (and cows) on the road here than in Bagan, where the roads can be empty for long stretches.

While Mandalay certainly cannot compete with Bagan’s thousands of temples, it has its own noteworthy historic and religious attractions. Mingun is a town across the river from Mandalay, and is home to a number of gems. The three main attractions are the Mingun Pagoda, Hsinbyume Pagoda, and the Mingun Bell, one of the world’s largest and heaviest bells.

See more: Mandalay, a cultural and religious hub in Myanmar

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The best places to cycle in Myanmar

Exploring cities on foot can be exhausting, taxis expensive, and public transportation confusing. There is one device, however, that allows visitors to explore with ease. Grab your helmets and explore the most spectacular places to cycle in Myanmar.

Bagan

The plains of Bagan are simply spectacular. With jaw-dropping scenery and flat roads that wind past and around countless pagodas, hopping on the humble bicycle is the best way to appreciate this unique landscape.

The freedom of two wheels means you can hop off and explore any one of the thousands of stupas that take your fancy. Take regular shady breaks and the occasional spontaneous detour to make the most of this experience. Often e-bikes are also touted. A welcome alternative to a push bike on a hot day that are more akin to scooters than electric bikes. Double check your travel insurance to make sure you recovered, just in case.

Kalaw

Kalaw is simply a stop-off point to many visitors, on the trek from the city to Inle Lake. If you have time on your hands, however, a day spent cycling around this cool town is worth it. With mountainous terrain hugging Kalaw on all sides, cyclists will certainly need to concentrate on where they are going.

Situated on the Shan Plateau, Kalaw can be navigated on foot although it is much easier and faster to simply rent a bicycle. Cyclists should be sure to stop off at the city’s most noteworthy feature, the Aung Chan Tha Zedi. Known as one of the most stunning of stupas in the entire country, the religious structure is made up of mosaic tiles that are especially attractive to photographers.

Dhala and Twante

Starting from the bustling city of Yangon, take to the water on a ferry to the quiet village of Dhala. From here you can jump on two wheels in search of Twante, a township that was once home to George Orwell. Cycle through rural villages, past rice paddies and spot houses tucked away in the heart of bamboo forests.

Rest your legs with a break at the Yadana Labamuni Hsu-taungpye Paya, otherwise known as the Snake Temple. Pilgrims travel from far and wide to see Burmese pythons – thought to be reincarnations of local monks – sprawl through the temple. Lovingly cared for and completely harmless, you will not forget meeting the snakes in a hurry. After become acquainted with these new scaly friends, cycle on to Twante and grab some lunch before boarding a boat back to Yangon.

Inle Lake

There is so much to see and do around Inle Lake as Island monasteries, Buddha-filled caves and stunning viewpoints. You would certainly miss out on a top sight or two if you did not have a set of wheels to get around on. Many shops renting out bicycles can be found near the Mingalar Market. Make this the starting point and first explore the vibrant and thriving market before heading off to the Pindaya Caves. These are about a 30-minute cycle from the market, and the ride back is much easier than the way there, so try not to get discouraged when your legs start burning.

From the caves, head back towards the market to explore the exterior of Inle Lake, heading to the hot springs, stopping along the way at viewpoints, grabbing a bite to eat at the Tofu Palace, visiting the Khaung Daing village for a unique experience, and more.

Read more: Admire the incredible beauty of Inle Lake, Myanmar

Mandalay

The ancient capital of Mandalay is best explored on two wheels. As the second largest city in the country, one would have a hard time seeing the city on foot, and the cost of getting a taxi around would add up. Mandalay is also one of the easiest cities to cycle in, as it is quite flat. There are many of top sights that must be included on a cycling route, including the Mahamuni Paya, Jade Market, and any of the gold leaf making factories around town.

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What to do in Mandalay, Myanmar

A former capital of Myanmar/Burma, Mandalay is the nation’s second-largest city. Less hectic than Yangon and with a rare sense of peace, here are some of the best things to do in order to get a taste of magical Mandalay’s charm.

1. Marvel at the stunning Mahamuni Pagoda

Officially named Maha Myat Muni Paya, Mahamuni Pagoda is one of the most sacred sites in Mandalay. Many Buddhist pilgrims travel here from far and wide to pay their respects to, and seek blessings from, the Mahamuni—a large golden jewel-encrusted Buddha statue. Although men can approach the statue to pray and make offerings, women must remain some distance away. Flowers, incense, amulets, charms, and other spiritual items can be purchased onsite from several market vendors.

The larger complex has a number of attractive buildings, most of which are adorned with traditional motifs and eye-catching decorative details. Monks wearing burgundy-coloured robes stroll between the buildings, adding vibrant splashes of rich colour to the scene. There are many interesting statues too, including some that were taken from Cambodia.

2. Climb Mandalay Hill

Home to the former Royal Palace, there are many other attractions to enjoy around Mandalay Hill. An important spiritual site, monasteries, temples, statues, pagodas, and shrines are sprinkled up the hill. The climb isn’t so challenging, and there are so many interesting places to take a break on the way up. The four staircases are covered, providing welcome shade from the sun. On the top of the hill, you’ll find Sutaungpyei Pagoda, whose beautifully tiled pillars shimmer and shine in the sunlight. The elevated position also provides awesome views over the surroundings. Do note that if the thought of climbing leaves you feeling a bit unenthusiastic, it is possible to travel most of the way up the hill by road and then take an escalator to the peak. 

3. Discover the marble slabs in Kuthodaw Pagoda

Often said to home to the world’s biggest book, Kuthodaw Pagoda is located at the base of Mandalay Hill. It’s not an actual book, though—huge blocks of marble have been engraved with the entire text of the Tripitaka. If you’re wondering what the Tripitaka is, it’s the most important scriptures for Theravada Buddhists. It is also the oldest collection of Buddhist knowledge. Unless you can read Pali, however, you won’t be able to actually decipher the words. Regardless, it’s an interesting and attractive sight, with 700+ marble slabs located in numerous caves and alcoves. There are supposedly 729 slabs in total. I did try counting them, being the inquisitive soul that I am, but I quickly gave up. The main golden pagoda glistens in the sunlight, standing an impressive 57 metres tall. A large number of white pagodas stand elegantly around the complex too.

4. Walk through the Palace Museum

Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the small Palace Museum displays an assortment of historic, cultural, and religious items. Traditional clothing and uniforms hang in glass cases, and there are weapons and suits of armour from times long past. Take a visual journey through the country’s past as you look at the large collection of photographs, and see how important people furnished their homes in times gone by. There are statues of the Lord Buddha in various poses, alms bowls, amulets, royal regalia, and diverse artefacts among the collections as well. 

5. Admire talented locals in small workshops

As you walk around the city centre, you’ll likely spot craftspeople and artisans making an assortment of items in small open-fronted workshops. Workers and their tools sometimes spill out on the pavement, making them impossible to miss. Some workshops are tucked away down slender alleyways, with hammering, whirring, and the clacking of machinery the only clues from the main streets as to their existence. Women spin yarns, operate large weaving looms, and sew ornate small clothes to be worn by traditional wooden puppets, and men carefully chisel stone, cut wood, mould plaster, and spin pottery. 

6. Mandalay Marionette Theatre

Protecting and conserving the now-uncommon theatrical art of marionette puppetry, the large stringed wooden puppets perform enchanting dances and act out folkloric scenes and events from the nation’s past. Puppetry in Myanmar can trace its heritage back some ten centuries, although it is a dying form of entertainment today. The wooden puppets wear exquisite clothes and shows are accompanied by traditional music. If you become truly mesmerized by the figurines, several shops around the city sell puppets made from wood, plaster, and lightweight metal.

See more: Mandalay, a cultural and religious hub in Myanmar

Source: Internet