Brilliant British-Filipino plates in Manila, a famously shouty chef in KL, Michelin-starred Mediterranean in Bangkok and dining in an ancient Balinese cave show that dining out in Southeast Asia is never predictable.
With Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia all now allowing fully vaccinated travellers to enter without the need to quarantine—and in some cases not even take a Covid test—there has never been a better time to look at new spots for our region's favourite pastime: dining out.
As we dust off our passports, it's clear that now more than ever, no meal time can go wasted. Handily, these 12 dining destinations promise a world of flavours from some of the region's finest chefs.
So book the flights, the hotel, the table—and then kick back and enjoy getting your eats on.
1. Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Kuala Lumpur
In quite a culinary coup, the Malaysian capital has secured the very first Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill to open outside the UK. Sunway City Kuala Lumpur is home to this homage to Britishness, with portraits of icons from Sir Mick Jagger to Sean Connery decking the walls, part of opulent interiors which feature walnut, brass, and even gold leaf on the ceiling.
While it's highly unlikely that the famously fiery Scot will actually be cooking your meal, the menu is inspired by his Savoy Grill, and as such includes a plethora of his signatures. Foremost amongst them, his beef Wellington, natch. It's served tableside, as is the Dover sole with Grenobloise sauce, that heady mix of brown butter, capers and lemon.
The only challenge? It's already fully booked up six weeks ahead.