In 1906, Isaac Sofaer, the son of a family of provisions purveyors from Bagdad who came to Rangoon as a child, commissioned the renowned architect Thomas Swales to construct the Sofaer & Co building to be a centre of commerce at the most prestigious postcode in the region at the turn of the twentieth century – Lower Pansodan Road.
In 2016, a group of friends who met in Yangon stumbled upon a derelict unit at the far right of the once thriving emporium, which was being used as a warehouse for plastic packaging.
A dream was born: to revive a place that could be a space for the meeting of minds, to build a home away from home for people at cross-roads in a country at cross-roads.
The brainchild of Ingyin Zaw, Sofaer & Co. adopted the name of its namesake building. Here we celebrate life’s simple pleasures – coffee, cocktails and an open kitchen with the freshest local and regional ingredients.
Sofaer & Co’s space preserved most of the original features of the building – including the encaustic Victorian-era tiles from Manchester, steel beams from Lancashire and wood panels from possibly the era of the Vienna Café and Burma Book Club.
The clean, contemporary design pays homage to the history of the building, featuring our own designed, locally made furniture with the signature Burmese rattan weaving, locally commissioned artwork and reclaimed glassware from Nagar Glass Factory.
The menu is still huge and takes some studying. The thali sets were just enough food, with the mutton vindaloo having the right amount of spicy kick. The Shrimp Tikka was succulent but could have been more succulent, if that makes any sense.
Their menu is structured like a newspaper. It even has a name: The Palace Times. But that’s okay for a menu, so on to the ordering. This menu offers a variety of Indian food from all over the subcontinent.
Harley’s is a healthy brand of quick-serving, restaurant quality food at affordable prices. Burger meats are grilled only when ordered. Sides of coleslaw and potato salad comes from a traditional Icelandic recipe, thanks to their chef Gunnar. Coffee buffs will love their added range of blended ice coffees and shakes. Meats are bought and prepared fresh daily so none of the frozen or preserved food here.
Anya Ahta offers draft beer along with class, healthy food and art. Located on the corner of 37th and Mahabandula, it is an airy, high-ceilinged place cooled by fans. The walls, painted black, are covered with paintings, mostly scenes from middle Burma.
Another branch under the much loved Bardubai- HiSo Heaven is here for you at Yangon Night Market on Strand Road. You can enjoy the sunset in downtown Yangon – with HiSo Heaven’s special European, Arabian, Mexican food and delicious cocktails and Shisha.
The Merchant has an open kitchen concept where our chefs use the freshest products to showcase international and local dishes. From breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends, to a la carte menus, there is something for everyone.
The place to comfortably relax and chill out with friends, follow the latest news or watch a sports game while experiencing bespoke signature cocktails, artisan champagne, world class wines, fresh craft beer and canapés. Open all day till late.
AT THE DECK is located at one of Yangon’s most relaxing outdoor pools and connected to their Wellness centre. Their menu offers feast of light snacks and drinks. They also feature a kid’s pool and 5 private gazebos for massage, parties or events.
E Cucina, the Italian restaurant and wine bar, offers home style dishes from across Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna and Napoli, created by the celebrity Italian Chef Nicolino Lalla. Their authentic Trattoria on level 2 is a casual chic place for delicious social gatherings with 3 private dining rooms. Come also enjoy a true Italian Salumeria with great wines, cheeses, oils, Vinegars, pastas, all come from traditional popular recipes.
The Box is an attraction just with its setting and designs. With barrels as seats and boxed lanterns, it almost feels like you’re enjoying a different world inside the bar.
Every Sunday, the Lobby Lounge serves High-tea to business visitors, tourists and residents alike and the real draw is the live piano playing. Expect free flow of hot drinks (they serve Dilmah teas) as well as 4 items to pick from the menu: two pastries and two sandwiches/pies on display at their bakery. Choose anyting from scones to muffins, to walnut biscuits and seasonal fruit cakes for the sweet tooth and then some sandwiches (egg,tuna, cheese) or pies for some savoury delight.
Cafe KSS is a pleasant place where you can relax after a visit to Sule Pagoda. With a free wifi and an helpful staff, they offer a wide variety of international cuisines including European, Chinese and Thai dishes. They have a variety of menu you can choose from: fast food, fusion food, many types of Asian soups, and their specialties, roasted chicken, and chill crab.
Mary Brown already is present in many Asian countries. On top of the usual burgers and fried pieces of chicken, they also dish out Nasi lemak and curry noodles. Most outlets have a kiddies’s corner.
It’s not surprising that Chatime is here at Myanmar. Available all around the world, 25 to be exact, Chatime is no stranger to locals. You can choose a drinks from the 70 varieties available customized to your liking. You can ask them to add different types of toppings like pudding, coconut jelly, coffee jelly, red beans, grass jelly and more! They are popular for their unique combination of drinks like lychee yoghurt jelly, oolong tea mouse and matcha red bean milk tea, among others.
The concept “Déjà vu” — “Brew” is to offer an experience of drinking coffee in a café shop in the early 1900s. Lies in the middle 37th Street, a two-story cafe houses squared tables in a tiny room featuring a very old functioning typewriter, a vintage brand radio and an old phone on the shelves on the wall. It offers specialty coffee, juices and various Burmese and Asian fusion dishes yet the barbecued chicken-stuffed roti roll is a must-try.
A Japanese sushi restaurant at BAK Shopping Centre, Bo Aung Kyaw Road. A place is quiet nice and the food is good, delicious.





























