20 Best Places to Eat in Brunei: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Brunei’s food culture is a rich and fragrant tapestry woven from Malay, Chinese, and indigenous Bornean traditions. Defined by aromatic spices, coconut curries, fresh seafood, and unique national staples like Ambuyat, dining in Brunei is both delicious and culturally fascinating. From buzzing night markets to legendary heritage bakeries and fine waterfront dining, this guide reviews the 20 best culinary spots in the sultanate.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

When eating in Brunei, make sure to taste these iconic traditional foods:

Ambuyat: Brunei’s national dish made from sago palm starch, eaten using two-pronged bamboo sticks (chandas) by dipping into tangy cacah sauces.
Nasi Katok: Simple yet delicious steamed rice served with crispy fried chicken and a scoop of spicy sambal chili sauce.
Beef Rendang & Daging Masak Lada Hitam: Slow-simmered tender beef dishes enriched with coconut milk, lemongrass, and aromatic peppercorns.
Pulut Panggang: Grilled banana-leaf parcels filled with sticky glutinous rice and spiced coconut or shrimp filling.

20 Best Places to Eat in Brunei

1. Chop Jing Chew

Cuisine: Traditional Hainanese Bakery & Coffee Shop
Location: Jalan Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan
Must-Try Dish: Roti Kacang (Peanut Butter Bun) & Hot Milk Tea
About the Place: Operating since 1946, this legendary kopitiam is a true Bruneian institution. Packed daily with locals, it serves freshly baked yellow buns filled with homemade kaya, peanut paste, or butter alongside traditional charcoal-brewed coffee.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Chop Jing Chew

2. Aminah Arif Restaurant

Cuisine: Authentic Bruneian & Malay Cuisine
Location: Kiulap & BSB Branches
Must-Try Dish: Ambuyat Set with Tempoyak & Ikan Goreng
About the Place: Famous across Brunei as the top restaurant to experience authentic Ambuyat. Their set meals come with an array of side dishes including spicy dip sauces, fried fish, beef rendang, and local vegetables.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Aminah Arif Restaurant

3. Gadong Night Market (Pasar Malam Gadong)

Cuisine: Bruneian Street Food
Location: Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Chicken Wings, Satay, & Kueh Cincin
About the Place: A vibrant, covered open-air night market filled with dozens of food stalls. It offers incredibly affordable and delicious street food snacks, fresh fruit smoothies, and traditional cakes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Gadong Night Market

4. Kaizen Sushi One Riverside

Cuisine: Japanese Fine Dining
Location: One Riverside, Bandar Seri Begawan
Must-Try Dish: Premium Sashimi Platter & Dragon Roll
About the Place: Widely regarded as the premier Japanese dining destination in Brunei. Located along the riverbank, it features air-conditioned luxury seating and exceptionally fresh imported fish.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Kaizen Sushi One Riverside

5. Tamu Kianggeh Food Stalls

Cuisine: Traditional Breakfast & Malay Snacks
Location: Kianggeh Riverbank, BSB
Must-Try Dish: Nasi Lemak Bungkus & Soto Ayam
About the Place: These traditional morning market stalls offer affordable breakfast fare wrapped in banana leaves. Perfect for trying local home-style cooking alongside fresh fruit juices in an authentic river setting.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Tamu Kianggeh Food Stalls

6. My Town Eating House

Cuisine: Bruneian & Asian Comfort Food
Location: Crown Princess Complex, BSB
Must-Try Dish: Butter Chicken Rice & Claypot Tofu
About the Place: A cozy and popular local eatery offering a diverse menu of local and Chinese-Malay fusion favorites. Renowned for generous portions and friendly service.
Explore More: Read our full guide to My Town Eating House

7. Little Audrey's Café

Cuisine: Modern Western & Fusion Cafe
Location: Kiulap Commercial Complex, BSB
Must-Try Dish: Salted Egg Pasta & Artisanal Desserts
About the Place: A stylish, photogenic cafe in Kiulap known for creative fusion dishes, specialty coffee brews, and handcrafted cakes in an aesthetic interior.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Little Audrey's Café

8. I-Lotus Restaurant

Cuisine: Chinese Seafood & Asian Fusion
Location: Rimba, Bandar Seri Begawan
Must-Try Dish: Nestum Prawns & Steamed Seabass
About the Place: A spacious, high-end Chinese restaurant popular for family gatherings and celebrations. Offers extensive live seafood choices served in classic recipes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to I-Lotus Restaurant

9. Thiam Hock Restaurant

Cuisine: Chinese Heritage Dining
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan
Must-Try Dish: Signature Curry Fish Head
About the Place: A long-standing culinary icon in BSB famous for its fragrant Curry Fish Head served in bubbling clay pots. Loved by generations of local diners.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Thiam Hock Restaurant

10. Anjung Saujana Restaurant

Cuisine: International & Bruneian Buffet
Location: Brunei International Airport / Waterfront
Must-Try Dish: Royal Malay Buffet Spread
About the Place: Managed by Royal Brunei Catering, this refined establishment serves exquisite local dishes alongside international favorites in an elegant, modern setting.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Anjung Saujana Restaurant

11. Alter Ego Fusion Cafe

Cuisine: Contemporary Fusion Cafe
Location: Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan
Must-Try Dish: Soft Shell Crab Burger & Poke Bowls
About the Place: A trendy cafe combining East and West culinary ideas. Offers gourmet burgers, healthy bowls, and craft beverages in a cool industrial setting.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Alter Ego Fusion Cafe

12. Balkony Cafe

Cuisine: Cafe Comfort Food & Bakery
Location: Shakirin Complex, BSB
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Chicken Chop & Specialty Latte
About the Place: A welcoming neighborhood cafe offering relaxing seating, hearty western plates, and sweet dessert treats for late afternoon hangouts.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Balkony Cafe

13. Gwad Basha Arabic Restaurant

Cuisine: Authentic Middle Eastern
Location: Dato Ratna Road, BSB
Must-Try Dish: Lamb Mandy & Mixed Grill Platter
About the Place: Serving fragrant Yemeni and Middle Eastern specialties. Tender fall-off-the-bone lamb served over seasoned basmati rice makes this a top choice for meat lovers.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Gwad Basha Arabic Restaurant

14. Excapade Sushi

Cuisine: Popular Japanese
Location: Gadong & Regent Square Branches
Must-Try Dish: Salmon Mentai Roll & Tempura Udang
About the Place: Brunei’s most popular Japanese restaurant chain, known for wide sushi menus, generous portion sizes, quick service, and family-friendly prices.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Excapade Sushi

15. Nasi Katok Mama

Cuisine: Bruneian Fast Food
Location: Kiulap District
Must-Try Dish: Nasi Katok Supreme with Spicy Sambal
About the Place: Famous spot for Brunei’s staple Nasi Katok. Delivers hot fried chicken over rice with extra spicy homemade sambal at budget prices.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Nasi Katok Mama

16. Soto Paba

Cuisine: Traditional Noodle Soup
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan
Must-Try Dish: Soto Daging (Beef Noodle Soup)
About the Place: A humble local favorite serving rich, spiced beef and chicken soto soups garnished with herbs, lime, and crispy shallots.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Soto Paba

17. High Street Cafe

Cuisine: Casual Western & Asian
Location: Downtown BSB
Must-Try Dish: Fish & Chips & Iced Chocolate
About the Place: Situated right near central sights, offering a air-conditioned space to relax with western standards and local iced teas.
Explore More: Read our full guide to High Street Cafe

18. Sorriso Restaurant

Cuisine: Italian Dining
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan Waterfront
Must-Try Dish: Wood-fired Pizza & Truffle Pasta
About the Place: An upscale Italian eatery overlooking the Brunei River, serving authentic handmade pasta, crisp pizzas, and seafood dishes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Sorriso Restaurant

19. Pondok Seri Buyung

Cuisine: Indonesian Padang Dining
Location: Gadong Commercial Area
Must-Try Dish: Nasi Padang with Beef Rendang
About the Place: A vibrant Malay-Indonesian eatery where customers select from dozens of spiced curry dishes served over warm rice.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Pondok Seri Buyung

20. Horizon Seafood Restaurant

Cuisine: Waterfront Seafood
Location: BSB Waterfront Promenade
Must-Try Dish: Chili Crab & Butter Prawns
About the Place: Offers outdoor seating along the riverfront promenade, perfect for enjoying fresh seafood dinners while watching boats cross to Kampong Ayer.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Horizon Seafood Restaurant

Featured Image

Ambuyat with Assorted Dip Sauces & Gadong Market Treats