173THAZI TO INLE LAKEEATING & DRINKINGEASTERN MYANMAREATING & DRINKINGEASTERN MYANMARKALAWrooms and lots of potted greenery. More ex-
pensive rooms have tubs and minibars and
some have hill views.
Eastern Paradise Motel HOTEL $
(%50315; 5 Thirimingalar St; r $7-15) Like much
of the accommodation in Kalaw, this place
calls itself a motel, but there’s no need to
be suspicious of the unintentionally self-
deprecating moniker; large homey rooms
and gracious service make this one of the
best deals in town.
Honey Pine Hotel HOTEL $
(%50728; 44 Zatila St; s/d/tr $10/20/30) Of the
handful of new hotels going up in Kalaw,
this was the only one fi nished at research
time. The budget-priced rooms here include
midrange amenities such as TV and fridge,
although the single rooms lack windows and
feel a bit tight.
Golden Lily Guest House HOTEL $
(%50108; [email protected]; 5/88 Nat-
sin Rd; r $3-10; i) A chalet mood pervades at
this large, budget complex. The more expen-
sive rooms share a wide balcony that looks
over the town. They’re also substantially nic-
er than the cheaper rooms, the shared bath-
rooms of which could really use some work.
Trekking can be arranged here, although it’s
an annoying hard-sell. Slow internet access
is available for K1000 for 30 minutes.
Pine View Inn HOTEL $
(%50185; University Rd; s/d $10/15) If you’d
rather stay in the leafy part of town, this qui-
et hotel off ers plain but tidy rooms in a new
bungalow block or an older wooden house.
It’s a ten-minute walk from the city centre.
Follow Min St south or hop on a motorcycle
taxi at the market (K500).
Golden Kalaw Inn HOTEL $
(%50311; 5/92 Natsin Rd; s/d $5/8, with shared
bathroom $3/6) The rooms here are about as
basic as they come, but are clean. The balcony
and front yard catch the afternoon sunshine.
New Shine Hotel HOTEL $
(%50028; [email protected]; 21 Union
Hwy; s/d $10/20) Targeting travellers on organ-
ised tours, the New Shine is cosier in than out.
Parami Motel HOTEL $
(%50027; Kone Thae St; s/d $8/15, with shared
bathroom $5/10) Set in two pale-blue blocks
behind the Winner Hotel, the Parami has
friendly owners and modest but inexpensive
rooms.
Winner Hotel Kalaw HOTEL $
(%50025; Union Hwy; s/d $15/18, with shared bath-
room $6/12) A large, modern Chinese-style
hotel on the main road, the Winner holds
few surprises, but rooms are large, unclut-
tered and clean. 5 Eating & Drinking
Kalaw has some decent places to chow
down, many serving food with a distinctive
Indian or Nepali fl avour.Thu Maung Restaurant BURMESE $$
(Union Hwy; meals from K2500; hlunch & dinner)
Probably the best Burmese restaurant in
town, Thu Maung serves tasty chicken, pork
and fi sh curries with all the usual Myanmar
salads, pickles and trimmings. There’s no
English-language sign here, but it’s the res-
taurant directly adjacent to the steps leading
to Thein Taung Paya.Pyae Pyae Shan Noodle SHAN $
(Union Hwy; noodles from K500; hall day) This
cosy, friendly shop sells delicious bowls of
the eponymous noodle, as well as a short
menu of rice-based dishes.Sam’s Family
Restaurant INTERNATIONAL, BURMESE $
(Aung Chan Tha St; mains from K1000; hall day)
Run by the same family that operates Sam’s
Trekking Guide, this cosy little place serves
Indian, Myanmar and Chinese standards
and old-fashioned backpacker breakfasts.Thirigayha
Restaurant INTERNATIONAL, BURMESE $$
(Seven Sisters; Union Hwy; meals from K5000;
hlunch & dinner) If you want a romantic din-
ner, there’s really only one choice in town.
The menu ranges from Shan traditional
meals to beef stroganoff , noodle soups and
Indian curries and there’s often a guitarist
serenading diners.Everest Nepali Food Centre NEPALI $
(Aung Chan Thar St; set meals from K2000; hlunch
& dinner) Relive memories of trekking in Ne-
pal with a plate of dhal baht (rice served
with lentils and other side dishes) at this
convivial eatery run by a Nepali family who
originally came to Myanmar from Pokhara.FMD Indian Food MUSLIM, INDIAN $
(Union Hwy; mains from K1500; hlunch & dinner)
FMD specialises in rich, meaty Muslim-
infl uenced Indian dishes. Stop in on Sunday
when they do biryani.