If you're venturing up north there's a new place called The Silver Spoon Cafe ran by an American lady. Best western food in Kunming by far. No one's mentioned the Wicker Basket either, the only all you can eat dinner salad bar, also very good.
Oyarsa -- may we have the addresses please.
Just had dinner at Moonlight Corner Thai Cuisine (inside Expo, north gate, attached to golf driving range) last night and I have to say it was the best restaurant experience we have had in kunming so far. It started with an informed and responsive telephone conversation giving us good directions. Next, the locaiton is quiet, beautiful and feels "exclusive," like a small country club. There is a plenty of free parking. The menu is extensive. The food was beautifully presented, with outstanding, fresh ingredients. The decor is modern and clean with a very airy, open feel created by huge windows that overlook the Kunming skyline. Service was exception, too. Always attentive, the waiters and waitresses were never intrusive.
We tried soup, salads, a vegetable dish and an entree. Everything was prepared in authenthic Thai manner and was delicious. This may be the best "special occasion" place in Kunming. Expensive by Kunming standards, but less than half the price of La Na Thai in Shanghai (one of the best in China) and with better food! don't waste your time with Sakura. Head straight to Moonglight Corner. If you are taking a taxi just tell them to take you the north gate of Expo Horticultural gardens. Once inside the gate follow the winding road up the hill to a T intersection and turn right. You've arrived when you see the golf driving range. Bon apetit!
Bernie, sorry, didn't have the info when I made the post, here ya go:
Silver Spoon Cafe is in Bei Chen Garden Walkway B-10 and the Wicker Basket is in the walkway directly across the street. There is also a Wicker Basket on the west side near Chun Yuan. In either of those two parts of town you are guaranteed to see some foreigners walking around and you can ask them if you can't find it.
You all have posted some EXTREMELY useful information. I will be in Kunming soon and would really love to try some of these restaraunts. The only problem is that I do not know streets well at all, so, if you feel led, helping me out with landmarks would be GREAT!
OUCH Bernie!!!! You just "exposed" one of my secret places... Moonlight Corner! This is by far the BEST eats in Kunming. Their food is as good as eating in Bangkok. It should be since the owners are 4 famous chefs from BKK that opened it. Everything about this place is heaven. Well worth the $$!
Yes, the atmosphere at the Bluebird is nice but it certainly does not make up for the high priced bad food served there. This place goes nicely in my "I'll never be back" category. BTW, I found the service there very bad as well.
For good food and value, get out of the Cuihu area! It is pathetic to live your life just around an area catering to tourists!
Also, this thread should be re-named Best 'Non-Chinese' Food in Kunming as many of the posts so far are about non-Chinese food. Why go to Kunming to eat Indian or Thai food? That's like going to New Mexico to eat Frech.
Forget about the so-called Indian food at Chapter One - we ate there recently and had some of the worst Indian food I've ever tasted (I've been to India 4 times). The 'butter chicken' was a joke.
