9 southeast asian rooms worth the trip across United States, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United States.

Vinai ★ 4.7 · Minneapolis

northeast · 1717 NE 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Yia Vang's Vinai in Northeast Minneapolis runs the country's most serious Hmong dining room since its 2024 opening. James Beard finalist two years running.

Hai Hai ★ 4.6 · Minneapolis

northeast · 2121 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Christina Nguyen's Hai Hai on University NE has run Southeast Asian street food in Minneapolis since 2018. Located in Northeast. Priced at $$$.

Tip: Saturday lunch dim sum cart pulls hot bites from a steamer. Tiki-style cocktails on the back patio in summer.

Lat14 ★ 4.6 · Minneapolis

saint-paul · 8815 7th Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427

Ann Ahmed's Lat14 in Golden Valley runs refined Southeast Asian cooking in the Twin Cities since 2017. James Beard semifinalist; menu maps the 14th latitude.

Tip: Sunday lunch family-style is the easy seat. Book three weeks out for Friday or Saturday dinner.

Lat14 ★ 4.6 · Minneapolis

saint-paul · 8815 7th Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427

Ann Ahmed's Lat14 in Golden Valley runs refined Southeast Asian dining in the Twin Cities since 2017. James Beard semifinalist along the 14th latitude.

Khaluna ★ 4.5 · Minneapolis

uptown · 4000 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Ann Ahmed's Khaluna on Lyndale runs a refined Southeast Asian dining room in Minneapolis since 2021. James Beard nominee; sister to Lat14 in Golden Valley.

Tip: Book the chef's counter; the cocktail program leans tropical. Closed Mondays.

Hawkers Asian Street Food ★ 4.5 · Orlando

mills-50 · 1103 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Hawkers on North Mills Avenue is the Mills 50 flagship of the homegrown Asian-hawker chain, with roti canai, dumplings and skewers from across Southeast Asia.

Heirloom ★ 4.0 · Raleigh

glenwood-south · 219 S West St, Raleigh, NC 27603

All-day cafe in Glenwood South serving Southeast Asian-inspired dishes, specialty coffee, and craft cocktails. Dinner reservations available.

Heirloom ★ 4.0 · Raleigh

glenwood-south · 219 S West St, Raleigh, NC 27603

An all-day Southeast Asian-inspired cafe in Glenwood South. Coffee and cocktails carry the day; dinner service lifts into a fuller menu with spiced cooking.

Sama Sama Kitchen ★ 4.0 · Santa Barbara

Downtown Santa Barbara · 1208 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Michelin Bib Gourmand on State Street. Indonesian-inspired Southeast Asian food from French-trained owners using Bali recipes and Central Coast farm produce.