Bangladesh
Profiled in Dhaka · South Asia
Dhaka is loud, humid and gloriously alive, a rickshaw-jammed megacity where Mughal forts, river ferries and the smell of kacchi biryani all fight for your attention.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Dhaka is cheap by global standards. But expat-grade housing in Gulshan and Baridhara, imported goods and international school fees push a Western family budget up fast.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Dhaka
- Lalbagh FortAn unfinished 17th century Mughal fort with gardens, a mosque and the tomb of Pari Bibi.
- Ahsan ManzilThe candy-pink former palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka on the Buriganga, now a museum.
- National Parliament HouseLouis Kahn's monumental concrete masterpiece, one of the great buildings of the modern age.
- Star MosqueA small Old Dhaka mosque covered in blue-and-white ceramic star mosaics.
- Dhakeshwari TempleThe national Hindu temple and a calm, colourful counterpoint to the city outside.
- SadarghatThe chaotic, unforgettable river port where huge passenger ferries load on the Buriganga.
- Baitul MukarramThe cube-shaped national mosque, one of the largest in South Asia.
- Liberation War MuseumA moving, well-curated account of the 1971 war of independence.
- Curzon HallA graceful red-brick colonial building at the heart of Dhaka University.
- Armenian Church of the Holy ResurrectionAn 18th century church in Armanitola, a reminder of Dhaka's old trading community.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Sonargaon and Panam CityThe old Mughal capital an hour east, with a ghostly abandoned merchant street and a folk art museum.
- SrimangalThe tea capital in Sylhet, easy by train, all rolling green tea gardens and seven-layer tea.
- Cox's BazarThe world's longest natural sea beach, a short domestic flight south for sand and seafood.
- SundarbansThe vast mangrove delta and home of the Royal Bengal tiger, reached by boat from the southwest.
- MainamatiAncient Buddhist monastery ruins near Comilla, a quiet history-heavy day out.
Coffee
Best cafes
- North End Coffee RoastersDhaka's original specialty roaster, reliable flat whites across Gulshan and Banani.
- Gloria Jean's CoffeesThe international chain with comfortable air-conditioned outlets in the diplomatic zone.
- Crimson CupA popular home-grown coffee chain good for laptops and long meetings.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Star Kabab and RestaurantA Dhaka institution for kababs, naan and no-fuss local food across many branches.
- Sultan's DineThe Dhanmondi favourite that turned Chittagong-style kacchi biryani into a citywide obsession.
- Kacchi BhaiReliable, generous plates of mutton kacchi biryani, a local go-to for a feast.
- Fakruddin BiryaniA classic name for biryani, trusted for weddings and Friday lunches alike.
- Haji BiriyaniThe legendary Old Dhaka hole-in-the-wall serving its famous spiced mutton biryani.
- SpitfireA busy Gulshan grill and steakhouse popular with the expat and business crowd.
- IzumiA well-regarded Japanese restaurant in Gulshan for sushi and a break from local food.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Al-Razzaque RestaurantAn Old Dhaka classic for early nihari, khichuri and hot parathas.
- Nirob HotelA no-frills Old Dhaka spot famous for breakfast nihari and beef.
- Star Kabab and RestaurantDependable early parathas, bhaji and dal to start the day.
- North End Coffee RoastersThe place for a Western breakfast, eggs and proper coffee in Gulshan.
Residency
Bangladesh has no retirement or lifestyle visa, so most foreigners arrive on employment or business visas tied to a local sponsor. Large investors can apply for permanent residency or even citizenship, but the thresholds are high and the process is slow.
Tax
Personal income tax is progressive and tops out around 25 percent, with a surcharge on top for the wealthiest earners. There is no special expat regime, so budget for local rates and paperwork-heavy filing.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Bangladesh tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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