Must-see restaurants in China

  • Taste

    Beijing

    A decent spot for a sit-down meal along hectic Nanluogu Xiang, offering Beijing noodles, tasty stir-fried beef and a few western dishes. The attractive…

  • Wáng Páng Zi Nǎi Tāngmiàn

    Sichuan

    One step up from a street stall, this open-fronted place a block back from the river and on a quiet street, serves nai tang mian (奶汤面) – noodles in a…

  • Birdbar Cafe

    Dali

    There's a great, sun-filled upstairs area to lounge in over a coffee, tea or beer; the menu mixes western, Chinese and Japanese cuisine (all organic). The…

  • Ajisen

    Inner Mongolia

    Famed for its delicious and filling ramen, tasty fried dumplings (煎饺, jiānjiǎo) and swift-moving, efficient staff, Ajisen is an excellent choice for no…

  • Kuàihuó Línliànghuān Zhài

    Guizhou

    The pick of the local sour soup venues gets the nod due to the high turnover of customers, the bubbly service and the sharp, tangy flavour. Take control…

  • Carrefour

    Shanghai

    This French supermarket chain is the epicentre of Gubei, and you can find everything from wine and cheese to cheap bikes and crockery. Also here is a…

  • Happy Family Mall

    Liaoning

    For respite from the busy intersection near the South Gate, head to the food court on the 5th floor of the Happy Family Mall where you'll find delicious…

  • Lǎopái Niú Yáng Ròufěn

    Guizhou

    This restaurant on the main street sells classic Guizhou dishes such as rice noodles (米粉, mǐfěn) and fish in hot and sour soup (酸汤鱼, suāntāng yú) as well…

  • Jenny Lou's

    Beijing

    A handy branch of Beijing's mini-mart chain, which competes with rival April Gourmet on expat essentials like imported cheese, breakfast cereal, wine and…

  • Tiāntiān Yúgǎng

    Dalian

    Choose your meal from the near museum-level variety of aquatic creatures at this upmarket seafood restaurant. Most dishes are set out in refrigerated…

  • Isshin Japanese Restaurant

    Beijing

    From sushi rolls to steaming beef hotpots, this local favourite is a safe bet for tasty Japanese food at student-friendly prices. Find the restaurant set…

  • Zigong Walking Street

    Sichuan

    Lined with many shops, the highlights of this street are the small vendors who wheel their fresh noodles, dumplings and other tasty delights here to sell…

  • Yíbīn Ránmiàn

    Chengdu

    This simple place does a great job of Yibin-style ránmiàn (宜宾然面) noodles and a handful of other Sichuan noodle and dumpling dishes, plus it's open around…

  • Duole

    Xiamen

    Popular with expatriates is this Italian restaurant run by long-term foreign residents. It feels familiar for homesick travellers, and the atmosphere is…

  • Desert Rose

    Beijing

    Turkish-Azerbaijan restaurant with a huge range of meaty kebabs, baked breads and sweet desserts. The location, halfway along a dilapidated commercial…

  • Bite Me

    Yangshuo

    This cosy cafe run by Mary and Milla is all about delicious homemade cakes, good coffee and wine by the glass. It's along a covered section of an arcade…

  • Shoukangyong Vegetarian Restauarant

    Hangzhou

    Classic banquet-style, Buddhist vegetarian dishes made for sharing. Solo diners who don't want to eat a whole plate of one vegetable or mock meat can opt…

  • Cāng Ěr Chūn

    Dali

    A little more expensive than some other Bai restaurants and with extremely brusque service, but the food is flavourful and authentic. The rǔbǐng (乳饼; goat…

  • Cafe Sunflower

    Tianjin

    In the heart of the Italian Concession district, this smart European-style cafe has good coffee (from ¥32), craft beers (from ¥40) and a strong selection…

  • Pistolera

    Shanghai

    Modern space with splashes of bright colour and Mexican touches. The Central American classics hot the spot – chimichangas, carne asada, fajitas and tacos…

  • Pijiu Ya Banfen

    Jiangxi

    This pint-sized, no-frills place has a bunch of noodle and rice offerings, but its signature dish, píjiǔ yā bànfěn (啤酒鸭拌粉, drunken duck noodles, ¥13), is…

  • Barbecue Stalls near Hác Sá Beach

    Macau

    Just off Hác Sá beach is a row of barbecue stalls, some with tables, emitting the tantalising aromas of grilled meat and seafood. Cheap and tasty, they're…

  • Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant

    Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South

    Beijing's most famous roast-duck-restaurant brand, this branch on rebuilt Qianmen Ave is very much geared to the tourist hordes. Service is brusque, and…

  • Golden Peacock

    Beijing

    Specialising in the cuisine of the Dai people, an ethnic group from southwest China, this unpretentious eatery whips up Yunnan favourites such as grilled…

  • Huiji Temple Vegetarian Restaurant

    Zhejiang

    The vegetarian canteen at hilltop Huiji Temple serves up humble but filling and healthy bowls of stewed vegetables, tofu and rice. Buy a ticket and help…

  • Chóngqìng Lǎotàipó Tāntān Miàn

    Xinjiang

    This cheap and cheerful noodle bar serves up a range of simple dishes in the Chóngqìng style (read: very spicy). It has a pictorial menu, friendly staff…

  • Ning Yuan

    Liaoning

    A little slice of Singapore by the sea at this surprisingly good establishment. Expect southern Chinese seafood specialities and a whole manner of noodle…

  • Mike's Pizza

    Chengdu

    Legit pizza is served on the small, flowery terrace of this relaxed spot in the heart of Tongzilin's bar district. They also do sandwiches and salads,…

  • Xishan Vegetarian Restaurant

    Jiangsu

    This vegetarian restaurant serves flavoursome hotpots and noodles that draw on Chinese and Japanese Buddhist cooking methods. The simple set meal (¥68)…

  • Sizhong Alley Market

    Gansu

    Just north off the main street of Xi Dajie, look for this market with numerous restaurants, and more food stalls serving noodles, spicy hotpot and…

  • Sāndé Sùshíguǎn

    Fujian

    This fine vegetarian restaurant has clear picture menus and more creativity than the typical faux-meat staples. Try any of the simple rice dishes for…

  • Liúyìshǒu Kǎoyú

    Guizhou

    Packed at night, this heaving eatery specialises in tasty grilled fish and hot pot. It’s best to dine as a group, as fish weights start at around 3 jīn …

  • Turkish Mum

    Beijing

    Dine on Middle Eastern cuisine like stuffed meatballs, borek pastry pies and meze dishes at this bright and well-appointed Turkish restaurant. Also has…

  • Huafeng Market

    Yunnan

    An outdoor food court that thrives once darkness descends. Come here for Burmese and Chinese food, including decent barbecue. The food is all on display,…

  • City Shop

    Shanghai

    City Shop is great for all those imported goodies you just can’t get anywhere else. It also has a range of takeaway sandwiches and baked goods, and…

  • O'Steak

    Beijing

    Easy-going neighbourhood bistro that pulls in French expats for bloody cuts of beef(sourced from Inner Mongolia) that's served on wooden boards with fries…

  • Not Here Cafe

    Anhui

    At the heart of the village, this small place with graffiti-strewn walls, serves coffee, freshly made juice and beer and can put a chair under your aching…

  • Shirin Cake

    Kashgar

    This Old Town Uyghur bakery has a wide selection of pastries, cakes and other delicious baked goods, which in combination can form a tasty (if rather…

  • Cuanyun Inn

    Beijing

    The best place to sample roast leg of lamb (烤羊腿; kǎo yáng tuǐ; ¥200). On the right of the main road as you enter the village. It has a photo menu.

  • Aili

    Xinjiang

    This popular and centrally located bakery has a great pastry selection from which you can build a good breakfast or a lunch on the go. Give the coffee a…

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