Must-see restaurants in China

  • Lao San Yang

    Jiangxi

    Promising to 'keep the real taste of Old Nanchang', this wildly popular no-frills restaurant has a youthful vibe, a Communist Revolutionary theme and a…

  • Lung King Heen

    Hong Kong

    The world’s first Chinese restaurant to receive three Michelin stars still retains them. The Cantonese food, though by no means peerless in Hong Kong, is…

  • Niūniū Dàpánjī

    Henan

    A Xinjiang speciality, dàpánjī (大盘鸡, big-plate chicken) is a spicy chicken, potato and pepper stew; halfway through the meal, handmade noodles and greens…

  • BlackSalt Tavern

    Hong Kong

    Black Salt is the friendly neighbourhood restaurant we'd all like to have around the corner. In 2018 it moved into a bigger space in Shek Tong Tsui and…

  • Xiàn Lǎo Mǎn

    Beijing

    No wonder this locals' favourite is always packed – for boiled or fried jiǎozi (dumplings) that are as delicious as they are light on the wallet, you can…

  • Co. Cheese Melt Bar

    Shanghai

    This small but established joint is dedicated entirely to the humble grilled-cheese sandwich. Choose from 25 different types of melts, from turkey to Thai…

  • Home Plate BBQ

    Beijing

    Flying the flag for southern American barbecue in a decidedly duck-centric city, this Texan-owned restaurant-bar is all about slow-cooked meats, burgers…

  • Chifa Dumpling House

    Hong Kong

    Since the mid-19th century there has been a Chinese diaspora in Peru, cooking home cuisine using Peruvian ingredients. This interpretation of Chinese food…

  • Mak's Noodle

    Hong Kong

    Mak's founder emigrated to Hong Kong from China in WWII and established this now-legendary noodle stop, first as a dai pai dong (food stall) and then a…

  • Seyzhong Nongze Bösey Restaurant

    Lhasa

    Super-convenient if you’re visiting the next-door Ramoche Temple, this pleasant upstairs Amdo Tibetan restaurant offers great views over the street below…

  • Zhongshan South Road Food Street

    Hangzhou

    Hangzhou is spoilt for choice when it comes to foodie streets, and this stretch of Zhongshan Nanlu (starting at the Drum Tower) is an absolute delight…

  • Furongji

    Beijing

    Feast on modern dim sum at this stylish hutong joint run by the Orchid boutique hotel next door. Everything on the tick-box menu is deliciously creative;…

  • Fodder Factory

    Beijing

    With China's overworked millennials pining for simpler times, it's no wonder nostalgia has become big business. Fodder Factory tugs at the heartstrings…

  • Together

    Shanghai

    Foodies will adore this French-Asian minimalist place with an open kitchen and nice red-brick courtyard. It serves uber-creative cold and hot sharing…

  • Bistro 2555

    Shanghai

    Housed in a sleek industrial space, adjacent to a former aeroplane-hangar-turned-gallery, this is easily the best place to grab a bite in the area. It has…

  • Marco’s Dream Cafe

    Xinjiang

    This Malaysian-run place serves a very welcome range of Western and Asian dishes, including delicious curried chicken and steaks, while the friendly…

  • Ho Lee Fook

    Hong Kong

    As irreverent as its name suggests, this buzzy underground spot does a winkingly modern take on retro Chinatown cuisine. Fat prawn toasts are served with…

  • Restaurante Fernando

    Macau

    Possibly Coloane's most famous restaurant, sprawling Fernando's contains two separate dining rooms and a large courtyard bar. Devoted customers and…

  • Tim’s Kitchen

    Macau

    At Tim's, top ingredients are meticulously prepared using methods that highlight their original flavours, resulting in dishes that look simple but taste…

  • Robuchon au Dôme

    Macau

    Encased in a glass dome, this three Michelin-star restaurant by the late celebrity chef Joël Robuchon has everything associated with the name: tasteful…

  • Hungry Buddha

    Yunnan

    The most sophisticated eatery in town and one of the most notable in all Yunnan, with a mouth-watering all-vegetarian Italian menu utilising locally…

  • Okra

    Hong Kong

    This relaxed izakaya (informal Japanese pub) in Sai Ying Pun is as much about sake sampling as it is the food, but the enthusiastic staff nail both. The…

  • Shāguō Lǐ

    Tianjin

    Despite having walls adorned with photos of television celebrities who've eaten here, this place remains refreshingly unpretentious, and locals still come…

  • Arbor

    Hong Kong

    Founded by Finnish chef Eric Räty, Arbor won its first Michelin star in 2019 with its creative combination of fresh, seasonal ingredients and traditional…

  • Shèng Yǒng Xīng

    Beijing

    This beautifully styled 2nd-floor dining room serves high-roller Peking duck, roasted over jujube wood at a higher temperature for a less oily bite…

  • New Punjab Club

    Hong Kong

    Just 18 months after opening its doors, New Punjab Club became the world’s first Pakistani restaurant to earn a Michelin star. The tandoor-grill…

  • Chén Mápó Dòufu

    Chengdu

    The plush flagship of this famous chain is a great place to experience mápó dòufu (麻婆豆腐; small/large ¥12/20) – soft, house bean curd with a fiery sauce of…

  • Amber

    Hong Kong

    Two-Michelin-starred Amber was set to receive a complete physical reinvention at the time of writing, but one thing that won't be changing is Chef Ekkebus…

  • Nánfāng Dà Bāo

    Hangzhou

    Who would have thought the humble bāozi could taste so good? The fluffy steamed buns served at this small corner stand near the Rénhé Hotel building are…

  • Butao Ramen

    Hong Kong

    From the line of customers waiting out front, you can believe that this joint serves the best ramen in town. Choose from the signature Butao with rich…

  • Migas Mercado

    Beijing

    A fun-loving, well-heeled CBD hangout, Spanish-run Migas serves sun-drenched fare including grilled octopus and Iberian pork on a fabulous terrace space…

  • António

    Macau

    The cosy mahogany-framed dining room, the meticulously thought-out menu and the friendly chef, António Coelho, all make this the go-to place for…

  • Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant

    Shanghai

    A not-too-busy branch of the famous Shanghai dumpling restaurant, where you cannot go wrong with the reasonably priced xiǎolóngbāo dumplings. There's the…

  • Zhāxī Cāntīng

    Yunnan

    Lively restaurant and barbecue joint that's great for the local speciality, Mosuo pork (from ¥50), which you cook yourself on tabletop wood-fired grills…

  • Lotus Eatery

    Shanghai

    You've got to like it spicy if you're going to savour the cuisine from the land south of the clouds. The Yunnan dishes here really work for vegetarians –…

  • Kăwăkăbù Zàngcān

    Sichuan

    Despite the lack of menus, ordering here is easy as the friendly Tibetan family drag you by the arm back into the kitchen for a look. Don't think too hard…

  • Lucky Full City Seafood Dim Sum

    Xiamen

    Authentic and MSG-free dim sum is served in this ever-popular restaurant. Expect to wait at least 30 minutes to get a table.

  • Woman serving dim sum at Maxim's Palace City Hall Restaurant.

    City Hall Maxim’s Palace

    Hong Kong

    This 'palace' offers the quintessential Hong Kong dim sum experience. It's cheerful, it's noisy and it takes place in a huge kitschy hall with dragon…

  • The stamp shop facade of Mrs Pound on Pound Lane

    Mrs Pound

    Hong Kong

    When Mrs Pound first opened, it was a stamp shop. Now it's masquerading as a traditional locksmiths; tap a lock near the door and it swings open to reveal…

  • Hú Dà

    Beijing

    If you thought Peking duck was the city's favourite chow, think again. That accolade belongs to Hú Dà's Sichuan-style spicy crayfish (麻辣小龙虾; málà…

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