Must-see restaurants in China

  • Uyghur Night Market

    Xinjiang

    Recently moved to its own purpose-built area about 1km due south of the main square, Hotan's night market is one of the liveliest and busiest in Xīnjiāng…

  • Hóng Dòu Yuán

    Kunming

    This old-school Chinese eatery, with a duck-your-head stairway, is a real locals hang-out on cosmopolitan Wenlin Jie. The food is excellent and will draw…

  • Magpie

    Shenzhen

    Dine on small-plate fusion fare at this hip and stylish restaurant in OCT-LOFT. The Chinese chef owners draw inspiration from their Manchurian roots with…

  • Dōngyīshùn

    Hangzhou

    Specialising in food from China’s Muslim Hui minority, this busy Gaoyin Jie spot has lamb kebabs (羊肉串, yáng ròu chuàn; ¥10 for four), roast mutton (¥40)…

  • Tibet Steak House

    Lhasa

    This well-run restaurant serves a mix of excellent Continental, Indian and Nepali food in modern and fresh surroundings. The Indian dishes are…

  • Rose of Sharon Bistro

    Qinghai

    This large and modern upstairs restaurant-cafe has a tasty menu, efficient staff, comfy rows of sofas and decent views of the hills (though it's a bit…

  • Zhōnghuá Dōnglù

    Guangdong

    A short walk east of central Chikan are over half a dozen stalls serving Kaiping's speciality bāozifàn (煲仔饭): rice and meat or eel cooked directly in…

  • Lǎopáifāng

    Shandong

    Just inside the low-key food street called Daguan Gardens, this is a decent place for a refined take on Lǔ (Shandong) cuisine. Order the unpretentious…

  • Cantina

    Kunming

    This large, light-filled Italian-run venue is set around an attractive central bar. There's a wide selection of pizza, pasta and panini (from ¥28), steaks…

  • Joe's Pizza

    Shanghai

    Pizza by the slice, served up with style on a paper plate. There are 15 delicious creations from the super cheese bomb to the Canadian (with mozzarella,…

  • Brooklyn Bar & Restaurant

    Dalian

    Down-to-earth Wayne set up this slice of American hospitality inspired by his visits abroad. Strong, tall cocktails support a menu spanning pizza (amazing…

  • Hangzhou Dumplings

    Gansu

    This friendly family-run restaurant offers a wide range of Chinese dishes and breakfasts such as yóutiáo (fried dough sticks), dòujiāng (warm soya milk),…

  • Royal Palace Crisp Beef Pies

    Beijing

    This hole-in-the-wall bakes 'royal crispy beef pies', a Tang dynasty treat seldom found on Beijing's streets anymore. Filled with beef, leeks and the…

  • Yihe Zangxiang Beef Noodles

    Hangzhou

    A superb lunch stop, where the must-order beef noodles are done Lanzhou-style (read: magnificently fiery) and the meat is served separately to drop it in…

  • Ba Yi Restaurant

    Hong Kong

    This rustic halal restaurant serving the cuisine of northwestern China's Xinjiang province is a lamb lover's paradise. Here you can savour mutton in all…

  • Huì Zhī Fèng

    Chengdu

    A satisfying place to fill up before (or between) drinks on Kehua Jie. There are tables outside or seats around the tiě bǎn (铁板, hot iron plate) to watch…

  • Bǎi Cǎo Xiāng

    Jiangxi

    If having to choose from long, impenetrable menus is starting to make your head spin, consider seeking out this tiny, modern place that offers just three…

  • Chom Chom

    Hong Kong

    Wildly popular and always lively, Chom Chom re-creates Vietnamese street food with bold flavours and charcoal grills, which are best washed down with its…

  • Mammy Pancake

    Hong Kong

    Hong Kong is a city of foodie fad-followers and one of its original inventions is the bulbous egg puff/waffle, sometimes filled with treats like red bean…

  • Summer Tea House

    Shenzhen

    An unexpected oasis of tranquillity in a dull office block, this wood-panelled teahouse has deep armchairs just begging for your bottom and a creative,…

  • Saveurs de Corée

    Beijing

    This expat favourite still packs them in for some of Beijing‘s freshest and tastiest Korean dishes, such as bulgogi (marinated grilled beef slices),…

  • Tian Tian Restaurant

    Sichuan

    Recently moved to a new location, this long-standing travellers’ haven is run by the gregarious English-speaking chef, Mr Zheng, who can also offer expert…

  • Yī Rán Táng

    Suzhou

    Come to this friendly Buddhist restaurant for a modest-yet-filling vegetarian buffet that, at ¥10, will barely make a dent in your wallet. Etiquette…

  • The Restaurant of JiangNan HJ

    Shanghai

    With Chinese signage near the corner of East Nandan Rd and North Caoxi Rd, this good little no-frills dumpling shop with wooden benches can easily be…

  • Lucy's

    Yangshuo

    With graffiti-splattered walls, Lucy's is quite an institution. Western and Chinese food are done with equal aplomb: aim for one of the terrace seats…

  • Lao Ma Rabbit Head

    Chengdu

    It's said that people will fly across China to eat rabbit head (兔头, tùtóu) in Chengdu and this restaurant cooks it better than most. Order by the piece,…

  • Meizhou Dongpo

    Beijing

    Enjoy good-value Sichuan classics alive with the tongue tingle of huājiāo (Sichuan peppercorns) at this reliable chain restaurant, recognisable by its…

  • Yinshi Restaurant

    Hangzhou

    Yinshi's name literally translates as 'Hidden Stone Canteen' and indeed it's tucked away in a backstreet with unexpected retro charm inside with pewter…

  • Shengjinta Jie Snack Street

    Jiangxi

    This modern recreation of an old snack street may be contrived, but it certainly won't leave you hungry. Its pedestrianised strip is lined with…

  • Dōngchéng Dàndàn Tiánshuǐmiàn

    Chengdu

    There are lots of reasons to recommend this neighborhood place just up from People's Park. We could talk about watching the food being prepared through…

  • Yíng Jiāng Dǎi Wèi Yuán

    Kunming

    Popular with the locals, this bustling restaurant offers an authentic taste of the delicious, sour and spicy cuisine of the Dai minority from…

  • Hóng Lú

    Beijing

    Reworking old Beijing grub for modern palates, this stylish upstairs space knocks out classics such as zhájiàng noodles, sweet-and-sour fish, and a half…

  • Brooklyn Pizzeria

    Kunming

    Pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches: the list continues. If you're looking for western comfort food, this is the place to find it. It's unsurprisingly…

  • Guangming Teahouse

    Jiangxi

    Serving some of the best food in Likeng, the charming Guangming Teahouse acts as an informal thoroughfare to the best photo spot in the village, perched…

  • Niu Gu Fen

    Jiangxi

    Nevermind the fancy-pants places inside Ceramics Art Avenue: try some of the great-value no-frills restaurants opposite. Order the speciality niú gǔ fěn …

  • Food Opera

    Shanghai

    Grab a card from the booth (¥10 deposit), load up with credits and then spend, spend, spend on a whole host of open kitchens in this hopping food court…

  • Kali Mirch

    Guilin

    Tucked away behind the Sheraton, this fantastic restaurant is run by an affable and well-travelled man from Darjeeling, who speaks perfect English and…

  • Yung Kee Restaurant

    Hong Kong

    The roast goose here, made from fowl raised in the restaurant's farm and roasted in coal-fired ovens, has been the talk of the town since 1942. It's…

  • Lord Stow’s Bakery

    Macau

    Though the celebrated English baker Andrew Stow has passed away, his cafe and the original Lord Stow’s Bakery here keep his memory alive by serving his…

  • Compass

    Shangri-la

    Bustling spot for a fine breakfast, and a popular hang-out for international travellers. Salads, steaks, pasta and pizzas are all available, as well as a…

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