La Marée

Hard to find (it’s inside CBD International Mansions, down a road off Jianguomenwai Dajie very close to exit C of Yonganli Station), this southern-French seafood restaurant is one of the nicest international restaurants in town. The dining room is decorated in maritime blue, with fishing nets strung across the ceiling, while the French chef gives a modern spin to traditional seafood dishes using both local and imported ingredients (there are also meat dishes that use beef from Australia). The splendid seafood platter for two (Y498) is a good introduction. Otherwise, mains start at Y125. Thankfully, it also does a more affordable lunch deal, where you pay Y48 for a soup and salad bar and then up to Y50 for a main course. There are 200 French wines available, starting at Y198 a bottle and going up to Y56,000 for really big spenders.