Must-see restaurants in Beijing

  • Baihe Vegetarian Restaurant

    Beijing

    Though the decor has seen better days, this peaceful courtyard restaurant and teahouse has a serene vibe and an all-vegetarian menu (with English…

  • Bāozhuāng Mǎchē

    Beijing

    Sating homesick Koreans since 2004, this windowless eatery serves Seoul-style hotpots of rice cakes, tofu, instant ramen, veggies and a choice of protein…

  • Yang Fang Lamb Hotpot

    Beijing

    Back-to-basics Beijing hotpot a short walk from the Drum Tower. Order the soup base for the table (清汤锅底; qīng tāng guōdi) and sesame dipping sauce (小料;…

  • Jiafu Binshe Vegetarian Restaurant

    Beijing

    Just before the main entrance to Tanzhe Temple, this hotel restaurant serves traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, consisting mostly of food designed…

  • Bāozi Pù

    Beijing

    Despite going the touristy route in recent years, this Nanluogu Xiang pit-stop still does a cracking bowl of 'knife-cut noodles' (刀削面, dāo xiāo miàn). A…

  • Xiao Wang's Home Restaurant

    Beijing

    If you find yourself in the CBD post-meeting and don't fancy dining in a shopping mall or hotel, this old-timer is a safe bet. Housed in a low-rise block,…

  • April Gourmet

    Beijing

    April Gourmet vies with rival Jenny Lou's for Beijing's expat minimart crown, catering for foreigners craving a taste of home. Aussie Tim-Tams? Check…

  • Yī Lóng Zhāi

    Beijing

    A metal tray of cumin-spiced lamb skewers (羊肉串; yáng ròu chuàn) at this Xinjiang restaurant is just the ticket after beers at nearby Great Leap Brewing #6…

  • Culiang Renjia

    Beijing

    A homespun ode to peasant cooking, this place serves up heaped platters of northeast (dongbei) cuisine. Dishes include shā zhū cài (杀猪菜), literally 'kill…

  • Dōuyīchù

    Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South

    Halfway along Qianmen Avenue is this touristy restaurant with a history dating back to Emperor Qianlong, through the place has been entirely rebuilt. The…

  • Timezone 8

    Beijing

    Timezone 8's journey from art-book publishers to sushi cafe might well be a microcosm of 798's unbridled gentrification. Craft beer, maki and artisanal…

  • Huátiān Yánjí

    Beijing

    Locals have been slurping up Korean-style cold noodles at this gnarly canteen since the days of the Japanese occupation. Opened by cháoxiǎnzú (Chinese of…

  • Huguosi Snacks

    Beijing

    A time capsule of a canteen dishing up traditional sweet and savoury snacks beloved of Beijing’s older residents and tourists. Worth a try are wāndòuhuáng…

  • Bellagio

    Beijing

    Once the go-to hotspot for nouveau-riche partygoers vacating the surrounding nightclubs in search of shaved-ice desserts, Bellagio has grown into a China…

  • Cannon's

    Beijing

    Clad in scarlet and yellow neon, this 1950s-styled diner is surprisingly authentic, considering Route 66 is a ways away. The retro burgers hit the spot,…

  • 3 Little Pigs

    Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central

    Hit up this pocket-sized eatery for a hutong hangover fix. Expat owner Andy makes his own sausages and bacon that go into calorific breakfast sandwiches…

  • Georgia's Feast

    Beijing

    Reflecting the multicultural makeup of Sanlitun's embassy area, this Georgian-run joint serves homemade samsa meat pies, grilled kebabs, adjaruli…

  • Pebbles Courtyard

    Beijing

    While it doesn't quite match the hipster cred of other Beijing taquerias, the tacos at Pebbles are the real deal. Soft corn tortillas come with a choice…

  • Kǎo Ròu Jì

    Beijing

    Known for its platters of roast mutton, Kao Rou Ji has stood beside Silver Ingot Bridge for years (it featured in the very first edition of Lonely Planet…

  • At Cafe

    Beijing

    Notable as the first cafe to open in 798, At boasts an enormous wood-fired pizza oven, craft beer on tap and lots of outdoor seating. It belongs to no…

  • Khan Baba

    Beijing

    Friendly Pakistani-run restaurant in a rundown block south of Wudaokou's U-Center building. A rambling menu of curries, tandoori, naan, dhal – even fish…

  • Cafe Sambal

    Beijing

    Cafe Sambal pairs aromatic Malaysian fare with a homely hutong setting to craft a dining experience more civilised and intimate than most Beijing…

  • Cafe Flat White

    Beijing

    Started by a New Zealander, this cafe and roastery chain has two locations in the Art District, of which this one, located in the industrial 751 D-Park…

  • Schindler's Tankstelle

    Beijing

    Homemade pork schnitzel, chewy pretzels, affordable steaks and Bavarian wheat beer and pilsner on draught – sounds gut, jah? Portions are large and prices…

  • Xiǎo Yú Shān

    Beijing

    If you can't face the queues at Hu Da and want your spicy Sichuan crayfish ASAP, this place, towards the eastern end of the Ghost Street restaurant strip,…

  • Jixiangniao Hunan Cuisine

    Beijing

    The signature dish at this popular Hunan restaurant is duòjiāo yútóu (剁椒鱼头), a classic Hunan platter of carp's head covered with diced pickled chillies…

  • Saffron

    Beijing

    Charming Chinese-run Spanish restaurant that cooks pricey paella (serves three diners) positively bursting with Mediterranean flavours. Popular for brunch…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • Sanyuanli Market

    Beijing

    Plenty of Beijing's international restaurants get their imported foodstuffs at this covered market. From Thai lime leaves to baked beans, Sanyuanli has it…

  • Veggie Table

    Beijing

    Western-style vegetarian and vegan fare here includes shitake mushroom burger with home fries, Thai yellow curry and rice, and vegan carrot cake.

  • Gǒubùlǐ

    Beijing

    A rather drab, touristy outpost of Tianjin's most famous restaurant chain, Goubuli is known for its bāozi (包子), a variety of steamed bun with a fluffy…

  • Le Little Saigon

    Beijing

    Longstanding bistro restaurant with a menu that melds east and west – think Vietnamese phở (beef and rice noodle soup) alongside French-style roast…

More destinations you need to see