French Concession
If you prefer pretentious dining to hectic, sticky-floored dumpling houses, this one's for you. Man Long Chun serves classic Shanghainese crab xiǎolóngbāo…
Must-see restaurants in China
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…
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…
The Bund & People's Square
More than 250 years old, this restaurant's claim to fame rests on its extravagant selection of crab dishes; its popularity reaches an apex during hairy…
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)…
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…
Lhasa
This well-run restaurant serves a mix of excellent Continental, Indian and Nepali food in modern and fresh surroundings. The Indian dishes are…
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…
French Concession
Funkadeli brings flair to Fumin Rd, serving pizzas, charcuterie boards, panini sandwiches with imported cheeses and meats along with Italian wine and beer…
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…
Aberdeen & South Hong Kong Island
Limewood has an island-themed menu that works well, though the fruit-laced fusion food may be a tad predictable. Fish tacos and slow-cooked beef ribs are…
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…
The Bund & People's Square
Bustling Food Embassy has several locations around town – this one, on the 6th floor of the Raffles City mall, is kind of cool. Choices range from…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
This humble stall prepares claypot rice the old way using charcoal, which cooks more evenly than gas and gives a beautiful layer of crust. More unusual…
Nanning
Drop by evenings for barbecued skewers of cumin-spiced lamb at this lively Xinjiang restaurant. Here a team of Uighur chefs man the charcoal grill…
Kowloon
Collars are required for gentlemen dining at Gaddi's, a baronial French restaurant with splendid heritage interiors and a history stretching back to just…
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…
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,…
The Bund & People's Square
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's celebrated Italian restaurant has a stunning location by the Bund and a relaxed modern-rustic setting designed by Neri &…
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…
French Concession
Hidden between the wet markets and lane houses of Yanqing Rd is this simple but awesome vegetarian salad and noodle bar, serving heaping bowls of goodness…
French Concession
A classic American diner in many ways, with booths, an open kitchen with a countertop and stools, plus all the hearty cuisine that comes with it (burgers,…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
The juicy honbo here (Cantonese for hamburger) are dainty, delicious and local, employing New Territories beef and vegies, and buns baked down the road…
Yuen Long
Hong Kongers are familiar with the gold lettering on red paper boxes that have been stained by lard from the warm and crumbly Chinese pastries inside…
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),…
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…
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…
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…
French Concession
An awesome hole-in-the-wall pancake stall right outside the entrance of Jinshan Rd metro station (opposite Brut Eatery). Delicious, crispy cōngyóu bǐng …
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…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
In the basement of the swish Pacific Place mall, Great Food Hall is part upscale deli, part posh supermarket. Load up on stacked sandwiches, filled rolls,…
Nanning
Unique and flavourful ethnic dishes served on a photogenic Wind and Rain Bridge or in a dining room. There's a huge range of ethnic food, from fried pork…
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…
Jilin
A large, restaurant well regarded for its excellent options – mainly jiàngtāng (酱汤; a bubbling pot of pork and potatoes in a miso broth) or bànfàn (拌饭,…
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…
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…
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),…
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,…
French Concession
Officially a Turkish restaurant, Pera does freshly baked pide bread, plus dishes like shakshuka, salads, grills, hummus platters and baklava sweets. But…
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…
