Shanghai
This vibrant pop-art decorated hole-in-the-wall has a wonderful selection of hearty bowls of pho (noodle soup), vermicelli dishes, fresh banh mi (baguette…
Must-see restaurants in China
Ningxia
A jovial shǒu zhuā mutton restaurant. Mutton is ¥108 to ¥118 per catty, and boiled lamb hooves in garlic sauce are ¥10 apiece. To cleanse your palate, you…
Suzhou
Good quality, Chinese-style vegetarian food in downtown Sūzhōu, not far from the Garden of Cultivation. Friendly service, with a wide selection of…
Fujian
The Ān family are well known across town for their Cantonese-style dim sum, which sneaks a few Hakka delights onto the trolley. The xiāmǐ chángfěn (虾米肠粉,…
Guangzhou
In a narrow alley off Baohua Lu, this hugely popular hole-in-the-wall serves three dishes – crunchy blanched fish skin (鱼皮, yúpí) tossed with peanuts and…
Fujian
A former 1920s dance hall for sailors and diplomats, the Black Cat is now an antiques-filled multi-room restaurant with lots of intimate dining options…
Liaoning
Amid flashing KTV signs on Xinghai Nanjie, you can discover very good Sichuan style málà miàn (a spicy and numbing noodle soup) on offer. The photo board…
Yunnan
Travellers dreaming of the culinary possibilities just across the border can drop by here for delicious Burmese cuisine from lyongi-clad waiters. There's…
Jiangxi
The noodles at this tiny restaurant, located 100m left out of Yushan bus station, are pulled fresh while you wait, and there are more than 30 different…
Shanghai
In the basement floor of the Shanghai Centre, this supermarket is the place to get all those imported goodies you just can’t find anywhere else. It also…
Shanghai
If you're needing something green and leafy that's not glistening in oil, this 100% vegetarian restaurant has all your superfoods covered. There's plenty…
Shangri-la
Long a favourite spot for local Tibetans, this relaxed and welcoming place specialises in yak-meat hotpots (from ¥148). Great mómo (馍馍, Tibetan dumplings)…
French Concession
Guyi is a fine Hunan choice for a romantic dinner. It has a classy atmosphere equalled by a comprehensive menu, which includes great huǒguō (hotpot), beef…
French Concession
Gracie’s tempts from the back of Al's Diner with her homemade ice cream in hard-to-resist flavours: miso caramel, London fog (inspired by Earl Grey),…
Tsang
This Nepali-run place (a branch of Tashi in Shigatse) whips up tasty and filling curries, pizza, pastas and yak sizzlers. It also has the best range of…
Ü
If you need a change from Tibetan and Sichuanese cuisine, these northeast-style dumplings prepared by a friendly transplant from Shāndōng province are…
Kowloon
Take a break in this cutesy dessert store where everything, from the gelato to the caramel sauce, is made in-house. Rich flavours such as pistachio, Earl…
Guangxi
Located at This Old Place Hostel is this pretty cafe serving up delicious baguettes and wood-fire pizzas, alongside a choice of local Guangxi fare. If the…
Qingdao
This upmarket cafe-restaurant isn't quite on No 3 Beach, but it sure is close. The coffee is excellent, as is the Western food (sirloin steaks, lamb chops…
Tianjin
On a lively crossroads lined with small restaurants, fruit stalls and snack shops, this typical hole-in-the-wall takeaway joint specialises in Tianjin's…
Ü
Expect loads of atmosphere, sunny outdoor seating, a vegetarian menu and pilgrims galore at this welcoming place within the monastery compound. Fried…
French Concession
Gather up some friends to join the boisterous crowds at this expanded, highly popular Fumin Rd venue. It's a great place to get a feel for Shanghai’s…
Shanghai
Nab one of only six stools here to enjoy express bowls of Hawaiian-style goodness. Choose from raw tuna, scallops, salmon and prawn, accompanied by…
French Concession
This is one of the better places to eat pho in Shanghai. Standouts are the raw beef pho in a piping-hot broth, the grilled pork banh mi and the whole…
Xiamen
This popular vegetarian restaurant attracts nearly as many devotees as nearby Nanputuo Temple. The tasty soy-based meals are lavishly named and presented…
Yunnan
Local delicacies, including the herbal stew qìguō (汽锅; ¥38) and a wide range of Chinese dishes served in a renovated courtyard home make this one of the…
Guangzhou
Cooking chicken soup in a coconut with its own sweet coconut water is as delicious as it sounds. Then add superfood goji berries, bamboo and stewed…
Fujian
A little delight is found in this garden cafe where cats roam and an award-winning barista brews his magic. The Western desserts don’t skimp on the cream…
Shangri-la
Built into a hundred-year-old wooden building rebuilt in original form after the 2014 fire, this small cafe just off the main square is one of the…
Aberdeen & South Hong Kong Island
Open frontage and its location a flip-flop's throw from the beach mean Amalfitana's delicious Italian-style pizzas can be enjoyed between dips in the…
Hebei
A slick shopping mall with dozens of restaurants ranging from Shanghainese and hotpot to pizza and Korean BBQ. Freshly made juice will keep you hydrated,…
Kowloon
Sweet Dynasty's extensive menu encompasses a retinue of casual Cantonese dishes, but the desserts, noodles and congee, for which they became famous years…
French Concession
Modern French-style bakery selling all manners of tasty baked sweet and savoury goods, which are laid out on the counter. More substantial snacks include…
Xishuangbanna Region
If you’re not making the trek overland to Southeast Asia, get your Thai fix at this ever-reliable open-air restaurant. It’s not the most upmarket Thai…
Kowloon
A stylish brisket shop in a hood known for brothels, Sun Sin serves succulent cuts of beef in a broth with radish, in a tomato soup or as a curry. If you…
Shanghai
Inside the eco-chic Urbn, this fashionable, laid-back restaurant is a good spot for a relaxed meal. Expect quality items such as beef tacos, New England…
Shanghai
Excellent sandwiches and cakes, and you can hang out here for hours with your tablet and no one will shoo you away. Need we say more? Wagas is the best…
Hekou
Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes, particularly Vietnamese, fill the menu of this small restaurant, which is located in the courtyard of a restored 1897…
Eastern Tibet
This late-running establishment specialises in pig's trotters (猪蹄, zhūtí; half a trotter ¥15) from the local free-ranging swine. It also serves decent…
Shanghai
Reasonably priced Thai inside the Shanghai Centre, serving a good pork krapow (spicy minced pork with Thai basil and egg with rice). The full-sized tom…
