Kunming
On the ground floor of a converted warehouse a couple of kilometres northwest of the city centre, this family-run place strictly uses locally sourced…
Must-see restaurants in China
Sai Kung Peninsula
The motto here is: eat what they hunt. This three-storey Michelin-starred restaurant is where fish freshly caught from Sai Kung waters in the morning…
Macau
Expat chef Fabrice Vulin gives his contemporary take on classical French cuisine at the elegant Tasting Room. Its affinity for unexpected texture and…
Kowloon
DTF's steamers of perfectly pleated xiao long bao (Shànghǎi-style dumplings) have made this Taiwanese chain an Asia-wide institution. Order them wrapped…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
This off-the-beaten-track shop has unbeatable Cantonese barbecue and none of the lines of better-known places. Char siu (barbecued pork) emerges from the…
French Concession
Ye offers sophisticated, unchallenging Shanghainese cuisine in classy Xintiandi surroundings. The drunken chicken and smoked fish starters are an…
Shanghai
On the 54th floor of Jinmao Tower (in the Grand Hyatt lobby), the Grand Café offers stunning panoramas through its glass walls and an excellent-value…
Guangzhou
Set in Liwan Lake Park amid ornamental gardens interlinked with pools, courtyards and corridors, Panxi is typical of Guangzhou's garden restaurants,…
New Territories
Sha Tin 18's Peking duck (half/whole HK$538/848) has put this hotel restaurant, adjacent to the Chinese University, in the gastronomic spotlight. Book…
Kowloon
Hong Kong’s most authentic Northern Chinese–style roast lamb is served at this long-standing locals' favourite. Better known is the perfectly bronzed…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
Quiveringly tender beef brisket is the big draw here, eaten with noodles either in a soup or 'stirred' with soy sauce (you still get a little bowl of…
Shanghai
Named after an ethnic group in China's northwest, this excellent restaurant is a tad pricey compared to other Xinjiang options in Shanghai, but makes up…
The Bund & People's Square
A fixture on Huanghe Road Food Street, this humble tiled restaurant is a real contender for one of Shanghai's best dumpling places, with juicy pork-and…
Chengdu
Drolmala is something of a social centre for the young of Chengdu's big Tibetan community. This superb space mixes fabulous modern Tibetan cuisine with…
Shangri-la
French-run bistro in a hundred-year-old courtyard house, with the finest wine list in town (from ¥30 a glass) and a diverse local and international menu…
Shenzhen
This is one of the most popular Cantonese chains in town, so expect noisy waits for a table after 11.30am. Must-try dim sum here are the sweet durian…
Beijing
Take your taste buds on a dreamy sojourn southwest at Beijing's most stylish Yunnan restaurant. A sophisticated, industrial-chic space is the setting for…
Lhasa
With a wide-ranging menu of Nepali, Indian and Tibetan dishes, good breakfast options, decent prices, pleasant seating and a great location, it’s no…
Hong Kong
Tai Cheong was best known for its lighter-than-air beignets (deep-fried dough rolled in sugar; sa yung in Cantonese) until former governor Chris Patten…
Kunming
Try authentic Yunnan cuisine in a beautifully restored heritage courtyard building with outdoor seating – this is one of our favourite restaurants in the…
Hong Kong
Be prepared to bump elbows with locals at this tiny, basic joint known for its roast goose. Anthony Bourdain gushed over the bird. The leg is the most…
Shanghai
If you choose one place to try Shanghai's famous pork-and-crab xiǎolóngbāo soup dumplings, let it be here. This critically acclaimed restaurant steams…
Lhasa
This old-timer has a new location but is still an extremely popular place that serves a mix of excellent continental and Nepali food in very civilised…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
This less hectic outpost of Hong Kong's famously cheap (for the quality) dim sum chain, is now a global brand with branches in Southeast Asia, Australia…
French Concession
Jesse is a popular, intimate space. So if you tend to gesture wildly when you talk, watch out with those chopsticks. This is Shanghainese home cooking at…
Qingdao
Housed in a former electrical office building dating from 1909, this super little restaurant, with big-window street views, knocks out delicious but…
Shanghai
In the mall above a metro exit is this small outlet of the great fried-dumpling chain, specialising in delicious pork and prawn shēngjiān (spring-onion…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Occupying a Qing dynasty building beside the Forbidden City's moat, this is the sister restaurant to upscale TRB Hutong, with the same flawless service…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Set back in the corner of the parade ground on the old US Legation, Lost Heaven presents the dreamy flavours of exotic Yunnan province. Sour-spicy dishes …
Shanghai
Formerly known as Baguo Buyi, Sichuan Folk is among the most authentic Sichuan food in town, cooked up by the diligent chefs at this famous restaurant at…
French Concession
The reason to come to this no-frills local spot is to do as the locals do and scoop up a bowl of májiàng miàn (麻酱面, sesame noodles). At just ¥10 to ¥20…
Beijing
Pleated with precision, the xiǎolóngbāo (Shanghai-style soup dumplings) at this acclaimed Taiwan chain taste as good as they look. Delicate pork, rich…
Lijiang
High-end Yunnanese cuisine fills most of the menu at this Yunnanese–French collaboration, in an upmarket setting on the south side of the old town. Bring…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
One bite of Samsen's delectable pad thai and Queen's Rd E becomes Khao San Rd; but at this hip little gem presided over by an Aussie chef, the good ol'…
Suzhou
Upmarket Spanish restaurant and cocktail bar on the 37th floor of the W Hotel. As well as excellent food, drinks and service, this place also has a…
Shanghai
In a 1930s villa, exclusive Fu 1088 has 17 rooms filled with Chinese antiques. Rooms are rented out privately, with white-gloved service and an emphasis…
Chengdu
This high-end Sichuan joint does everything right, from service and cuisine to ambience, but it's decidedly popular so you'd do well to make reservations…
Guiyang
The beautiful rooftop terrace of this vegetarian restaurant has some of the best views and food in Guiyang. All dishes are stylishly presented and combine…
Beijing
Opened by the titular 'Fatty Wang' in 2004, Wang Pangzi is lauded by many as Beijing's best purveyor of donkey-meat snacks. The lip-smacking speciality…
Changsha
Don't miss the experience of eating this culinary landmark, established in 1747 and set around a small temple courtyard. Downstairs has a Hunan menu and…
