Chóngqìng Lǎotàipó Tāntān Miàn
Xinjiang
This cheap and cheerful noodle bar serves up a range of simple dishes in the Chóngqìng style (read: very spicy). It has a pictorial menu, friendly staff…
Must-see restaurants in China
Liaoning
A little slice of Singapore by the sea at this surprisingly good establishment. Expect southern Chinese seafood specialities and a whole manner of noodle…
Chengdu
Legit pizza is served on the small, flowery terrace of this relaxed spot in the heart of Tongzilin's bar district. They also do sandwiches and salads,…
Jiangsu
This vegetarian restaurant serves flavoursome hotpots and noodles that draw on Chinese and Japanese Buddhist cooking methods. The simple set meal (¥68)…
Hongkou & North Shanghai
Hip express noodle joint in a mall, selling big bowls of wheat noodles in flavoursome fishbone and oxtail bone broth. There are also wontons and sides…
Gansu
Just north off the main street of Xi Dajie, look for this market with numerous restaurants, and more food stalls serving noodles, spicy hotpot and…
Shenyang
It's hard not to get into the whole experience of charcoal grilling your own skewers of juicy meat and veg right at your table. All the meats, seafood and…
Fujian
This fine vegetarian restaurant has clear picture menus and more creativity than the typical faux-meat staples. Try any of the simple rice dishes for…
Guizhou
Packed at night, this heaving eatery specialises in tasty grilled fish and hot pot. It’s best to dine as a group, as fish weights start at around 3 jīn …
The Bund & People's Square
One of many of South Yunnan Rd's fantastic local eats, this place is known for its steamed dumplings and yán shuǐ yā (salted duck; 盐水鸭;) and numerous duck…
Shùndé Double Layer Milk Pudding
Foshan
This dessert shop sells 'double layer' milk pudding, the popular southern Chinese dessert, so-called because of the layer of milk skin on the surface. It…
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…
Yunnan
An outdoor food court that thrives once darkness descends. Come here for Burmese and Chinese food, including decent barbecue. The food is all on display,…
Shanghai
City Shop is great for all those imported goodies you just can’t get anywhere else. It also has a range of takeaway sandwiches and baked goods, and…
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…
Anhui
At the heart of the village, this small place with graffiti-strewn walls, serves coffee, freshly made juice and beer and can put a chair under your aching…
Kashgar
This Old Town Uyghur bakery has a wide selection of pastries, cakes and other delicious baked goods, which in combination can form a tasty (if rather…
Xinjiang
This popular and centrally located bakery has a great pastry selection from which you can build a good breakfast or a lunch on the go. Give the coffee a…
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.
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…
Lamma
Cozy vegetarian place that serves a well-loved all-day breakfast and green smoothies, in addition to solid mushroom-based burgers and delectable curry…
Gansu
For a fast, hot meal in the evenings, especially barbecued lamb washed down with beer, try the food stalls at this market, north of the Xinhua Lu traffic…
Puji Temple Vegetarian Restaurant
Zhejiang
A vegetarian canteen inside Puji Temple serving great value meals. Buy a ticket at the 'box office' and then grab a bowl.
The Bund & People's Square
This handy branch of the excellent north Indian restaurant offers fantastic-value set lunches and a diverse menu of authentic Indian dishes and Kingfisher…
Inner Mongolia
The glossy Wanda mall, diagonally opposite the museum, has a clutch of Chinese restaurants on the top floor serving everything from noodles to hotpots and…
Fujian
The stakes are high on Longtou Lu, and the staff at Líjì Mùdān will shout you into a plastic seat for some of that fishball goodness in soup or on a…
Wuhan
'Old Street Barbecue' serves spicy grilled meats, fish and veggies in a pleasant sit-down restaurant. Large bottles of cheap beer help keep the chilli at…
Hainan
This Haikou institution in Old Town does a brisk business in scalding bowls of wonton soup. A ‘small’ is plenty filling. There’s a picture menu.
Liaoning
This retro cafe in a handy spot beside a fruit market is popular with students and couples for its geek chic. The drip-filter coffee is really good.
Beijing
Western-style vegetarian and vegan fare here includes shitake mushroom burger with home fries, Thai yellow curry and rice, and vegan carrot cake.
The Great Wall
This restaurant up by the main entrance to Mutianyu Great Wall serves family-style Chinese food. Inexpensive, considering the location.
China
This nicely renovated old ancestral temple has been turned into a restaurant and tea house, and has reasonably priced dishes.
Anhui
The pancakes here are a good choice, with ¥15 buying you a big pancake with pork mince topping plus green onions and chilli.
The Great Wall
One of the few restaurants near to Jinshanling Great Wall ticket office that stays open in winter. It has an English menu.
Lhasa
This simple monastery restaurant serves up cheap noodles and thermoses of sweet, milky tea in its pleasant back garden.
Changchun Temple Vegetarian Restaurant
Wuhan
Housed next door to the Changchun Temple, this place prepares a delectable spread of mock-meat creations. Photo menu.
Inner Mongolia
This bustling and central street is stuffed with dozens of Chinese and Mongolian restaurants and the occasional cafe.
Hubei
'Grandma's' is a cheery modern place with a good selection of the usual home-style dishes. No English menu.
Tianjin
Pocket-sized pizzeria on tree-lined Hebei Lu. Young, friendly staff, an English menu and beer on tap.
