Shenzhen
Excellent dim sum is served in square steamer baskets at this friendly and highly affordable restaurant. The tick-box picture menu is Chinese only; a…
Must-see restaurants in China
Anhui
Duck down a little alley opposite 120 Lao Jie for what is essentially an ancient food cart inside an even more ancient Qing dynasty home – run by a 12th…
Suzhou
Downtown branch of this popular restaurant that specialises in dumplings but also offers a variety of tasty, locally inspired and classic Chinese dishes…
Kashgar
Easily Kashgar's most memorable and atmospheric restaurant, Altun Orda is a sumptuously decorated place famous for its roast mutton, sweet pumpkin…
Qinghai
An unexpected gem, this noodle joint has both style that wouldn't look out of place in Beijing and substance by way of delicious handmade miànpiān (面片,…
Nanjing
This restaurant is popular for its juicy and totally delicious beef 'potsticker' dumplings (牛肉锅贴, niúròu guōtiē). These golden, crispy wonders are easy on…
Orient King of Eastern Dumplings
Harbin
This busy main street chain dumpling house is the pick of the three options in Harbin (if it's full, head down the road to number 51). The handmade jiǎozi…
Old Kaili Sour Fish Restaurant
Guiyang
This local institution has two branches, but the one on Shengfu Lu has superior service and atmosphere (both have Miao waitstaff in traditional garb)…
Shanghai Old City
This busy Cool Docks restaurant is a genuine crowd-pleaser, and has alfresco seating by the pond outside. There’s a delicious range of tandoori dishes,…
Xishuangbanna Region
This is the first of all the western-style cafes in town and still the best. Choose from Dai and Chinese, burgers and breakfast, Belgian beer and espresso…
Sichuan
Laid-back, relaxed new restaurant full of sofas and with a first-floor dining room overlooking the birthplace of the 7th Dalai Lama. The menu is a meeting…
Guangxi
Rarely does a famous eatery (it's been featured countless times by the media) uphold its culinary excellence, but that's precisely why patrons keep…
Xinjiang
A young and friendly English-speaking team run this pizza joint, in perhaps the least likely culinary find in Hāmì. The pizzas (on an English-language…
Shanghai
If you’re squabbling over what to eat for lunch, brunch or dinner, settle your differences at smart-casual Yi Cafe. With 11 open kitchens and a walk…
French Concession
Usually crammed, this Cantonese diner does its best to teleport you to 1950s Hong Kong, with old-style tiled floors, retro stained-glass and whirring…
Macau
Fantastic takeaway shop and online bakery for vegetarians. Our favourites are the plant-based rice bowls (nine versions!), almond milk and raw coconut…
Fujian
This bamboo-heavy, riverside restaurant buzzes most nights with groups sharing platters of Chinese dishes such as the local speciality of chicken fried…
Kowloon
Rub shoulders with Indian business people, tailors and traders at this tiny halal kitchen, the best of many in the marvellously multicultural maze that is…
Shigatse
A Nepali-run place that is popular with both locals and tourists. Watch as locals sip thugpa (Tibetan noodle soup) while travellers treat their tastebuds…
Macau
This gem stands out from the crop of new restaurants in Taipa Village and its pricing is very reasonable. The delicious seafood rice or its drier…
Kashgar
Across from the Id Kah Mosque, this photogenic night market is a great place to sample local fare. Among the goodies are fried fish, chickpeas, kebabs,…
Macau
Local families have been flocking to this unassuming restaurant for reasonably priced barbecued fish and pig-ear salad even before it received a Michelin…
Fujian
It feels like you’re cutting through an elegant alley on the way to somewhere else, but stop at the wooden benches for incredible noodle, fish and duck…
Harbin
Hungry foodies line up for Lao Chang's famous chūnbǐng, northern Chinese specialities, that are essentially DIY spring rolls. Descend the stairs to order…
Kwan Kee Beef Balls & Pork Knuckles
New Territories
There's always a wait at this unpretentious shop for the bouncy beef balls and the chewy, collagen-laden pork knuckles served in blue plastic bowls and …
Shanghai
This tiny spot at the foot of Qibao’s main bridge has by far and away the best xiǎolóngbāo ('little steamer buns') on the block. Dumpling fillings include…
Shenyang
This popular hotpot chain teems with the energy of dozens of diners chowing down on everything from veggies to meat and noodles. Friendly staff can help…
Guangdong
An excellent vegetarian restaurant opposite Kaiyuan Temple with delicacies such as lotus-flowers on skewers. The menu also features Chaozhou specialities,…
Ngari
This place has a good range of tasty Chinese dishes and friendly service in pleasant surroundings.
Guizhou
At the top of Sifangjing Xiang, and with a lovely terrace, this quiet family-run restaurant serves up Guizhou-style dishes including smokey cured bacon…
Nanjing
Cosy bakery located in the student area around Nánjīng University. As well as delectable baked goods like cakes and breads, they make their own nut…
Dunhuang
Part of the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, this rooftop restaurant is ideal for a meal (the western buffet breakfast is excellent) or a sundowner gazing out…
Xinjiang
The best place in Kuga for Uyghur food is this street at the junction of Tianshan Zhonglu and Youyi Lu. Kebabs, noodles and samsas (baked mutton pies) are…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
Committed foodies with dollars to burn will be determined to try this three-starred gastro-lab presided over by the 'Demon Chef', aka Hong Kong's own…
Hong Kong
In the morning, this famous 1950s teahouse is packed with older men reading newspapers. Eating here can be overwhelming for the uninitiated: dim sum (from…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
The flagship of a fine-dining brand with over a dozen branches worldwide, this two-Michelin-star eatery serves exquisite Guǎngdōng classics (including…
Jiangxi
Promising to 'keep the real taste of Old Nanchang', this wildly popular no-frills restaurant has a youthful vibe, a Communist Revolutionary theme and a…
Hong Kong
The world’s first Chinese restaurant to receive three Michelin stars still retains them. The Cantonese food, though by no means peerless in Hong Kong, is…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Divine dim sum draws the crowds to this clubby outpost of the multi-Michelin-starred Hong Kong chain. Order from a check-box menu of classic Canto treats …
French Concession
It's easy to while away the hours in this adorable cafe, with a few stools and a big open window for people watching, plus a raised seating area…
