Xian Yue Hien

The Ding Xiang Garden, originally built for the concubine of a Qing dynasty mandarin, is now reserved for retired Communist Party cadres, so the only way you’ll get to peek behind the undulating dragon wall is to eat at this serene restaurant. Stroll past the octogenarian officials in wheelchairs reminiscing about the good old days when the Chairman was running things to sample classic Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes such as lion’s head meatballs (Y56). The seafood dishes can get very expensive here, but the real draw is the dim sum, served overlooking the lawn on mornings and afternoons. Picture menu available.