Restaurants in Yúnnán
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N's Kitchen
Clamber up the steep stairs for one of the best breakfasts in town, a monster burger and a cheery welcome. It's a good source of travel info too, as well as having mountain bikes for hire.
reviewed
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Sakura Café
This unbelievably raucous place has gone from subdued and relaxed to utterly rè nào (hot and noisy, the way Chinese like it) in half a decade. It is actually one of several other 'Sakura Cafés' also found along this lane; perfectly located to draw in tourists, they absolutely swell with customers at night. You'll hardly hear yourself think at times, but the Korean bimbab set meal is still outrageously good.
reviewed
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Lamu's House of Tibet
Lamu has been putting smiles and service before yuán for over a decade and, after a few relocations, she's finally nailed her spot in this casual pine-and-bamboo place on the north side of the old town. The upstairs is great for people-watching. It's a UN menu, but the Tibetan items are all you really need (though the Naxiburger rocks).
reviewed
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Blue Papaya
One of the places many folks take the time to write about, this is among Lìjiāng's top casual-chic places. The Italian-centric food - heavy on pasta and fish - is excellent with many, many creative flourishes. The restaurant is also home to a 'cultural exchange academy', offering courses on cooking, massage, taichiand more.
reviewed
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Petit Lìjiāng Bookcafé
Owners Mei and Olivier are great sources of travel information, and the food (a mix of classic Chinese and Western dishes) and atmosphere are fine (head upstairs for the best seats). The bookshop has a small but good collection of English- and French-language titles focusing on Yúnnán and elsewhere in China.
reviewed
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Yúnnán Café and Bar
Run by a friendly couple, this not too big, not too small space is a great place to wind things down at night or start things up in the morning. The Western and Chinese stick-to-your ribs breakfasts are terrific. The Tibetan breakfasts will have you set for the long bus rides to Kūnmíng and beyond.
reviewed
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A
Yùquánzhāi Vegetarian Restaurant
Popular with locals, monks and expats, head here for dishes that look and taste like meat but aren't. We like the Endless Buddha Force (assorted veggies and tofu), but all the dishes here are worth sampling.
reviewed
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B
Tibet Café
Richly decorated and set up with imposing wooden tables, this café has terrific atmosphere and a great choice of Tibetan, Western and Chinese dishes. It also consistently attracts some of the more experienced travellers in town, so is a good place to eavesdrop or just ask around about what's new.
reviewed
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C
Hotpot Restaurant
An absolute madhouse at peak mealtimes, this restaurant will take the very aggressive or the very brave to muscle their way though the throngs and eventually get fed. Nonetheless, with all the slick restaurant and eateries all over Kūnmíng these days, this is a breath of fresh air.
reviewed
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D
Salvador's
Kūnmíng today is absolutely chock-a-block with Western-style cafes. Most are perfectly fine, but there's a reason why this one is always filled. Outstanding coffee and a menu ranging from stick-to-your-ribs breakfast through more solid sustenance - even nod-worthy burritos.
reviewed
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E
Ma Ma Fu's 2
This branch of the legendary Lìjiāng café is right around the corner east of the Camellia Hotel (and there's a third branch now, north of Kunming Cloudland Youth Hostel). Chinese dishes are by far the best, but most people order Western fare like pizza and apple pie.
reviewed
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Wei's Pizzeria
The granddaddy of Kūnmíng's Western-style cafes, down an alley off Tuodong Lu, Wei's has been a sanctuary for many a traveller for good reason: capacious interiors warmed by a wood-fired pizza oven, frosted beer steins, and outstanding food (Western and Chinese).
reviewed
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F
Brothers Jiang
A local fave, this simple place has such good across-the-bridge noodles that there are now several branches throughout the city, most of which are filled to capacity at mealtimes. Pay upfront first at the cash register and make sure you get the instructions on the eating process!
reviewed
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Noah Café
It's been around for a spell now, but Noah's has consistently good food, mostly Western but with some Chinese dishes, and good service, as well as wi-fi for Y4 an hour. Its sister establishment N's Kitchen is equally reliable and has free wi-fi.
reviewed
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Bamboo Café
If the Dálǐ street throngs are getting to you, there's no better place for a break than this dark, cosy restaurant. Meals like bai fish are a great introduction to the local cuisine and the English menu will give you a window to other local specialities.
reviewed
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G
Zhènxīng Fàndiàn
A good introduction to Kūnmíng fare, especially for guòqiáo mǐxiàn, and handy for late-night eats. Pay upfront at the desk where the grumpy middle-aged ladies sit.
reviewed
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Naku Café
Not many folks seem to wander into this casual eatery run by some very shy but very friendly staff. Local Naxi dishes outshine the foreign items: the Naxi claypot needs salt but is packed with tofu, potato, turnip, carrots, broccoli and cabbage.
reviewed
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H
Marley's Café
Marley's has always been a cornerstone of the town; now away from the Huguo Lu throngs, it's airier and more relaxing. Well-done food, great service, helpful advice. Check out the Bai banquet on Sunday nights (reserve early).
reviewed
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I
White Pagoda Dai Restaurant
Dai cuisine moves north here, with a slew of fish dishes and, of course, standards like pineapple sticky rice and spicy fish wrapped in bamboo shoots, all in a Bǎnnà-themed environment of bamboo and thatching.
reviewed
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Prague Café
Heading off for the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek? You can't go wrong with the Naxi breakfast: fried goat cheese, ham and a potato pancake as big as your head will have you all set. Great staff, crowd and atmosphere.
reviewed
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Cow Pub
The name itself warrants a poke-around in this place whose design scheme is dedicated to cowpokes, Tibetan or otherwise, or at least a life in Old Tibet. Subdued but welcoming, you'll find it in the old town.
reviewed
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Mama Fu's
An original Lìjiāng culinary cornerstone from way back, alfresco dining here beside a tranquil stream provides one of the best people-watching opportunities in the old town. The Chinese dishes are very solid, especially the Naxi ones (try the chǎo hǎicài, a local vegetable speciality).
reviewed
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J
1910 La Gare du Sud
Ensconced cosily in a neocolonial building, this place has luscious Yúnnán specialities done up in a classy but relaxed atmosphere. There's an English menu if you ask for it.
reviewed
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Well Bistro
Laid-back and friendly, this is an oasis in a busy part of the old town and a great place to relax after a day's walking. Western breakfasts, burgers, pasta and pizza (from Y30), as well as rice and noodle dishes, and great coffee and proper booze. There's a book exchange here too and wi-fi.
reviewed
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Blue Page Vegetarian Restaurant
Pretty much everything this place does is done right. Find nouveau veggie dishes, along with Indian and Chinese, all in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
reviewed
