Beijing restaurants

An absurdly affordable spice-fest, humble Zhang Mama is run by a multi-generational family of Sichuan exiles (including mama), all with mad wok skills. The signature is xiāngguō (香锅; ¥48 to ¥58), a humongous bowl...

Dadong

Dadong could be the best meal of your trip or an occasion to forget, and it all comes down to expectation. Less Peking duck restaurant and more temple to contemporary Chinese fine dining, Dadong (real name Dong...

One of the best modern Chinese dining experiences in the capital, Yúfúnán is an insanely stylish spice fest, serving the sweat-inducing fare of Hunan province in an all-white, modernist dining space squeezed...

The king, nay the emperor of Chinese taquerias, Taco Bar packs out with punters feasting on fiendishly tasty Mexican street-style tacos including al pastor (pork belly) and carne asada (steak), slathered in...

Dripping in red neon and lanterns, this raucous Chinese restaurant by the south gate of Ditan Park is a magnificent monstrosity that never closes – even for Chinese New Year! Four bustling floors of great-value...

This casual concept eatery from Beijing's duck maestro Dong Zhenxiang – of famed sister restaurant, Dadong – lets you enjoy a portion of his famous roast fowl without having to order the whole bird. The rest of...

Jingzun Peking Duck

An unsung purveyor of Peking duck, Jingzun's bargain birds (¥138/79 for a whole/half) are every bite the equal of Beijing's more elite brands, unruly presentation aside. Lacquer-skinned and succulent, the ducks...

Mount your culinary camel and traverse the Silk Road sands to this singular Central Asian food fest. Grilled lamb doused in cumin and chilli, baked flatbreads, hearty stews and noodles are dished up by...

With modern Chinese interiors fit for an emperor, this Manchu-inspired restaurant is a regal delight, serving imperial fare such as Peking duck, braised sea cucumber and curiosities including DIY venison buns –...

Beijing's most refined destination for duck, where perfectly bronzed birds are announced to the dining room by the chiming of a gong. Maybe it's the 30-year-old jujube wood in the ovens, or the house-made duck...

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 aromatic favourites such as 'Crossing the Bridge' noodles,...

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 and contemporary European fine dining. Reservations are...

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 – Dali chicken, Dai-style pork, black cod – are imbued...

Pleated with precision, the xiǎolóngbāo (Shanghai-style soup dumplings) at this acclaimed Taiwan chain taste as good as they look. Delicate pork, rich consommé and paper-thin pastry – perfection! Don't skimp on...

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 here is lǘròu huǒshāo (驴肉火烧; ¥12/14), toasted pastry pockets...

Beijing's most famous international fine-dining experience, TRB (Temple Restaurant Beijing) serves modern European dishes with a French twist – house-smoked salmon, lobster salad, Wagyu beef – but the real...

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 (shrimp dumplings, pork buns, egg-custard tarts etc),...

No wonder this locals' favourite is always packed – for boiled or fried jiǎozi (dumplings) that are as delicious as they are light on the wallet, you can't go wrong. Ordering via a bilingual menu card is easy –...

Flying the flag for southern American barbecue in a decidedly duck-centric city, this Texan-owned restaurant-bar is all about slow-cooked meats, burgers and craft beer. A charcoal-wood smoker takes centre stage,...

Feast on modern dim sum at this stylish hutong joint run by the Orchid boutique hotel next door. Everything on the tick-box menu is deliciously creative; the shrimp spring rolls have a wasabi kick, and the...