Hainan
Bo'ao’s most famous restaurant is surprisingly un-flashy, cobbled together from driftwood and with a courtyard full of weathered old fishing junks. The…
Must-see restaurants in China
Suzhou
This institution has been serving up classic Suzhou-style soup noodles for 200 years. The delicious broth, which is made fresh each night from herbs,…
Shanghai
This busy Taiwan-owned restaurant chain may still be peddling its ‘Top 10 restaurants of the world’ mantra after a two-decades-old review in the New York…
Shanxi
Behind the grey walls of this period-style low-rise is a famous establishment founded in the Qing dynasty. The ground floor sells cold braised snacks…
Macau
Modest Riquexó is the place for tasty, no-frills Macanese. Take your pick of the daily options, which may include minchi, a homey dish of minced meat…
Guangxi
Come evening, head to this no-frills barbecue joint for a delicious array of seasoned skewers cooked on its streetside charcoal grill. Choose from juicy…
Heilongjiang
Tofu ice cream, tofu salad, tofu burgers! This is soybean heaven, but even meat lovers will enjoy the soft delicacy at this incredible specialist…
Macau
'Lisbon Space' is unique for its use of Portugal-inspired decor inside a Chinese village house. This two-storey restaurant in Coloane Village is known for…
Xi'an
A superb choice for lamb or beef pàomó; you need to grab a seat before 11am, otherwise it's all elbows in ribs. Pay for your dish, take your seat and then…
Shenzhen
Get an iced lemon coke with your 'kung fu' crispy duck at this fun contemporary Canto chain, originally from Guangzhou. The bilingual picture menu…
Hunan
The best-known restaurant in the village was opened in 1987 by business-savvy octogenarian Madam Tang, who used to live in the house opposite Mao, but who…
Anhui
Come here to sample (and study: the picture menu is well translated) the exotic edible fungi, shoots and roots of the mountain. Dishes range from humble…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Guangdong
An excellent vegetarian restaurant opposite Kaiyuan Temple with delicacies such as lotus-flowers on skewers. The menu also features Chaozhou specialities,…
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…
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…
