Must-see restaurants in China

  • Duddell's

    Hong Kong

    Light Cantonese fare is served in riveting spaces enhanced by artwork at this one-Michelin-starred restaurant-gallery. There's a graceful dining room,…

  • Bingsheng Mansion

    Guangzhou

    One of only eight restaurants awarded a star in the inaugural 2018 Guangzhou Michelin guide, this is the upmarket flagship of the esteemed Bingsheng chain…

  • Eight

    Macau

    The Eight is a stellar three-Michelin-starred restaurant and model of Cantonese culinary refinement inside the Grand Lisboa. You can dine on a 'simple'…

  • Commune Social

    Shanghai

    From UK celebrity chef Jason Atherton, this natty Neri & Hu–designed restaurant blends a stylish yet relaxed vibe with sensational tasting dishes,…

  • Jade Dragon

    Macau

    At three-Michelin-starred Jade Dragon, the genius of a Cantonese master is applied to top-notch ingredients and the results are mesmerising. We've all had…

  • 1 Restaurant

    Yunnan

    Built into a historic courtyard house once owned by a trader of the Tea Horse Road era, the restaurant's very modern menu features Yunnanese and Naxi…

  • Eating roast duck at a Beijing roast duck restaurant

    Jingzun Peking Duck

    Beijing

    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…

  • Zhang Mama

    Beijing

    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…

  • Luna

    Guangxi

    This fine rooftop restaurant experience is one of Yangshuo's best. The view of Moon Hill isn't quite as amazing as it used to be – thanks to a neighbour…

  • Yúfúnán

    Beijing

    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…

  • Taco Bar

    Beijing

    The king, nay the emperor of Chinese taquerias, Taco Bar packs out with punters feasting on fiendishly tasty Mexican street-style tacos including al…

  • Jīn Dǐng Xuān

    Beijing

    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…

  • Taste of Dadong

    Beijing

    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…

  • Element Fresh

    Nanjing

    Ever-trendy Element Fresh gives the iffy Nánjīng cafe culture a good kick in the pants. The setting is smooth, the ambient tunes funky, the lines clean,…

  • Grandma

    Inner Mongolia

    Overlooked by a portrait of Genghis Khan, diners love this colourful, fun and vibrant upstairs restaurant that does a roaring trade. There's a huge…

  • Brut Eatery

    Shanghai

    An extremely popular casual cafe with half a dozen tables, plus steps with cushions and mini side tables out the front. Diners queue and then sit shoulder…

  • Hǎi Dǐ Lāo

    Shanghai

    This Sichuanese hotpot restaurant is all about service, and the assault begins the minute you walk in the door. Pre-dining options include shoeshines,…

  • Zhao Family Crispy Duck

    Sichuan

    Foodies flock to this simple but superb restaurant for its speciality – sweet, crispy roast duck (jīn; ¥22). The draw is the skin, which is best described…

  • Zēng Lǎo Yāo Yú Zhuāng

    Chongqing City

    Outside, it's a seething mass of people crowded around tables. Inside, it's even more packed as you enter a former bomb shelter – white-tiled walls and a…

  • Tao Tao Ju Restaurant

    Guangzhou

    An esteemed name in Canton's yum cha dynasty, Tao Tao Ju packs in the over-60s for dim sum wheeled out on heated carts. There's no menu; you'll be given a…

  • Hóng Làjiāo Xiāngcàiguǎn

    Shanghai

    There's no shortage of decent Hunan restaurants in Shanghai, but you won't find much better than this one. Wooden benches and an exposed-brick effect make…

  • Najia Xiaoguan

    Beijing

    With modern Chinese interiors fit for an emperor, this Manchu-inspired restaurant is a regal delight, serving imperial fare such as Peking duck, braised…

  • Kau Kee Restaurant

    Hong Kong

    You can argue till the noodles go soggy about whether Kau Kee has the best beef brisket in town. Whatever the verdict, the meat – served with toothsome…

  • Yershari

    Shanghai

    Yershari offers a slightly smarter version of the typically raucous Xinjiang dining experience, but this place is still no-frills and plenty of fun with…

  • ᠎Sun Hing Restaurant

    Hong Kong

    Many a drunken Soho reveller has trudged westward after a long night seeking cheap dim sum, but to no avail. Then just before they pass out, there appears…

  • Rōnin

    Hong Kong

    With just 24 counter seats locked down behind an unmarked door, Rōnin has all the hallmarks of a coveted Soho dining spot before you've even seen the…

  • Fu 1039

    Shanghai

    Set in a three-storey 1913 villa, Fu attains an old-fashioned charm. Foodies who appreciate sophisticated surroundings and Shanghainese food on par with…

  • Grandma’s Home

    Hangzhou

    There's no end to the hype about this restaurant, which now has branches across the whole country, with eager diners constantly clustering outside. It…

  • Bingsheng Taste

    Guangzhou

    This marvellous restaurant, one of several branches of Guangzhou's highly regarded chain that also boasts upmarket editions like Bingsheng Mansion and …

  • Supin

    Guangzhou

    The gleaming interior of this Shamian mansion conversion is all glass, marble and chandeliers, baiting you to photograph it. Equally social-media…

  • Lan Fong Yuen

    Hong Kong

    This rickety facade hides an entire cha chaan tang (tea cafe). Lan Fong Yuen (1952) is believed to be the inventor of the ‘pantyhose’ milk tea, and droves…

  • Sproutworks

    Shanghai

    A branch of the excellent quick-serve smart cafeteria joint, serving cooked Asian and Mediterranean meals from counter vats. Plus fresh-to-order salads…

  • Sum Yuen

    Macau

    You can pick from over 150 creative dishes at this modern restaurant at Pou Tai Temple. Avocado, yam and eggplant figure on the menu, in the form of sushi…

  • Man Mo Café

    Hong Kong

    At this welcoming place, chefs from culinary giants in Taiwan (Din Tai Fung) and France (Robuchon) team up to create high-end fusion dim sum. Portions are…

  • Old Bailey

    Hong Kong

    The joy of Old Bailey begins with its snazzy Herzog & de Meuron–designed interior that mixes mid-century-modern Scandi with Chinese design principles, and…

  • Yánquán Nóngjiā

    Yunnan

    The one genuine restaurant in the village is also one of the most famous in Yunnan, after being featured on the hit Chinese TV show A Bite of China…

  • Clube Militar de Macau

    Macau

    In a distinguished colonial building, with fans spinning lazily above, the Military Club takes you back in time to a quieter Macau. Simple and delicious…

  • Tapas de Portugal

    Macau

    Tantalising Portuguese-style tapas are on offer at this cosy, warm-toned restaurant by the owner of Michelin-lauded António. There are over 40 to choose…

  • Dòng Zǐ Kou Zhāng Lǎo Èr Liáng Fěn

    Chengdu

    A city classic that's always packed at lunchtime, but just squeeze onto the end of one of the benches and tuck into the house special: tián shuĭ miàn,…

  • Lucky Full City Seafood

    Xiamen

    If you eat out just once in Xiamen, join the queues for this Cantonese culinary masterclass, and then stack up the exquisite dim sum dishes like egg buns,…

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