Must-see restaurants in Sichuan

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • Drolmala Music Space

    Chengdu

    Drolmala is something of a social centre for the young of Chengdu's big Tibetan community. This superb space mixes fabulous modern Tibetan cuisine with…

  • Mǎ Wàng Zi

    Chengdu

    This high-end Sichuan joint does everything right, from service and cuisine to ambience, but it's decidedly popular so you'd do well to make reservations…

  • Are Tibetan Restaurant #1

    Chengdu

    Not only will you not find no better Tibetan food in Chengdu, you'd be hard-pressed to find better Tibetan food anywhere in Tibet. Choose from a delicious…

  • Yúnduān Yī Yè

    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…

  • Chén Mápó Dòufu

    Chengdu

    The plush flagship of this famous chain is a great place to experience mápó dòufu (麻婆豆腐; small/large ¥12/20) – soft, house bean curd with a fiery sauce of…

  • Kăwăkăbù Zàngcān

    Sichuan

    Despite the lack of menus, ordering here is easy as the friendly Tibetan family drag you by the arm back into the kitchen for a look. Don't think too hard…

  • Tang Song Food Street

    Chengdu

    This reconstructed ancient alleyway is jam-packed with tourists and Chengdu favourites like chāoshǒu (抄手, wontons; ¥12) and chuànchuàn xiāng (串串香, the…

  • Emma’s Kitchen

    Sichuan

    Songpan’s main traveller hang-out is this laid-back cafe with wi-fi and fresh coffee, pizza and other western fare, along with a range of Chinese and…

  • Bu'er Cafe

    Sichuan

    This upstairs cafe in the midst of the guesthouses on Dexi Lu has the best coffee in town (¥28) as well as simple snacky foods such as momos (Tibetan…

  • Grandma's Kitchen

    Chengdu

    Carefully presented, tasty western dishes such as chili con carne or Hungarian goulash as well as crisp, refreshing salads are served to a largely local…

  • Huì Zhī Fèng

    Chengdu

    A satisfying place to fill up before (or between) drinks on Kehua Jie. There are tables outside or seats around the tiě bǎn (铁板, hot iron plate) to watch…

  • Tian Tian Restaurant

    Sichuan

    Recently moved to a new location, this long-standing travellers’ haven is run by the gregarious English-speaking chef, Mr Zheng, who can also offer expert…

  • Lao Ma Rabbit Head

    Chengdu

    It's said that people will fly across China to eat rabbit head (兔头, tùtóu) in Chengdu and this restaurant cooks it better than most. Order by the piece,…

  • Dōngchéng Dàndàn Tiánshuǐmiàn

    Chengdu

    There are lots of reasons to recommend this neighborhood place just up from People's Park. We could talk about watching the food being prepared through…

  • Dumplings Bar

    Chengdu

    A very modern take on the traditional dumpling joints – there are several enticing varieties to choose from, including a number of more adventurous…

  • Sultan

    Chengdu

    With big, soft sofas and ceilings festooned in Turkish lamps, this crowd-pleasing upmarket restaurant is the place to come to sample dishes from the…

  • Are Tibetan Restaurant #2

    Chengdu

    The newer location of the popular local Are Tibetan Restaurant, set across from the entrance to Wuhou Temple, this branch has a little less character…

  • Xiàogōngzuǐ Bàbā

    Sichuan

    One of a cluster of cafe-restaurants with terrace seating on the riverbank, this place is perfect for tea (from ¥15) or fresh coffee (from ¥25) during the…

  • Delicious Vegetarian Dege Shop

    Sichuan

    Classy and relaxed vegetarian restaurant serving a bargain-priced lunch buffet full of your 'five-a-day' greens. Follow up with green tea and enjoy the…

  • Hope

    Sichuan

    Wonderful little cafe-restaurant in the middle of the old Tibetan neighbourhood and just down from the Chöde Gompa. Smiley staff will whip you up a tasty…

  • Alan Kezhan

    Sichuan

    The most attractive restaurant in the village has tables made from old doors and genuinely impressive photo art on the walls. But this is more than just…

  • Mágē Miàn

    Sichuan

    A local classic, this hole-in-the-wall place right in the town centre draws crowds of locals for its house special: ma’gē miàn (麻哥面) – noodles topped with…

  • Zhanggong Qiao Jie

    Sichuan

    Zhanggong Qiao Jie's small night market is full of seafood restaurants that pull fish and more straight from tanks in front of the restaurant to throw…

  • Ai Xin Dangao

    Sichuan

    Your breakfast dreams are answered at this delightful, and unexpected, European-style bakery selling custard tarts, croissants, small pizzas and other…

  • Burgers & Pizza

    Sichuan

    This popular, clean, canteen-like place is a surprise in remote little Manigange. Peruse the easy-to-understand picture menu and take your pick from…

  • Iron Pig BBQ

    Chengdu

    Texas-style barbecue, biscuits a Southern grandma could be proud of and a nice open-air bar facing the street – though you'll immediately forget people…

  • Wenshu Monastery Restaurant

    Chengdu

    This excellent volunteer-staffed vegetarian restaurant and the atmospheric teahouse that surrounds it are on Wenshu Monastery's grounds. There's also a…

  • Yīpĭn Tiānxià

    Sichuan

    One of the only restaurants in Yaqing that expands upon the standard vegetarian set menu, this small establishment just beyond the bus drop-off area also…

  • Bǎinián Fěnzhēng Niúròu

    Chengdu

    Drop in at this little hole in the wall for friendly vibes and fiery flavours – the namesake 'Century Steamed Beef' (¥22) is particularly nice, but you'll…

  • Chuānbĕi Liángfĕn

    Sichuan

    This busy restaurant, close to the Feng Shui Museum, is best known for the namesake bean-starch noodles, but the wide selection of Sichuan-style…

  • Rinchen Wangmu Tibetan Restaurant

    Sichuan

    Run by a friendly Tibetan owner/chef, this Tibetan cafe just across from the main square is one of the tastiest in town (and one of the few with an…

  • Malaya Tibetan Restaurant

    Sichuan

    A friendly restaurant-cum-teahouse serving upmarket Tibetan dishes in a dining room decorated with mani stones (stones inscribed with mantras) and with…

  • Rǔ Zǎi Niú Diǎn

    Sichuan

    A soothing meal after a long trek into the grasslands: start with a pot of the house specialty, a unique, non-spicy tomato-based soup, and then add your…

  • Qǐngzhān Gānsù Línxià Miànpiàn

    Sichuan

    This popular restaurant run by a friendly couple from Gansu province makes a nice change from Sichuan or Tibetan fare. The specialty noodle dish is the…

  • Lǎo Wū Cháyuán

    Sichuan

    Through an unassuming archway near the east end of Yìng Yuè Qiáo is this buzzing courtyard teahouse, a local favourite. The house special, spicy liángfěn …

  • Hēilóngjiāng Dōngběi Jiǎozi

    Sichuan

    A couple from northeast China specialise in boiled dumplings (水饺; shuǐjiǎo) here. A half order (bān jīn, ¥16) is plenty for one, as is a killer bowl of…

  • Lake Mamosarovor Tibetan Restaurant

    Sichuan

    The friendly Tibetan family that runs this restaurant serves a few local Sichuan favourites and a much wider variety of Tibetan dishes, including raw yak…

  • Baita Jie

    Sichuan

    Stalls line the riverbank, but to eat like a local head here, where you can try all manner of simmering stews (沙锅; shāguō, from ¥18) or gorge on cool yet…

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