Restaurants in Beijing
Many of the city's best restaurants are in Chaoyang district in the east of the city. Here you will find places like Green T. House as well as the budget Xinjiang Red Rose. Closer to the centre, in Dongcheng district, are Beijing duck stalwarts Made In China and Dadong Kaoya, as well as Yunnanese Dali. In the centre, overlooking the Forbidden City, is romantic favourite The Courtyard. Head north to the hutongs near the Lama Temple to find the relaxed Vineyard Cafe.
Top-end
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1. Aria - Top-end: (More than RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Aria in Chaoyang is hung with velvet curtains and filled with wooden alcoves, creating the atmosphere of a gentleman's club. Specialities include dishes like seafood tapas and wild halibut served on pistou whipped potato, clam and fennel escabeche and olive tapenade. The rhubarb three ways dessert is delightful. Reservations should be made in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm & 6pm-10pm; Sat & Sun 6pm-10pm
Address
1 Jianguo Men Wai Dajie, Chaoyang district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6505 2266
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2. The Courtyard - Top-end: (More than RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Regularly voted Beijing's best venue for a date, this sophisticated restaurant overlooks the Forbidden City and surrounding hutongs. Inside, the decor is white walls, glass and modern art. Dishes include black cod with tomato marmalade and foie gras brûlée. There's an extensive wine list and a cigar lounge upstairs. Reserve a table in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 6pm-10pm
Address
95, Donghuamen Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6526 8883
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3. Hatsune - Top-end: (More than RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Famous for its unique selection of California-style handmade sushi rolls, Japanese minimalist décor and friendly staff, Hatsune is the jewel in the crown of restaurateur Alan Wong's mainland empire. Also a popular place for drinks, the sake cocktails are legendary. Reservations are recommended.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11.30am-1.45pm & 5.30pm-9.45pm
Address
2/F, Heqiao Building C, 8A Guanghua Dong Lu, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6581 3939
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4. Maison Boulud (Bulu Gong Fa Canting) - Top-end
Show moreHoused in the former pre-1949 American Embassy, New York celebrity chef Daniel Boulud's first Eastern outpost provides top-notch french food in an elegant atmosphere. Boulud's refined "soul" food includes updated versions of classic dishes like coq au vin and French twists on contemporary American food like the signature "DB Burger".
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Meal for 2 ¥1,000-¥1,200
Opening hours
Daily 11am-2:30pm and 6-10:30pm
Address
Qianmen Dong Da Jie 23 Ch'ien Men 23, Beijing, China
Telephone
010/6559-9200
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5. Green T. House - Top-end: (More than RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Probably Beijing's most stylish restaurant, the minimalist decor Green T. House in Chaoyang has a high wow factor and attracts a seriously fashionable crowd. Much of the cuisine is tea-infused, and there are dishes like black sesame veal and fennel dumplings, all beautifully presented by master chefs. The service is attentive and reservations advisable.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm & 6pm-12am
Address
6, Gongti Xilu (behind Worker's Stadium), Chaoyang district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6552 8310
Mid-range
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6. SALT - Mid-range: (RMB120-RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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This Lido area restaurant, opened in November 2007, has created a stir with its quality food at low prices. SALT uses only fresh organic ingredients and a three-course dinner costs just RMB198. Dishes include tender pork loin with a tangy raspberry sauce and ruccola with passion fruit vinaigrette. Reserve a table in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm & 6pm-10.30pm; Sun 12pm-4pm
Address
Level 1, TRIO Building, Jiangtai Xi Lu, Lido area, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6437 8457
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7. Dadong Kaoya - Mid-range: (RMB120-RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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A favourite in Dongcheng, Dadong Kaoya is nestled in a beautifully-restored Ming dynasty granary but it's the quality of the Beijing duck that draws the crowds. The crispy and succulent duck (kaoya means roast duck) is served with wheaten sauce, granulated sugar, crushed garlic, scallion, red turnips and cucumber. Reserve a table in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-10pm
Address
22a, Dongsishitiao, 1-2 Nanxincang Guoji Dasha, Dongcheng, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 5169 0329
Transport
Taxi
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8. China Lounge - Mid-range: (RMB120-RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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This elegant restaurant by the Worker's Stadium serves dishes from all across China which taste authentic and delicious. The Beijing duck and steamed turbot are ever-popular with an upmarket crowd. China Lounge's dining room is quiet and the service attentive without being overbearing. Make reservations in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-12am
Address
Workers' Stadium South Gate, Chaoyang district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6501 1166
Transport
Taxi
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9. Made In China - Mid-range: (RMB120-RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show moreMade In China has for a long time been considered one of the best places in Beijing for Chinese food. Dishes like Beijing duck and dumplings are simple but perfectly crafted with top quality ingredients. The open kitchen in the contemporary restaurant in Dongcheng lets diners watch the culinary magic. Reserve a table in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-10.30pm
Address
Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1 Dong Chang'an Jie, Dongcheng district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 8518 1234
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10. My Humble House - Mid-range: (RMB120-RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Possibly Beijing's most inappropriately-named restaurant, My Humble House in Dongcheng serves Chinese cuisine with a twist. A huge arching glass ceiling towers over the chic restaurant and decorative pool. The food almost matches the surroundings, with succulent prawns and a delicious beef and potato stew on the menu. Reserve a table in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-10.30pm
Address
1, Dongchang'an Jie, W307 Oriental Plaza, Dongcheng district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 8518 8811
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11. The Tree - Mid-range: (RMB120-RMB400 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show moreBeijing residents flock to Sanlitun for a relaxed feel and wood-fired pizzas, which many say are the best in the city. Ingredients such as smoked salmon, feta cheese and olives are simple but they are cooked to perfection. The Tree also sells Beijing's widest range of Belgian beers, including Trappist specialities.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-late
Address
43, Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6415 1954
Budget
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12. Xinjiang Red Rose - Budget: (Less than RMB120 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show moreThis lively restaurant, opposite the Worker's Stadium in Chaoyang district, packs in the crowds for nights of music and belly dancing. Diners often get dragged up to dance, so avoid Xinjiang Red Rose if you want a quiet night. The food is good quality, with kebabs and legs of lamb on the menu.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-11pm
Address
7, Xingfu Yicun alley (opposite Worker's Stadium north gate), Chaoyang district, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6415 5741
Transport
Taxi
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13. Nyonya Kitchen - Budget: (Less than RMB120 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Nyonya Kitchen in Chaoyang serves authentic Baba Nyonya food, importing Malaysian seasonings and spices to create unique curry pastes. Specialities include Nyonya achar, pickled vegetables served up in a spicy peanut chilli sauce. The atmosphere is intimate, with Peranakan cloth decorating the walls. The waiting staff are friendly and attentive.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-10pm
Address
Next to Gaojiayuan Middle School near Lido Hotel, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6433 7377
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14. Vineyard Cafe - Budget: (Less than RMB120 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Situated in a hard-to-find hutong near the Llama Temple in Dongcheng, Vineyard Cafe is full of hip young things lounging on comfortable sofas, playing games and feasting on comfort food. The highlight is the big breakfast, which draws hordes of hung-over devotees every weekend. There are also weekly film nights.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 11.30am-11.30pm
Address
31, Wudaoying Hutong (just north of the Confucius Temple), Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 6402 7961
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15. Dali - Budget: (Less than RMB120 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Dali in Dongcheng serves classic Yunnan cuisine in a charming courtyard, which captures the laidback feel of the south-western province. The restaurant has no menu. For 100RMB, the chef will bring out a delicious range of local specialities. Expect food like tasty Yunnan sausage, crumbled chilli fish and spicy mushrooms.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 12pm-10.30pm
Address
67, Xiaojingchang Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng, Beijing
Telephone
+86 (0) 10 8404 1430
