Restaurant prices in Beijing
Apr 7th, 2008, 05:10 PM
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Restaurant prices in Beijing
We are going to Beijing, Guilan, and Shanghai in June for a 10 day tour. Breakfast is provided, but we are on our own for lunch and dinner. We don't eat high on the hog, but would like meals that are reasonably priced. We are staying in high-end hotels due to the preference of my 80 year old mother. Are the hotel dining rooms out of sight? In Beijing we are staying at the Westin Beijing. Anyone know about how much an average lunch and an average dinner would cost? Is it comparable to the US?
Apr 7th, 2008, 06:08 PM
#2
Carolher,
I don't know about the restuarants, but...I think that is WONDERFUL that you are going to China with your 80 year old mother. I hope you have a great trip!!! We are leaving in 10 days for our first visit to China.
I don't know about the restuarants, but...I think that is WONDERFUL that you are going to China with your 80 year old mother. I hope you have a great trip!!! We are leaving in 10 days for our first visit to China.
Apr 7th, 2008, 07:44 PM
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An average lunch or dinner in the Westin is indeed comparable with the U.S. (although you may find the property a little more luxurious than the equivalent in the U.S., and the comparable prices would be with a slightly more expensive corner of the U.S.)
Every hotel at this level has a coffee shop serving an utterly safe menu of Western staples and pan-Asia expat favourites. Whether eaten there or in-room, a spaghetti bolognese will cost between about Y80 and Y120 for instance (divide by seven to get a US$ price). This isn't spaghetti bolognese (or club sandwich or hamburger or tandoori chicken) quite as you know it; but it's pretty close.
A short walk from the Westin (I'm assuming that this is the Westin Financial Street and not the new Westin that is barely open yet) there's a Starbucks, a Yoshinoya (serving set Japanese-ish one-bowl rice and noodle dishes for about Y20), and at least one other Western fast food place (I don't have my notes in front of me--possibly a Pizza Hut).
Jewel inside the Westin is an excellent contemporary Cantonese restaurant, and you'll be saying goodbye to around Y300 for two there (+15% service. As elsewhere, no tipping) which is actually pretty good value. There's also an Italian called Prego. I've eaten at the Shanghai branch, which was pretty good.
But what a shame to stick to this kind of thing in a city where you have an immense range of choice of excellent meals in pleasant surroundings for under Y100 for two. An even vaster range at under Y200 for two (seriously pricey by local standards). And of course you should be eating Chinese food, which comes in such vast variety in Beijing, and so much better than you're used to. Guide books have an immense range of recommendations and really it's easy to find excellent meals for around Y50 for two.
Peter N-H
Every hotel at this level has a coffee shop serving an utterly safe menu of Western staples and pan-Asia expat favourites. Whether eaten there or in-room, a spaghetti bolognese will cost between about Y80 and Y120 for instance (divide by seven to get a US$ price). This isn't spaghetti bolognese (or club sandwich or hamburger or tandoori chicken) quite as you know it; but it's pretty close.
A short walk from the Westin (I'm assuming that this is the Westin Financial Street and not the new Westin that is barely open yet) there's a Starbucks, a Yoshinoya (serving set Japanese-ish one-bowl rice and noodle dishes for about Y20), and at least one other Western fast food place (I don't have my notes in front of me--possibly a Pizza Hut).
Jewel inside the Westin is an excellent contemporary Cantonese restaurant, and you'll be saying goodbye to around Y300 for two there (+15% service. As elsewhere, no tipping) which is actually pretty good value. There's also an Italian called Prego. I've eaten at the Shanghai branch, which was pretty good.
But what a shame to stick to this kind of thing in a city where you have an immense range of choice of excellent meals in pleasant surroundings for under Y100 for two. An even vaster range at under Y200 for two (seriously pricey by local standards). And of course you should be eating Chinese food, which comes in such vast variety in Beijing, and so much better than you're used to. Guide books have an immense range of recommendations and really it's easy to find excellent meals for around Y50 for two.
Peter N-H
Apr 8th, 2008, 07:02 AM
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To Poochie: My mom has always wanted to go to China and walk on the Great Wall. She has worked overseas for many years, but her dream has always been to go to China. She is up there in years, but she can still walk 3 miles a day. We call her the poster child for Curves. Let me know how your China trip goes. Have a wonderful time!
