Southwestern China Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Southwestern China - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. 1910 La Gare du Sud

    $$

    Inside a renovated railroad station, this restaurant has outdoor seating and a historic atmosphere that are just as appealing as the menu full of tasty Yunnan dishes. The structure was built in the early 20th century by French colonists, and was once the terminus of the 535-mile railroad linking Hanoi to Kunming. Try some fried rubing (a local goat cheese), a spicy salad of chrysanthemum greens, or grilled tilapia. Don't pass up anything made with Yunnan's prized cured ham. The English portion of the menu is somewhat confusing, though pictures of most of the options help pick up the slack.

    8 Houxin Jie, Kunming, Yunnan, 650011, China
    0871-6316–9486

    Known For

    • Cheese
    • Authentic Yunnanese cuisine
    • Historic atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 2. Old Kaili Sour Fish Restaurant

    $$$

    Sour fish soup, Guiyang's signature dish, is the specialty at this venerated local joint. Choose a fish from the tanks, select your other ingredients, and mix your own sauce. The soup—an import from the city of Kaili—and the fish will then be cooked at your table. If it's too spicy, remember that a bit of white rice—not water—is one good method for dousing culinary flames. There are no reservations, so expect to have to wait in line a bit on weekends or holidays. There's another branch on nearby Shengfu Bei Jie.

    55 Shengfu Lu, Guiyang, Guizhou Sheng, 550002, China
    0851-584–3665

    Known For

    • Fresh fish
    • Spicy cuisine
    • Photogenic

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch, No credit cards, Reservations not accepted
  • 3. Salvador's Coffee House

    $ | Coffee

    Regularly packed to capacity and brewing some of Kunming's best coffee using a custom blend of Yunnan beans, Salvador's also has an extensive food menu. About half of its ingredients are organic, and more are being added regularly, with the goal of becoming one of the few entirely organic eateries in China. Popular main dishes include burritos, quesadillas, and falafel. The place has Wi-Fi and comfy sofas for lounging, along with outdoor seating ideal for people-watching on bustling Wenhua Xiang.

    76 Wenhua Xiang, Kunming, Yunnan, 650031, China
    0871-6536–3525

    Known For

    • People-watching
    • Great breakfast
    • Sense of community

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 4. Tusheng Shiguan

    $

    Without a doubt the best organic Chinese restaurant in town, Tusheng Shiguan is a must for anyone who wants to try the finest Yunnan cuisine. Don't miss the erkuai (rice pancakes), the fuzhu (a tofu-skin dish whose misleading name translates to "rotten bamboo") or the ginger beef dish, and ask which vegetables are in season. The inside and outside seating is comfortable, and the service is most hospitable. Make sure to order rice if you're having spicy dishes, and try a small jug of the home-brewed corn liquor.

    15 Jindingshan Lu, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China
    0871-6542–0010

    Known For

    • Meticulous sourcing
    • Wheat buns
    • Fresh vegetables

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 5. Yingjiang Daiweiyuan

    $

    This often hectic eatery may be the best place in Kunming to enjoy Dai cuisine, which is known for its liberal use of chili peppers. If you want to go straight for the heat, try the gui ji or "ghost chicken," a cold salad that is slightly sour and extremely spicy. Tamer options include pineapple rice, fennel omelets, dried beef, wild mushrooms, fried fish, and tapioca with cookies in coconut milk. Dai cuisine features many dishes and ingredients that are foreign even to coastal Chinese residents. There are other branches of this chain throughout town.

    Cuihu North Rd., Kunming, Yunnan, 650031, China
    0871-512–2251

    Known For

    • Extremely spicy
    • Cultural diversity
    • Unique atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
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  • 6. As You Like

    $

    Tucked away in an alley off bustling Wenlin Jie, As You Like is a quaint vegetarian restaurant and deli. The freshly baked bread, healthy salads, and all kinds of pastries will make your mouth water, and the pizzas are some of the best around. It's in an old house, so tall people will have to mind their heads, but the food more than makes up for it.

    5 Tianjundian Xiang, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China
    0871-6541–1715

    Known For

    • Western food
    • Quaint atmosphere
    • Veggies

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 7. Beifang Renjia

    $

    Tired of the local rice noodles? This is where many transplants from northeastern China come to dine on traditional dongbei cai. A large dumpling menu is complemented by a full range of northeastern favorites, such as moo shu pork and disanxian (eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers in a brown sauce). Wash it all down with a cold Harbin beer. The staff is friendly, and the menu has photos and descriptions in English.

    6 Huichun Lu, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 530022, China
    0771-530–4263

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 8. Bird Bar

    $

    For a taste of one of Yunnan's major cash crops, head to the Bird Bar, which grows, roasts and grinds its own coffee beans. The owner's love for antique buildings clearly shines through in the coffeehouse's cozy, old-fashioned interior.

    21 Renmin Lu, Dali, Yunnan, 671003, China
    0872-266–1843

    Known For

    • Cozy
    • Fresh coffee
    • Western menu
  • 9. Brooklyn Pizzeria

    $$

    Popular with locals and expats alike, this place stands for quality pizza and other American-style snacks and fast food, such as meatball sandwiches and a range of salads. Pizza can be ordered per slice or as a whole, with massive sizes for groups. For somewhere with such broad appeal, the drink menu is unsurprisingly extensive, including several craft beers from around the world.

    11 Hongshan Dong Lu, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China
    0871-6533–3243

    Known For

    • American cuisine
    • Craft beers
    • Homemade desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed., No credit cards
  • 10. Café China

    $ | Coffee

    On a cozy corner on bustling West Street, Café China serves addictive rotisserie chicken made from a highly guarded local recipe. The kitchen roasts between 12 and 18 chickens each night, so in-the-know diners call at least an hour in advance. One whole chicken will set you back Y50. In addition, the kitchen also turns out shepherd's pie and sandwiches on baguettes.

    34 Xi Jie, Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 541900, China
    0773-882–7744

    Known For

    • Cheesecake
    • Espresso machine
    • Vegetarian options

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 11. Café de Jack

    $ | Coffee

    A longtime favorite specializing in Western and Chinese classics as well as some local Bai specialties, Café de Jack serves good breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and the strongest cup of coffee in Yunnan. All three floors are a bit different: the first floor feels like a bar, the second floor is more like a restaurant, and the rooftop is a perfect place to kick back with a beer. Catch up with the rest of the world via computer terminals or Wi-Fi.

    82 Bo'ai Lu, Dali, Yunnan, 671003, China
    0872-267–1572

    Known For

    • Historical
    • Variety of options
    • Fireplace
  • 12. Chunji Roast Goose

    $$

    If you're ready for a truly local experience, look no further than Chunji Roast Goose. No surprises here: this Cantonese restaurant serves exactly what it says on the facade. Done in a style reminiscent of Beijing duck, the geese are roasted in a charcoal oven, until the skin is crispy and the meat deliciously succulent. A quarter serves two. Good, local food in China often comes with a noisy environment, and that's true here, so be prepared to share your table with others, or come early to avoid the crowds. Although the waitstaff do their utmost to serve everyone, few of them speak more than a few words of English. Try the durian cakes. While the fruit may be an acquired taste, you just might acquire it quickly here.

    2 Zhongshan Rd., Guilin, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, China
    0773-280–6188

    Known For

    • Roast goose
    • Fast service
    • Convenient location
  • 13. Duyichu Fanzhuang

    $

    Hidden inside a leaning shack, this little dumpling palace wraps the best jiaozi in Dali and the surrounding region. Other dishes are on offer, depending on what's available in the local markets. The menus have been kindly translated into English by expat regulars, but they don't mention the selection of splendid house-made liquor. The owners both hail from China's freezing northeastern reaches.

    Renmin Lu, Dali, Yunnan, 671000, China
    No phone

    Known For

    • Cozy
    • Small bites
    • Variety of dumplings

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 14. Foguang Yuan

    $$

    Behind a school and a police station, Foguang Yuan is a true oasis of peace and quiet. The restaurant is actually several dining areas built around a patch of jungle. The traditional architecture and tropical setting merit a visit, but the restaurant also serves an excellent array of Dai and Chinese classics. English menus are available, but they aren't necessarily up-to-date. If in doubt, you can always venture into the kitchen and point to what looks good.

    2 Jiaotong Xiang, Jinghong, Yunnan, 666100, China
    0691-213–8608

    Known For

    • Veggie options
    • Great atmosphere
    • Quirky

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 15. Grapefruit Village Retreat

    $

    A 20-minute walk from Yangshuo's center, the Village Retreat is an excellent place to enjoy a healthy breakfast, filling lunch, or a romantic dinner with views of the surrounding scenery. Trained by European masters, the chef clearly understands how Western food ought to taste—without neglecting the Chinese menu. You may find yourself astonished by signature dishes such as sirloin steak served with Belgian-style fries. Finish your meal with coffee or a milk shake and a piece of their magnificent chocolate cake.

    36 Shi Ban Qiao Village, Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 594100, China
    073-888–8766

    Known For

    • Outdoor dining
    • Tasty Western dishes
    • Romantic
  • 16. Highlands Coffee

    $ | Coffee

    Understated decor, comfy seating, and high-quality imported coffee turned into tasty beverages by skilled baristas are the highlights here. There are also savory panini on homemade bread, as well as a wide selection of teas, smoothies, and desserts. The affable American owner, who's often here, always tries to make visitors feel at home. The smoking area is separated from the rest of the dining area.

    1 Liudong St., Guiyang, Guizhou Sheng, 550002, China
    0851-582–6222

    Known For

    • Designated smoking area
    • English-speaking service
    • Great beverages
  • 17. Kali Mirch Indian Cuisine (Black Pepper Indian Restaurant)

    $$

    Kali Mirch's spices and chefs come directly from India, and it's a delicious option if you're looking to take a break from Chinese food and approximations of Western food. The tandoori chicken, curry mutton, palak paneer, and pulao rice are but a few of the solid dishes here; the outdoor tables are a good place for people-watching.

    15 Binjiang St., Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 541900, China
    137-3739–6451

    Known For

    • English-speaking waitstaff
    • Fresh ingredients
    • Cozy atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 18. Kelly's Place

    $

    Beloved by expats, this closet-size café is an escape from the hustle and bustle of West Street. On any given night, English teachers can be found sampling tasty Chinese-style dumpling soups and drinking beer in the cobblestone pavilion.

    43 Guihua Lu, Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 541900, China
    0773-881–3233

    Known For

    • Burgers
    • Great coffee
    • Western breakfast

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 19. Lamu's House of Tibet

    $$ | Coffee

    The traditional Tibetan decor, pleasant atmosphere, and helpful staff make this one of Lijiang's better dining options. The kitchen serves Tibetan, Chinese, and Naxi cuisine, as well as familiar dishes like lasagna and French fries.

    56 Jishan Xiang, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674100, China
    0888-511–5776

    Known For

    • Western dishes
    • Yak meat
    • English-speaking staff

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 20. Li Qing Restaurant

    $

    In addition to well-known Chinese dishes, this extremely popular restaurant serves a number of less-common dishes, such as bamboo stuffed with sticky rice, or stir-fried mountain vegetables.

    Ji Lu, Ping'an, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 541700, China
    0773-758–3048

    Known For

    • Cheap
    • Fresh vegetables
    • Seasonal

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards

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