68 Best Restaurants in China

Come to Bakehouse for its freshly baked egg tarts with buttery, crispy shells and creamy custard filling. Expect to stand in line whenever you go, and don't be surprised if it's sold out early in the afternoon.

There's no better place to sample the city's famous tangyuan (multicolor sugar dumplings served in a bowl of syrup and eaten like soup) than Gang Ya Gou. To get here, look for the hard-to-miss logo depicting a dog and a duck fighting over a pot of rice—or simply follow the crowds.

Thanks to its bright-red sign and big tower of steamers out front, this little hole-in-the-wall is easy to spot. Although the family who runs it doesn’t speak English, they will happily play charades in an effort to take your order for dishes such as steamed Hangzhou-style xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

Duck into this cute counter-top restaurant for delicious baos—fluffy steamed buns sandwiched with all types of delicious ingredients, from teriyaki fried chicken to slow-braised pork belly. The rest of the menu is more globally inspired and includes sharing plates such as drunken clams, beef brisket dumplings, and truffle fries.

Originally a modest, traditional bakery opened by an Englishman named Andrew Stow in 1989, Lord Stow’s Bakery is now a culinary landmark in Coloane, just off the town square. Locals sit on nearby benches munching the signature hot and flaky p‘ou tát (custard tarts) straight from the oven. Inside the little shop, breads, muffins, cookies, and other homemade goods are on offer, but be sure to walk out with at least one egg tart. There are also branches in The Venetian, The Londoner, and Taipa village.

This grab-and-go spot hidden in an alley in the historic center isn’t much to look at it, but it really nails its specialty: Macau’s signature pork chop bun. Since 1965, the shop has served juicy, bone-in pork chops wedged between crusty bread and fluffy scrambled eggs. To wash it down, opt for either the cold milk tea or coffee, both brewed in a clay pot over charcoal. It may be simple, but Sei Kee has received Michelin Bib Gourmand status year after year for a reason. If you miss out here, join the queues at its other branch in Taipa. 

Locals squeeze around tables at this simple eatery, a quick hop from the Master of the Nets Garden, to lunch on mouthwateringly zingy wonton soup and xiaolongbao (freshly steamed, soup-filled pork dumplings). There is no menu—order at the entrance, take a number, and find a seat.

It might look like any other tiny, storefront noodle joint, but its humble appearance belies its culinary prowess. The restaurant serves authentic Shaanxi snacks, which can be best described as some of the heartiest and delicious chow that China has to offer.

Ride the Hong Kong tram to its terminus in Kennedy Town and you can reward yourself with a meticulously crafted coffee at this waterfront favorite a few steps from the tram stop. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the blue waters of Victoria Harbour just across the road; the views are even better from upstairs. A Japanese chain headquartered in Kyoto, % Arabica opened its first Hong Kong location in 2013 and now has venues all over the territory.

You can dine on a range of Hong Kong classics at this no-frills cha chaan teng. The service is curt and the turnover is fast, but the scrambled egg sandwich is moist and pillowy soft.

This hip, homegrown Hong Kong bakery chain has a handy branch just off the Central--Mid-Levels Escalator at Staunton Street, where you can line up to grab an order of signature sourdough egg tarts (you’ll want at least two), which pair beautifully with a single-origin coffee to go. Other treats include buttery croissants, cookies, doughnuts, savory pastries, and sourdough loaves. 

Dining in Hong Kong doesn't get more local than having a meal at this open-air stall, where you'll be wedged among taxi drivers and office workers slurping up their food. The menu is full of café favorites like pork chop sandwiches and beef brisket noodles, but the most popular items by far are the thick milk tea and cloyingly sweet Hong Kong–style French toast. It's worth a visit to experience an old-school side of Hong Kong that is fast disappearing.

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.

This blink-and-you'll-miss-it Hong Kong chain entirely focused on Thai desserts has locations throughout the city, primarily in the New Territories. Try the coconut milk pandan cake (it's neon green), the osmanthus cake, or the butterfly pea flower coconut cake.

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.

The decor, staff uniforms, and—of course—the food all capture the retro vibe of the 1960s Hong Kong cha chaan teng (local café). Cantonese pop songs from that era play over the sound system while diners relish bowls of elbow macaroni served in soup and topped with ham and eggs. Other staples include spaghetti served in chicken broth with cha siu pork and green peas. But the sweets here are what really stand out. The egg tarts are rich and custardy, and the French toast is served with a giant slab of butter. Surely the best items, though, are the hotcakes topped with bananas, buttered walnuts, and soft-serve ice cream.

This cozy, Japanese-inspired diner is popular with locals for its fresh, wholesome comfort food. Its menu is packed with hearty rice bowls and flavorful curries, all made with healthy ingredients. The warm, minimalist setting adds to the charm, making it a perfect stop for a casual bite in the neighborhood.

You'll recognize this nondescript street stall from the others around it by the crowds in front, especially during lunchtime. The silky rice rolls drenched in a tasty peanut sauce draw Hong Kongers from across town. Best of all, a combo with siu mai—petite pork dumplings—costs less than a Starbucks coffee.

This quaint cha chaan teng has been a local favorite since it opened in 1951. You can't go wrong with one of their famous, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-inside pineapple buns stuffed with a slab of butter alongside a cup of creamy milk tea. The retro kitchen also turns out savory cha chaan teng classics like fried noodles.

At this hip noodle shop in the quietly cool Tai Hang neighborhood next to Causeway Bay, you can mix and match your order according to the soup base, noodle type, spice level, and toppings that you want. The braised beef sweet potato noodles that marry light, chewy noodles with a bold, beefy broth are recommended. The retro facade and neon-lit interiors make for a fun dining environment that's reminiscent of a Wong Kar-wai movie. 

If you need to take a break, the best place for coffee in Xiamen is on the waterfront outside the Marco Polo hotel. Along Yundang Lu, aka Coffee Street, you will find nearly five blocks of cafés—some more modern looking than others. There are dozens of spots to choose from, but we recommend hitting up Coffee Club (Shop 10, 1 Jianye Lu, 0592/531–2246) on the corner, which serves quality, if slightly pricey coffee, fresh juices and good sandwiches.

The theme is heavy-handed, but Xiamen's most beloved Mexican restaurant serves steak fajitas and genuinely good burritos. Don't expect generous sides of sour cream or guacamole, but it won't matter after a few well-poured margaritas.

Don't opt for this restaurant just for its location down the street from the Nanputo Temple. Come for its house-special rice noodles, mock duck, or sizzling beef with pepper buns. The menu has English descriptions.

To get here, turn right out of the temple's main entrance and continue for about five minutes down Siming Nan Lu until you see a yellow sign on your right.

All day, lines form at the takeout window here, with people eager to order sesame-coated naan bread and plump, well-seasoned, skewered meats. Sit inside for a large picture menu of Western Chinese and Middle Eastern dishes.

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.

Eaton Hotel's jazzy food hall is as hip as the hotel. The spacious and well-designed modern food court offers a handful of dining options, from Japanese curry and Cantonese beef noodles to burgers and tacos---all hearty and delicious at reasonable prices. They also host art, community, and music events regularly, so be sure to check out their event calendar beforehand.