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 c ...
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.
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Taiwanese
Bellagio
This bright and trendy chain specializing in Taiwanese food brings in the hipster crowds. There are multiple locations throughout town and this newer branch in the Sanlitun shopping area is always bustling. The food here is consistently delicious. The soft, silky cold tofu with…$$Sanlitun
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Chinese
Black Sesame Kitchen
This cooking school and private kitchen serves up one of the best communal dining experiences in town. The twice-weekly dinners, known as Wine & Dine events, offer a 10-course meal paired with free-flowing imported wine. Set in a renovated courtyard with an open kitchen and…$$Nanluoguxiang
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Continental
Capital M
The sweeping views from an outdoor terrace overlooking Tiananmen Square would be enough to ensure a steady flow of business at Capital M, but this glamorous space also has consistently good food, which keeps loyal customers returning. The creative interior, with vibrant geometric…$$$Qianmen
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Sichuan
Chuan Ban
If you're looking for old-school, burn-your-mouth, authentic Sichuan food, this is the place. This perpetually crowded restaurant has the plainest of décor and sometimes surly service, but it's the quality of the food that brings in the customers. The spicy shui zhu yu (fish stew),…$Back Lakes/Dong Cheng
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Chinese
Crescent Moon
This small but perennially popular spot offers the distinctive cumin-spiced lamb kebabs, crispy nan bread, homemade yogurt, and hand-pulled noodle specialties that come from China's far northwestern province, Xinjiang. The huge dapanji adds slow-cooked chicken on the bone to a savory…$Dongcheng District
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Chinese
Dadong Kaoya Dian
This popular institution is famed for its Beijing roast duck, and rightly so—it's done remarkably well here. The skin comes out crispy and the meat is moist. The accoutrements include a thin crepe-like wrapper, julienned green onion, and a tangy plum sauce. For an unexpected burst of…$$Chaoyang District
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Yunnan
Dali Courtyard
This cozy courtyard restaurant specializing in southwestern Yunnan cuisine was one of the first to be located inside the hutongs, the historic neighborhoods of the capital. The restaurant charms with rustic wooden furnishings and a tree-covered outdoor space. Influenced by neighbors…$$Gulou
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Chinese/Dumplings
Din Tai Fung
This famed Taiwanese chain specializing in xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) lives up to its reputation at this sparkling outpost in Beijing. Biting into the delicately thin skin of the dumplings brings a sharp burst of flavorful broth and meaty filling. There's a variety of stuffings,…$$CBD
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Chinese
Duck de Chine
Fans of Beijing duck will find few places in the capital that serve up this combination of flavor and glamor. Duck de Chine's version—crispy roasted skin, succulent and tender meat—easily rivals the best in town. The restaurant is housed in a gorgeous, traditional-style courtyard,…$$$Near Wangfujing
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Japanese
Hatsune
This modern and stylish California-style sushi restaurant is a mainstay on the Beijing restaurant scene for good reason. Hatsune's dozens of inventive, fusion-inspired sushi rolls are delicious. Check out the creatively named "Moto-Roll-Ah" (which has spicy tuna, snow crab, and…$$Sanlitun
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Vegetarian
King's Joy
From the first steps through the courtyard's mist-covered entrance to the small grove of bamboo trees in the back, the focus at this elegant, upscale restaurant is on the bounty of nature. Vegetables reign supreme here. The "monkey's head" mushroom, cooked in a sweet and sour sauce,…$$$Lama Temple
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Cantonese
Lei Garden
For the best dim sum and authentic Cantonese in town, this branch of an acclaimed Hong Kong chain doesn't have much competition. The classic standards are done incredibly well. Shrimp dumplings are addictive translucent morsels, and small squares of crispy pork belly are sublime.…$$Dongsi
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Chinese
Mr. Shi's Dumplings
This modest hole-in-the-wall has some of the tastiest dumplings around. The traditional jiaozi, which are boiled, come with a variety of fillings: Pork, shrimp, and vegetarian options are mainstays. If you prefer the fried potstickers, known as guotie, the version here is delicious…$Gulou
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Shaanxi
Qin Tang Fu
From the framed paper cutouts to the handicrafts on the walls, colorful décor gives this bustling joint a charm not found in many local eateries. Customers come for the classics from the central Chinese province of Shaanxi—best known as home to the terracotta soldiers. Top on the…$Chaoyang District
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Japanese
Sake Manzo
Part sake bar, part izakaya, this restaurant specializes in down-to-earth Japanese homestyle cooking. The house's delicious tofu is made fresh daily. Of course, the grilled food here is wonderful as well. Don't miss the grilled eel with rice. The beer-marinated fried chicken with…$$Chaoyang Park
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Vietnamese
Susu
Given its location, hidden away in a hutong to the east of the National Art Museum, just finding Susu brings a sense of satisfaction. Walk down West Alley No. 10 and turn the corner. There's no sign, but head through the red double doors at the end of the lane and inside you'll find…$$Dongcheng District
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Continental
Temple Restaurant Beijing
Hidden in a historic hutong neighborhood in central Beijing, the 600-year-old Tibetan Buddhist temple complex that houses this restaurant is one of the capital's most spectacular locations. Inside, a wall of windows allows diners to gaze into TRB's renovated courtyard. The bar/lounge…$$$Forbidden City
