Beijing Restaurants

Beijing is famous for its "food culture" as well as its ancient sights. The imperial kitchens of the Qing Dynasty developed Beijing cuisine into its present unique style. Various court dishes and specialties can be found on the menus of many restaurants. The best-known of these are: Beijing roast duck (Quanjude and Bianyifang), imperial court cuisine, Tan family food, Mongolian hotpot and barbecued meat. Favorites like dumplings, noodles, fermented soya-bean milk, quick-fried liver, glutinous rice cake, glutinous millet cake, candied haws on a stick and clay-oven bread are part of the food culture that makes dining in Beijing a delight.

PRICE GUIDE
$ = Inexpensive
$$ = Reasonable
$$$ = Expensive
$$$$ = Very expensive

Beijing Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant
Add: #14, Qianmen Xidajie
Tel: 6511 2418
Description: The most famous Beijing roasted duck restaurant in China.
Type of Cuisine: Beijing roasted duck
Hours: 11:00-13:30 16:00-20:00
Average Cost: $-$$
Credit Cards: Not Accepted
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant
Add: A2 Chongwenmenwai Dajie, Chongwen District
Tel: 6712 0505
Description: famous for Beijing roasted duck
Type of Cuisine: Beijing roasted duck
Hours: 11:00-14:00 15:00-21:00
Average Cost: $-$$
Credit Cards: Not Accepted
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Fangshan Restaurant
Add: Inside Beihai Park, 1 Wenjin Street
Tel: 6401 1879
Description: Deluxe dining
Type of Cuisine: imperial cuisine
Hours: 11:00-13:30 17:00-19:30
Average Cost: $$-$$$
Credit Cards: Major cards accepted
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Li Family Restaurant
Add: 11 Yangfang Hutong, Denei Dajie
Tel: 6618 0107
Description: Reservations should be made three or four days in advance.
Type of Cuisine: imperial cuisine
Average Cost: $$$-$$$$
Credit Cards: Not Accepted
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Neng Ren Ju
Add: #5 Bai Ta Si, Xicheng District
Tel: 6601 2560
Description: The most famous Beijing style hot pot restaurant.
Type of Cuisine: hot pot
Hours: 11:00-21:00
Average Cost: $-$$
Credit Cards: Not Accepted
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Dong Lai Shun Restaurant
Add: #198 Wangfujing Dajie
Tel: 6525 3562
Description: hot pot restaurant.
Type of Cuisine: hot pot
Hours: 11:00-20:30
Average Cost: $-$$
Credit Cards: Not Accepted
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Guolin Family Food Restaurant
Add: #118 Dong sitiao Dajie
Tel: 6772 8900
Description: Substantial quantities, good quality and reasonable prices
Type of Cuisine: local Beijing flavors
Hours: 11:00-20:00
Average Cost: $-$$
Credit Cards: Not Accepted
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Asian Star Restaurant
Add: #18 Yayuncun Rd
Tel: 66016566
Description: Specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine, this restaurant features such favorites as Malaysian satay chicken and Singaporean chili crabs. You can also choose dishes and sweets from a dim sum-style cart.
Type of Cuisine: Asian Cuisine
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Average Cost: $$-$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Bai Yun Japanese Restaurant
Add: #156 Dongzhimennei St.
Tel: 6772 1098
Description: fairly expensive but spectacular. The draw here is the atmosphere-- this was Chiang Kai-shek's residence in Beijing.
Type of Cuisine: Japanese Cuisine
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Average Cost: $$$-$$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, Japanese
Language Spoken: Mandarin, Japanese, English

Jazz-Ya Bar and Grill
Add: #31 Dongerhuan Rd.
Tel: 6881 0991
Description: Beijing's most popular Japanese-style bar features Korean barbecue and Japanese hot pot, as well as a fabulous selection of drinks and cool jazz.
Type of Cuisine: Japanese & Korean Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-22:00
Average Cost: $$-$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Omar Khayyam
Add: #12 Gongtizhong Rd
Tel: 6521 3365
Description: Indian food served in a cozy setting. Great curries and tandooris with a good selection of vegetarian dishes.
Type of Cuisine: Indian Cuisine
Hours: 12:00-21:00
Average Cost: $$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Phrik Thai
Add: Conveniently located near the embassy area.
Tel: 6544 9887
Description: This cozy, stylish eatery serves excellent Thai food -- try the milk tea and the delicious green curry.
Type of Cuisine: Thai Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-21:00
Average Cost: $$-$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Justine's
Add: North Renmin Rd
Tel: 6887 9653
Description: One of Beijing's oldest Continental restaurants, Justine's remains a favorite for its consistently good food, service and atmosphere--serves a fine weekend brunch.
Type of Cuisine: Continental Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-21:00
Average Cost: $-$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Bleu Marine
Add: located near Silk Alley
Tel: 6601 2233
Description: Primarily serves French-style seafood. In summer, sidewalk seating provides a truly Parisian feel.
Type of Cuisine: French Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-23:00
Average Cost: $$-$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Danieli's
Add: #12 Jinrong St.
Tel: 6601 2211
Description: The city's most elegant Italian restaurant.
Type of Cuisine: Italian Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-22:00
Average Cost: $$-$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Gisa
Add: Sanlitun
Tel: 6890 0067
Description: Great home-style Italian food and proud owner of Beijing's only dairy farm that specializes in European-style cheeses.
Type of Cuisine: Italian Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-21:00
Average Cost: $$$-$$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

1,001 Nights
Add: #166 Chang'an dajie
Tel: 6601 2389
Description: Beijing's best Middle Eastern restaurant serves excellent versions of all the standards: tabbouleh, pita bread and lamb kebabs.
Type of Cuisine: Middle-east Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-21:00
Average Cost: $$-$$$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Ashanti Spanish Restaurant
Add: Dongdan, Dongcheng District
Tel: 6890 1463
Description: This upscale restaurant features Spanish paella and sangria.
Type of Cuisine: Spanish Cuisine
Hours: 11:00-22:00
Average Cost: $$
Credit Cards: Major credit cards
Menu: Chinese, English
Language Spoken: Mandarin, English