We hope you not just enjoy what you see but the taste of genuine Chinese food.

Looking for a tip on where the best dining or nightlife is in Beijing?

Beijing's culinary scene is a vibrant tapestry, woven with the threads of countless eateries that open their doors to the city's hungry patrons. The ever-changing landscape of restaurants is a testament to the city's dynamic nature, where only the best can withstand the test of time. Amidst this bustling environment, affordable and hygienic Chinese food is not a rarity but a common delight, accessible to all who wander the city's streets.

 Vivian Liu, co-founder of the Great Wall Adventure Club, combines her passion for Chinese cuisine with her expertise in adventure travel to offer a unique and immersive experience. Her dedication to showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Beijing has made her a beloved figure among food lovers and adventurers alike. With personalized tours that cater to the tastes and interests of each traveler, Vivian ensures that every journey through China's capital is not just a trip, but a voyage of discovery and delight. Her insights bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, showcasing how Beijing's food scene is as much about preserving heritage as it is about embracing the new, mirroring the city's own evolution. The flavors of Beijing are indeed a reflection of its spirited rhythm, offering a taste that is as rich and diverse as its history.

Food Styles in China

Northern Style is dominated by wheat-floor foods.
Central Style also known as Xian Cuisine characteristics are being hearty and salty with strong flavors.
Southern Style known as Shanghai cuisine uses braising and stewing for a soft flavors and mellow fragrances.
Spiciness Style or Szechuan Cuisine is famous for sourness and spiciness.

Her recommendations are based on:

1) location and environment - You want to eat in a clean environment in and outside of a restaurant.

2) hygiene -- This is a quite common problem with Chinese restaurants. You want to eat safely.

3) service - Needless to say. This will make your dining happy or not.

TOP LIST

1) Xiaodiao Pear Soup (小吊梨汤) 

Xiao Diao Pear Soup is a popular restaurant that is well-known among locals - it specializes in fruit-based dishes, which are refreshing and not greasy. The dishes are a combination of Chinese and Western styles, retaining the traditional flavor of Beijing and adding innovative elements, such as red wine fragrant pears, pear balls and nut shrimps, Cheese fish and boneless chicken in pear soup are the main dishes. Each dish is delicious and not expensive. 

Recommended dishes:

Pea yellow, pear soup, red bean jelly, cheese fish, Kung Pao two kinds, pear ball nut shrimp, signature beef risotto, small fried pork liver, duck feet with scallion bean curd, Beijing cake Qianlong cabbage

2) Golden Tripod Hall (金鼎轩)

Jindingxuan is magnificent with carved beams and painted pillars, like a pirated version of the Forbidden City that was left outside the Second Ring Road, and it is confidently entrenched at the entrance of Ditan Park.

Real Chinese food, and a rational price (although it went up). Nice environment and clean.  The place is large, full och people. Mostly Chinese. The restaurant is serving great Chinese food from different parts of the country. The dishes are bigger than you think and tastes really good. In a midrange restaurant you can’t get any better than this! The service was swift and quick! 

Recommended dishes:

Steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce, Zhong dumplings, shrimp dumplings, Dalan fire-baked bread, Yangcheng barbecued pork crisps, Lingnan crispy egg tarts, Yibin yanmian, steamed spareribs with black bean sauce, blanched lettuce, signature shrimp dumplings, dumplings, beef and egg porridge, fresh meat pan-fried buns, blanched kale, imperial concubine custard buns, original glutinous rice and chicken, dandan noodles without spicy, abalone sauce bean curd rolls, pan-fried shrimp dumplings, crispy egg tarts, crispy barbecued pork buns, mustard chicken feet, salted egg yolk lava buns, imperial concubine lava buns, crab meat dumplings, spicy Zhong dumplings, two-color hot and sour noodles, signature crystal shrimp dumplings, black plum sweet and sour spareribs, lead-free preserved egg and lean meat porridge, Jinxiu red rice rice rolls

3) The Herbal Café (草本工坊). 

Located in the Jianguomen area, close to Sitech Mall. Also is in the Sanlitun Shopping Mall, the 3rd Floor. Features great Hong Kong food.

4) Haidilao Hotpot (海底捞).

Located in Chaoyao Road and also in the Viva Center Mall, the #1 rated hot pot place in the city. Featuring superior customer service, we had our company dinner there.

5) The Peking Roast Duck (全聚德和平门店).

Go to Quanjude in Hepingmen (Peace Gate) downtown. This is where the most authentic and best Peking duck is served. This is what CNN said about its Peking Duck:

"The maltose-syrup glaze coating the skin is the secret. Slow roasted in an oven, the crispy, syrup-coated skin is so good that authentic eateries will serve more skin than meat, and bring it with pancakes, onions and hoisin or sweet bean sauce. Other than flying or floating, this is the only way you want your duck."

Alternative dining place: Dadong Duck House (大董) 

Dadong features the new generation Peking duck founded by an MBA graduate Mr. Dong. With his relentless research of technology, his ducks taste crispy while not as oily as the ducks served at Quanjude.  Location: Subway Line 10 at Tuanjiehu (团结湖) Station or Changhongqiao (长虹桥).

6) Nanjing Impressions (南京大排档) features Nanjing style delicious dishes. 

Nanjing Dapaidang was founded in 1994. You can eat all the famous Nanjing snacks in one stop here, and sometimes you can also see traditional folk art performances. The door of his shop is at the corner of the road. There is a vertical inscription of "Nanjing Dapaidang" on the white horse head wall. There are big lanterns hanging on both sides. There are eight-immortal tables in the shop. There are many lanterns hanging on the roof. The waiters are all wearing retro clothes. The soft and glutinous ancient method of candied taro sprouts are often served.

Specialties of this shop

Duck blood vermicelli soup, Republic of China Meiling porridge, Jiangmi braised pork, Tianwang roast duck buns, signature salted duck, old-fashioned Yangchun noodles, ancient method of candied taro sprouts, fermented red bean Yuanxiao, clear stewed lion head

Nanjing Impression is conveniently located in Shimao Department Store at Sanlitun and the Tianruicheng Mall at Chongwenmen. 

7) Bellagio Cafe (鹿港小镇). 

Website in English http://www.bellagiocafe.com.cn/children/1_en.html. The newest branch is on the 4th floor of "amp Plaza" in Wangfujing, where Apple Store is located.

8) Baoyuan Jiaozi Wu 宝源饺子屋

Located near the Agricultural Exhibition Center. Ever wished dumplings had exteriors to match their mysteriously exciting fillings? Then head to Baoyuan for a healthful rainbow of dumplings, their dough dyed with vegetable and fruit such as spinach, carrot, blueberry and grape.

9) Dali Courtyard 大里院子

This charming little courtyard restaurant off Gulou Dongdajie is one of the city’s most unique outdoor venues and perfect for warm weather months. Dishes include ru bing (grilled goat cheese), grilled chilli fish, spicy stir-fried mushrooms, spicy Yunnan-style dumplings, crossing-the-bridge noodles (guoqiao mixian), fried shrimp and stir-fried wild vegetables (ye cai).

Best Western Restaurants

If you're a little homesick for Western food while in Beijing then we have two restaurants that we can gladly recommend to you.

Kro’s Nest Pizza

A 10 minute walk from exit B of the Liangmaqiao Subway. This Beijing pizza institution features enormous pizzas, deep-fried jalapenos and other pizza innovations like pizza sliders. You'll even find hyper-caloric desserts like funnel cake and Rocky Road Rice-Krispy Pie.

Known for its burgers, fries, shakes, and all manner of kid-friendly foods, Blue Frog never stumbles when it comes to making sure the whole family is having a great time. Sliders are a great option for small hands, and each branch is equipped with everything from high chairs and colorful cutlery to paper placemats, coloring implements, and plenty of patient waitstaff. Locations are all over Beijing, however the one we recommend is at S2-30, Level 3, S2 Tower, No.19 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District (86 10) 6417 4030.

Apparently the biggest pies in Beijing, Tube Station offers over 20 different varieties of pizza that range from traditional (think pepperoni) to not-so-traditional (think Beijing duck with mozzarella and plum sauce). Head for a sit-down meal in any one of their seven locations, or order-in for a night at home. Their flagship location is at 3F 3.3 Building No. 33 Sanlitun Road Chaoyang District (86 10) 5136 5571.

Other Western Chain Restaurants

TGI Friday’s  

Outback

Sizzler's

Hooters

Rainforest Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe

and ...

Papa John's Pizza

Pizza Hut

Do we even need to mention McDonald's, Burger King and KFC?