The following list gives the most acclaimed restaurants but not those in the major hotels (see Hotels). These are usually also very good and serve international, Far Eastern and European food as well as China’s various regional specialities.
The opening times ofthe State-run restaurants reflect the rhythm of life in China, opening up as early as 5.30am and closing at about 7 or 8pm with a break between 9 and 10.30 in the morning and again between 1 and 4.30 in the afternoon. Other places keep to the usual international opening hours. The popular hot food stalls are open virtually round the clock.
Around street markets you will find vendors selling all kinds of delicacies.
See also Food and Drink, Tipping
Area codes for the places listed below are given in the margin in brackets. Peking Duck:
Beijing Kaoya Dian, Tuanjie Hu Beikou; tel. 507 30 12 Friendly restaurant with many foreigners among its regular customers; excellent duck and a superb selection of other dishes Quanjude Kaoya Dian, 32 Qianmen Dajie; tel. 511 24 18 Beijing’s best Peking duck restaurant; great atmosphere and lavish preparation of the duck over a wood fire; Imperial menu of 168 courses served (six meals over three days)
Fangshan Restaurant, Beihai Gongyuan Park; tel. 401 18 89/401 18 79 The best known restaurant in China, situated in a former Imperial summer residence on the edge of the North Lake; authentic palace cuisine presented with truly remarkable skill; the taste of the dishes however may not always appeal today; when making a reservation – essential in the evening – a price limit is agreed and the kitchen creates a menu accordingly; parties only, minimum of eight persons; quite reasonably priced lunches are also served
Tingliguan, Summer Palace; tel. 258 16 08 With its lovely setting, classical architecture and well-chosen menu – a culinary cross-section of dishes from the various regions of China but with the focus firmly on Imperial cuisine – this restaurant in the “Pavilion for Listening to Orioles” is particularly popular with foreigners; caters principally for groups (the independent customer must expect a lengthy wait, even supposing a place can be obtained at all)
Restaurants of China Photo Gallery
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