Southwestern China Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Southwestern China - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

Sort by: 13 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. 1910 La Gare du Sud

    $$

    Inside a renovated railroad station, this restaurant has outdoor seating and a historic atmosphere that are just as appealing as the menu full of tasty Yunnan dishes. The structure was built in the early 20th century by French colonists, and was once the terminus of the 535-mile railroad linking Hanoi to Kunming. Try some fried rubing (a local goat cheese), a spicy salad of chrysanthemum greens, or grilled tilapia. Don't pass up anything made with Yunnan's prized cured ham. The English portion of the menu is somewhat confusing, though pictures of most of the options help pick up the slack.

    8 Houxin Jie, Kunming, Yunnan, 650011, China
    0871-6316–9486

    Known For

    • Cheese
    • Authentic Yunnanese cuisine
    • Historic atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 2. Tusheng Shiguan

    $

    Without a doubt the best organic Chinese restaurant in town, Tusheng Shiguan is a must for anyone who wants to try the finest Yunnan cuisine. Don't miss the erkuai (rice pancakes), the fuzhu (a tofu-skin dish whose misleading name translates to "rotten bamboo") or the ginger beef dish, and ask which vegetables are in season. The inside and outside seating is comfortable, and the service is most hospitable. Make sure to order rice if you're having spicy dishes, and try a small jug of the home-brewed corn liquor.

    15 Jindingshan Lu, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China
    0871-6542–0010

    Known For

    • Meticulous sourcing
    • Wheat buns
    • Fresh vegetables

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 3. Yingjiang Daiweiyuan

    $

    This often hectic eatery may be the best place in Kunming to enjoy Dai cuisine, which is known for its liberal use of chili peppers. If you want to go straight for the heat, try the gui ji or "ghost chicken," a cold salad that is slightly sour and extremely spicy. Tamer options include pineapple rice, fennel omelets, dried beef, wild mushrooms, fried fish, and tapioca with cookies in coconut milk. Dai cuisine features many dishes and ingredients that are foreign even to coastal Chinese residents. There are other branches of this chain throughout town.

    Cuihu North Rd., Kunming, Yunnan, 650031, China
    0871-512–2251

    Known For

    • Extremely spicy
    • Cultural diversity
    • Unique atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 4. Beifang Renjia

    $

    Tired of the local rice noodles? This is where many transplants from northeastern China come to dine on traditional dongbei cai. A large dumpling menu is complemented by a full range of northeastern favorites, such as moo shu pork and disanxian (eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers in a brown sauce). Wash it all down with a cold Harbin beer. The staff is friendly, and the menu has photos and descriptions in English.

    6 Huichun Lu, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 530022, China
    0771-530–4263

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 5. Duyichu Fanzhuang

    $

    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.

    Renmin Lu, Dali, Yunnan, 671000, China
    No phone

    Known For

    • Cozy
    • Small bites
    • Variety of dumplings

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Foguang Yuan

    $$

    Behind a school and a police station, Foguang Yuan is a true oasis of peace and quiet. The restaurant is actually several dining areas built around a patch of jungle. The traditional architecture and tropical setting merit a visit, but the restaurant also serves an excellent array of Dai and Chinese classics. English menus are available, but they aren't necessarily up-to-date. If in doubt, you can always venture into the kitchen and point to what looks good.

    2 Jiaotong Xiang, Jinghong, Yunnan, 666100, China
    0691-213–8608

    Known For

    • Veggie options
    • Great atmosphere
    • Quirky

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 7. Lamu's House of Tibet

    $$

    The traditional Tibetan decor, pleasant atmosphere, and helpful staff make this one of Lijiang's better dining options. The kitchen serves Tibetan, Chinese, and Naxi cuisine, as well as familiar dishes like lasagna and French fries.

    56 Jishan Xiang, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674100, China
    0888-511–5776

    Known For

    • Western dishes
    • Yak meat
    • English-speaking staff

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 8. Li Qing Restaurant

    $

    In addition to well-known Chinese dishes, this extremely popular restaurant serves a number of less-common dishes, such as bamboo stuffed with sticky rice, or stir-fried mountain vegetables.

    Ji Lu, Ping'an, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 541700, China
    0773-758–3048

    Known For

    • Cheap
    • Fresh vegetables
    • Seasonal

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 9. Makye Ame

    $$

    As much a cultural experience as a culinary adventure, Makye Ame is known for its Tibetan and Indian song-and-dance performances. The shows are enjoyable, but can be hard on the eardrums. For a quieter meal, ask for one of the rooms in the back or in the cozy teahouse upstairs. Food-wise, Makye Ame serves a large variety of Tibetan dishes, including stone-cooked yak, malai kafta (large potato and cashew balls in a curried yogurt sauce), and an incomparable platter of xianggu (shiitake mushrooms). A cold Lhasa beer or some homemade yogurt wine rounds out one of the city's more memorable meals.

    Huapu Rd., Kunming, Yunnan, 650031, China
    0871-6833–6300

    Known For

    • Entertainment
    • Tibetan culture
    • English menu

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch, No credit cards
  • 10. Man De Guai

    $

    Popular with locals but unknown to most travelers, this family-owned restaurant serves an amazing array of local dishes, with a focus on fish from the Li river. There are no English menus, but the owners will bring you into the kitchen and let you pick out what you want. It is hard to find: look for it on the small street two blocks north of the bus station, next to the large statue of Guanyin, the Buddha of Compassion.

    40 Jingfeng Lu, Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 541900, China
    0773-881–1456

    Known For

    • Fresh fish
    • Casual atmosphere
    • Family-style meals

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 11. Pure Lotus

    $

    This vegetarian restaurant serves a variety of mouthwatering creations, including almond rolls, crispy tofu skin in a spicy sauce, and a vegetarian version of the famous Shanghainese shizi tou (meatballs). The Zen-like interior adds to the calm atmosphere, helping diners forget about the hubbub outside. The staff is helpful, there's an English menu, and the prices are very affordable.

    26 West St., Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 541900, China
    0773-882--7744

    Known For

    • Veggies
    • Fresh juice
    • Fantastic view

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 12. Xinghua Cun

    $

    In business for decades, Xinghua Cun is a no-nonsense Chinese restaurant with the usual revolving-top tables and a counter filled with all kinds of homemade liquor. If you look past the spartan decor, you'll notice what this place does best: tasty Yunnanese and local Bai dishes, all served with a smile. The menus are in Chinglish, but ordering is easily done by pointing at pictures.

    165 Ye'er Lu, Dali, Yunnan, 671003, China
    0872-267–0082

    Known For

    • Soups
    • Cultural diversity
    • Cozy
  • 13. Xuyuan

    $

    Inside what was once the residence of General Huang Xuchu, this much-acclaimed restaurant serves excellent versions of classic dishes, such as cold beef slices drenched in lemon juice, pork rolls, and roast duck. The menu includes plenty of pictures for easy ordering. The restaurant accommodates guests in private dining rooms, so noise levels are kept relatively low.

    53 Mingde Jie, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, 530012, China
    0771-280–8228

    Known For

    • Family-style dishes
    • Privacy
    • Poultry

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video