The Comprehensive Collection of Beijing Local Food and Restaurants

Beijing is often referred to as the "gourmet desert" because almost everyone knows nothing except Peking duck. The taste of soy juice in the early morning may make you nauseous all day, so why not have a sugar pancake with a bowl of minced tofu? Beijing snacks are often ridiculed, but the hungry after playing can always be comforted by a biscuits sandwiched with elbows or steaming noodles. 

Special delicacies such as Beijing Roast Duck and copper pot Shabu Lamb are rarely disappointing, not to mention that there are various delicacies from the whole country and even the world. May be subject to factors such as food traditions or expensive store rents. Beijing is not a gourmet city like Guangzhou or Chengdu. However, the food choices of tourists during the few days of Beijing trip must be rich and delicious. Beijing has no shortage of food, but what is lacking is the in-depth exploration of food. 

In this article, we will classify some of the restaurants that we have eaten in Beijing by region. For each region, we will list the landmark attractions and specific addresses for you to find. Trust us, every store can’t go wrong. If you need a local food guide to take you in-depth culinary experience, contact us! 

【The Forbidden City- Wangfujing Commercial Area】 

This area is the most central location in Beijing, and it is also an area you will inevitably visit in Beijing. You can find some chain Beijing restaurants in the shopping malls of Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. It’s good to be full. 

1. Fengzeyuan (丰泽园<王府井店>)：Beijing's famous time-honored brand, founded in 1930, is a combination of Shandong cuisine and Beijing cuisine.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes：Crispy chicken, Dry Croquettes, Pan-fried Buns
• Address：5th Floor, Wangfu Commercial Building, No.301 Wangfujing Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 17-23 

2. Beijing Pie (河沿肉饼 )：An old store hidden deep in Beijing Hutongs, specializing in Beijing home cooking and traditional snacks.

• Rating：★★★★☆
• Dishes：Beef patties, Gongbao Chicken, traditional Beijing-flavored hot and sour soup
• Address：No.15, Xila Hutong
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 10-13 

【Xidan and surroundings】 

This is the most prosperous commercial area in the ancient city of Beijing, and it may also be the most visited place. Similarly, all chain restaurants have branches here. It is convenient and diverse to find food from the big attractions such as the Forbidden City or Beihai Park. 

1. Peking Chamber (四季民福)：The representative restaurant of Beijing roast duck and Beijing cuisine. The dining environment, service and quality of dishes are all very good. There are many branches in Beijing. It is recommended to go to the one in Xidan Huawei Yuefan Street, which has relatively few people. 

• Rating：★★★★★
• Dishes：Roast Duck，Beile Roast meat，Almond Tofu，Mustard Duck Feet
• Address：8th Floor, Warwick Building, 130 Xidan North Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 25-30 

2. Tough Tongue (硬舌烤肉)：A creative barbecue shop specializing in various types of barbecue. The snacks such as fried chicken and fries are also very good. The only certainty is that the location of the shop is not too crowded.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes：Black Pepper and Pineapple Beef Rib，Grilled Beef Tongue with Garlic，Monster Burger Series
• Address：No.30 Taipusi Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 23-27 

【From Xisi to Ping'anli】 

This area is a place where Beijing cuisine is very concentrated, with both popular specialty food shops and various snacks. The main attractions are the White Pagoda Temple and some temples of successive emperors. It is also an interesting citywalk route to walk from Huguo Temple next to Ping An Lane to Prince Gong's Mansion. Visiting here or looking for food is a representative experience in Beijing. In addition, the vicinity of Baita Temple has many newly-opened special coffee shops for a little break. 

1. Manhengji (满恒记)：The scariest halal mutton restaurant in Beijing. The mutton is tender, the sauce is fragrant, and the price is affordable. It is recommended to stagger the peak dining time to save a lot of time.

• Rating：★★★★★
• Dishes：Lamb Hot Pot，Sesame Lamb，Sugar pie
• Address：No.14 Ping'an Li West Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 18-22 

2. Xingyuan Restaurant (杏园餐厅<阜成门店>)： Beijingers’ favorite local restaurant, the signature Beijing cuisine will not disappoint you. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows are facing the White Tower, and the dining environment is good.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes：Sweet and Sour Pork Loin，Shuangpin Lo Noodles，Gongbao Chicken
• Address：No. 276, Fuchengmen Inner Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 10-15 

3. Collection of snack bars: The following snack bars are the most distinctive old shops opened by locals in the region. If you want to taste authentic Beijing snacks, these shops are worth a try, each does not exceed US$5.

• Fuhuazhai (富华斋) ★★★★：The decoration style of the royal theme is mainly for desserts and pastry. The large glass windows in the kitchen can watch all the production processes.（Address：1st Floor, Huguo Xintiandi, No.85 Huguosi Street）
• Sifangge Noodle Restaurant (四方阁面铺)  ★★★★★：Beijing traditional noodle restaurant, Zha Jiang Noodles and Da Lu Noodles are the must-try.（Address: No.68 West Fourth East Street）
• Bear Brew (熊煮咖啡 ) ★★★☆：The cafe hidden in the hutong, the white tower can be seen from the large balcony on the second floor, which is a good place for leisure. (Address: No. 26, East Jiadao, Baita Temple) 

More about Beijing snacks: Top 10 Famous Beijing Snacks You Can't Miss

【Niujie Street Area】 

Niujie Street is the most delicious area in Beijing. Most halal restaurants are worth trying. If you want to buy a variety of souvenirs, you can go Baiji rice cakes, Hongji snacks, and Jubaoyuan. There are also many small shops hidden deep in the hutongs, which are worth exploring. Here we recommend some authentic and tasty restaurants on Niujie street for you to choose, and the average cost per person is 5-10 US dollars. 

• Halal dishes：Xiangyunxuan (祥云轩)，Baiji Siyixuan (白记四益轩)，Dashun Hall (大顺堂)，Jubaoyuan (聚宝源)
• Snacks：Baiji Rice Cake (白记年糕)，Manji Biscuits (满记烧饼)

Trippest Niujie Street small-group experience: 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street

【Sanlitun & Chaoyang Area 】

When traveling abroad, what you want most is the taste of your hometown. Where can eat great western food? It's fine in Sanlitun. This is the region with the most diverse food in Beijing, and you can find the cuisine of any country. The only drawback is that each store is crowded and needs to queue up. It’s a good idea to book a seat in advance. 

Trippest Sanlitun small-group experience: 3-Hour Beijing Sanlitun Walking Tour: To Be A Trendy Foodie

1. Panino Teca：An Italian restaurant that has been open for more than 15 years in Beijing. It specializes in authentic and home-cooked Italian dishes with fresh ingredients and affordable prices.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes：Ciabatta, English Brunch
• Address：No. 1 Sanlitun North Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 15-20 

2. The Roots：A niche western restaurant in Beijing, on the second floor of a bar. The southern European home-cooked dishes produced are fresh and hand-made. The store is small and has not many seats.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes：Steak, Italian Style Handmade Sausage, Cheese Salad
• Address：28 Dongzhimenwai Street (upstairs from Paddy O’Shea’s Bar)
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 20-25 

3. Bottega：Authentic Italian pizza, a restaurant that meets Western tastes. In addition to meals, there are also cocktails. After dinner, enjoy a drink here to experience Beijing’s nightlife.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes：Beef Sauce Pasta, Parma Raw Ham Pizza, Four Seasons Pizza
• Address：81 Sanlitun North Road
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 25-30 

【Anding Gate and Guozijian Area】 

Near Anding Gate, there are not only bars, but also tasty restaurants, from affordable Beijing cuisine to western food. Visiting in this area is mainly concentrated in the Lama Temple-Guozijian-Wudaoying area. Exploring here is neither hungry nor boring. It is one of the most interesting areas in the ancient city of Beijing. 

1. Side Street (街旁) ： The best in Beijing handmade burgers, the tender and juicy beef is paired with delicious sauces. If you like burgers, you must not miss it. BTW, buy one get one free drink on every Monday.

• Rating：★★★★★
• Dishes：The KO，The Cholo，Special French Fries
• Address：No. 113-02, East Street, Jiaodaokou
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 15-20 

2. Peiping Machine (北平机器)：A top craft brewing brand in Beijing with a variety of craft beers. The interior decoration style is very industrial. It is a popular place for local young people.

• Rating：★★★★☆
• Dishes：Craft beer, beef pancakes
• Address：46 Fangjia Hutong
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 23-28 

3.Xinhe Restaurant (新和小馆)：A old Beijing restaurant with dishes that Beijingers loved to eat when they were young, affordable, authentic and cost-effective.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes： "Three flavour" Fried Dumplings，Old Beijing Dalumian，Fried Lotus Root
• Address：155 Lama Temple Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 10-15 

【Chongwen Gate and Southern City Area】 

After eating from Chongwenmen, you can go a citywalk route: Dongjiaomin Lane - Tiananmen Square -Qianmen Street - Yangmeizhu Xiejie. There are many hutongs in the Qianmen area, and food is naturally indispensable. It is recommended to avoid the time-honored brands in the Qianmen area. You will not have a good experience. Near the Temple of Heaven, there are many bean juice shops - challenge yourself to try the scariest snack in Beijing. 

1.Yin San Dou Juice (尹三豆汁): Beijing traditional breakfast restaurant, soy juice is very popular among locals. This is a fermented mung bean juice, which exudes a smell that even some Beijing locals cannot accept. There are also scorched rings and biscuits with soy sauce.

• Address：No. 176, Dongxiaoshi Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 2 

2.Cuihualou (萃华楼)：A century-old restaurant in Beijing, it has also been rated as one-Michelin-star restaurant. It specializes in traditional Beijing dishes and creative dishes. The dining environment and service are good.

• Rating：★★★☆
• Dishes：Roast Duck，Fried Meatballs With Cheese, Peach Kernel Chicken In Sauce
• Address：2nd Floor, New World Department Store, No. 3, Chongwenmenwai Street
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 25-30 

3.Liuji Zhizi Barbecue (刘记炙子烤肉): An old Beijing barbecue restaurant hidden in the alley. Zhizi barbecue has a history of more than three hundred years. The so-called Zhizi refers to a round iron plate nailed with iron bars. The meat is grilled on the iron plate and the stove is underneath.

• Rating：★★★★
• Dishes：Roast beef, Roast lamb, Sauerkraut
• Address：No.85 Lazhu Hutong
• Cost (p/p)：US$ 15-20 

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