Restaurants in Beijing

If you’re heading to Beijing and love food, you’re in for a treat. The city’s restaurant scene is a wild mix , from hole-in-the-wall noodle shops in hutongs to sleek places serving artful modern Chinese dishes around Sanlitun. And yes, there’s plenty beyond Peking duck, though I’d never skip a meal at Quanjude or Da Dong if you want the real deal.

Some of my favorite late-night bites have been found in Guijie (Ghost Street), where the skewers are sizzling till well past midnight. But on weekend mornings, nothing beats grabbing a jianbing (savory crepe) from a street vendor before wandering through the Temple of Heaven. Oh, and a quick heads-up: many popular spots don’t take credit cards, so always have some cash handy.

If you want to try something slightly offbeat, check out some northern-style baozi shops in the Dongzhimen area. The flavor there is often more genuine than the city center’s tourist traps. I’ve also found a couple of great Sichuan spots on Wudaoying hutong , bring a friend and share a big bowl of spicy mapo tofu. Eating in Beijing isn’t just about the food, it’s about soaking up these neighborhood vibes, too. Let me know if you want a tip on the best dumplings nearby , they’re not all created equal here.