Top Restaurants in China

Knowing the top restaurants in China in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Suzhou, and Qingdao is very important especially when conducting international business. According to Chinese business etiquette, to make a good impression and maintain the best relations with Chinese business clients, it is vital to know Chinese etiquette when dining in a top restaurant in China.

When you’re looking for ideal places to eat and also to conduct business meetings, here’s my list of the top 10 authentic and fine dining Chinese restaurants in the international business cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Suzhou, and Qingdao.

Best Restaurants in Beijing

1. Beijing Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant

Expect to see long lines formed at this restaurant in the evening. The restaurant boasts its masterly 'super lean' Peking ducks with thin, crispy, caramel skin that dissolves in the mouth with just a hint of fragrant oil, making it one of the best restaurants in Beijing to eat duck.

Address: Nanxingcang International Plaza, 22A Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District

Tel: +86 10 5169 0329

2. Hot Loft

This is one of the best restaurants in Beijing if you want to try the traditional Beijing hot pot experience with a twist of modernization. It offers a set menu that includes a choice of beef or lamb, accompanied by a mixture of fresh vegetables, meatballs, and dipping sauces.

Address: 5th Floor, 8 Gongti Xi Lu, Chaoyang         Tel: 6501 7501

Best Restaurants in Shanghai:

3. 1221

In a renovated old Chinese mansion, this is one of the best restaurants in Shanghai serving everyone from Chinese locals to foreign clients with the help of a bilingual menu. Recommended dishes include vegetable Bao Zi (dumplings), Crispy Tofu, and Shredded Pork served with scallions and pancakes.

Address: 1221 Yan An Xi Lu, Shanghai        Tel: +86-21-6213-6585

4. Din Tai Fung

A chain of restaurants specializing in Xiao Long Bao (Little Dragon Bun), this is one of the best restaurants in Shanghai to try Shanghai’s specialties. The star on the menu is of course the best Xiao Long Bao in Shanghai, China. This delicate dumpling skin is wrapped around a juicy pork or crab filling, and like magic, the dumpling also contains a shot of tasty broth.

Address: 123 Xing ye, Shanghai 200021, China        Tel: +86-21-63858378

Best Restaurants in Shenzhen:

5. Shang Palace

ShangPalaceserves the most authentic and creative Cantonese cuisine in a fusion of traditional and modern ambience. With an upscale service, this one of the best restaurants in Shenzhen. Dishes not to be missed include the regional Shenzhen specialties and daily dim sum lunch.

Address: East Side, Railway Station. 1002 Jianshe Road. Shenzhen 518001, China

Tel: (86-755) 8396 1383

6. Xin Mei Yuan Restaurant

Xin Mei Yuan Restaurant serves seafood cooked in the Chaozhou style. Chaozhou style comes from the north-eastern part of Guangdong province. They often use less oil with a greater emphasis on poaching, steaming and braising, as well as the common Chinese method of stir-frying. This restaurant has luxury private rooms and is conveniently located near Xin Mei Yuan Hotel, a highly rated hotel in China. This is one of the best restaurants in Shenzhen if you want to try Chaozhou style food without leaving the city.

Address: 1F, Huijingyuan Dazhonghua Department Store, 10 Kexin Lu, Nanshan District, Shenzhen       Tel:  0755-86027068

Best Restaurants in Hong Kong:

7. Hutong

Hutong is known for its amazing lighting and floor-to-ceiling Hong Kong harbor views. Try the crispy de-boned lamb rib or the soft-shell crabs in a mound of Sichuan with a bottle of Australia’s famed Penfolds Grange Shiraz. In short, Hutong raises the bar in fine dining Chinese restaurants, winning hands down in cuisine, presentation, atmosphere, view, and service. Hutong truly is one of the best restaurants in Hong Kong.

8. The Peak Lookout

The Peak Lookout boasts a beautiful setting with indoor and outdoor seating and a panoramic view of Aberdeen and the Hong Kong Harbor. Its extensive menu features elegant Asian favorites, classic Western dishes, fresh seafood at an oyster bar, and open-flame charcoal barbecue. This is one of the best restaurants in Hong Kong offering corporate banquets with past clients such as JP Morgan, Coca Cola, Citibank, Mercedes-Benz, and many more.

Address: 121 Peak Road, The Peak, Hong Kong      Tel: 2849 1000

Best Restaurants in Suzhou:

9. Deyue Lou Restaurant

Most chefs in this restaurant were trained in the corporate headquarters to perfect the Suzhou cooking style, making it one of the best restaurants in Suzhou. I recommend the Mandarin Fish (fried fish), Fenzhengrou (steamed pork slices with glutinous rice flour), Xiefen Tofu (braised bean curd with crab meat) and Qingchao Xiaren (stir-fired shelled fresh shrimps).

Address: No. 8, Taijian Lane, Pingjiang District, Suzhou      Tel: 0512-65222230

Best Restaurants in Qingdao:

10. South Beauty (Qiao Jiangnan) Restaurant

 Located inside Ausotel, a 4/5 star hotel, this gourmet restaurant features isolated dining booths for the ultimate culinary experience and the privacy to do business at the same time. This is one of the best restaurants in Qingdao to sample a fusion of Guangdong and Sichuan foods in an upscale establishment.

Add: 1F Ausotel Meihua Qingdao, 135 Yan’an Sanlu, Qingdao      Tel: 0532 8197 8877

Author: Jennifer Mo