Have you ever heard the saying ‘Eat in Guangzhou’? This saying tells tourists that when they visit Guangzhou, the ultimate goal is to eat! Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, is the global hub of Cantonese cuisine and has become the 32nd destination on the Michelin Guide’s global map. In this food paradise, your culinary journey will never end. All you need to do is prepare your palate and stomach to fully savour traditional Cantonese dishes, dim sum and desserts. I’ve put together a list of eight very famous local restaurants in Guangzhou. Whether you’re looking for something more modest and relaxed, or something more upmarket and suitable for business, our list covers the best places to go – read on!
Where can you try the most traditional dishes in Guangzhou?
Guangzhou Restaurant
Founded in 1935, Guangzhou Restaurant is a traditional Cantonese restaurant with over 80 years of history. Located at the junction of South Wenchang Street and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, Guangzhou Restaurant is the best choice for visitors exploring the Liwan district. It boasts an elegant design with a courtyard decorated with red lanterns, evoking the atmosphere of the gardens of Suzhou. All dishes, including morning tea, dim sum and Cantonese specialities, are of the highest quality and meet the standards of Cantonese restaurants. Whether you visit for morning tea, lunch or dinner, it comes highly recommended. Don’t forget to try the speciality dish, Wenchang Chicken.
Taotaoju Restaurant
Taotaoju Restaurant, with a history spanning some 140 years, is one of Guangzhou’s most famous restaurants, and its dim sum is particularly renowned. Taotaoju boasts a unique Lingnan architectural style, a secluded and tranquil setting, traditional Cantonese cuisine and high-quality service. It attracts many celebrities every year. If tourists are visiting Guangzhou, Taotaoju Restaurant is undoubtedly a must-visit spot to sample authentic Cantonese dim sum. The price of each dish is very reasonable.
Diandoude Restaurant
Diandoude Restaurant, located very close to Beijing Road in the Yuexiu District, is the best place to sample traditional dishes when visiting the old town (Yuexiu Park, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, King Nanyue Mausoleum Museum). Most travellers say it is the best dim sum restaurant, offering a wide variety of dishes and a very pleasant atmosphere. Of course, the prices for the delicious dim sum are very reasonable too.
Bing Sheng Pin Wei Restaurant
Bing Sheng Pin Wei Restaurant is renowned for its originality, freshness and innovation, whilst retaining the essence of traditional Cantonese cuisine. As of 2019, there are five Bing Sheng Pin Wei branches, and among them, the flagship restaurant in Haiyin has been awarded the Michelin Plate Award. All the restaurants are meticulously designed and decorated in a grand and luxurious style. As one of the best-known restaurants for traditional Cantonese cuisine, visitors have the opportunity to sample barbecued pork (black Char Siu), roast goose, grilled duck gizzards with Chinese bean sprouts, seafood hotpot and other dishes.
Lixuan Restaurant
Lixuan Restaurant, located in the Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou (a 5-star hotel in Guangzhou), has been awarded a Michelin star and is a fine example of fine Cantonese cuisine. It features elegantly designed and decorated private dining rooms. The restaurant’s head chef, Guo Yuanfeng, with over 20 years’ experience, draws inspiration from nature to create innovative dishes. It will be a very special experience to sample traditional Guangzhou cuisine at Lixuan Restaurant. The restaurant’s dishes are relatively expensive, so it is recommended for travellers wishing to sample exquisite Cantonese cuisine.
Panxi Restaurant
Panxi Restaurant is China’s largest garden-style restaurant, covering an area of 12,000 square metres near Liwan Lake Park in Liwan District. It offers a wide range of specialities, such as whole steamed white pumpkin soup, garden herb chicken and a mixed platter. It also serves some of the most famous pastries, such as fresh prawn dumplings, water chestnut cakes and three-flavoured crispy buns. Around 40 dishes and pastries have won awards in culinary competitions at various levels. For authentic Cantonese dim sum in a comfortable setting, Panxi Restaurant is a delightful garden-style restaurant.
Lianxianglou Restaurant
Founded in 1889, Lianxianglou Restaurant has a history spanning 130 years and is located in Liwan District. It has been recognised as a ‘Time-honoured Chinese Brand’ and a ‘National First-Class Restaurant’. Originally, Lianxianglou Restaurant specialised in making cakes and biscuits. It is known for its lotus seed moon cakes because the lotus seed paste is smooth and delicious. Lianxianglou Restaurant is a good choice for trying dim sum.
Nanxin Milk Candy Shop
Founded in 1934, the Nanxin Milk Candy Shop has a history spanning over 60 years. It’s a great place to enjoy a variety of desserts whilst exploring the Liwan district. Specialities include double-skin milk (chilled and served in a ceramic bowl), phoenix milk paste, wonton noodle soup, beef offal, rice noodles with beef offal, noodles with beef offal, red bean double-skin milk and much more.
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To sample more delicious and authentic Cantonese cuisine and discover Guangzhou’s famous restaurants, you can travel with us at ChinaViajeVip, and our local guide and driver can take you to the best popular restaurants to delight your taste buds and satisfy your curiosity during your culinary exploration of this city in the comfort of a private car. Furthermore, if you have any questions or other ideas for travelling to Guangzhou or beyond, please do not hesitate to let us know, and our travel experts will help you plan a fulfilling trip to Guangzhou or tailor your own itinerary with the utmost sincerity.
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