Wondering where to eat in Guangzhou? This vibrant and diverse city in southern China is known for its rich cultural heritage and the delicious Cantonese foods that originated here.
Also, as the third most populated city in China, Guangzhou has a wide variety of dining options available, ranging from traditional Cantonese cuisine to international fare.
In this dining guide, you’ll learn where to eat dim sum in a traditional teahouse, about a fine-dining restaurant with two Michelin Stars, and more about the best places to eat in Guangzhou.
If dining at the best local restaurants is essential to your travel experience, don’t miss The Epicurean Traveler’s other dining guides for cities around the world, including Amsterdam, Chicago, Dubai, and New York City.
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Where is Guangzhou?
Guangzhou, also known as Canton or Canton City, is the capital and largest city of Guangdong Province in southern China.
The port city lies about 75 miles northwest of Hong Kong and 90 miles north of Macau in the Pearl River Delta, where three rivers — Xi Jiang, Bei Jiang, and Dong Jiang — empty into the South China Sea.
Getting to Guangzhou
For international travelers, the easiest way to get to Guangzhou is to fly into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN).
Flights from the US to Guangzhou can be expensive. One way to save money on airfare to Guanghzou is to book your flights through WayAway.
Additionally, by joining WayAway Plus, you’ll receive 5% cash back on all the flights and up to 10% back on the hotels you book over the next year through WayAway.
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Where to Stay in Guangzhou
As you plan your trip, you’ll likely need to book accommodations in Guangzhou. After reading online reviews and researching various neighborhoods, these three hotels in Guangzhou are our top selections.
Applying for Your China Tourist Visa
Before diving into the food scene in Guangzhou, it’s important to note that obtaining a visa is necessary for most travelers visiting China.
The process of applying for a visa can seem daunting, but it is relatively straightforward.
The first step is to determine what type of visa you need based on your travel plans. The most common type of visa for tourists is the L visa, which allows for a stay of up to 30 days.
To apply for a visa, you will need to submit an application form, a valid passport, a recent passport photo, and any other required documents to a Chinese embassy or consulate.
It’s crucial that you apply for your visa well in advance of your trip to ensure there is sufficient time to complete the China visa application process.
Once you’ve secured your visa and arrived in Guangzhou, it’s time to explore the city and its culinary delights.
RELATED: Five International Travel Documents You May Need to See (and Taste) the World
Best Places to Eat in Guangzhou
The “Chinese food” we’ve all come to know and love at many Chinese restaurants around the world is the Cantonese cuisine that originated in this region. If you are a foodie hoping to eat dim sum, sweet and sour pork, and char siu, you’ve come to the right city in China.
Additionally, with more restaurants per capita than any other city in China, you’ll find everything from traditional Cantonese dishes to exotic international fare at the top restaurants in Guangzhou.
Now, let’s dive into the local dining scene with a look at 10 of the best places to eat in Guangzhou!
Tao Tao Ju
Located in the Liwan District of Guangzhou, Tao Tao Ju is a popular restaurant that dates back to the Qing dynasty.
It specializes in traditional Cantonese cuisine and is known for its dim sum, which is served in bamboo baskets and includes a variety of savory and sweet dishes.
Some of the most popular dim sum items at Tao Tao Ju include shrimp dumplings, pork bao, and egg tarts.
The restaurant also offers a range of other Cantonese dishes, such as roast pork and stir-fried vegetables.
Tao Tao Ju is located at 20 Dishifu Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Panxi Restaurant
Panxi Restaurant is one of the most famous restaurants in Guangzhou, known for its high-quality Cantonese cuisine, beautiful tearooms, and landscaped gardens.
The restaurant, located by Liwan Lake, has been around for over 70 years and has a reputation for excellent food and atmosphere.
The menu at Panxi Restaurant features a wide range of dishes, including dim sum, roasted meats, seafood, and noodles.
Some of the most popular dishes at the restaurant include crispy pork belly, steamed fish, and fried rice.
Panxi Restaurant is located at 151 Longjin Xi Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510175, China. Stay nearby at the luxurious White Swan Hotel, only 4.3 km by car from Panxi Restaurant.
Beiyuan Cuisine
Since 1928, this Yuexiu District restaurant across from Yuexiu Park, the largest public park in Guangzhou with the landmark Five Rams Statue, has been a famous place to eat traditional Cantonese cuisine.
Among Beiyuan Cuisine’s Cantonese specialities are Shaoxing drunken chicken and steamed fish head with black bean sauce.
Beyond its home-style Cantonese dishes, Beiyuan Cuisine’s menu features some Chaoshan and Hakka dishes. Also, dim sum is available weekend mornings through lunchtime.
Additionally, it’s worth dining at this historic landmark restaurant to see the Lingnan-style Chinese courtyard garden with a goldfish pond and the gilded décor of the dining room.
Beiyuan Cuisine is located at 202 Xiaobei Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China. Stay near Beiyuan Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Guangzhou City Centre, about 20 minutes walking.
Lian Xiang Lou
Lian Xiang Lou is another famous restaurant in Guangzhou that specializes in Cantonese cuisine.
The restaurant has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century, and is known for its classic Cantonese dishes.
Some of the most popular dishes at Lian Xiang Lou include roasted duck, steamed fish, and braised pork belly.
The restaurant also offers a range of dim sum items, which are served during lunchtime.
Lian Xiang Lou is located at 67 Di Shi Fu Road, LiWan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Taian Table
Like the original Taian Table restaurant in Shanghai, Taian Table is a contemporary European fine-dining restaurant from German chef Stefan Stiller.
Also like the first Taian Table, the Guangzhou branch has been awarded multiple Michelin Stars. For its “high-quality cooking with a modern flair,” the Guangzhou Taian Table received two Michelin Stars in 2021.
In awarding its two Michelin Stars, the MICHELIN Guide praised Taian Table for “highlighting top-grade ingredients transformed into artworks with European cooking techniques and intricate skills.”
Though Taian Table’s cuisine is prepared with European techniques, many of the dishes are inspired by flavors and the finest ingredients from across Asia. The 22-seat restaurant offers diners views into the open kitchen and an eight-course menu that changes every two months.
Taian Table is located inside the LN Garden Hotel at 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510064, China. The restaurant opens for dinner service at 6 p.m. with the last seating at 8:30. To dine at Taian Table, make your reservations online.
Guangzhou Restaurant
As the name suggests, Guangzhou Restaurant is a restaurant that specializes in Guangzhou-style cuisine.
The restaurant has been around for over 80 years and is known for its high-quality food and elegant decor.
The menu at Guangzhou Restaurant features a variety of Cantonese dishes, including roasted goose, shrimp-stuffed duck feet, and soups.
Some of the most popular dishes at the restaurant include crispy pork, steamed fish, and shark fin soup, a controversial Chinese delicacy.
The restaurant also offers private dining rooms that are perfect for hosting special events or business meetings.
Guangzhou Restaurant is located at 2 Wenchang Nan Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510140, China.
Dian Dou De
Dian Dou De is a family-run chain teahouse restaurant with multiple locations in Guangzhou.
It is popular for dim sum and specializes in traditional Cantonese dishes, such as congee, noodles, and dumplings.
Some of the most popular dishes at Dian Dou De include the red rice roll, shrimp dumplings, fried rice noodles, and congee with pork and preserved egg.
Dian Dou De is located at No. 470 Huifu East Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China. Stay only a 15-minute walk from Dian Dou De at Kempinski Residences Guangzhou, a contemporary luxury hotel.
Rêver
As the first One-Michelin-Starred French restaurant in Guangzhou, Rêver specializes in “Canton-centric” French cuisine.
The fine-dining restaurant offers a seasonal tasting menu of three to five courses at lunch and six or eight courses at dinner.
Marrying classic French cooking techniques with the local Cantonese cuisine, the menu features contemporary French takes on traditional Cantonese dishes made with local produce.
Like at Taian Table, dining here may be a splurge during your trip, but it’s a special dining experience complete with river views during your multi-course meal.
Rêver is located at 5F, North Tower, Guangzhou Media Centre, 370 Yuejiang West Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The restaurant serves lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and dinner from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For a truly luxurious visit to Guangzhou, stay at Conrad Guangzhou, 3.2 km from Rêver.
Dong Yue
Dong Yue is a seafood restaurant that is located on the outskirts of Guangzhou.
The restaurant is known for its fresh seafood, which is sourced from local markets and prepared using traditional Cantonese techniques.
Some of the most popular dishes at Dong Yue include steamed fish, clams in black bean sauce, and crispy fried shrimp.
The restaurant also offers private dining rooms that are perfect for hosting special events or business meetings.
Dong Yue is located at YueXiu District Xiao Bei Li Jing Road 8, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Nan Xin Shuang Pi Nai
For those with a sweet tooth, Nanxin Shuang Pi Nai is a must-visit dessert shop in Guangzhou.
The shop specializes in double-skinned milk, which is a sweet, creamy dessert made with milk from water buffalo, sugar, and egg whites.
The dessert is served in small cups and is a popular snack among locals and tourists alike.
Nanxin Shuang Pi Nai also offers a range of other desserts, such as egg tarts and custard buns.
Nanxin Shuang Pi Nai is located at 47 DiShi Fu Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong China.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Guangzhou is a city that is famous for its food and culture, and there are plenty of great dining options available for visitors. From traditional Cantonese cuisine to international fare, there is something for everyone in Guangzhou.
When applying for a visa to China, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to complete the application process.
Once you arrive in Guangzhou, be sure to explore the city’s culinary delights and try as many different dishes as possible!
Browse and book the top tours, attractions, and activities for when you need a break from eating in Guangzhou, China!
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Photo credit: Lead photo of Guangzhou, China, skyline (© Zhonghui/AdobeStock)
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