8 Beijing Cuisine Restaurant Recommendations
1．Najia Xiaoguan (A Piece of Inn)
This inn mainly serves dishes from the royal court. A high-end family in the Qing Dynasty had grasped the cuisine methods. Entering the red door of a brick-walled inn, consumers will find the Qing style decorations, wooden tables and chairs, and celadon tableware. They are simple and elegant. The dishes here are exquisite and delicate, among which the shrimps in puff pastry are famous for the firm texture and crispy shell.
Average price per person：RMB 110
Business hours: Daily 10:00-21:30
Address: 10F, North Building, Parkson Shopping Center, No. 101, Fuxingmennei Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing
2．Beijing Da Dong
Da Dong's roast duck is quite unique. Da Dong has made major changes in cooking techniques as the dishes have all been improved for the better health of guests. Different from the traditional greasy roast ducks, the duck skin made by Da Dong is crisp but not fatty. Low saccharinity sweeters are applied to the duck skin. When you bite the meat, it is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The flavor is luscious and rich. People enjoy the less oily food in Da Dong.
Dining manuals are prepared for customers on the table so that each visitor is able to fully understand the long practiced eating methods.
Average price per person：RMB 300
Hours Daily: 11:00-22:00
Address: 6F, Donghua Jinjie Shopping Center, No. 301, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
3．Lily Vegetarian
Meat alternative dishes are the specialties here. But they look and taste just like meat. The alternative dish, sweet and sour “steak” is the specialty here. Crackling made out of lotus root is crispy and sweet. Pumpkin pods make a dessert for consumers. It is aromatic and sticky, with crushed peanuts, nuts, preserved fruits, etc. The taste is unforgettable.
Average price per person:RMB 79
Hours Daily 10:00-21:00
Address: No. 23, Caoyuan Hutong, Beixiaojie, North of Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District, Beijing
4．Lijiacai Old Shop
Lijia cuisine originates from the imperial palace of the Qing Dynasty. It is a restoration and heritage of palace dishes. It combines the flavors of the royal court, Beijing cuisine and high mansion cuisine. It adheres to sophisticated traditional cooking procedures. The use of fine ingredients, cooking heat, and cutting are all carried out in the style of time-honored workmanship. The dishes have a mild taste.
Average price per person: RMB 200-800
Hours Monday to Sunday 11:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00 (No order taken after 20:15)
Address: No. 11, Yangfang Hutong, Deshengmennei Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing
5．Qinian No. 8
Western design is delicately applied in this restaurant where traditional dark wooden tables and chairs are set. The dishes served are a combination of royal court cuisine and a bit of exquisite Sichuan and Hunan family cuisine. In addition to the famous Shunde Cantonese-style ducks, many dishes are newly created. Among them, Lingnan lichi (drunken shrimps), earthen pot calf ribs, and truffle abalone sauce rice are favorite dishes.
Average price per person:RMB 154
Hours Lunch, 11:30-14:30, Dinner, 17:30-22:30
Address:2F, New World Beijing Hotel, No. 8, Qinian Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing
6．Hua’s Restaurant
Hua’s Restaurant includes four independent Chinese-style courtyards. The total depth is several hundred meters and the restaurant is surrounded by a veranda. The novel arched shelter in the front yard is loved by foodies. Sitting in the courtyard, taking local cuisine, and watching Beijing opera is a unique experience in Siheyuan. The newly launched Beijing cuisine is also the specialty here. Of which, the roast duck and the Eight Beijing Snacks are really worth trying. In Guijie, improved Sichuan cuisine can be found. A big bowl of boiled weever fish tastes tender and is difficult to forget. In the summer, there are also spicy crayfish served!
Average price per person:RMB 135
Hours Daily: 11:00-22:00
Address: No. 235, Dongzhimennei Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing
7．Royal Granary
Nanxincang Granary, once the royal granary, is currently the best preserved historical warehouse building cluster in Beijing. It was renovated in the 7th year of the Yongle Emperor (1409 CE, Ming Dynasty) on the base of the Beitaicang granary which was built in the Yuan Dynasty. Two years ago the arduously renovated granary showed its essence. The grand interior was surrounded by thick walls. The elegant modern decoration connects well with the walls, the bricks and the beams that date back 600 years. The Royal Granary provides Chinese, Western, and Japanese cuisines. Famous dishes include triple auspicious treasures, Royal Granary official duck, rice cake shrimp ball, and braised spiky sea cucumbers. There is a performance on weekends: the Kunqu Opera performance is held every Friday and Saturday at 7pm. The show fee is covered by a buffet ticket for RMB 298.
Average price per person:RMB 317
Hours Monday to Sunday: 10:30-22:00
Address: No. 22, Dongsishitiao, Xinnancang, Dongcheng District, Beijing
8．Dongsi Minfang Restaurant
The facade of Dongsi Minfang Restaurant is not particularly conspicuous, but it is the first one to brand home made dishes in Beijing. Beijing home cuisine, such as braised hairtail, kung pao chicken, fish head and cake, vinegar balls, etc., are included in the repertoire.
Average price per person:RMB 87
Hours Monday to Sunday: 10:30-22:30
Address: No. 79-2, Chaoyangmennei Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing
