China Restaurants

Hong Kong is my hometown. I go back regularly to rediscover my long-lost tastes but also discovering new eating trends.

it is really a nice place

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The Ani Sangkhung Nunnery is thought to date from the 7th century but it is very unassuming. It's not far off the pilgrim circuit from the Barkhor, down near a Muslim area of butchers and tea stalls. There's a small fee to go in and visit the key rooms, but you can also take tea or snacks in the courtyard for free. It's a fantastic place to meet some nuns, some speak English, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and dine with locals on very cheap and tasty food.

Schiller's III, a bigger and better version of the original Schiller's I, is part of the bar-cluster around Chao Yang Park's west gate. It is a German-style pub, featuring a live Filipino cover band, darts and sports television. The clientele is mainly international types and business people. Chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks and samosas, along with salads, steaks, burgers and traditional German dishes fill the menu.

One of Beijing's favorite old expatriate haunts, this spot was a trailblazer during the early years of the city's bar scene. Now moved to a different location, the basis of its trade remains the same. The steady clientèle of foreigners looking for a quiet place to chat has kept this place going for years. It is small, comfortable and cozy, with a Western pub feel. Burgers, steaks and other American pub food can be had at very reasonable prices. Pint of Beijing Draft and mixed drinks add to the cheer. This bar is part of the Trio, which includes the Park Grill and The Cellar. Opens daily at 8am.

This bar has chosen the Beatles as its theme and any fans of the Fab Four should stop by this unique music bar/grill restaurant for a glimpse. One of Beijing's longest, this bar runs down the left wall with a stage at the far end for the talented Filipino cover band, who play nightly from 9p. There is a mix of American bar food, with salads, soups and sandwiches. A favorite is the 250-gram (8.8-ounce) US-certified corn-fed Black Angus sirloin steak.

This well-established, Belgian-managed bar caters to all nationalities. With an interesting range of Belgian beers, this local spot is sure to have the brew you're looking for. Indoors, get cozy with the warm atmosphere and watch out for the giant tree in the middle of the room. Part of the Belgian Brown Cafe, The Tree features a wood fired pizza oven and lots of bar space for groups and parties. Opens daily at 11a.

Asia is now full of T.G.I. Friday's restaurants, offering huge servings of tasty American grub and great service. Those in China are no exception. Come here when you feel the need for big burgers, roast chicken, ribs and salads, but don't expect gourmet offerings. The restaurant and bar are usually packed out on weekday nights and weekends, but this is not a problem as you can wait for a table while having a drink at the genuine oak bar. The menu includes fajitas, nachos, potato skins, chicken fingers and a few token Asian dishes.

This traditional outdoor courtyard restaurant serves up a wide range of regional Chinese cuisine in beautiful and relaxed surroundings. Popular with foreigners, it offers them a chance to experience the versatility of Chinese food: Sichuanese, Northeastern, Shanghainese and Cantonese are just a few of the cuisines available, and the English menu makes ordering easy. Go with a large group to sample many dishes. To be honest, the portions are smaller, the quality lower and the prices higher than in other similar establishments, but you may be willing to put up with this for the convenience and surroundings.

Gong De Lin was established in 1922 as Beijing's first vegetarian restaurant. Its food is of the Buddhist "fake meat" variety – using vegetables, mushrooms and tofu to construct dishes bearing an uncanny resemblance to their animal product namesakes, but completely without meat. The shrimp balls, for example, taste astoundingly real. The "short chicken with crisp skin" (a more expensive dish) is delicious. The finest dish is the silken pineapple: delicately battered, then caramelized and served very hot. The main dining hall is downstairs, with three private themed dining rooms occupying the upper level. Beer, wine and spirits are available.

This small Italian bistro offers outstanding food and service at highly competitive prices. The interior is simple yet warmly decorated in earthy shades of red, orange and yellow. The waiters are attentive and speak good English, and the menu is also in English. The pizzas here are definitely among Beijing's finest and the pastas dishes are also excellent, particularly the Carbonara. Kids can make their very own mini-pizzas to be cooked by Annie's chef.

This is Beijing's most famous Peking Duck restaurant, and also one of the oldest, having been established in 1864. The huge, plush dining hall is filled with diners eager to try this dish in its most authentic setting. The menu also has dishes made from every other part of the duck, save the quack. Beers, spirits and soft drinks are served, and there is a separate take out section.

Situated in one of Beijing's most central districts, Fu Zhu attracts clientele who love to watch sushi dishes glide effortlessly by on a constantly revolving conveyor. Customers sit on high stools around the conveyor's loop, while inside a chef restocks the belt and handles requests. The presentation of the food is both immaculate and novel. Each plate contains between two and six pieces of sushi and costs CNY5 to CNY22. There is also a Chinese and Japanese menu for sashimi and hot and cold dishes. Tea is served free, beer and soft drinks are also available.

The specialty food here is a popular variety of steamed bun known as baozi, consisting of dough wrappers stuffed with meat or vegetable filling and served in steamer baskets. The interior is an intriguing hybrid of traditional Chinese décor and fast-food outlet–it is spick and span and neatly arranged, with red and black lacquer-effect trim. Set meals consist of meat, vegetable or seafood baozi with bean porridge and cold appetizers. A more formal dining room upstairs has a wide selection of hot dishes, and more baozi. Soft drinks, tea, beers and Chinese spirits are served.