Guangzhou would not be a global metropolis if you could not find spicy Hunan food, Mexican, Italian, Arabic and even African food around the city. Even Michelin star Guangzhou restaurants, offering the best of Western, Chinese and Asian Fusion Kitchen. However, one thing you need to eat: Dim Sum Guangzhou style.
Guangzhou food and Restaurant Guide
Cantonese Cuisine
Guangzhou is the heart of Cantonese cuisine, a culinary style of Chinese food eaten worldwide. Known for its light and simple flavors, Cantonese food highlights fresh ingredients and refined techniques. From dim sum Guangzhou style to other traditional Guangzhou dishes like stews and pudding. While you may encounter some unique ingredients, most dishes are simple, delicious, and perfect for anyone eager to explore Guangzhou food.
Shun Ji Ice Cream (顺记冰室)
Shun Ji Bing Shi in Guangzhou is a historic eatery known for handmade ice creams and classic Cantonese dishes.
Baihua Dessert Shop (百花甜品店)
Baihua Dessert Store can be found near most major spots in Guangzhou. Behind Grandview Mall in Tianhe, on Beijing Road in Yuexiu and in Liwan
Dayang Soup (逹揚原味燉品)
Small local Cantonese soup restaurant in yuexiu district. Recommend by guide Michelin and more importantly recommend by my wife.
Yin Ji Rice Rolls (银记肠粉店)
Chang fen is the breakfast item in Guangzhou. Yin Ji is the oldest and Cantonese restaurant in Guangzhou specialized in rice noodle rolls.
Ming Kee Restaurant (西关明记)
Classic Guangzhou Restaurant with modern touch. Beautifully decorate Cantonese restaurant offering local Guangzhou dishes. Worth a try!
Min Kee Clay Pot Rice (民记煲仔饭)
Clay Pot Rice in Guangzhou with meat, sauce and some veggies cooked in a clay pot over fire. providing a crispy layer of rice on bottom.
Tsui Wah Restaurant (翠华餐厅)
This hong kong style restaurant is a famous chain with stores all over Guangzhou. Perfect if you crave a mix of western and Cantonese cuisine.
Renxin Old Shop (仁信老铺)
Traditional Cantonese Snacks and a great treat on your visit in Guangzhou. Pudding, Ice cream and fresh fruits served in traditional way.
"Always Good" Options
In this category we try to list restaurants or restaurant chains in Guangzhou that are a safe bet for any visitor. Not only in Guangzhou but also China in general. We know that sometimes, when you travel or reside for a certain amount somewhere, you do not need fancy dining or street food everyday. Sometimes you just want to explore something simple or “normal” from the local cuisine.
Tongxiang Hunan Restaurant (同湘会)
Great Hunan style restaurant in Guangzhou. Tasty and not to expensive restaurant serving tasty Chinese food for anyone visiting Guangzhou.
Lanzhou Pulled Noodles (兰州拉面)
The most famous halal restaurants in Guangzhou. Pork free noodles that can be found all over Guangzhou and all over China. Never a miss!
Tsui Wah Restaurant (翠华餐厅)
This hong kong style restaurant is a famous chain with stores all over Guangzhou. Perfect if you crave a mix of western and Cantonese cuisine.
Guizhou Huaxi Beef Noodles (贵州花溪牛肉粉)
Simple and good rice noodles in Guangzhou. Perfect before to strengthen after or before strolling through Dongshankou.
Double Egg (2颗鸡蛋)
Jian Bing a famous street food from north-china is a healthy alternative to fried options. Double Egg makes them available all over Guangzhou.
Yujian Noodles (遇见小面)
What to eat visiting China? Spicy Noodles! Yujian Noodles, a large chain that never disappoints when it comes to spicy food in Guangzhou
Dumpling Xi (喜德家虾仁水饺)
Jiaozi are one of the most famous Chinese dishes, and although they come from the north, Xide restaurant in Guangzhou offers great dumplings.
Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants
As a vegetarian living in Guangzhou for many years, I have been to many vegetarian restaurants in Guangzhou and in China. There are surprisingly many good options available, and you can generally place them in two categories. The first are vegan restaurants nearby Buddhist temples. These restaurants are usually top notch in terms of what you can get for your money. The second type of vegetarian restaurants in Guangzhou are focusing on healthy and fusion kitchen. They often have very unique dishes and beautiful interior. There are even vegetarian Hot Pot restaurants in Guangzhou.
Fut Sai Kai Buddhist Restaurant (佛世界素食社)
Fut Sai Kai is a vegan restaurant near to a Buddhist temple in Haizhu district of Guangzhou. It offers Cantonese vegetarian food.
Seven Coloured Clouds Vegetarian (七色云蔬食餐厅)
This unfortunate located vegetarian restaurant in Guangzhou is hard to reach yet one of the tastiest experiences we had.
Vitality Tree Vegetarian Restaurant (生机树)
vitality tree is a small vegetarian restaurant located in Yuexiu district. This cozy restaurant offers a relaxed dinner experience.
Zen Tea Vegan (炳胜 禅意茶素)
This pearl of a vegan restaurant in Guangzhou is included in the Michelin guide, making sure you can eat the finest vegetarian meal.
Twelve Houses Vegetarian Hotpot (十二舍湯物素煮素食火锅)
Twelve Houses Vegetarian Hot Pot Restaurant in Guangzhou is a very small, very hidden but incredible tasty small vegetarian restaurant.
Shi Fang Yuan Food Nutrition Center (食方缘 食养中心)
Shi Fang Yuan Food Nutrition Center a vegetarian restaurant in old-town Guangzhou. Romantic restaurant, suitable for dating.
International Cuisine
Even though Chinese and Cantonese Cuisine has much to offer, sometimes we crave food from home or maybe a good Pizza sitting in a riverside Guangzhou restaurant. Not forget a good Thai Curry or Indian and Turkish Dish. There is even Tuareg Restaurant in Guangzhou which we still want to taste in the near future on our Guangzhou food journey.
Desta Ethiopian Restaurant
Desta is an Ethiopian restaurant in the north of yuexiu district in Guangzhou. This small African restaurant in Guangzhou is worth trying.
Bravo Brewpub (保霖精酿啤酒餐厅)
Bravo is an expat oasis in Guangzhou. A burger place at daytime and bar at night. In Bravo you will always find people from around the world.
Little Papa Indian and Nepalese Restaurant
Little Papa is not only one of the best Indian and Nepalese restaurants in Guangzhou, it is also one of our all-over favorites in Guangzhou.
Tiger Prawn Vietnamese Restaurant
Tiger Prawn is one of the most known restaurants in Guangzhou and surely the most known Vietnamese restaurant.
Juice Robot
Juice Robot offers craft beer and authentic yet unique western food in zhujiang new town. Open at day and night, always offering tasty food.
MannAlley (法漫里洋楼餐厅)
Mann Alley is a romantic restaurant inside an old villa which is near Martyrs Park in Guangzhou. Ideal for Dating or gatherings.
Restaurants for a Date
Once in a while you need a restaurant for dating in Guangzhou. Maybe you met someone new or maybe you just want to take out your loved one again. All the quiet and beautiful Guangzhou restaurants we found, are listed in this category of places to see in Guangzhou.
Park Cafe (绿茵西餐)
Park Cafe is a romantic restaurant in Guangzhou next to Yuexiu Park. The restaurant features a large garden which is great for events.
MannAlley (法漫里洋楼餐厅)
Mann Alley is a romantic restaurant inside an old villa which is near Martyrs Park in Guangzhou. Ideal for Dating or gatherings.
Wen Feng Xiang Yue (闻风相悦素食餐厅)
This star dining experience located in the heart of Guangzhou is a relaxing experience for one evening. Vegetarian food in a beautiful Garden
Zen Tea Vegan (炳胜 禅意茶素)
This pearl of a vegan restaurant in Guangzhou is included in the Michelin guide, making sure you can eat the finest vegetarian meal.
Bakeries & Sweets
Baked goods, egg tarts, cakes and ginger milk. Sweet treats in Guangzhou can be literally found on every street corner, we listed a few of the best sweet Guangzhou street food stalls but also some comfort snacks you might now from home. Not recommend to eat much of this type of Guangzhou food though 🙂
Gaonnuri (加温努力)
Gao Nuri is a small bakery chain in Guangzhou that offers great croissants and savory breads. A good alternative to sweet chinese bread.
THRAPPY
Thrappy is a bakery in Guangzhou, near the Canton fair complex, which offers great sourdough bread as well as Pizza, Coffee and Salads.
Tiff Cafe
Tiff Cafe call itself a vintage space in Guangzhou and their interior speaks for itself. Their cakes are unique, tasty and worth trying.
Explore just the right Food for You!
No one should end his visit to Guangzhou China without having tried some local Cantonese specialties, like dim sum and other Chinese food. However if you are on a certain diet, Halal, Vegetarian or Vegan, your Guangzhou trip might be more difficult without guidance. In this Blog we gather Guangzhou restaurants and street food suitable for many kinds of diets, from the best local cuisines up to international kitchen you might not find at home. You will not need to go home on an empty stomach after your Guangzhou visit with our food guide.