China Restaurants

RBL
City/Region: Beijing
An acronym for Restaurant, Bar and Lounge, RBL is indeed a place to drink and dine while savouring a relaxed atmosphere. A live blues band in the underground bar area (known as The Icehouse) sets the tone for a divine Japanese fusion eating experience. Highly recommended are the sakura smoked duck sushi, yukke marinated wagyu beef and for dessert, the creme brûlee with orange marmalade.
Address: Dong'an Men Dajie 53

My Humble House
City/Region: Beijing
An ironically opulent establishment, this grandiose, spacious restaurant seats (and feeds) nearly 200, offering sublime dining at a hefty fee. The seafood is Hunan Japanese fusion and comes highly recommended, particularly the prawns in wasabi mayonnaise. Their friendly and efficient service rounds off a lavish dining affair.
Address: Dong Chang'an Jie 1, Oriental Plaza

Kejia Cai
City/Region: Beijing
The best word to describe this tavern-esque restaurant would be 'simple', from the plain-clothed waitresses to the wooden furnishings and worn wallpaper. The food is cooked in the tradition of the Han Hakka people, home-styled yet innovative. Their mizhi zhibao luyu (a fish fried and then baked), served with a sweet sauce is not to be missed.
Address: Southeast bank of Qian Hai

Aria
City/Region: Beijing
With a pleasant outdoor garden enclosure, this restaurant is an ideal lunch venue from which to take in some fresh air. Also, this pricey eatery boasts a reasonable and generous lunch menu - perfect for that business lunch. Travelers with more to spend might want to dine inside the venue, where live music and a late bar will complement the night out.
Address: Jianguo Men Wai Dajie, inside the China World Hotel

Lily Vegetarian Restaurant
City/Region: Beijing
This vegetarian restaurant chain comes highly recommended, even among the most ardent of meat lovers. Generous servings, at a decent price, and innovative cooking with a uniquely Chinese flair keep the locals coming back for more. Try the yam broth with mushrooms, vegetarian sushi rolls and seasonal organic vegetables.
Address: Bei San Huan Jimen Qiao, Jimen Fandian, Xicheng & Haidian

Otto's Restaurant
City/Region: Beijing
The inside of Otto's is vaguely reminiscent of a high school cafeteria; what sets it apart is that this is authentic Chinese dining at its most affordable. The house specializes in claypot dishes, the most remarkable of which is their fried rice with sausage and chicken.
Address: Dongdan Dajie 72

Xibei Youmian Cun
City/Region: Beijing
This is a cosy family restaurant with a wholesome atmosphere. Most of the dishes come with a sizable jug of thick suannai yogurt, which can be (if used strategically) a delicious compliment to your meal; their lamb skewers, cubes and roast beef are certainly best savoured when stewed in their own juices.
Address: Yayun Cun Anyuan 8 Lou

Dao Jia Chang
City/Region: Beijing
The word 'chaotic' is often bandied about when travelers describe this restaurant; the other word you're likely to hear is 'delicious' - in relation to the food. In and among the scrambling, screaming waiters you'll find the tasty Jingjiang Rousi (shredded pork rolled in tofu skin with scallion) and Yangrou Madoufu (mashed tofu and whole soybeans drizzled in lamb oil) well worth a somewhat distracting dining affair.
Address: Guangxi Men Beili 20

Café Sambal
City/Region: Beijing
The word is that this modest looking little courtyard restaurant has a flawless menu. Everything from their kangkung belacan (water spinach) to the spicy signature dish, the Kapitan chicken, is exquisite and their Malaysian chef takes great pride in his work.
Address: Doufu Chi Hutong 43

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