Top Ten Restaurants in Beijing

If you are looking for an authentic introduction to Beijing cuisine, Peking duck should be at the top of your list.

Siji Minfu Roast Duck Shop is one of the city's most popular places to try this iconic dish. It specializes in traditional Beijing-style roast duck, served with thin pancakes, spring onions, cucumber and sauce.

Its appeal lies in combining traditional flavors with a relatively approachable dining experience. The duck is roasted until the skin is crisp and the meat stays tender, then carved and served at the table.

Peking duck is traditionally eaten by wrapping slices of duck in a thin pancake with the accompaniments and sauce. There are plenty of variations, but trying it this way gives you a classic taste of Beijing's culinary heritage. Popular branches often have long queues, so arrive early or take a queue number.

For a more contemporary take on Beijing's signature dish, consider Beijing Da Dong.

Da Dong is especially well known for its modern approach to Peking duck. Rather than focusing only on tradition, the restaurant combines classic techniques with contemporary presentation and a more refined atmosphere.

Its Peking duck, roasted to be crisp yet less fatty than many traditional versions, has become the restaurant's signature, making Da Dong a popular choice for a special-occasion meal.

The restaurant also offers a broad selection of creative Chinese dishes, so it is a good option if you are dining in a group and want to sample several different flavors.

For travelers interested in fine dining, Xin Rong Ji is one of the most prestigious names in Beijing.

Xin Rong Ji specializes in Taizhou cuisine from Zhejiang province, with an emphasis on high-quality seafood, seasonal ingredients and precise preparation.

The restaurant holds three Michelin stars in the 2026 Beijing selection, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants in the city.

Rather than the traditional dishes most tourists associate with Beijing, Xin Rong Ji offers a chance to explore a more refined side of Chinese cuisine. Its cooking highlights the natural flavors of carefully selected ingredients, with seafood playing a particularly important role.

Another standout in Beijing's fine-dining scene is Chao Shang Chao.

The restaurant specializes in Chaozhou cuisine, a culinary tradition from eastern Guangdong known for seafood, delicate broths, slow-cooked dishes and careful preparation.

Chao Shang Chao has retained three Michelin stars in the 2026 Beijing guide, confirming its place among the city's most highly regarded restaurants.

If you have already tried Peking duck and want to explore another style of Chinese cooking, this is an excellent choice. A meal here shows how diverse Chinese cuisine is: rather than one single tradition, you discover the distinctive flavors and techniques of the Chaozhou region.

1949 – Duck de Chine combines traditional Chinese cooking with an elegant, contemporary atmosphere.

The restaurant is best known for its Peking duck, making it another excellent option for experiencing Beijing's signature dish in a more upscale setting.

Unlike a casual local restaurant, it is designed for a polished dining experience. The presentation, surroundings and service make it a good fit for a special occasion or simply a memorable evening.

Peking duck remains the centerpiece, but the broader menu lets you explore other Chinese dishes too.

One of Beijing's most memorable restaurant experiences combines food with the city's history.

TRB Hutong serves contemporary French cuisine inside the courtyard of a centuries-old temple complex in a historic hutong, a short walk from the Forbidden City.

Its surroundings are a big part of the appeal. Instead of dining in a modern tower or shopping mall, you enjoy a refined meal in one of the traditional neighborhoods that give old Beijing its character.

TRB Hutong is currently included in the MICHELIN Guide's Beijing selection in the French Contemporary category, and its setting makes the meal feel like part of your Beijing experience rather than just another reservation.

For another strong choice for Peking duck and traditional Beijing flavors, consider Shengyongxing Roasted Duck Restaurant (Sanlitun branch).

The restaurant focuses on Beijing cuisine, with roast duck as one of its best-known specialties, and is featured in the current MICHELIN Guide selection.

It is a handy option if you are staying around Sanlitun or Chaoyang and want traditional Beijing dishes without crossing the city.

The setting is contemporary, while the cooking keeps a strong connection to classic Beijing flavors.

Not every memorable meal in Beijing needs to be fine dining.

Mr. Shi's Dumplings offers a much more casual way to explore Chinese food. Located on Baochao Hutong near the Drum and Bell Towers, it specializes in dumplings.

Dumplings (jiaozi) are an essential part of northern Chinese cuisine and a staple of Beijing home cooking. They are also an easy introduction to Chinese food: you can order different fillings and enjoy them as a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.

The hutong setting adds another layer to the experience. After visiting the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower or Shichahai, stopping for dumplings is a simple way to experience everyday Beijing.

Beijing's food culture extends far beyond Peking duck, and Pangmei Noodle Restaurant is a great way to experience the everyday side of eating in the city.

Pangmei is known for Chongqing-style noodles, such as spicy xiaomian and wanza noodles topped with minced pork and chickpeas. It is a small, no-frills spot that is popular with locals.

Pangmei is located on Xiang'er Hutong, making it convenient if you are exploring the traditional neighborhoods of central Beijing. It is also included in the MICHELIN Guide's current Beijing selection.

For something completely different from traditional Chinese cuisine, Jing offers contemporary French cuisine in the heart of Beijing.

Located at The Peninsula Beijing, Jing provides a polished dining environment and a sophisticated menu.

It is a good choice if you have spent several days exploring Chinese cuisine and want a change of pace without compromising on quality.

Jing is also included in the MICHELIN Guide's current Beijing selection in the French Contemporary category.