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The number of different dishes in Beijing have made some of the longest menus in the world. While diners ponder over traditionally cooked meals or new takes on old favourites, eating out in Beijing will be like nowhere else in the world. From ingredients meant for royalty at the Fangshan, Beijing's famous Peking duck or more 'mysterious' fillings in a street side soup, food preparation in Beijing adheres to old traditions reflecting culinary styles from all over China.

As an immigration centre, bringing in new cultures and tastes, the choices for dining have blossomed in Beijing restaurants. This includes western fine dining as many of Beijing's top hotels now recruit top internationally trained chefs. Increasingly, international style restaurants are opening to success on their own.

The best way to experience dining in Beijing is to choose a new style of venue for every meal. Follow the crowds to cafeteria style dining halls, make friends with the nearest street side vendors and revel in some fine dining luxury that is more affordable in Beijing than at home. But remember to not only bring an appetite but some adventurous taste buds.

Aria

$$$$$ | International

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. Travellers 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
Telephone: (0)10 6505 2266

Lily Vegetarian Restaurant

$$$$$ | Vegetarian

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
Telephone: (0)10 6202 5284

Otto’s Restaurant

$$$$$ | Chinese

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 specialises in claypot dishes, the most remarkable of which is their fried rice with sausage and chicken.

Address: Dongdan Dajie 72
Telephone: (0)10 6525 1783

Xibei Youmian Cun

$$$$$ | Chinese

This is a cosy family restaurant with a wholesome atmosphere. Most of the dishes come with a sizable jug of thick suannai yoghurt, 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
Telephone: (0)10 6489 0256

Dao Jia Chang

$$$$$ | Chinese

The word 'chaotic' is often bandied about when travellers 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
Telephone: (0)10 6422 1078

Café Sambal

$$$$$ | Asian

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
Telephone: (0)10 6400 4875

Quanjude Kaoyadian

$$$$$ | Chinese

Peking duck is quintessential Beijing and to taste where it all began head to this famous haunt where the recipe was created more than 150 years ago. The duck can be prepared a number of ways with a number of parts, not all of which sound appetizing, but unless you are a Peking connoisseur the best way to first enjoy this delicacy is one roast duck straight up.

Address: 32 Qianmen Xi Dajie, Chongwen District
Telephone: (0)10 6511 2418

Fangshan

$$$$$ | Chinese

Chinese royalty were renowned picky eaters and ate only specialty dishes with carefully selected ingredients with even more carefully selected names. Such dining gave way to its own culinary tradition that can be enjoyed at the enormous banquet style dining hall with such imperial classics as 'jade phoenix returning to the royal'. Choosing from a huge selection of dishes is a fun way to eat like an emperor.

Address: Beihai Gongyuannei , inside Beihai Park's south gate
Telephone: (0)10 6401 1879

Maison Boulud

$$$$$ | French

This well received new restaurant brings New York bistro style and French dining tradition together in the old American embassy in Beijing. Despite international cuisine such as Stuled Suckling Pig in the Style of the City of Nice, the ingredients are local and fresh. This is considered one of the city's finest restaurants. Reservations are advised.

Address: Ch'ianmen 23, Qian Men Dong da Jie
Telephone: (0)10 6559 9200

China Grill

$$$$$ | International

Sixty six floors above the sparkling city makes any dish seem dazzling but the views aren't the only reason to eat at China Grill. The international menu is a simple selection of fine dining with both Chinese dishes and grilled western classics. The romantic ambiance is set by a surprisingly cosy interior surrounded by floor to ceiling windows for a 360-degree view of the city.

Address: Park Hayatt, 2 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District
Telephone: (0)10 8567 1234

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