Guangzhou local food and restaurants, what and where to eat

Guangzhou is renowned for its love of food, and its cuisine is famous worldwide. Cantonese cuisine, or Guangzhou Cuisine, is the epitome of Yue Cuisine and one of China's eight major culinary traditions, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. The key characteristics of Guangzhou cuisine include a wide variety of ingredients and diverse cooking methods. It uses minimal seasoning and is generally not spicy, focusing on enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.

When visiting Guangzhou, experiencing the local food is a must. The city offers a rich array of Cantonese dishes, including various dim sum, street snacks, desserts, seafood, and an abundance of late-night eats. Here is a simple guide to Guangzhou’s food scene for your reference.

What to eat

Cantonese cuisine in Guangzhou is known for its mild flavors, emphasizing freshness and natural taste. Common cooking methods include steaming, slow simmering, and roasting. This focus on highlighting the fresh, natural flavors of ingredients is highly appreciated by both locals and visitors.。Top Cantonese Cuisines in Guangzhou：White Cut Chicken, Roast Suckling Pig, Roast Goose, Honey-Glazed Char Siu, Poached Lobster in Soup, Slow-Cooked Soup.

Whit Cut Chicken / 白切鸡

Whit Cut Chicken is one of the simplest yet most famous chicken dishes in Cantonese cuisine. There is a popular saying in Guangdong: "No feast is complete without chicken." White Cut Chicken is an essential dish at family gatherings and important events, embodying a connection to family, tradition, and emotions. It has become an indispensable part of Cantonese culinary culture.

The preparation is simple: a whole chicken is poached in water with sand ginger, scallions, garlic, and other basic ingredients, without adding extra seasonings. This dish preserves the natural flavor of the chicken, with tender, smooth meat and a light, fresh taste.

Roast Suckling Pig /烤乳猪

Roast Suckling Pig is one of the most renowned high-end dishes in Guangzhou, with its intricate preparation techniques dating back over 1,400 years. The dish involves marinating a young piglet (around 3 kg) with a blend of spices such as five-spice powder, sesame paste, star anise powder, fermented tofu, and sugar, before roasting it over charcoal.

The result is a beautifully golden-brown pig with smooth, glossy skin, and meat that is crispy yet not greasy, tender, and richly flavorful.

Roast Goose / 烧鹅

Roast Goose is a traditional famous dish from Guangdong. The preparation involves cleaning a whole goose, removing the internal organs, head, wings, and feet, then inflating the skin. The goose is seasoned with five-spice powder, stitched up, briefly blanched in hot water, and then rinsed in cold water. The skin is brushed with a sugar glaze before roasting.

The result is crispy skin and tender meat, with a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors, rich yet not greasy. It is often served with a side of sour plum sauce for dipping, enhancing the overall taste.

Honey-Glazed Char Siu /蜜汁叉烧

Honey-Glazed Char Siu is a classic Cantonese dish, also known as Chinese BBQ Pork. The dish is made with lean pork, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, light soy sauce, cooking wine, honey, white sugar, and peanut oil. The result is a vibrant red color with a sweet, aromatic flavor.

Char Siu can be enjoyed on its own or used as a filling for Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns), a delicious dim sum treats. Its tender, flavorful meat and sweet glaze make it a beloved part of Cantonese cuisine.

Poached Lobster in Soup /上汤焗龙虾

Poached Lobster in Soup is a traditional Cantonese dish known for its appealing color, fragrance, and taste. The dish is made with fresh, large lobsters that are first deep-fried, then simmered in a flavorful broth made from chicken stock and seasonings, followed by a red-braising process.

The lobster meat is tender, with a fresh, delicate flavor. It is high in protein, low in fat, and rich in nutrients, making it both a delicious and nutritious dish that showcases the sophistication of Cantonese cuisine.

Clay Pot Rice /煲仔饭

Clay Pot Rice is a classic home-style Cantonese dish. To prepare it, washed rice is first cooked in a clay pot until it’s about 70% done, then various ingredients such as Cantonese cured meats, sausages, vegetables, and other meats or vegetarian items are added. The pot is then simmered on low heat to fully cook the rice.

The result is a crispy golden crust at the bottom of the pot, chewy rice in the middle, and the top layer of rice infused with the rich flavors of the meats. Common variations of Clay Pot Rice include Lap Mei Fan (Cantonese cured meats), Poached Chicken Rice, Fermented Black Bean Spare Ribs Rice, White Cut Chicken Rice, and Roast Duck Rice, among others.

Slow-cooked Soup /老火靓汤

Slow-cooked Soup is a traditional Cantonese nourishing soup, passed down through generations for its health benefits. These soups are simmered over low heat for several hours, allowing the ingredients to release their nutrients, offering both nutritional value and medicinal benefits.

The ingredients can include black-bone chicken, squab, pork, quail eggs, seafood, vegetables, dried fruits, and Chinese herbs. Depending on the ingredients, the soups can have varying flavors such as savory, sweet, fresh, or slightly sour.

Common varieties of Cantonese slow-cooked soups include Red Date Black-Bone Chicken Soup, Yam and Pork Rib Soup, and Squab Soup. These soups are often enjoyed for their ability to nourish the body and promote overall well-being.

Most Popular Cantonese Dim Sums

Across all of China, only Guangdong has elevated breakfast into a cultural experience. In this rapidly developing region, morning tea is more than just a meal; it is a cultural ritual where friends and family gather to savor delicious flavors, chat, and enjoy a leisurely moment of relaxation. Popular Cantonese Dim Sums (Simplified Overview)

Shrimp Dumplings (虾饺): or Har Gao，a must-try dim sum with a translucent, delicate wrapper filled with smooth, sweet shrimp.

Steamed Shaomai (烧卖): A savory snack made by wrapping thin dough around a partially exposed filling of pork or shrimp, then steaming.

Steamed Chicken Feet (蒸凤爪): Tender, flavorful chicken feet steamed with fermented black bean or chili bean paste, commonly served in Cantonese tea houses.

Buns (各种包子): Soft, fluffy buns filled with ingredients like BBQ pork (Char Siu Bao), custard (Nai Huang Bao), or salted egg custard (Liu Sha Bao).

Rice Rolls (肠粉): Smooth rice flour rolls filled with various meats, seafood, or vegetables, served with savory sauce—nutritious and popular in dim sum restaurants.

Boat Congee(艇仔粥): is a traditional Cantonese dish made with a variety of ingredients such as fish fillets, egg strips, and sea cucumber, among others. It is known for its fresh and flavorful taste, making it especially popular during colder weather when people seek something warm and comforting.

Tong Sui /甜品

In addition to their love for morning tea, people in Guangzhou also have a strong passion for desserts. After a main meal, having a delicious dessert is considered the perfect finish. Locally, desserts are called Tong Sui (糖水), which translates to "sugar water" or "sweet soup." Cantonese desserts come in a wide variety, and some of the most popular ones among locals and tourists include Double Skin Milk (双皮奶), Ginger Milk Curd (姜撞奶), Mung Bean Soup (绿豆沙), Tortoise Jelly (龟苓膏), and Egg Tarts (蛋挞).

Where to eat

Top 1: Guangzhou Restaurant / 广州酒家

If you ask the locals which restaurant is the top in Guangzhou, the answer will undoubtedly be Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家). Founded in 1935, it is one of the city's most famous and long-established eateries, offering traditional Cantonese cuisine and a wide variety of Cantonese dim sums. Many local residents frequently come here to enjoy their morning tea. The restaurant has received numerous positive reviews online. Additionally, the mid-autumn mooncakes produced by Guangzhou Restaurant each year are extremely popular among both locals and tourists.

• Recommended: Wenchang Chicken, Roast Suckling Pig, Honey-Glazed Char Siu.
• Operating Hours: 07:00-14:30 & 17:30-20:30
• Tel：020-81380388；020-81389840
• Address: No. 2, Wenchang South Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou

Top 2: Tao Tao Ju / 陶陶居酒家

Tao Tao Ju is one of Guangzhou's most iconic and long-established restaurants, with a history spanning 137 years. The restaurant is renowned for its authentic Cantonese cuisine and a wide variety of specialties. It is also famous for its Cantonese mooncakes, which have won numerous awards. Over the years, many celebrities have dined here. Today, it is one of the largest and most famous restaurants in Guangzhou, with the capacity to serve over 1,300 diners at a time, and multiple branches in different areas. Due to its popularity, the restaurant is often fully booked, so it’s best to make a reservation in advance.

• Recommended: Pig brain fish soup, colorful fresh shrimp, stir-fried crab meat with ginger and scallion, West Lake chrysanthemum fish, hand-torn salt-baked chicken, roast duck, ham and tripe, braised chicken and abalone, thin-skinned fresh shrimp dumplings, etc.
• Operating Hours: 09:00-16:30；17:00-20:30
• Tel：020-83643379；020-83643043
• Address: No. 2, Wenchang South Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou

Top 3: Lei Garden / 利苑酒家

Lei Garden originated in Hong Kong and is a well-established, highly regarded high-end Cantonese restaurant with a Michelin star. Known for its exquisite dishes that combine beautiful presentation with exceptional flavors, Lei Garden is also renowned for its carefully crafted dim sum. The restaurant has earned a stellar reputation over the years. Currently, there are two branches in Guangzhou, both of which are very popular. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance due to high demand.

• Recommended: Shrimp dumplings, lobster rice, steamed chicken feet, squab, traditional Chinese soup, Peking duck etc.
• Operating Hours: 11:00-15:00；17:20-21:30li>
• Tel：020-83633268
• Address: 4th Floor, Yi'an Plaza, No. 33, Jianshe Liuma Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Top 4: Panxi Restaurant (泮溪酒家)

Panxi Restaurant, founded in 1947, is a time-honored establishment located by Liwan Lake in the Xiguan area. This elegant, traditional Chinese garden-style restaurant has hosted many foreign dignitaries and government leaders over the years. The interior is adorned with folk crafts, antiques, and Chinese hardwood windows, creating a charming and authentic atmosphere. A nearby souvenir shop sells homemade snacks, adding to the cultural experience.

• Recommended: Boiled chicken, roast goose, eight-treasure winter melon soup, steamed chicken feet, shrimp dumplings, water chestnut cake, double skin milk etc.
• Operating Hours: 11:00-15:00；17:20-21:30
• Tel：020-81721328；021-81722788
• Address: No. 151, Longjin West Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou

Top 5: Dian Dou De /点都德

Dian Dou De is one of the most popular restaurants in Guangzhou. With a history passed down through three generations of the Shen family, it has become a time-honored brand and an intangible cultural heritage conservation unit in the city. Today, it is a landmark dining brand and a large multi-brand chain with over a dozen branches, each bustling with customers. The restaurant is known for its innovative and exquisite dim sum, which is especially loved by local young people and tourists alike for its unique variety and delicious flavors.

• Recommended: Red rice sausage, shrimp dumplings, steamed chicken feet, tripe, steamed spareribs, barbecued pork buns, fried dough sticks, glutinous rice chicken etc.
• Operating Hours: 08:00-16:00；16:30-21:30
• Tel：020-83522927
• Address: No. 352, 354 Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Top 6: Bingsheng Pinwei /炳胜品味

Bingsheng Pinwei primarily offers Cantonese cuisine, focusing on authenticity, freshness, health, and innovation. The restaurant is known for its elegant and luxurious decor, providing a refined atmosphere for diners. The dishes are meticulously prepared, with their signature roast meats and sashimi (fish slices) receiving widespread praise. These items are considered must-try dishes for many visitors. While they do not serve morning tea, the restaurant specializes in lunch, dinner, and a variety of fresh seafood. It operates until 2 a.m., making it an ideal spot for late-night dining.

• Recommended: Red rice sausage, shrimp dumplings, steamed chicken feet, tripe, steamed spareribs, barbecued pork buns, fried dough sticks, glutinous rice chicken etc.
• Operating Hours: 11:00-15:00；17:00-02:00
• Tel：020-34286910；020-24286911
• Address: No. 33 Dongxiao Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou

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