Beijing is one of the world's great food cities. But as a tourist, finding the right restaurant and booking a table can be a real challenge. This guide covers the must-try dishes, the best restaurants, and how to get a reservation without speaking Chinese.
Must-try Beijing dishes
- Peking Duck: The iconic dish. Crispy skin, tender meat, thin pancakes, sweet bean sauce. A must.
- Hot Pot: Boil your own meat and vegetables in a bubbling broth. Sichuan-style is spicy, Mongolian-style is milder.
- Jiaozi: Chinese dumplings. Can be steamed, boiled, or pan-fried. Cheap and delicious.
- Zhajiangmian: Beijing noodles with fermented bean paste and fresh vegetables.
- Imperial Cuisine: Elaborate dishes once served to emperors. Beautiful presentation, unique flavors.
Top restaurant categories for tourists
Peking Duck
The two legendary names are Quanjude (tourist-friendly, many locations) and Siji Minfu (locals' favorite, better quality, harder to book). Da Dong offers a modern upscale twist.
What to expect: Whole duck carved at your table. One duck serves 2-3 people. Budget around RMB 200-400 per duck.
Hot Pot
Haidilao is the most famous chain, known for exceptional service (manicures and noodle dancing while you wait). Xiabu Xiabu is a cheaper individual-pot option.
What to expect: You order raw ingredients and cook them yourself in the broth. Budget RMB 100-200 per person.
Fine Dining
Beijing has a growing Michelin-starred scene. Jingjiu (Cantonese), Xin Rong Ji (Taizhou seafood), and Da Dong (modern Peking duck) are standouts.
What to expect: Multi-course tasting menus, elegant interiors, English menus sometimes available. Budget RMB 500-1500 per person.
How to book a restaurant in Beijing as a tourist
This is where most tourists give up. The booking process in China requires:
- Dianping (the Chinese Yelp) or Meituan app - both are Chinese-only
- A Chinese phone number for registration
- WeChat or Alipay for any deposit
- Some restaurants only accept bookings 1-2 weeks in advance
The easy way: Message us on WhatsApp. We book the restaurant for you, handle the deposit, and give you the confirmation. You just show up. We can also help you order in Chinese when you arrive.
Practical tips
- Lunch is cheaper than dinner at most fine dining restaurants
- Avoid tourist trap streets near major sights - overpriced and mediocre
- Street food is safe at busy stalls with high turnover
- Vegetarian options are limited at traditional restaurants - let us know and we will find the right places
- Spice levels in Sichuan restaurants are not like Western spice. Ask for mild.
How much does dining cost?
| Type | Per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Street food | RMB 20-50 | Jianbing, baozi, skewers |
| Casual restaurant | RMB 50-120 | Dumplings, noodles, stir-fry |
| Peking duck | RMB 100-200 | Per person, shared duck |
| Hot pot | RMB 100-200 | Per person |
| Fine dining | RMB 500-1500 | Tasting menus |
Conclusion
Beijing's food scene is extraordinary, but the booking barrier is real for international visitors. With TripSim, one WhatsApp message gets you a table at the best restaurants in the city. We handle the reservation, the deposit, and even help you order.