7 Best Places to Eat in Beijing Hutong

Written by Sally Guo Updated Jan. 26, 2022

Beijing hutongs are the best places for experiencing authentic local life, while many of the restaurants tucked away in the hutongs are the most amazing gems.

They are not usually outstanding in appearance, sitting silently in the long deep alleys, waiting for people to open the door and discover a whole new culinary world. Below we hand-pick 7 popular hutong restaurants for your convenience, based on the latest customers’ reviews.

1. No. 44 Hutong Kitchen

Food in Sour Soup

Chinese: 胡同四十四号厨房
Features: Chinese cooking, Guizhou-style food, homemade drinks
Address: 70 Deshengmennei Dajie, Xicheng District, Beijing (北京西城区德胜门内大街70号)
Price: CNY 120 per person
Restaurant hours: daily 11 am – 11 pm

No. 44 Hutong Kitchen on Deshengmen Inner Street mainly cooks Guizhou fare. It is a small Beijing-style courtyard full of greenery, but the dishes on its menu are authentic Guizhou cuisine; especially its well-known specialty, fish in hot and sour soup. It is also renowned for its homemade rose and osmanthus (cassia) wine.

2. Susu

Susu Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Chinese: 苏苏越南菜
Features: Vietnamese food, vegetarian-friendly, nice wine list
Address: 10 Qianliang Hutong Xixiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区钱粮胡同西巷10号)
Price: CNY 167 per person
Restaurant hours: daily 11:30 am – 10 pm

Susu is an eatery with an excellent environment and taste, specializing in Vietnamese cuisine. It is hidden in a deserted hutong and may be difficult to find.

There is no sign outside the restaurant so you may at first think it is an ordinary dwelling, especially when you encounter its run-down red door. But once you get inside, you’ll find it’s the perfect place for dinner, with a cute courtyard and warm ambiance.

The food will not disappoint you, nor will the wine list. Its menu features Salmon Spring Rolls, Lemongrass Duck Salad, La Vong Fish, Bun Bo Hue Rice Noodles, Shaking Beef, and more.

3. Liqun Roast Duck Restaurant

Peking Roast Duck

Chinese: 利群烤鸭店
Features: Beijing roast duck
Address: 11 Beixiangfeng, Zhengyi Rd (northeast of Qianmen), Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区前门东大街正义路南口北翔凤胡同11号)
Price: CNY 161 per person
Restaurant hours: daily 10 am – 10 pm

If you’d like to try some traditional Peking roast duck, don’t miss Liqun Roast Duck Restaurant! It’s hidden in a deep hutong, without any fancy decorations, but its blazing roaster and a row of golden roast ducks make up for that.

This may not be as well-known as the Peking Roast Duck brand Quanjude, but though it hardly attracts the eye, it still attracts a large number of local fans. Prepare to wait in line to be seated! The restaurant is so hard to find, however, why not contact us for help?

4. Dali Courtyard

Yunnan-style Grilled Fish

Chinese: 大里院子
Features: Chinese cooking, Yunnan food, vegetarian options available
Address: 67 Xiaojingchang Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区鼓楼东大街小经厂胡同67号)
Price: CNY 140 per person
Restaurant hours: daily 10 am – 10 pm

The Chinese saying “fragrant wine fears no deep alley” is perfectly apposite for Dali Courtyard, a restaurant hailing from Yunnan Province.

The shabby façade makes the restaurant a “secret” setting down a narrow hutong, but inside there is a lovely courtyard with flourishing plants. The ingredients here are all from Yunnan, and the food has a fixed price and menu, featuring grilled goat’s cheese, fried shrimp, grilled chili fish, and mushrooms.

5. Saffron

Grilled Lamb Chops

Chinese: 藏红花西餐厅
Features: Mediterranean, Spanish
Address: 64 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区五道营胡同64号)
Price: CNY 120 per person
Restaurant hours: daily 12 am – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 9:30 pm

Saffron, known for “the best Spanish paella in Beijing”, is renowned among hutong restaurants. Its open-air courtyard and balcony make it exquisite and warm. The chef is good at creative Spanish cuisine and recommended dishes include Spanish Paella, Grilled Lamb Chops, Crab Avocado Salad, and Fried Sea Bass.

6. Orchid Pavilion

Braised Pig Feet

Chinese: 兰亭猪手火锅
Features: pig feet hot pot, lunch place
Address: 65 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同65号)
Price: CNY 90 per person
Restaurant hours: daily 11:30 am – 11 pm

Orchid Pavilion is a pig’s-feet-themed hot pot restaurant set in a courtyard in the Gulou area of Beijing. Chinese women love to eat pig’s feet for they are rich in collagen, which is said to enhance beauty. Besides, the place has a nice rooftop patio with pretty views, perfect for spending time with friends.

7. Black Sesame Kitchen

Enjoy Dinner Together

Chinese: 黑芝麻厨房
Features: Chinese cooking class, vegetarian-friendly
Address: 67 Xiaojingchang Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区鼓楼东大街小经厂胡同67号)
Price: CNY 300 per person
Restaurant hours: by appointment only

Black Sesame Kitchen is a courtyard institute in a quiet hutong just east of the Forbidden City. It is a delicate place where you can observe and join in the whole process of making all kinds of Chinese dishes; suitable for foreigners who would like to learn about Chinese cooking.

You’ll meet the other dinner guests at a communal table, spending a wonderful night together. Our Chinese Cooking Class in Beijing can also give you an opportunity to cook with a Chinese chef.

Dining at Hutong Restaurants with China Travel

Our Customers at a Hutong Restaurant

Hutongs in Beijing are narrow and deep, easy to get lost in, not to mention the difficulty of finding a particular restaurant in the numerous courtyards. China Travel offers you a knowledgeable English-speaking guide to transforming your food ideas into stunning experiences. Just book a private hutong food tour with us!