Top 10 Restaurants to Eat in Guilin

Guilin hardly strikes people as a mecca for foodies. Surprisingly, you might encounter some unforgettable dishes behind a stained door or a shed on the narrow backstreet. For the first time there, some insider scoops point you in the right directions for the finer restaurants with special features. Here we select the 10 best restaurants in Guilin and Yangshuo, from local to expat and from cheap to fancy.

1. Lijiang Waterfall Hotel Restaurant

Located in the 5-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel, with moderately-priced, high-quality food, and a mostly multilingual staff, this restaurant is a great middle ground for many customers, particularly foreign visitors to Guilin. The location of this hotel is also fantastic, situated near Elephant Hill and the Sun and Moon Pagodas.

• Chinese Name: 桂林漓江大瀑布饭店
• Address: No.1 Shanhubei Road Xiufeng Distinct
• Address in Chinese: 桂林市秀峰区杉湖北路1号
• Cost Per Person: Around 300 CNY per person
• Hours of Operation: 11:30-14:00, 17:30-22:00
• Telephone: +86 773 2822881 (Lijiang Waterfall Hotel Phone Number)

2. Rice Noodles Pub (Luanle Rice Noodles)

For authentic Guilin rice noodles in the city center, look no further than Luanle Rice Noodle restaurant, with a wide variety of toppings, a whole page of vegetarian options, and a menu with pictures for foreign guests. Beer enthusiasts will be happy to try the homemade beer here as well. The location, near at the pedestrian street towards the center of the city is also fantastic for exploring the city after your meal.

• Chinese Name: 乱了粉库
• Address: No.142 walking street, zhengyang pedestrian street
• Address in Chinese: 桂林正阳步行街142号
• Cost Per Person: Around 30 CNY per person
• Hours of Operation: 10:00-24:00
• Telephone: +86 773 280 7508

3. Shang Palace (Shangri-La Hotel Guilin)

Belonging to the famous 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, the Shang Palace delivers 5-star quality food and service. The food is a mix of traditional Chinese food and Guilin's local food, like rice noodles. The staff are friendly and always willing to help. The view from the restaurant windows highlights Guilin’s beautiful topography.

• Chinese Name: 香宫 (桂林香格里拉大酒店)
• Address: Shangrila-La Hotel Guilin, No.111 Huancheng North 2nd Road
• Address in Chinese: 皇城北2路111号桂林香格里拉酒店
• Cost Per Person: About 200 CNY
• Hours of Operation: 11:30 – 14:00 17:30 - 22:00
• Telephone: +86 773 269 8888

4. Kali Mirch (Black Pepper) Indian Cuisine

Kali Mirch has, without a doubt, the best Indian food in Guilin. This place is a godsend for expats and tourists looking for a break from Chinese food. The authentic Indian spices (hence the name) give the food a traditional, original Indian food flavor. Being Indian, diners can expect a fantastic vegetarian selection.
The location is a bit tricky to pin down, as it is located off a small alley in the Shangshui food court on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street.

• Chinese Name: 黑胡椒印度餐厅
• Address: Shangshui Food Court, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
• Address in Chinese: 桂林正阳步行街内尚水美食街
• Cost Per Person: About 80 CNY
• Hours of Operation: 11:00-22:00
• Telephone: +86 137 3739 6451

5. Rosemary Cafe

Rosemary Cafe offers Chinese food, Western food, light snacks, coffees, drinks, and desserts. It’s a nice place to take a little break from the buzzing Zhengyang Pedestrian Street. Whether you want dumplings, coffee, pizza, or chocolate cake, Rosemary has you covered. The interior is cozy and comfortable and is favored by locals, both foreign and Chinese.

• Chinese Name: 迷迭香
• Address: No.1-3 Yiren Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin China
• Address in Chinese: 秀峰区依仁路1-3号
• Cost Per Person: 50 CNY
• Hours of Operation: 10:30-11:30
• Telephone: +86 773 281 0063

6. Tong Lai Guan

Tong Lai Guan offers a great mix of local Guilin food and light snacks as well as traditional Chinese delicacies. The restaurant is a nice casual place for people looking for a less formal and more regular dining out experience in China. Tong Lai Guan also offers a Hot Pot in which guests can pick their own ingredients.

• Chinese Name: 同来馆米粉
• Address: Zhishan Road, Xiangshan Qu Guilin Shi, Guangxi Zhuangzuzizhiqu, China
• Address in Chinese:桂林市象山区雉山路
• Cost Per Person: About 100 CNY
• Hours of Operation: 10:00-22:00

7. Zhengyang Tang Cheng

Located right along the Zhengyang Pedestrian Street area, Zhengyang Tang Cheng boasts a reputation for having the best soups in Guilin. Offering over 30 types of soup every day the restaurant focuses on Cantonese-style dishes. After the meal, diners can meander up and down Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and soak up the hubbub.

• Chinese Name: 正阳汤城
• Address: 54 Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Xiufeng Qu Guilin Shi, Guangxi Zhuangzuzizhiqu, China
• Address in Chinese:桂林市秀峰区正阳步行街54号
• Cost Per Person: 80 CNY
• Hours of Operation: 10:00-22:00
• Telephone: 0733-2858553

8. Ganga Impression Indian Restaurant

For reasonably-priced, amazing Indian food in Yangshuo, Ganga is the place. Offering a wide variety of food, including wraps, a vegetarian menu, and numerous Indian and Tandoori dishes, Ganga Impression should satisfy just about anyone. It’s a local favorite among the climbers and expats who live in Yangshuo. The owners/staff are also extremely friendly and helpful to any newcomers who might need advice about what to see/do while in Yangshuo.

• Chinese Name: 恒河印象餐厅
• Address: No.110B-111B, Block E, YangGuang 100D, Yangshuo County 541900, China
• Address in Chinese: 阳朔县叠翠路阳朔镇阳光100D栋110B号（近城中路）
• Cost Per Person:  100 RMB
• Hours of Operation: 10:30-23:00
• Telephone: +86 185 1535 9803

9. Pure Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant

For strict vegetarians/vegans looking for an authentic Chinese dining experience, head to Pure Lotus. Spring rolls, Kung Pao Chicken (with tofu instead of chicken, of course), and more are all on the menu. Vegetarians looking for something that they know isn’t sauteed in pork oil can eat peacefully here.

• Chinese Name: 暗香疏影素菜馆
• Address: No.26 West Street, Yangshuo County 541900, China
• Address in Chinese: 阳朔西街26号
• Cost Per Person: 120 CNY
• Hours of Operation: 09:00-22:00
• Telephone: +86 773 882 7744

10. Gan’s Noodle House

A Yangshuo staple that’s been around for years, Gan’s is the place to go for cheap, authentic local food. Whether you want side dishes, dumplings, or Guilin Rice Noodles, Gan’s is the place to go. Gan’s is a favorite among locals and expats because of its cheap food, and relaxed, homey atmosphere.

• Chinese Name: 甘的面馆
• Address: Pantao Road (near West Street), Yangshuo
• Address in Chinese: 阳朔蟠桃路
• Cost Per Person: 30 CNY     
• Hours of Operation: 10:30-22:00

Continue to read The Best Dishes to Eat in Guilin