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The Best 10 Restaurants to Eat in Xi'an

Written by Ruru Zhou Updated Aug. 9, 2021

Xi’an in Shaanxi Province has a rich culinary history, dating back thousands of years, and with influences from various different cultures. As the beginning of the Silk Road, Xi’an saw traders from India and the Arab world who left their mark on cuisine of the region. As the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Xi’an’s food also took notes from the different Chinese people who came from all over ancient China.

Presently Xi’an is one of China’s emerging megacities, and boasts a population of about 12.9 million. As the city has grown in ancient and modern times, so has its cuisine. Xi’an cuisine today boasts everything from international food at 5-star hotel restaurants to traditional Shaanxi meals that have been eaten for thousands of years.

10. DeFaChang Dumpling Restaurant (德发长)

DeFaChang Dumpling Meal DeFaChang Dumpling Meal and the Chef

Come hungry- the array of dumplings here is serious business. One of the specialties of this Xi’an staple is an 18-course dumpling meal. Over all, the restaurant has about 300 varieties of dumplings filled with meat, seafood, fruit, and vegetables. DeFeChang has been one of the most famous restaurants in Xi’an since 1936.

Located right at the Bell and Drum Tower Square, DeFaChang boasts a great location- perfect for tourists who wish to explore the city after their meal.

9. Xi’an Lou Beilou Fan Zhuang (楼北楼饭庄)

Bread and Mutton Soup Bread and Mutton Soup, Yangrou Paomo

Conveniently located opposite of Muslim Street, and nearby the Bell and Drum Towers, Lou Beilou Fan Zhuang offers a wide variety of Xi’an specialties. This restaurant is another Xi’an classic, in business since 1929, and serving Shaanxi staples like Biang Biang Noodles, Rou Jia Mo (Chinese hamburger), and mutton soup.

By continually updating its menu, including new flavors and styles as time goes on, Lou Beilou Fan Zhuang will give you an authoritative, authentic taste of Xi’an cuisine, spanning ancient traditional food to modern flavors.

8. Haidilao Hot Pot (海底捞火锅)

Haidilao Hot Pot Haidilao Hot Pot

Inexpensive and with a huge variety of food for hot pot enthusiasts, Haidilao makes for a great introduction to huo guo (hot pot) for visitors new to China. The staff will be happy to help tourists understand how hotpot is cooked, and to provide recommendations of popular dishes.

Spicy enthusiasts will love the Sichuan peppers and peppercorn hot pot, but beware- zhong la (strong spice) means just that, so be ready to have your taste buds burning if that’s what you order. Vegetarians and vegans note that thanks to the wide variety of hot pot ingredients, meat-free and animal product-free hotpot is available.

Tourists looking for an authentic Chinese hot pot meal needn’t look any further.

7. Fan Ji La Zhi RouJiaMo (樊记腊汁肉)

Chinese Hamburger Chinese Hamburger, Roujiamo

When visiting Xi’an, be sure to try the Roujiamo. Roujiamo is a type of sliced meat placed between a bun- think a sort of sandwich or hamburger. Fan Ji La Zhi is just about the best place in the city to try this local specialty for the first time. You can expect spiced, tender meat in a baked or fried flat bun. Half of its deliciousness is its simplicity.

Fanji La Zhi is a wonderful place to grab a quick, cheap snack as you make your way downtown, especially if you want to save some room to try some more famous Shaanxi snacks.

6. First Noodle Under The Sun (天下第一面)

Biangbiang Noodles Eating Biangbiang Noodles

Xi’an is famous for its noodles. From the thick, flat belt noodles (Biang Biang Noodles) to thin sweet potato-made vermicelli, there are enough different 面 (noodles, pronounced mian), that a visitor to Xi’an can try a new noodle just about every meal. First Noodle Under The Sun is probably the best place in Xi’an to try Biang Biang noodles. The restaurant also offers a large range of other Xi’an local foods.

5. Wei (W Xi’an, 西安W酒店)

The buffet at the Wei Restaurant The buffet at the Wei Restaurant

The Wei Restaurant, at the W Hotel in Xi’an offers some of Xi’an’s best fine dining. Visitors here can expect great service and a world-class mix of Chinese and Western food. From seafood sandwiches to dumplings and noodles, the Wei Restaurant can sate your urge to try something new, or give homesick travelers a taste of something they might miss.

The buffets are particularly of note, and the breakfast buffet is especially popular, as it offers a fantastic combination of Western and Chinese foods. Diners can enjoy their meals outside on the terrace, overlooking the city.

4. The Tang Dynasty (唐乐宫)

The dance performance at the Tang Dynasty The dance performance at the Tang Dynasty

Tourists looking for a cultural and culinary experience should be certain to check out the Tang Dynasty. It’s the first venue of its kind to offer music and dance performances in the medieval style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The restaurant’s dinner theater serves food and performances simultaneously, much as the imperial rulers of China enjoyed millennia ago.

3. Redfort Indian Restaurant (红堡印度餐厅)

Chicken Curry A classic dish of Indian food: Chicken Curry with Potatoes

Great, authentic Indian food, good service, ambiance, and Hakka are all on the menu at the Redfort Indian Restaurant. This place can be a bit hard to find, as it is at the top floor of a building off of Laodong S. Road, but it’s worth it.

The palace-like interior and live shows make for a nice atmosphere, and the shisha and many vegetarian options add to the authentic appeal. If you are looking for moderately-priced, consistently high-quality Indian food in Xi’an, look no further!

2. Three Sisters Dumplings (三姐妹饺子)

Three Sisters Dumplings Three Sisters Dumplings

For authentic Xi’an in an authentic little location, Three Sisters should meet your needs. Located right in Beilin district in the pedestrian mall area, this is a great place to take a break from the hectic buzz of the shopping centers.

This place is great for new visitors- there is an English menu, vegetarian options, low prices, and a wide variety of Xi’an cuisine. If you want that special little place, with no pretention and a homey touch, Three Sisters Dumplings is for you.

1. Huimin Jie (Muslim Quarter, 回民街)

Muslim Quarter Muslim Quarter

Huimin Jie is a food street that runs north-south, from Beiyuanmen square to the Drum Tower. This collection of shops, stalls, counters, restaurants, and street vendors is the single best place to get a true taste of Xi’an.

Founded by merchants and students from Persia and Arab countries who were working and studying in Xi’an nearly 2000 years ago, Huimin Jie is now a tightly-knit community of their descendants, the Hui people.

Visitors to this street will find Rou Jia Mo (Chinese hamburger), Yangrou Pao Mo (mutton soup), Biang Biang Mian (belt noodles), and much more. Travelers and locals alike enjoy hanging out around Huimin Jie for the relaxing atmosphere and outdoor restaurants. If you visit Xi’an at all, this place should be on your bucket list.

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