Treat yourself to small-group adventures with our Holiday Sale – Save up to $525! Limited spots.
Trip destinations

The 10 Best Restaurants In Guilin, China

Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken | © thebittenword.com/Flickr
Rebecca Adams

Between the rugged Karst mountains and the winding Li River, Guilin is one of Southern China’s most picturesque cities. This tourist hotspot’s selection of restaurants won’t disappoint. Read on for our pick of the best.

View All Trips

Kali Mirch Indian Cuisine

Restaurant, Food Court, Indian, Asian, Vegetarian

Kali Mirch Indian Cuisine has a reputation for some of the tastiest Indian food in the city. Tucked away down a small alley, this restaurant is a favorite among expats looking for a break from Chinese food. With a name meaning ‘black pepper,’ the restaurant’s chefs pride themselves on using authentic Indian spices in their food. Popular menu options include curry mutton, tandoori chicken, and garlic naan. The restaurant’s hidden location inside the Shanshui Food Court may be tricky to find, so be aware of this.

Fo Long Xuan Restaurant

Restaurant

Fo Long Xuan Restaurant

For a taste of the royal lifestyle, head over to Fo Long Xuan Restaurant. Built in the style of a Chinese palace and situated in the Guilin Mulong Park, this place lets diners take in beautiful scenic views as they eat. The restaurant is three stories high, with tables scattered throughout the first two floors. There is also a private dining area on the third. Guests can sample the restaurant’s traditional Chinese dishes, as well as Guilin Sanhua, a popular rice wine dating back to the Song Dynasty. In addition to the food, visitors can also enjoy entertainment during dinner, including singing, dancing, and Chinese instrumental performances.

Fo Long Xuan Restaurant, Mulonghu Lake Scenic Area, Dongzhen Road, Diecai District, Guilin, China

chocolate cake | © plasticpeople/Flickr

Rosemary Café

Cafe, Asian

Dumpling
© Ruocaled/Flickr
Positioned along the bustling Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, a famous downtown shopping area, Rosemary Café is loved by both locals and expats alike. The venue offers a cozy interior where diners can relax, with homey decor and local handicrafts sprinkled throughout. One of the cafe’s walls is decorated with photos and messages from past diners, a testament to its popularity as one of the city’s favorite spots. Rosemary Café is known for its tasty Western dishes including rosemary pizza, stir-fried pasta with bacon and chili, and rich chocolate cake topped with ice cream.

Rice Noodles Pub

Pub, Restaurant

Rice Noodles Pub

Also located on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is Rice Noodles Pub, a modern restaurant with a reputation among expats as a great hangout. The lounge-style pub serves a variety of Asian food, with options such as Chinese-style fried potatoes, lotus root, and dumplings. Modern furnishings give the pub a stylish feel, and a covered patio offers comfy outdoor seating. Diners can also enjoy craft beer and live music performances throughout the week. Overall, this pub is a great choice for anyone seeking casual food, great beer and a chilled atmosphere.

Rice Noodles Pub, No.142 Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Guilin, China +86 773 280 7508

Pasta Pomodoro Version 3 | © Naotake Murayama/Flickr

Little Italian Café

Cafe, Italian

For a taste of Italy near the Li River, pay a visit to Little Italian Café. The cafe’s Italian dishes may draw diners in, but the warm and casual ambiance is what makes them come back again and again. It’s the kind of place where guests can relax with a book or have a long chat with a small group of friends. This out-of-the-way cafe serves Western food such as pasta, sandwiches and pizza. As for drinks, the cafe offers affordable Yunnan coffee and beer.

Tong Lai Guan

Restaurant, Contemporary, Vegetarian

Tong Lai Guan has become a Guilin favorite for its selection of local snacks and traditional Chinese dishes. This casual restaurant is an affordable choice for visitors seeking an authentic taste of China. Located across from Guan Tai Hotel, Tong Lai Guan offers a hot pot option in addition to its other menu options. Courageous guests can select their favorite vegetables, meat, and seafood from the restaurant’s buffet and cook it in a boiling pot of broth at their own table. Diners who don’t feel like doing the cooking can try the restaurant’s other tasty options, like fried shrimp or peppery chicken.

Zhengyang Tang Cheng

Restaurant, Chinese

With a reputation as Guilin’s top soup restaurant, Zhengyang Tang Cheng is located along the busy Zhengyang Pedestrian Street. The restaurant offers an impressive 30 different types of soup every day, with an emphasis on Cantonese flavors and cooking styles. The restaurant is housed in a red two story building, and is a great choice for authentic Chinese cuisine. After dinner, diners can wander along Zhengyang Road and check out the traditional architecture, quaint shops and the nearby Solitary Beauty Peak.

Café Nissi

Cafe, Restaurant, Coffee

Chinese tea
© Anna & Michal/Flickr
Café Nissi, also known as Nissi Station, is a quaint little spot positioned along the Li River near the Sheraton Hotel. This homey cafe is a haven for travelers seeking Western cuisine, a peaceful reading spot, or a cool place to meet up with friends. Inviting sofas, soft pillows and warm lighting provide a relaxing environment to wile away the hours. This non-smoking restaurant serves Western favorites like chicken burgers and fries, spaghetti carbonara and yummy cheesecake. There are also smoothies, coffee, and a dynamite brunch.

Longze Tea House & Restaurant

Restaurant

Longze Tea House & Restaurant

To experience authentic Chinese dishes and traditional tea culture, check out Longze Tea House & Restaurant in Guilin’s Qixing District. Situated near Seven Star Park, a rolling green space dotted with caves, rivers and large rocks, the tea house is set against a beautiful natural landscape. Tasty dishes include fish caught from the Li River, as well as smoked tofu and an interesting vegetarian soup served in the shape of a yin yang. For a more unusual option, diners can try the dishes specially cooked with tea. Though many of the dishes are served spicy, non-spicy versions can be ordered for those with a more delicate palate.

Longze Tea House & Restaurant, 2, Huaqiao Street, Qixing District, Guilin, China +86 0773 581 2852

Pork Ribs in Dark Rice Vinegar and Sugar | © Alpha/Flickr

Left Bank Restaurant

Restaurant, Chinese, Asian

At the heart of Guilin lies Left Bank Restaurant. This restaurant near the Li River serves both Western and Chinese food. Bright windows provide views of the river and the city, and the inviting, bright decor creates a comfortable space during lunch or dinnertime. From braised duck and sweet and sour ribs to tuna sandwiches and T-Bone steaks, the menu offers plenty of options for hungry diners. Left Bank Restaurant offers a relaxing reprieve after a long day of touring and shopping.
culture trip left arrow
culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow

See Our Culture Trips
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Find Out More
Edit article