Best Restaurants in Xian, China

The most common question we get from guests on our Xian food tours is “Where should we eat?” It’s a really good question since most authentic and local places have no English options (like the amazing places we selected for our Morning and Evening Food Tours.) With that said, the restaurant scene in Xian serves up some amazing Shaanxi local dishes. We hand-picked these best restaurants in Xian because we love them, visit often and are the first places we take friends and family members who visit.

Zuì Cháng’ān (醉长安)

This spot is hidden in a traditional courtyard on Xian’s art street, just east of the small pagoda situated inside the main south gate of the city wall. Snag one of their limited outdoor tables and relax while enjoying some legit Shaanxi dishes that you can’t get on the street. Unfortunately, they don’t offer an English menu so select some of the suggestions below, and their staff has limited English. The average price here is about 84 RMB/ person and long waits are normal during peak times.

Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-14:30; 17:00-21:30

What To Order:

Gourd Chicken– a classic Shaanxi dish, a whole chicken is stewed then fried and served in a gourd, húlu jī (葫芦鸡)
Sweet & Sour Fish- served whole, sōngshǔ yú (松鼠鱼)
Fried Cucumber Flower– shìzi qiàng chǎo huángguā miáo (炝炒黄瓜苗)
Fried Eggplant with Garlic- jīn suàn qiézi bāo (金蒜茄子煲)
Cumin Flavored Fried Potato- zǐ rán xiǎo tǔdòu (孜然小土豆)
A uniquely presented apple and walnut dessert- miàobǐ shēnghuā (妙笔生花)

Address: 56 Shuyuanmen, Beilin Qu.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 碑林区书院门56号
Google Map; Baidu Map

Lotus Restaurant (莲花餐饮)

This reputable restaurant specializes in southern Shaanxi cuisine. Combining the traditional Shaanxi tastes and customs together with its modern decoration, this restaurant provides a memorable environment to spend the evening. The average price here is 110 RMB/ person.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-14:00; 17:00-21:30

What To Order:

An Kang Steamed Noodles- Ānkāng zhēng miàn (安康蒸面)
Stoved Sesame Pancakes- Ānkāng diào lú zhīma shāobing (安康吊炉芝麻烧饼)
Sticky Rice Chicken- Nuòmi hàn shui yā (糯米汉水鸭)
Roasted Buns- Kǎo bāozi (烤包子)

Address: #1 Mid Session Zhuque Street (Next to Crowne Plaza Xi’an).
Show Your Taxi Driver: 碑林区朱雀大街中段1号（西安皇冠假日酒店旁）
Google Map; Baidu Map

Sānyuán Lǎo Huáng Jiā (三原老黄家 – 文艺路店)

This place is a bit more off the beaten path, located south of the city wall on the 5th floor of a commercial building. They serve traditional Shaanxi dishes that are a bit harder to find in Xian and so this place is very popular with locals. Photos (and Chinglish translations) are available on their menu. The average price here is 59 RMB/ person.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00

What To Order:

Seafood Soup Filled with Mini Dumplings – huáng jiā guìfēi jiǎozi (黄家贵妃饺子)
Noodles Served with Three Different Sauces- gēda miàn (疙瘩面)
Puffy Fried Dough- pào pào yóu gāo (泡泡油糕)
Pig’s Feet (surprisingly delicious!)- sài xióng zhǎng (赛熊掌)

Address: 5th floor of Tianlunshengshi, Wenyi Lu, Beilin Qu.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 碑林区文艺路天伦盛世5楼
Google Map; Baidu Map

China Folk Restaurant (百姓厨房)

This Xian-only chain has 10 locations in Xian, but don’t let that fact deter you. Behind it is a story of a man who focused on serving great food to the local community and was able to expand due to his success. Today, quality food and atmosphere are a priority, all while serving great renditions of local Xian staples. Their menu (with photos and Chinglish) is enormous. Plan to return. The average price here is 66 RMB/ person.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00

What To Order:

The best cold noodles you’ll have in Xian: liángpí (凉皮)
Pork & Potato Stew: Niúqi chōngtiān (牛气冲天)
Mini Chinese Burger Sliders: ròujiāmó (肉夹馍)
Any/All of their dumplings

A few of our favorite locations:

East of the City Wall:
Address: 242 Changle Zhong Lu, Xincheng Qu, inside of the Xibei Guoji Cha Cheng Tea Department Store.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 百姓厨房(造字坊) 地址: 新城区长乐中路242号，西北国际茶城内.
Google Map; Baidu Map

Southwest of the City Wall:
Address: 6 Guangde Lu,Yantan Qu.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 百姓厨房(陶艺坊店), 雁塔区光德路6号.
Google Map; Baidu Map

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