Food in Beijing, China is deeply influenced by its rich history. In fact, its imperial roots continue to shape the city’s still-evolving, refined culinary culture.
Once reserved for emperors and the royal court, many of its techniques and traditions can now be seen—and tasted—in the flourishing fine dining scene of Beijing, where chefs reinterpret centuries-old recipes through contemporary tasting menus without losing sight of their origins. One meal can transport you to the imperial court through a meticulously roasted Peking duck, while the next showcases locally sourced ingredients reimagined through modern techniques.
1. Chef 1996
Situated in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, this immaculate bamboo-lined garden restaurant offers a sophisticated take on Sichuan cuisine that goes well beyond the numbing heat. Named after the year owner and executive chef Liang Dee left her hometown in Sichuan to pursue her culinary career in Beijing, the restaurant serves elegant tasting menus and ala carte highlights that reveal the layered flavors that have long defined Sichuan cooking.
What to order: Crispy Tea-smoked Duck, Kung Pao Prawns, Twice-Cooked Pork with Ribs
2. House of Dynasties
Set inside the Rosewood Hotel, the Michelin-starred restaurant takes decorative inspiration from the 18th century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber. The food, on the other hand, borrows from over three decades of Cantonese culinary expertise by chef Justin Tan Shi Ye. At this House, he serves his hometown favorites (he’s from Zhanjiang) using a farm-to-table philosophy and a nod to regional traditions.
What to order: Jackfruit wood roast pork, Zhanjiang-style sautéed lobster seasoned with sand ginger and black beans, Double-boiled duck and fish maw soup
3. Lamdre
This is a delicious study in modern botanical cuisine. Hidden inside a courtyard in Sanlitun, celebrated restaurant Lamdre offers a delicious dialogue with nature as the culinary conversation involves the relationship between local ingredients and time. Chef Dai presents a plant-based menu where the produce he plays with get to show their fullest characters, whether fermented, smoked or served in its pure form.
What to get: Tasting menu paired with aged rare teas
4. Mansion Cuisine
Discreetly tucked within a busy hutong, this restaurant sits in an expansive compound with a courtyard surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass-walled private rooms. Here, theatrics are part of the experience, though never in excess. Yet for all the spectacle, the food remains the real star of the show, especially once you’ve tasted them.
What to order: Jujube wood-fired Peking Duck served three ways, Qingdao Prawns, Erdos Cow Cheek Meal
5. Old Tower
Located in Beijing’s fashionable Taikoo Li Sanlitun district, Old Tower is one of the city’s most acclaimed fine dining destinations. Under the helm of chef Talib Hudda, the restaurant presents a seasonal multi-course pescatarian tasting menu that seamlessly marries classical French technique with Chinese ingredients. The result is a thoughtful Eurasian dining experience—one that honors French culinary traditions while embracing the flavors, produce, and identity of modern China.
What to get: Seasonal pescatarian tasting menu with wine pairing
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of Beijing’s top fine-dining restaurants include Chef 1996, House of Dynasties, Lamdre, Mansion Cuisine, and Old Tower.
Mansion Cuisine is known for its jujube wood-fired Peking duck, served three ways as part of its signature dining experience.
Yes. Beijing is home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, including House of Dynasties at Rosewood Beijing.
Chef 1996, Mansion Cuisine, and Old Tower all offer contemporary interpretations of Chinese cuisine using refined techniques and seasonal ingredients.
