Best Restaurants in Nanjing
Nanjing is often considered one of China’s most underrated cities. But for those who make the trip, it leaves a strong impression through its blend of rich history, beautiful sightseeing, and an exceptional food culture. Known locally as Jinling cuisine, the city’s culinary tradition is celebrated across China for its refined presentation and its signature balance of sweet and savory flavors.
With a history stretching back more than 2,000 years, Nanjing’s food culture holds a prestigious place as one of the Four Great Cuisines of China. Others include; Cantonese, Sichuan, and Shandong cooking. One of the city’s most distinctive culinary identities is its deep obsession with duck, earning it the title of Duck Capital of China.
From salted and roasted to braised and steamed, duck appears in countless forms across local menus. The city reportedly consumes around 100 million ducks each year, reflecting just how central it is to everyday life. However, Nanjing’s cuisine goes far beyond duck alone.
As the capital of Jiangsu Province, it boasts over a hundred signature dishes that showcase the elegance and variety of Jiangsu cooking. While it would be nearly impossible to try them all in a single visit, knowing where to go is a plus. That’s why we have curated this list of the best restaurants in Nanjing.
Plum Garden
Located inside the Jinling Hotel in Nanjing, this chic restaurant has stood as a respected cultural landmark for authentic regional cuisine since 1983. It is widely regarded as a pilgrimage destination for gourmets seeking the finest expression of Huaiyang cuisine. Over more than four decades of refinement, the restaurant has perfected signature dishes that reflect this heritage.
Its menu is highlighted by traditional Chinese salted duck and braised pork meatballs with crab roe. The Nanjing salted duck is especially iconic—prepared fresh each day through careful salt-curing and traditional brining techniques. These result in skin as smooth and white as porcelain, enclosing tender blush-pink meat that delivers a deeply savoury, memorable bite.
Other standout dishes include crab roe lion’s head and squirrel mandarin fish. The crab roe lion’s head is a rich and succulent pork meatball dish with stunning online reviews. On other hand, squirrel mandarin fish is expertly fried and coated in a balanced sweet and sour sauce.
Also Read: Guide to Spending A Weekend in Nanjing.
Dai Yuet Heen
This one-Michelin-starred fine-dining Cantonese restaurant is perched on the 39th floor of The Ritz-Carlton. Dining here offers both skyline views and refined culinary artistry. As the only Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant in Jiangsu province, it has earned a reputation for elevating tradition through precision and creativity.
The menu carefully preserves the essence of classic Cantonese cooking while reinterpreting it with subtle modern influences. Signature highlights include the Crispy-Skin Chicken made with premium Qingyuan birds. It’s revered for its exceptionally crisp skin and tender, silky meat. The dish is so popular it often sells out and is best reserved in advance.
Another standout is the Signature Char Siu, prepared using tender pork shoulder that delivers a rich, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The kitchen also explores inventive combinations like sautéed baby lobster with radish cake and salted kohlrabi.
You’ll also love their sweet and sour pork enhanced with Chinese olive kernels. Guests can also enjoy an elevated dim sum lunch experience alongside an extensive wine selection that spans mature Chinese labels and renowned French regions.
Xi Bei Qiao Tou La Mian Da Wang
This beloved, budget-friendly halal noodle and dumpling spot is located in Nanjing’s Gulou District. Over the years, it has earned a strong reputation among both locals and visiting food lovers. Despite its name translating to “Ramen King,” the true highlight here is actually its beef potstickers.
The shop is almost always lively, with queues forming outside as batches of dumplings are continuously prepared in large sizzling pans. These pan-fried dumplings are especially popular for their crisp, golden-brown base, plump shape, and juicy beef filling.
The menu also features freshly hand-pulled beef noodles, made to order with a satisfyingly chewy texture. These are served in a clear yet deeply flavorful broth topped with tender slices of beef. Another comforting option is the beef offal soup, a hearty and aromatic dish filled with tripe and other cuts, often enjoyed with vermicelli noodles for extra substance.
Urban Camp Coffee
Urban Camp Coffee is designed as a calm, nature-inspired retreat that mimics the feeling of a campsite. It gives visitors a welcome break from the pace of city life. Its interiors are built around warm natural wood and subtle outdoor-themed décor. This creates a cozy, relaxed atmosphere where people can slow down with a coffee and enjoy the café’s appealing dessert selection.
The menu stands out for its creative drinks, especially the signature Cream Dirty. It layers a smooth double espresso with rich cream for a light yet indulgent finish. Another standout is the salted lemon Americano soda. The beverage delivers a refreshing burst of citrusy saltiness before settling into a pleasantly bittersweet aftertaste that keeps you coming back for another sip.
Coffee lovers can also enjoy a classic Americano known for its smooth body, rich flavor, and very low acidity. The outfit has multiple locations across the city, including Minghua Xincun in Gulou District near Guanjiaqiao and Hubu Street in Qinhuai District.
Yuan Space & Feast
Yuan Space & Feast is one of Nanjing’s standout fine dining destinations. The restaurant elevates regional traditions by weaving in subtle influences from other Chinese culinary styles. Its signature braised goose wings pay tribute to Nanjing’s long-standing salt-brining heritage, delivering an intensely savoury depth and melt-in-the-mouth tenderness.
Another highlight is the Lion’s Head meatball, a carefully crafted red-braised pork dish named for its distinctive shape. Online reviews praise it for its expertly balanced fat-to-lean ratio that produces a juicy, aromatic, and perfectly tender bite, especially when paired with rice.
The menu also features smoked fish with sauce, offering a crisp-skinned yet gently sweet and mellow flavour profile. Many reviews also praised their braised dried abalone, a luxurious dish slow-cooked to achieve rich, layered complexity.
Conclusion
Nanjing’s restaurant scene reflects the city itself—historic, elegant, and quietly confident rather than flashy. You won’t find overwhelming spice or aggressive flavors here; instead, expect carefully prepared duck, silky soups, and balanced Jiangsu cooking that rewards patience.
