When dining in Guilin, two things about the experience make it unique.  First, dishes are a perfect blend of traditional Cantonese, Sichuan, and Hunanese, which gives diners sweet to spice foods.  Second, many restaurants serve exotic dishes that include ingredients such as horse, birds, dogs, cats, turtles, snakes, and rats along with restaurants that stick with a more traditional menu.  Therefore, Guilin delicacies are available for the brave of heart along with more westernized Chinese food.

Dining in Guilin is an incredible experience with the city boasting literally hundreds of restaurants.  Some restaurants are tucked away in quiet neighborhoods while others are located in the busiest tourist sections.  Regardless of the restaurant or type of menu you choose, be prepared for a mouth-watering treat.  Because there is such diversity for the Guilin dining experience, we wanted to provide you with a list of some of the favorite restaurants frequented by locals and tourists alike.

•  Left Bank Café – With a magnificent view of the Li River, this comfortably seats 130 people, has inviting decorum, and menu items are made from fresh ingredients for both Chinese and western flavors.
 
• Yi Yuan – Translated in Chinese, the name means “Cheerful Garden”.  If you love spicy food, the Sichuan style would appeal.  For added convenience, the restaurant features two locations.

• Weidao Zhizao – As one of the newer places for dining in Guilin, this restaurant is proud to use a new style of cooking Chinese food.  The restaurant offers varied menu items, local flavors, affordable pricing, an inviting atmosphere, and excellent service.

• Haodama Food Plaza – Known for being one of Guilin’s largest restaurants, capable of seating more than 2,000 people, you can enjoy incredible snacks, specialty dishes, and even Japanese and American food.

• Xin Jiulong Jiujia – This is another of Guilin’s restaurants located by the Li River.  If you prefer fresh seafood prepared by skilled chefs, this restaurant is one to consider.

• Lisha Canting – The last restaurant we want to recommend when dining in Guilin is this.  The restaurant is known for preparing satisfying but light dishes such as steamed mandarin fish right out of the Li River, braised water chestnuts with bamboo, and roast suckling pig.

The half day Li River cruise from Guilin ends in Yangshuo, where you can also find many interesting restaurants and cafes. Some are managed by Westerners.