B+26Ge Jia Wu Farmer’s HouseSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningOff the beaten track in Shushan Ecological Village, this restaurant is set in an idyllic landscape. Despite its distance from the city centre, locals flock here for authentic Suzhou cooking while on a day out in Suzhou's majestic nature. The…$$$$$View details
B+27San Bai Wan Bao Ying Chang Yu MianNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe owner couple opened this shop in 2012 to serve rice paddy eel noodles, a speciality from their home county of Baoying, Yangzhou. The fried version is the most popular choice: boasting velvety eel, bouncy noodles and smoky wok hei. It is served…$$$$$View details
B+28Su Mian FangSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe brand was founded in the 1930s or 1940s by a returnee hailing from Suzhou. In 2017, a descendant of the founder rebooted it, in a boutique hotel, elevating it to a fine dining establishment. The classically furnished room commands views of Jinji…$$$$$View details
B+29Yu Chuan (Xuanwu)Nanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis century-old mansion, decorated with wainscoting, a coffered ceiling and 1950s chairs, is located in an art community. While not a prima facie setting for a Chinese restaurant, the kitchen team of Sichuan natives cooks up authentic fare from…$$$$$View details
B+30Lantchen Reserve (Taojia Lane)Nanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningNestled in a heritage district, this quaint restaurant blends in, thanks to its traditional wooden façade and tiled roof. The upper floor houses private rooms; on the ground floor, the main dining room has a simple decor and wooden furniture…$$$$$View details
B+31Guang Ying Ju · Lao Zheng XingNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningFor over three decades, this local darling has been serving traditional Nanjing cuisine, including painstakingly crafted recipes that are hard to come by these days. In the hand-written vintage menu, you will find classics like Sichuan…$$$$$View details
B+32Bai Sheng Ren Jia (Wuzhong)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningSituated right on the Grand Canal, this restaurant, furnished in traditional Chinese style, specialises in authentic Suzhou cuisine at sensible prices. The chef’s team excels in no-frills dishes that require solid skills. Suzhou style deep-fried eel…$$$$$View details
B+33Shuang DongYangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningA quiet oasis in the bustling city centre, Shuang Dong is tucked away in a non-descript alley near the historical Dongguan Street. The restaurant is extremely popular among locals on account of the wide array of well-made Huaiyang fare and local…$$$$$View details
B+34Fang PoNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningSince the 1970s, the owner has been treating customers to iconic Nanjing-style small bites at this no-frills shop. Black rice balls, the favourite breakfast for many, comprise black sticky rice with bilberry leaves and stuffed with meat. End on a…$$$$$View details
B+35XiuSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningXiu is the Chinese word for embroidery, an art form for which Suzhou is famous. It makes sense that silk upholstery adorns the room, a feature that exudes elegance. The menu is made up of Jiangzhe dishes and a few Sichuan and Cantonese choices…$$$$$View details
B+36Cheng YuanYangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe mall itself is a little run-down, but behind the gilt door of this eatery, a cosy space awaits. The chef and owner, both from Yangzhou, champion a menu that crosses boundaries, showing Japanese, Cantonese, Zhejiang and even European influences…$$$$$View details
B+37Hao Po Tang BaoNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningIn the 1950s, the owner's grandparents co-founded the legendary Jiming Restaurant. He inherited the heritage soup dumpling recipe and opened his own shop in 2017. The space feels upbeat and targets a younger clientele. Soup dumplings, filled with…$$$$$View details
B+39Fan Shui Chang Yu Mian (North Jiefang Road)YangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis neighbourhood noodle shop rose to fame after appearing on a TV show. Wild-caught rice paddy eel is the main event here. In the noodles in milky eel bone broth, "dry" noodles tossed in sauces, or fried noodles topped with sautéed eel in a…$$$$$View details
B+40Zhuo Yan · Zhuo MianSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningBehind the name – a nod to Suzhou's famous Zhuozheng Garden – an eclectic decor melds traditional Chinese and bold modern aesthetics. At lunchtime, it's all about Suzhou noodles: the soy-based broth is packed with deep flavours, thanks to the…$$$$$View details
B+41Xiao Pan Ji Ya Xie Fen Si TangNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningInitially a cold appetiser shop in Hongmiao District, this place moved several times before settling in the bustling city centre. The signature duck blood curd glass noodle soup comes with a choice of different duck cuts and offal. If in doubt, go…$$$$$View details
B+42Wei Ji Ao Mian Guan (East Baita Road)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis shop is famed for its Aozao noodle soup, a Kunshan speciality and designated as intangible cultural heritage. Just a stone's throw from Pingjiang historic quarter, the restaurant is clean and cosy, albeit not particularly spacious. The noodles…$$$$$View details
B+43Yangzhou Yan (38 Changchun Road)YangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis grand place with imposing architecture is perched on the shore of Slender West Lake, its traditional Chinese motifs evoking poetic elegance. Intricate knife skills are evident in the Yangzhou classic of shredded dried tofu dressed in sesame oil…$$$$$View details
B+44Du Shi Li De Xiang CunNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis unassuming-looking joint in a residential building has been in operation for over 20 years and locals are hooked on the home-style Jiangzhe dishes. With about 40 items on the menu, it's all killer, no filler. Top picks include "ruan dou" rice…$$$$$View details
B+45Yu ChengYangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningUnlike typical Yangzhou cuisine that is refined and delicate, Yu Cheng specialises in rustic and comforting farm-style fare. The meats cured in-house, including air-dried goose, salted duck, and sausages, are particular crowd pleasers – order a…$$$$$View details
B+46Lao Chen JiaSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe simple, cosy room focuses on straightforward, deftly crafted Jiangsu classics. With dad and son in the kitchen and mum in charge of the front of house, it has built a loyal fanbase over the past 30+ years thanks to warm service, good food and…$$$$$View details
B+47Hui Lao TangSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningIn a boutique hotel converted...$$$$$View details
B+48Yuan Space & FeastNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningNestled in a cultural park, this restaurant has a stately presence. The chef-owner, a Jiangsu native, is classically trained in Huaiyang cooking. He excels at refined Huaiyang dishes that are influenced by other Chinese cuisines. The braised…$$$$$View details
B+49Mountain RestaurantYangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThanks to its mindful design, the guesthouse restaurant fits into its lush surroundings well. The kitchen strikes a fine balance between Huaiyang traditions and creative flair. On every table you see their signature lantern-shadow fish: sliced grass…$$$$$View details
B+50Hua Chi 88SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe head chef is a Suzhou native with over 30 years of experience in Jiangsu cooking. Only the freshest local produce makes it into his repertoire, which boasts spot-on seasoning and exceptional wok hei. His signature braised boneless beef cubes…$$$$$View details