B+26Wei 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…$$$$$View details
B+27Exquisite BocuseSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningBreathtaking lake views are the backdrop for this expansive room housing a modern art installation. The restaurant serves the same menu as its Beijing and Shanghai counterparts. Well-made Cantonese and Jiangzhe dishes please the palate, with poultry…$$$$$View details
B+28Quyuan Teahouse (Changchun Road)YangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningLegend has it that Emperor Qianlong visited the private residence of a salt trader in the 18C, naming it Quyuan, meaning "intriguing garden". Nestled in lush greenery by Lake Shouxi, it is now a teahouse that is famous for its Huaiyang fare…$$$$$View details
B+29Guang Ying Ju · Lao Zheng XingNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningFor over three decades, this local darling has been serving traditional Nanjing cuisine, including painstakingly crafted recipes that are hard to come by these days. In the hand-written vintage menu, you will find classics like Sichuan…$$$$$View details
B+30Yi Yuan (Siwangting Road)YangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningNext to Siwang Pavilion in the city centre, Yi Yuan has ample floor space for the biggest of banquets, and tables are plentiful – meaning customers often don't have to wait for a table. Better still, portions are generous and prices affordable. The…$$$$$View details
B+31Tong De Xing (Jiayu Fang)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningRed columns, tiled roofs and lanterns evoke the quintessence of Chinese architecture. On the menu, Suzhou noodles take centre stage, with Fengzhen-style pork noodles being a highlight (available May-Oct only). The white broth is loaded with umami…$$$$$View details
B+32Cheng YuanYangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe mall itself is a little run-down, but behind the gilt door of this eatery, a cosy space awaits. The chef and owner, both from Yangzhou, champion a menu that crosses boundaries, showing Japanese, Cantonese, Zhejiang and even European influences…$$$$$View details
B+33You MianNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningTrained in Huaiyang cuisine, the owner applies the same level of care to preparing his noodles. Suzhou-style noodles work magic with Nanjing-style marinated meats in his signature beef brisket and tendon noodle soup – incredibly tender meat in an…$$$$$View details
B+34Lantchen Reserve (Taojia Lane)Nanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningNestled in a heritage district, this quaint restaurant blends in, thanks to its traditional wooden façade and tiled roof. The upper floor houses private rooms; on the ground floor, the main dining room has a simple decor and wooden furniture…$$$$$View details
B+35Hui Lao TangSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningIn a boutique hotel converted...$$$$$View details
B+36Su Mian FangSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe brand was founded in the 1930s or 1940s by a returnee hailing from Suzhou. In 2017, a descendant of the founder rebooted it, in a boutique hotel, elevating it to a fine dining establishment. The classically furnished room commands views of Jinji…$$$$$View details
B+37Yuan Space & FeastNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningNestled in a cultural park, this restaurant has a stately presence. The chef-owner, a Jiangsu native, is classically trained in Huaiyang cooking. He excels at refined Huaiyang dishes that are influenced by other Chinese cuisines. The braised…$$$$$View details
B+38Su Cheng Jia Yan (Ligongdi Road)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningPerched on the shore of Jinji Lake, this restaurant champions a modern take on Suzhou cuisine that shows restraint in the use of oil and seasoning. Prices are reasonable considering the scenic setting and remarkable food quality. The signature…$$$$$View details
B+39Man HoNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningPerched atop a hotel tower, the restaurant commands 270° views of the city and the lake; the room is adorned with modern, stylised Chinese motifs. The menu showcases creative Huaiyang cooking with a unique touch – the classic braised pigeon stuffed…$$$$$View details
B+40Yangzhou Yan · Qu YuanSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningMost of the kitchen team hails from Yangzhou, so it is no surprise that the elegantly appointed restaurant specialises in Yangzhou cuisine. Handmade dim sum is the must-try. Served piping hot, the soup dumpling with crabmeat and crab roe filling is…$$$$$View details
B+41Gu Su Qiao (Diyi Tianmen)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningTraditional Jiangnan motifs are updated and juxtaposed with modern calligraphy in this simple, elegant restaurant in the old town. The menu showcases Suzhou noodles, with almost 50 different toppings to choose from – try the crab roe noodles in…$$$$$View details
B+42Shuang DongYangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningA quiet oasis in the bustling city centre, Shuang Dong is tucked away in a non-descript alley near the historical Dongguan Street. The restaurant is extremely popular among locals on account of the wide array of well-made Huaiyang fare and local…$$$$$View details
B+43Ban Ting Jia Yan (Suzhou Industrial Park)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis restaurant on the shore of Jinji Lake affords stunning views. Live Pingtan and Kunqu performances are a nod to Suzhou culture, but the theatrics continue offstage: The fried sheefish with shrimp roe served in a metre-long plate is quite a…$$$$$View details
B+44Bai Sheng Ren Jia (Wuzhong)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningSituated right on the Grand Canal, this restaurant, furnished in traditional Chinese style, specialises in authentic Suzhou cuisine at sensible prices. The chef’s team excels in no-frills dishes that require solid skills. Suzhou style deep-fried eel…$$$$$View details
B+45Hou Pin Xiao YuanNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe young chef-owner learnt his craft from his father, a highly regarded master in Huaiyang cuisine. At this restaurant, he flaunts solid technique, with his simple, well-made – and competitively priced – Huaiyang fare. The brine-poached pigeon has…$$$$$View details
B+46Le SiècleNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningRemodelled from a heritage building,...$$$$$View details
B+47Yu ChengYangZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningUnlike typical Yangzhou cuisine that is refined and delicate, Yu Cheng specialises in rustic and comforting farm-style fare. The meats cured in-house, including air-dried goose, salted duck, and sausages, are particular crowd pleasers – order a…$$$$$View details
B+48Yu Mian Tang (Nanxin Road)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe brand, dating back to 1876, was reopened on the same spot in 2019 by a descendant of the founder. The traditional Chinese façade is chic and striking; the room decorated with lanterns boasts canal views. The custom-made noodles work well with…$$$$$View details
B+49Lao Zhen Yuan (Zhuangqiao Road)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningFounded in the late Qing Dynasty and defunct for almost a century, the brand got a reboot in 2016 and moved to the old town in 2023. Set between canals and historical streets, it serves refined Suzhou classics, especially lake fish from nearby Taihu…$$$$$View details
B+50Hao Po Tang BaoNanjing, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningIn the 1950s, the owner's grandparents co-founded the legendary Jiming Restaurant. He inherited the heritage soup dumpling recipe and opened his own shop in 2017. The space feels upbeat and targets a younger clientele. Soup dumplings, filled with…$$$$$View details