A-01Dingshan · JiangyanSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Fine DiningThe panoramic lake views from this light-filled space atop an office tower are lovely to behold. But they don't outshine the refined Suzhou cooking that showcases the best local produce in season. The signature Suzhou claypot rice with braised pork…$$$$$View details
A-02PingjiangsongSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Fine DiningTucked away in the Pingjiang historic quarter, this restaurant was remodelled from an ancient mansion encompassing the quintessence of classical Suzhou garden and architecture. Similarly, the season-driven menu is based heavily on Suzhou culinary…$$$$$View details
B+03Hui Lao TangSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningIn a boutique hotel converted...$$$$$View details
B+04Wei Ji Ao Mian Guan (East Baita Road)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis shop is famed for its Aozao noodle soup, a Kunshan speciality and designated as intangible cultural heritage. Just a stone's throw from Pingjiang historic quarter, the restaurant is clean and cosy, albeit not particularly spacious. The noodles…$$$$$View details
B+05Hua Chi 88SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe head chef is a Suzhou native with over 30 years of experience in Jiangsu cooking. Only the freshest local produce makes it into his repertoire, which boasts spot-on seasoning and exceptional wok hei. His signature braised boneless beef cubes…$$$$$View details
B+06Exquisite BocuseSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningBreathtaking lake views are the backdrop for this expansive room housing a modern art installation. The restaurant serves the same menu as its Beijing and Shanghai counterparts. Well-made Cantonese and Jiangzhe dishes please the palate, with poultry…$$$$$View details
B+07Ban Ting Jia Yan (Suzhou Industrial Park)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis restaurant on the shore of Jinji Lake affords stunning views. Live Pingtan and Kunqu performances are a nod to Suzhou culture, but the theatrics continue offstage: The fried sheefish with shrimp roe served in a metre-long plate is quite a…$$$$$View details
B+08Xizhou HallSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningInspired by the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, the decor sports slatted floor-to-ceiling windows, pendant lanterns and a view of a koi pond. In addition to cuisine from his hometown, the Yangzhou chef deftly prepares Suzhou dishes and roast duck. His…$$$$$View details
B+09Ban LanSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningHere, traditional Fujian recipes get an update with an emphasis on lighter seasoning and natural flavours. Both the owner and the chef hail from Fujian, and only the best produce in season, mostly shipped straight from their home province, makes it…$$$$$View details
B+10Xin Ju Feng Cai Guan (Taijianlane)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningIn Suzhou's bustling shopping hub, this household name dates back to 1904. For over 20 years, this branch has been serving traditional Suzhou fare and seasonal delicacies to hungry shoppers. The Chinese sleeper fillet in wine lees sauce has silky…$$$$$View details
B+11Zhuo Yan · Zhuo MianSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningBehind the name – a nod to Suzhou's famous Zhuozheng Garden – an eclectic decor melds traditional Chinese and bold modern aesthetics. At lunchtime, it's all about Suzhou noodles: the soy-based broth is packed with deep flavours, thanks to the…$$$$$View details
B+12Ya Ba Sheng Jian (Wenjia An)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis shop has been selling pan-fried buns for over two decades. Now with a pair of branches in town, it is a household name beloved by locals. The queue may be off-putting, but rest assured that the buns – with fluffy dough, crispy bases and soupy…$$$$$View details
B+13Wan Tai XingSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningA whitewashed two-storey building with a tiled roof is home to this reincarnation of a noodle stall founded in 1931. The delightfully ornate interior pays homage to traditional Chinese decor. Suzhou noodles are either served in a soy-based or clear…$$$$$View details
B+14Ge Jia Wu Farmer’s HouseSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningOff the beaten track in Shushan Ecological Village, this restaurant is set in an idyllic landscape. Despite its distance from the city centre, locals flock here for authentic Suzhou cooking while on a day out in Suzhou's majestic nature. The…$$$$$View details
B+16Lao Zhen Yuan (Zhuangqiao Road)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningFounded in the late Qing Dynasty and defunct for almost a century, the brand got a reboot in 2016 and moved to the old town in 2023. Set between canals and historical streets, it serves refined Suzhou classics, especially lake fish from nearby Taihu…$$$$$View details
B+17Yu Mian Tang (Nanxin Road)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe brand, dating back to 1876, was reopened on the same spot in 2019 by a descendant of the founder. The traditional Chinese façade is chic and striking; the room decorated with lanterns boasts canal views. The custom-made noodles work well with…$$$$$View details
B+18Su Mian FangSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe brand was founded in the 1930s or 1940s by a returnee hailing from Suzhou. In 2017, a descendant of the founder rebooted it, in a boutique hotel, elevating it to a fine dining establishment. The classically furnished room commands views of Jinji…$$$$$View details
B+19Yangzhou Yan · Qu YuanSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningMost of the kitchen team hails from Yangzhou, so it is no surprise that the elegantly appointed restaurant specialises in Yangzhou cuisine. Handmade dim sum is the must-try. Served piping hot, the soup dumpling with crabmeat and crab roe filling is…$$$$$View details
B+20Chai Court (Huqiu)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningChai Court, which opened its doors in 2012, focuses on authentic Cantonese classics with the occasional creative twist and seasonal dishes. The menu covers all bases, featuring slow-cooked soups, Cantonese barbecues and stir-fries. It's advisable to…$$$$$View details
B+21Lao Chen JiaSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThe simple, cosy room focuses on straightforward, deftly crafted Jiangsu classics. With dad and son in the kitchen and mum in charge of the front of house, it has built a loyal fanbase over the past 30+ years thanks to warm service, good food and…$$$$$View details
B+22Oriental ChaoSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningThis restaurant in a conveniently located shopping mall serves modern Chaozhou dishes alongside live seafood from Guangdong and Cantonese barbecue dishes grilled in-house. The angled luffa with Chaozhou beef balls, fish balls and pork sausage has a…$$$$$View details
B+23Gu Su Qiao (Diyi Tianmen)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningTraditional Jiangnan motifs are updated and juxtaposed with modern calligraphy in this simple, elegant restaurant in the old town. The menu showcases Suzhou noodles, with almost 50 different toppings to choose from – try the crab roe noodles in…$$$$$View details
B+24XiuSuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningXiu is the Chinese word for embroidery, an art form for which Suzhou is famous. It makes sense that silk upholstery adorns the room, a feature that exudes elegance. The menu is made up of Jiangzhe dishes and a few Sichuan and Cantonese choices…$$$$$View details
B+25Tong De Xing (Jiayu Fang)SuZhou, Jiangsu Province · Casual DiningRed columns, tiled roofs and lanterns evoke the quintessence of Chinese architecture. On the menu, Suzhou noodles take centre stage, with Fengzhen-style pork noodles being a highlight (available May-Oct only). The white broth is loaded with umami…$$$$$View details