Quality Restaurants in Xi'an

The longer we have stayed in this city the more we have got to know some quality restaurants in Xi'an that won’t break the bank. Below is a list of some of our favourite Xi'an restaurants in no particular order. Please note that this list is a work in progress and will be updated as we discover new and interesting places through our diligent research.

The restaurant just at the end of the alley way by us is not a bad place to start if you are starving and don’t feel like venturing too far.

The Sichuan restaurant downstairs (on the right with the lanterns)

Like any good Sichuan place worth its salt, they have some dishes here with a decent kick to them. For the spice virgins, not to worry, you will also be catered for. Guo Li Ren He (that’s the name of the gaff) is slightly pricier than its neighbour though the food is excellent with big portions and they also have the advantage of an English menu. The waitresses can get a bit stroppy at times but you get that on the big jobs sometimes aye?

Hai di Lao, just outside the west gate

Hot pot dining experience with outstanding service and food- you are in for a real treat. This is one of the most popular restaurants in Xi'an so get there early (around 5 unless you plan to wait in a queue for 2 hours). If you do need to wait however they will ease your pain by giving you free snacks, a shoeshine and/or manicure. An absolute feast will cost 2 people around 110 rmb. Don't forget to order a noodle (you will love the noodle guy). There are actually around 5 of these in Xi’an (and many more across China) though for our money we think the west gate chapter ticks the most boxes.

Dai Jia Lou Yunnan Ethnic Minority Restaurant

Inside the west gate by about 200 metres on the north side of West Street (there is a big elephant and some plastic green palm trees outside).

You just don’t get these kinds of places back home and certainly not at the prices on offer here. Fantastic grub in southern Chinese style and I have undoubtedly seen worse decorations. In addition it is possible to order half dishes so you can taste as many yummy selections as your heart desires which is handy considering the menu is as thick as Tolstoy’s War and Peace (not really of course, but for a menu it is a fairly impressive piece of work). There is usually a live show of ethnic minorities on Thursday- Sunday nights, though you should call to confirm and book as it depends on numbers

The Muslim Quarter

You can't go too wrong in our backyard with a fantastic selection of restaurants, snacks and street food. There is certainly plenty to tempt the palate though the area is renowned for the yang/niu rou pao mo which is a local specialty lamb or beef soup with glass noodles which goes down well in winter. Personally I like the street food and snacks in this locale and restaurants elsewhere- the staff can be a bit feisty.

Tang Dynasty dinner and dancing show.

Try 18 different types of dumplings. Ask us to make a discounted booking for you. See pamphlet for more details

De Fa Chang

Another quality establishment just a stones throw from here, De Fa Chang is a legend in its own mind which is famous for jaouzi and a bit of oo bit of ahh. Without doubt they serve some outstanding examples of Chinese dumplings though personally I found the service and prices a bit influenced by the recognition which Lonely Planet bestows. They have a fabulous location nearly straddling the Bell Tower and if you are indeed a genuine jaouzi enthusiast you probably won’t regret shelling out slightly (cough) more than market prices.

Colabo Italian

The thing about Colabo is that you just wouldn’t expect it to be where it is or even have a chance of finding it unless we tell you. It is also extremely convenient if you just must have some western food, and I have to say as far as Italian nosh goes, I rate this pretty highly- you would never guess that the owner is Japanese! In fact it is located in the building adjacent to ours just around the corner which during the day operates as an office building for government administrators. Anyway, ask us how to get there (3 minute walk), then head round and go to the 10th floor from whence you should be able to manage a first sighting. And I wasn’t joking, the food really is top class slender though the menu may be. The environment also is better than a smack in the head with a brick.

Hi Fly Pizza Delivery

Let’s face it sometimes we just need to get it done. These guys do a decent homemade effort and deliver within the hour. Just come over to 508 to check out the menu and we will put an order through for you.

Qinbao Beef

It’s a bit of a mission to get there (around 12 minutes in a cab) but if you are hanging out for some real meat then this is one of the better Xian resaurants. The ‘straunt consists of quite a few “islands” each with their own chef barbequing you the beef of your dreams. The first bite will melt in your mouth, and when I say will I mean WILL. Us kiwis are big on meat but this place adds a new dimension (seasoning is generally looked down on by the macho kiwi griller as being effeminate for some reason). I just hope I get a chance to bring my old man here in the future though his char grill still sets the benchmark . Honestly I thought the Qinbao taste was subtle yet penetrating and depending on your selections it won’t break the bank. I highly recommend getting 1 (or 5) of the steaks yummmmm. Of course it may have just been that I hadn’t had a steak for so long but it was truly mouth watering.

Golden Hans Microbrewery

Again this establishment is extremely popular and you would do well to get there early or stand around aimlessly for a fair amount of time waiting to be seated. The tucker isn’t too bad with something fresh for anyone’s taste, but this place is all about the beer- a superb home brewed wheat lager in particular while they also offer a dark concoction for those who prefer to live a little. The fare is not bad mind you presented in buffet style and pretty cheap. I think it is all you can eat and drink for 35rmb at lunch, a price which escalates to 38 for dinner and you pay for drinks. It is not that the staff are particularly incompetent, rather they are simply flogged. It is a big place with a high turnover of guests and under the circumstances the staff do ok. Regular bbq is offered and the buffet is reasonably sized. The beer is award winning, and if it is not then it should be- being chemically free it is certainly a refreshing change to the local bottle shop offerings.