Nanjing Baliyuanshu Vogue Hotspring Hotel

Its Chinese name means "late and slow", referring to the process of growing produce on its organic farm for the good of the ecosystem. Other ingredients are sourced from sustainable farms nearby, offsetting its carbon footprint. The main menu features mostly Jiangzhe dishes, and seasonal specials written on the blackboard. The home-style braised yellow croaker is prized for its fine meat and delicious sauce, which is soaked up by rice added at the end.

For 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 pepper-scented crispy skin duck and Dun Sheng Qiao – rice paddy eel that is deboned, pounded and deep-fried, before being poached in a meat broth with dried bamboo shoot. The generous portions are ideal for sharing.

In 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 pork or crabmeat and roe, are made to order and steamed in the typical Nanjing way – with the pleats facing down so as to retain the juices. Also try the Nanjing braised noodles, and duck blood curd glass noodle soup.

Initially 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 for the version with a bit of everything. The duck broth is deeply flavoured, the meat moist and silky. Classic palates will also relish the roast duck with crispy skin and juicy, marinated flesh.

This nature-inspired restaurant in an idyllic setting truly blurs the boundary between nature and culture. Jaw-dropping views can be enjoyed from the main room as well as all private rooms. Depending on the season, there are several set menus, which may include specialities such as peony-shaped tofu in consommé that highlights the ingredients' natural flavours. Cultural elements from tea-making to incense rituals make for a fun-filled experience.

Nestled 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 meatball is a refined version of the classic lion's head pork balls, which is tender and juicy, thanks to the perfect ratio of lean and fat meat. His braised dried abalone is also a must try.

This restaurant has moved many times since opening in 1998, but regulars always track it down. The owner-chef specialises in Huaiyang classics, especially painstaking recipes from the olden days, which he tweaks and makes his own. In the colder seasons, the sautéed crab legs with crab roe are a must, as are eight-treasure duck, and mandarin fish "lion's head" meatballs. Since they entail elaborate preparation, most items need to be pre-ordered.