Dianping Must-EatBlack Pearl 2◆seafood
Chinese
Black Pearl 2◆¥¥¥¥Innovative
Chao Yue means jumping waves, echoing the sculptural wave form on the ceiling of the spacious dining room. Three fixed price menus put the fun back into fine dining and globally sourced produce is used in impeccably presented, playful and pleasantly surprising dishes, such as eel maw disguised as sticky lychee rice balls. Chaozhou traditions and innovative techniques are melded seamlessly in dishes like boneless crispy skinned pigeon in bean sauce.
Dianping Must-Eat
Dim sum
Dianping Must-Eat
Chinese
Dianping Must-Eat
Chinese
¥¥Hunanese
(The restaurant is temporarily closed.) The main dining room on the bottom floor evokes relaxed vibes with sheer curtains and rattan chairs while the upper level houses private rooms exclusively. The private rooms serve a special menu with keenly sought-after Hunanese ingredients in limited quantity. Try ice-chilled crisp lotus root from Dongting Lake, or Cantonese-style braised sea cucumber with premium chilies from Zhangshu Port. Pre-order these dishes to avoid disappointment.
TripAdvisor review sample · 3.7/5 · 80 reviews
Cheers (Ying Hei) in Kowloon offers Hunanese cuisine and dim sum, averaging 3.7/5 stars. Food highlights include Boston lobster cheese noodles, steamed turbot, and shrimp dumplings, though some find the overall quality average. Service is inconsistent; while some staff are friendly and efficient, others are criticized for rudeness or slow response. The ambiance is comfortable but crowded, with weekend waits reaching two hours. Meal pacing suffers due to high demand. Despite the lively atmosphere, visitors should expect delays and varying service levels.
Suitable for families and friends willing to book ahead and tolerate long waits.
¥¥¥Cantonese
It's a bit out of the way, but the tasty abalone makes the trip here worthwhile. The founder's love affair with the gastropod spans 30+ years. Each one is painstakingly prepared then slow-cooked for 156 hours, resulting in concentrated seafood umami and abalone that, while tender, retains a lovely chewiness. His flavourful abalone sauce goes perfectly with steamed rice. Cantonese stir-fries, such as sautéed winged bean with minced pork, also stand out.
¥¥¥Cantonese
This dining concept consists of 19 generously sized private rooms, all tastefully furnished in Southeast-Asian style. The menu showcases the greatest hits of Cantonese fare, such as double-boiled soups and barbecued dishes. But Chef Wen also sources the season's best produce countrywide, now and then adding novel offerings to his repertoire. Try his sweet and sour pork with a tangy wampee glaze, and the velvety steamed pigeon with hairy fig root.
¥¥¥Cantonese
The majestic red and gold colour scheme is a fitting lead-in to the Cantonese classics reimagined by Chef Chan with a refined touch. Try his juicy and tender char siu or the Peking duck with its dark and crispy caramelised skin. The array of dim sum on offer, such as apple sauce char siu puff pastry, is also a highlight. With vivid colour and varied textures, the steamed red yeast rice roll stuffed with minced shrimp in a crispy crust is enticing.
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 68 reviews
Summer Palace in Guangzhou maintains a strong reputation, particularly for its Cantonese dim sum and fine dining. Food quality is generally praised, with staples like shrimp dumplings, egg tarts, and chicken feet consistently well-received. Some guests note recent improvements in dish quality, though occasional complaints cite limited availability or oily preparations. Service is mixed: many highlight attentive and professional staff, while others report slow pacing, language barriers, and management issues regarding queueing. The ambiance is elegant, with quiet areas like the Kapok Room offering pleasant views. Value perceptions vary; some find prices high relative to the experience, whereas those utilizing hotel credit card benefits or vouchers report better satisfaction. Overall, it remains a notable destination for traditional Cantonese cuisine.
Suitable for travelers seeking authentic Cantonese dim sum who can accommodate higher budgets, with advance booking recommended.
¥¥¥Hunanese
A must-try for spicy food lovers. Named after famous statesman Zeng Guofan of Qing Dynasty, the room pays tribute to him with his literary and calligraphic works. The menu also focusses on dishes and seasonal ingredients from Hunan province, where Zeng hailed from. The signature softshell turtle is either braised in sauces or blanched in stock, best ordered ahead of time. Also try the braised pork belly, a recipe from Shuangfeng County.
¥¥¥Cantonese
Adjacent to a convention centre, the restaurant is spread over two floors with both a main dining area and many private rooms. Bird and flower murals and marble with exquisite veining add to the contemporary Chinese chic. In addition to Cantonese barbecue and dim sum, Chef Fei and his team excel in Chaoshan favourites such as marinated raw seafood and soy-marinated meats. Must-try items include the baby pigeon with its crispy skin and juicy meat.
¥¥Vegetarian
Slat wood panels, exquisite bonsai, a soundtrack of a flowing river – it all imparts a Zen-like ambiance. The young chef has extensive experience in plant-based cooking and the single tasting menu features the season's best produce. The course water bamboo three ways, in particular, showcases the chef's vision and meticulous skills. The plant is grilled, basted in sauce, oven baked and made into a roll, for varied textures and flavours.
¥¥Chinese Contemporary
Showcasing a ceramic theme, this restaurant doubles as a cultural hub for art making and exhibitions. The interior resembles an elegant tea house, whereas the food shows international influences and creative touches—emphasising MSG-free, healthful recipes. The signature surfer fish with pickled cabbage is cooked tableside, as the server pours scalding broth onto the raw fish. Tofu and sea urchin in claypot melds and balances all the great flavours.
¥¥¥Cantonese
The novel industrial façade grabs the eyeballs with fluted glass, metal frames and a glowing entrance. Classic Cantonese fare dominates the concise but appetising menu; check out the blackboard for catch of the day and seasonal specials. Most of the top-notch seafood and fish is wild-caught, but meat dishes like thinly sliced beef sirloin blanched in pickled cabbage broth or pan seared pork nose tendons in black bean sauce deserve as much attention.
¥¥Cantonese
This quaint restaurant stands in a restored 900-year-old village. It says “soup” on the sign and its double-boiled soups that take six hours to prepare are must-tries. However, the season-driven menu offers much more than soups. Scrambled egg with brisket deckle and wild chilli imparts big flavours and mild heat. Diners in private rooms may try the chef’s secret menu. Make sure you book your table and pre-order your favourite seafood.
¥¥Chao Zhou
Both hailing from Chaozhou, the owner and chef ensure the food is as authentic as possible. Try the crunchy pig's ear or flavourful and gelatinous pork hock in a spiced marinade. The raw marinated bivalves and crustaceans such as striped prawns and mantis shrimps should simply not to be missed! Besides the congee, claypot dishes and stir-fries, see the chef's recommendations on the blackboard. Seats are limited; call ahead to book a table.
¥¥¥European
Prior to helming the kitchen of Aroma, this chef had done time in Paris and Shanghai. His short but sweet menu features well-judged European dishes made with quality ingredients from around the world. Culinary highlights include pan-seared foie gras served with fig jam and a tangy berry-port sauce that cuts through the richness. The lunch set offers exceptional value. Ask for a table by the full-height windows for panoramic city views.
¥¥¥Cantonese
This lavish interior is inspired by the eight categories of Chinese musical instruments, while the Longquan celadon teacups add a touch of refinement. The experienced kitchen team focuses on traditional Cantonese fare, spiced up by the clever use of gourmet ingredients, such as the signature deep-fried honeycomb taro puff stuffed with seared scallop. In addition, the menu includes regional specialties that cater to all tastes.
¥¥Cantonese
Founder Dr. Xu is a postdoc in Chinese medicine and the restaurant doubles as a museum showcasing his collection of antiques and rare herbs. Diners appreciate the tonic effects of double-boiled soups, such as the abalone liver soup with wild tangerine, which imparts citrus tartness. Most dishes combine natural health-boosters and seasonal ingredients from around the world, especially live seafood. Pre-order your favourites; ask for a table by the window.
¥¥¥Vegetarian
Without the escort of a waiter, you would never spot the unobtrusive (sign-free) entrance to this eatery. Once seated at the counter overlooking the open kitchen, diners admire as the 14-course vegetarian tasting menu is unfolded. The chef excels at crafting the same ingredient with varying textures, flavours and temperatures. Nori roll stuffed with water bamboo, lotus root, water chestnut and watershield affords lovely textures.
¥¥Cantonese
This restaurant annexed to a B&B on the outskirts of Guangzhou feels like an oasis. Bamboo bushes cocoon the terrace dotted with patio tables shaded by parasols. Well-crafted dim sum are served at breakfast and lunch, and Cantonese classics at lunch and dinner time. The deep-fried pork medallions stuffed with crab and shrimp have a crispy texture and plenty of umami. River fish such as the topmouth culter from Lake Wanlu is another must-try.
¥¥Cantonese
This upscale brand of the restaurant group values exclusivity; its private rooms are perfect for power lunches or friendly get-togethers. The décor features a rose gold and olive green palette, punctuated by Lingnan architectural motifs. The head-chef from Hong Kong has over 30 years of experience and his steamed sunflower seed-fed chicken impresses with its juicy flesh and springy skin. Double-boiled soups and dim sum are also unmissable.
¥¥Cantonese
This kitchen serves well-executed Cantonese dishes with an emphasis on various breeds of abalone – Japanese, South African, Australian and Middle Eastern. All dim sum is made on the spot, but for those seeking more heat in their food, there are Sichuanese chefs to satisfy your cravings. The palatial dining room houses 60 tables for banquets. For smaller parties, 17 private rooms are available.
¥¥Hainanese
This restaurant doubles as an immersive gallery housing some of China’s best known art and is the product of a Hainan-born owner and French curator. The signature poached chicken is made with free-range, antibiotic-free Wenchang birds that are about 180-day old; however, you may pre-order older chickens if you prefer a stronger flavour. The wholesome eight-treasure chicken soup steamed for six hours in a whole coconut is also recommended.
¥¥Cantonese
Traditional Cantonese fare gets a hip, fresh update at this eatery. As you enter, two stations grab your attention – ho fun rice noodles are made at one, roast goose at the other. As you can imagine, these are the must-tries! The noodles can be fried with sliced beef, served plain with a dip or dressed in a flavoursome roast goose jus. For larger parties, consider pre-ordering the roast goose stuffed with gourmet dried seafood.
¥¥¥Cantonese
The executive chef has years of experience in hotel kitchens and his short but sweet menu embodies the quintessence of Cantonese cooking. Think barbecue meats, seafood, stir-fries and dim sum at lunch. Certain dishes, such as honey-glazed char siu, are available in limited quantity and should be pre-ordered. Round it out with the silky egg custard in walnut milk. Ask for a table by the windows for the lovely cityscape. Reservations recommended.
¥¥¥French Contemporary
The head chef honed his skills in New Zealand and Australia before joining Emmelyn. It serves business sets at lunch and a dinner tasting menu that respects the seasons. All of which showcase dishes underscored by French tradition with fresh, modern twists. You can expect top-notch local and imported produce like Qiandao Lake caviar, French oysters and Iberian ham. The sourdough is made with homemade wild yeast that the restaurant has been fermenting since it opened.
¥¥¥European
The romantic and dimly lit dining space is done out in European style, but Lingnan motifs and old-time Guanxi scenes are featured for an eclectic effect. Popular items on the menu include beef tenderloin Wellington with a red wine sauce and the black truffle risotto with pan-seared foie gras. The monthly changing tasting menu keeps things fresh for regulars.
¥Noodles
Unlike your typical wonton noodle joint, this one sports blue and white porcelain patterns and exquisite millwork. The menu is similarly off-kilter: expect eclectic ingredients ranging from black truffle and sea urchin to hairy crab and dried abalone. The wontons made with Iberico pork are the epitome of juicy while duck eggs give the noodles a springy texture. Various beef cuts and pork liver blanched in shrimp roe stock are also worth sampling.
¥¥Thai
This Thai restaurant on Ersha Island affords views of the city’s skyline from afar. Yet, the interior is a world apart from the cityscape – elephant motifs, triangular seat cushions and lanterns instantly whisk diners to Thailand. If you like your food hot, go for the larb lettuce wrap with ground pork or beef, perfumed by Thai basil. Yellow curry beef uses Angus cuts for tenderness, while the tom yum goong boasts balanced flavours.
¥¥Cantonese
The founder has been in the business for over 40 years. Besides traditional Cantonese fare, his group also excels in novelty creations and seafood prepared in myriad ways. Opened in 2006, this location has its own speciality menu. Soy-marinated chicken is seasoned with luo han guo instead of sugar for extra depth. Steamed grouper fillet with pepper and salted potherb mustard is another standout. Popular dishes such as roast pigeon have to be pre-ordered.
¥¥Cantonese
Set in an iconic art-themed mall, this restaurant cleverly combines an artsy decor and expansive river views with a mix of traditional and modern Cantonese cuisine. Reserve a booth, or a table on the balcony to take in the vistas. Most dishes are based on the Lingnan healthy food culture; the dim sum lunch has a nice variety of small bites. The chargrilled Sakura pork belly boasts golden crackling skin and juicy, flavoursome meat.
¥¥Cantonese
The group first made its name with sashimi and, at this branch, diners may choose from sea perch, grass carp, amberjack and a myriad of live prawns. It also prides itself highly on the unmissable 'four beauties' – crispy char siu (pork belly crusted with breadcrumbs and sugar), soy-marinated pork trotters, pork tripe and goose intestines. Large parties may also try their jumbo-sized pineapple buns, to be ordered by the half dozen.
¥¥Vegetarian
Styled after a Zen theme, this space provides only private rooms to ensure a serene dining experience. Soybean products made with spring water are exceptional, as are specialities such as faux sea cucumber made with agar-agar and yam starch in a creamy cashew pumpkin sauce. For ovo-vegetarians, stir-fried lily bulbs with olive nuts and egg white is the must-try – the half-set egg white works magic with the crunchy lily bulbs and olive nuts.
$Street Food
There’s just one item on the menu – double-steamed egg white custard with milk, boasting a silky runny centre under a firmer crust. Order the chilled ones if you’re in a rush, or wait patiently as the hot ones are made to order.
¥¥Cantonese
Those familiar with the classic novel ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ should be able to tell what inspired the name here. The interior is also decorated heavily with portraits of the protagonists and scenes from the ‘Oath of the Peach Garden’ episode. The food is home-style Cantonese with seasonal specialities, and everything is made from scratch in-house. Try the famous barbecue meat and dim sum. Private rooms are available.
Black Pearl 2◆
Chinese
¥¥¥¥European Contemporary
Seafood
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 58 reviews
Located on the 100th floor, Catch offers stunning city views, making it a popular choice for romantic dining. Guests frequently praise the attentive service, with staff members like Sunny and Yolo noted for their helpfulness and care. Food quality receives mixed reviews; while some diners appreciate the fresh seafood and exquisite presentation, others criticize certain Western dishes for being bland or poorly executed. The atmosphere is consistently highlighted as a key strength, though some find the portions small relative to expectations. It is best suited for those prioritizing scenery and service over culinary consistency.
Suitable for visitors prioritizing views and service over strict culinary consistency.
¥¥¥Cantonese
Chinese
Dianping Must-Eat
Chinese