Chengdu Chengshe Hotel - Wenjiang University Town Southwest Caida Branch

Abutting the Jinsha archaeological site, this family-run joint opened its doors in 2006. After a recent renovation, the room feels modern and cosy. It’s famous for tasty beef dishes at sensible price points – the beef is steamed, grilled, double-boiled, stewed and sautéed with Sichuanese condiments that appeal to the local palate. The steamed beef coated in spiced rice flour and slow-cooked tomato oxtail soup impress courtesy of big, bold flavours.

Serving noodles and a few sides during the day, and a menu of home-style dishes at dinner, this shop invites diners to slow down and mindfully savour the clean, simple flavours. Noodles are chosen to match the taste profiles and consistencies of various sauces; the signature Sichuan pepper ground pork sauce is paired with thick noodles. Complimentary laoyin (laurel) tea cuts through the richness; the freshly wrapped wontons and shaomai are also worth trying.

Mapo tofu is a world-famous Sichuanese classic dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Word has it that this century-old shop is the true original source of this numbing, spicy dish, invented by Lady Chen. Silky tofu, ground beef and spices are cooked in a stone pot that stays hot for a long time, perfect with a bowl of steamed rice. Zhong dumplings and lotus leaf-wrapped steamed pork in spiced rice flour are also worth trying.

Chinese

Right in the busy city centre, this elegant restaurant comes with a terrace that offers a tranquil refuge from the hustle and bustle. The wood-rich interior is equally serene, boasting stylised Chinese motifs. The kitchen excels in home-style Sichuanese favourites and street food, from the incredibly silky Xipu silver carp perfumed with garlic, to seafood-laced, braised pork balls stuffed with salted egg yolks, drizzled in a rich, sticky gravy.

Chefs Bruce and his partner Justin opened Brustin in 2023 in a design-forward space in line with the artistic flair of the Tianfu Art Park complex that houses it. The dinner prix-fixes have 12 to 15 courses, re-interpreting Sichuan cuisine with Western techniques and an emphasis on seasonality. Diners can take home the paper menu, which features illustrations by local artists. Exquisite food is matched by the professional service of the servers and sommelier.

Fast food