¥¥¥¥
SichuanOuter Districts
Anchengju in Bajiao, Shijingshan, Beijing, is known for dry-pot duck heads in several spice levels, served with homemade sesame buns, at about ¥87 a head.
OrderDry-pot duck heads at your chosen heat level, with the homemade sesame buns.
Why locals goOut in Shijingshan's Bajiao Nanli block, about 1.4 km from the nearest Line 1 exit at Gucheng, well off the usual visitor routes.
TipCtrip lists a waiting area, tables for ten or more and free parking, so it suits groups; heat runs from mild to extra hot.
¥¥¥¥
DumplingsLiangmaqiao
Baoyuan Dumplings on Maizidian Street in Beijing wraps ingot-shaped dumplings in dough dyed with spinach, carrot, blueberry and grape; a Bib Gourmand.
OrderThe rainbow dumplings, wrapped in ingot shapes, and the vegetarian fillings of smoked beancurd and mushroom.
Why locals goThe listed address is only the north side of Building 6 on Maizidian Street, with no street number of its own, and the shop takes cash only.
TipBring cash, as the shop takes cash only; it is open daily 11:00-22:00 with no midday break, so an off-peak lunch is easy.
¥¥¥¥
IndianSanlitun
Indian Kitchen on Sanlitun Beixiaojie in Beijing, open since 1999, serves a lamb, chicken and fish barbecue platter and curries in a carved-wood room.
OrderThe barbecue platter of lamb, chicken and fish, or the tandoori chicken and vegetable paneer.
Why locals goUpstairs on the second floor of 2 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, opposite the Korean embassy, in a room of carved wood and framed divinities.
TipLook up from the street: the room is on the second floor, opposite the Korean embassy; the Beijinger listing puts a meal at ¥50 to ¥80.
¥¥¥¥
MexicanGulou Nanluoguxiang
Pebbles Courtyard in Wudaoying Hutong, Beijing, cooks Mexican enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos in a courtyard run by an owner trained under Rick Bayless.
OrderThe vegetarian enchiladas, the Pebbles quesadilla or the chorizo con papa tacos.
Why locals goA Mexican kitchen inside a Wudaoying Hutong courtyard, run by owner Ray Heng, who trained under chef Rick Bayless, rather than on a main street.
TipHours differ by day, with a 17:00 opening Tuesday to Thursday and noon from Friday to Sunday; Wednesday carries a vegan ahogada special.
¥¥¥¥
YunnanGulou Nanluoguxiang
Dali Renjia on Baochao Hutong in Beijing is a Yunnan restaurant known for mushroom dishes, from banana-leaf steamed mushrooms to fried tea mushrooms.
OrderSteamed mixed mushrooms wrapped in banana leaves, fried tea mushrooms and Grandma's mashed potato.
Why locals goOn Baochao Hutong, 100 m north of Gulou East Street, in a lane off the main strip, with two full pages of the menu given over to mushrooms.
TipMushrooms fill two full pages of the menu, so order several to share; the Beijinger's 2025 guide also picks Grandma's mashed potato.
¥¥¥¥
XinjiangXidan Financial Street
Han Tenggeli inside the Xinjiang office compound on Sanlihe Road in Beijing cooks big plate chicken, red willow skewers and nang-wrapped lamb.
OrderBig plate chicken, nang-wrapped lamb and hand-grasped mutton, with lamb skewers.
Why locals goIt is inside the Xinjiang representative office compound on Sanlihe Road, on the first floor of the guest building, not on a street frontage.
TipEnter the Xinjiang office compound on Sanlihe Road and look for the guest building; the guide lists a banquet option and the casual restaurant.
¥¥¥¥
CantoneseXidan Financial Street
Yunshan Cha Canteen on the ground floor of Guangdong Mansion in Beijing serves Cantonese dim sum, from shrimp dumplings to sampan congee and char siu.
OrderShrimp dumplings, sampan congee, char siu and wonton noodles.
Why locals goA Cantonese dim sum room on the ground floor of Guangdong Mansion on Lingnan Road, which a city guide describes as hidden inside the mansion.
TipIt closes between 15:00 and 17:00, so time a visit for breakfast, lunch or an early dinner; spend is about ¥149 a head.
¥¥¥¥
ChineseWangjing 798
The Chinese restaurant in Anhui Mansion on Huixin West Street, Beijing, cooks Hui dishes such as stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu and Huizhou old hen soup.
OrderStinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu and stone-pot old tofu.
Why locals goThe restaurant is inside Anhui Mansion on Huixin West Street, a provincial office building, rather than on a restaurant street.
TipLunch ends at 13:30 and dinner starts at 17:00, so arrive on time; a July 2025 guide puts spend at about ¥151 a head.
¥¥¥¥
ChineseHaidian
Jingchu Flavor Restaurant in Hubei Mansion on Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing, cooks Hubei dishes such as Wuchang fish and Wuhan three-delicacy doupi.
OrderWuchang fish, Wuhan three-delicacy doupi and dry-pot chicken.
Why locals goInside Hubei Mansion on Zhongguancun South Street, a provincial office building near National Library station, rather than on a restaurant street.
TipThe nearest station is National Library on Lines 4 and 9; lunch runs 11:00 to 14:00 and dinner 17:00 to 21:00, at about ¥112 a head.
¥¥¥¥
SichuanQianmen Dashilar
Yibin Guesthouse in Xizhong Hutong, Beijing, is a Bib Gourmand Sichuan kitchen run by chefs from Yibin, known for Lizhuang boiled pork and Yibin noodles.
OrderLizhuang boiled pork and Yibin noodles with bean sprouts.
Why locals goA hutong address with a guesthouse name; Michelin notes no reservations, so expect to queue for over an hour at mealtimes.
TipReservations are not taken and queues can pass an hour, so go outside peak mealtimes; a July 2025 guide lists it open 10:30 to 20:00 daily.
¥¥¥¥
GuizhouGulou Nanluoguxiang
Guizhou Hall on the second floor of Guizhou Mansion in Beijing serves sour soup fish, Huaxi beef rice noodles and Guiyang rice tofu, for about ¥138 a head.
OrderSour soup fish, Huaxi beef rice noodles and Guiyang rice tofu.
Why locals goA provincial-office dining room on the second floor of Guizhou Mansion, 573 m from Hepingxiqiao station, with sour soup fish as its anchor dish.
TipCtrip lists tables for eight to ten people and free Wi-Fi; typical spend is about ¥138 a head and the nearest station is Hepingxiqiao on Line 5.
¥¥¥¥
ChineseGuomao Cbd
Yuxiangyuan in Henan Plaza, Beijing, cooks Henan dishes such as mutton hui mian noodles and carp with crisp noodles, at about ¥111 a head per Ctrip.
OrderMutton hui mian noodles, carp with crisp noodles and stone-pot stewed vegetables.
Why locals goInside Henan Plaza at 28 Huaweili, a provincial office building 631 m from Panjiayuan station, with the dining room on the second floor.
TipCtrip lists free parking, a baby chair and tables for eight to ten; lunch ends at 14:30 and dinner starts at 17:30.
¥¥¥¥
SichuanOuter Districts
Xinchuanban Restaurant on Xiaohongmen Road in Beijing is the Sichuan office restaurant, in a garden of pavilions and trees, serving classic Sichuan food.
OrderWater-boiled beef, mapo tofu and Zhong dumplings.
Why locals goSet among pavilions and trees in the Sichuan provincial guesthouse grounds on Xiaohongmen Road, 472 m from Fenzhongsi station.
TipCtrip lists a waiting area, tables for eight to ten, a banquet hall and paid parking; spend is about ¥119 a head.
