3 Best Restaurants in Guilin, Southwestern China

If you're ready for a truly local experience, look no further than Chunji Roast Goose. No surprises here: this Cantonese restaurant serves exactly what it says on the facade. Done in a style reminiscent of Beijing duck, the geese are roasted in a charcoal oven, until the skin is crispy and the meat deliciously succulent. A quarter serves two. Good, local food in China often comes with a noisy environment, and that's true here, so be prepared to share your table with others, or come early to avoid the crowds. Although the waitstaff do their utmost to serve everyone, few of them speak more than a few words of English.

Try the durian cakes. While the fruit may be an acquired taste, you just might acquire it quickly here.

This little restaurant may have the best Western food in Guilin. The menu is straightforward: pizza, pasta, and sandwiches that are made when you order. The cozy urban decor creates an ideal environment for reading a book, checking your email, or planning the next step in your trip. Most of the young, friendly staff speaks English.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Sheraton Hotel, the Rosemary Cafe has outside seating in the middle of a calm pedestrian street, making it a nice place to while away an evening. It may not have the most inspired decor, but don't let that deceive you: the Western menu includes delicious burritos and salads, which you can wash down with a glass of freshly pressed pineapple juice.