3 Best Restaurants in Nanning, Southwestern China

Tired of the local rice noodles? This is where many transplants from northeastern China come to dine on traditional dongbei cai. A large dumpling menu is complemented by a full range of northeastern favorites, such as moo shu pork and disanxian (eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers in a brown sauce). Wash it all down with a cold Harbin beer. The staff is friendly, and the menu has photos and descriptions in English.

Louis XIII is Chinese-run but nevertheless cooks up quality Western as well as Chinese dishes. The menu even features a pizza with the infamous durian, which is a pleasant surprise—if you like durian. A second major draw is its setting, which is downright cozy and a bit classy.

Inside what was once the residence of General Huang Xuchu, this much-acclaimed restaurant serves excellent versions of classic dishes, such as cold beef slices drenched in lemon juice, pork rolls, and roast duck. The menu includes plenty of pictures for easy ordering. The restaurant accommodates guests in private dining rooms, so noise levels are kept relatively low.