At Bespoke we’ve long been of the opinion that Xi’an is home to one of the most vibrant local food scenes in China. We will concede, though, that getting to the good stuff can take a bit of work: the city is celebrated for delicious but rough-and-ready street food stands and simple eateries that care little for English menus nor attentive service. With that in mind, we’re convinced that arranging a food tour is the best way get the best out of your precious eating time here. If you’re determined to go it alone, however, try these:
Six Places to Eat & Drink in Xi’an
The Forbidden City’s Hidden Ice Restaurant: Bingjiao Cafe
Sorí Italian Tapas & Wine
New Hotel – The Shanghai Edition
Great Food, Grumpy Service: Shanghai’s Best Old School Eats
It’s no secret that rapid urban development has squeezed Shanghai’s street food scene to within an inch of its life in the last couple of decades. But despite the rise and rise of mall dining (not always a bad thing we might add), there is a particular breed of hole-in-the-wall dining that continues to thrive in the city, and one that we suggest all visitors try at least once during their stay.
In many cases these old-school eateries have been run by the same families for decades, with almost no changes to the menu (or, for that matter, décor) in the interim, and offer a taste of the Shanghai dining scene that existed before we’d even dreamt of Michelin stars – though it’s worth mentioning that some of these spots have since earned some!