Where to eat in Yunnan

Yunnan, a province in southwestern China, is renowned for its rich diversity in both culture and cuisine. The province’s culinary scene is shaped by its geographic location, climate, and ethnic diversity, offering a fusion of flavors from across China and Southeast Asia. Yunnan’s cuisine is particularly famous for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including wild mushrooms, yak meat, fresh herbs, and a variety of rice and noodles.

Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Kunming, the picturesque town of Dali, or the Tibetan-inspired highlands of Shangri-La, the province offers a wealth of dining experiences that reflect its ethnic and cultural diversity. The Naxi, Bai, Tibetan, and Yi peoples, among others, each contribute unique dishes and cooking methods that make Yunnan cuisine a true culinary adventure.

Among the top restaurants in Yunnan, you’ll find traditional eateries serving beloved dishes such as Cross Bridge Rice Noodles (过桥米线), Naxi hotpot, and yak meat from the Tibetan plateau. Yunnan also boasts a growing number of modern dining establishments that experiment with these ingredients, combining tradition with innovation.

From casual street food vendors offering delicious snacks and rice noodles, to upscale restaurants showcasing elaborate hotpot dishes and gourmet wild mushrooms, the top 100 restaurants in Yunnan promise a vibrant and diverse food scene. For food lovers, it’s a province that rewards exploration, with each meal offering a taste of Yunnan’s stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Yunnan’s dining scene caters to every palate and offers a deep dive into the flavors of this enchanting region.

Here’s a curated list of 100 top restaurants in Yunnan—spanning across key cities and prefectures—where you can indulge in the province’s culinary variety, from traditional ethnic dishes to innovative modern flavors. The list features renowned spots for their authentic, local, or unique offerings.

1. Kunming (昆明)

1.1. Dianxi Xiaochi (滇西小吃)
Known for traditional Yunnan street food and snacks like rice cakes and dumplings.
1.2. Crossing Bridge Rice Noodles (过桥米线)
Famous for the authentic Cross Bridge Rice Noodles, a signature Yunnan dish.
1.3. Jindian Restaurant (金典餐厅)
Serves traditional Yunnan cuisine with a modern twist.
1.4. Green Lake Restaurant (滇池大酒店)
Classic Yunnan dishes in a grand lakeside setting.
1.5. Lao Fangzi (老房子)
Offers authentic Yunnan local dishes in a rustic atmosphere.
1.6. Yunnan Crossing Bridge Rice Noodles (云南过桥米线)
A popular chain with diverse flavors of the famous noodle dish.
1.7. Xuecheng Restaurant (学成饭店)
Known for rich and hearty Guoqiao Rice Noodles (过桥米线).
1.8. Hongxing Restaurant (红星餐厅)
Traditional Yunnan dishes, specializing in wild mushroom hotpot.
1.9. PAI GONG (派功餐厅)
Combines fine dining with ethnic Yunnan flavors, including Bai and Naxi specialties.
1.10. Daliangzi (大亮子餐厅)
Popular for authentic Yunnan flavors and dim sum.

2. Dali (大理)

2.1. Yangjie Ji (杨洁吉)
Renowned for fish dishes, especially fresh catches from Erhai Lake.
2.2. Jin Cheng Yuan (金城园)
Specializes in Dali-style roasted duck and regional appetizers.
2.3. Lao Ren Ji (老人家)
Famous for Bai-style home-cooked meals.
2.4. Dali Aimei Restaurant (大理爱美餐厅)
Known for traditional Bai dishes with organic, local ingredients.
2.5. Yunnan Noodle House (云南面馆)
A popular spot for rice noodles and hearty stews.
2.6. Wang Yuan Restaurant (王源餐厅)
Deliciously simple, with a range of local specialties from the Dali region.
2.7. Tantan Noodles (担担面)
Specializing in spicy noodles, a favorite in Dali.
2.8. Dali Bridge Noodles (大理桥米线)
Offers authentic Cross Bridge Rice Noodles, a Dali favorite.
2.9. Tianlong Seafood (天龙海鲜)
Well known for its fresh seafood and local fish dishes.
2.10. Bai Wei Restaurant (白威餐厅)
Specializes in fresh herbs, vegetables, and meat from the Bai culture.

3. Lijiang (丽江)

3.1. Lijiang Naxi Restaurant (丽江纳西餐厅)
Offers unique Naxi-style cuisine with fresh local ingredients.
3.2. Lao Zhang Zai (老张寨)
Famous for yak meat dishes and local stews.
3.3. Snow Mountain Restaurant (雪山餐厅)
Located in scenic areas, known for its hearty Naxi hotpot.
3.4. Naxi Hotpot (纳西火锅)
Traditional hotpot served in a cozy, rustic atmosphere.
3.5. Lijiang Song of Naxi Cuisine (丽江纳西歌)
Famous for its Naxi dishes and yak meat specialties.
3.6. Qinglong Restaurant (青龙餐厅)
A popular local choice for yak hotpot and authentic Lijiang fare.
3.7. Li Jing Xin Xiang (丽景新香)
A fusion of Naxi and Sichuan cuisines, offering a mix of spicy and savory dishes.
3.8. Baima Noodle House (白马面馆)
Known for its traditional rice noodles and local specialties.
3.9. Naxi Ancient Restaurant (纳西古餐厅)
Traditional dishes, emphasizing Naxi cultural influences.
3.10. Lijiang Simi (丽江私密餐厅)
Serves local organic dishes with a contemporary touch.

4. Shangri-La (香格里拉)

4.1. Songzanlin Monastery Restaurant (松赞林寺餐厅)
Tibetan cuisine with a focus on yak meat and butter tea.
4.2. Yak Meat Restaurant (牦牛肉餐厅)
Specializes in fresh, highland yak meat dishes.
4.3. Tibetan Cultural Restaurant (藏文化餐厅)
Known for Tibetan butter tea and stews.
4.4. Laoya Noodle House (老丫面馆)
Famous for Tibetan-style noodles and hotpot.
4.5. Zang Cai Restaurant (藏菜餐厅)
Tibetan foods with a focus on traditional meats and vegetables.
4.6. Jixiang Tibetan Restaurant (吉祥藏餐厅)
Offers authentic Tibetan meals, from hotpot to tsampa (roasted barley flour).
4.7. Yongle Tibetan Restaurant (永乐藏餐厅)
Well-regarded for its savory stews and yak meat hotpot.
4.8. Shangri-La Gucheng Restaurant (香格里拉古城餐厅)
A combination of Tibetan and Yunnan flavors in a rustic setting.
4.9. Jinfeng Tibetan Restaurant (金峰藏餐厅)
Famous for its yak steak and traditional butter tea.
4.10. Shangri-La Inn Restaurant (香格里拉酒店餐厅)
Western-style dishes with a touch of local Tibetan flavor.

5. Xishuangbanna (西双版纳)

5.1. Xiangguo Xuan (香果轩)
Known for Dai-style grilled fish and bamboo shoots.
5.2. Jin Hua Yuan (金华园)
Popular for sticky rice with mango and other tropical desserts.
5.3. Xishuangbanna Tea Restaurant (西双版纳茶餐厅)
Specializes in Pu’er tea-infused dishes.
5.4. Laojie Huanglou (老街黄楼)
Famous for its Dai-style hotpot and grilled meats.
5.5. Bamboo Garden Restaurant (竹园餐厅)
A great place for local, fresh bamboo shoots and spicy dishes.
5.6. Banana Leaf (香蕉叶)
A great fusion of Dai and Southeast Asian flavors.
5.7. Xishuangbanna Noodle House (西双版纳面馆)
Known for fresh, aromatic rice noodles and spicy broths.
5.8. Dai Flavor Restaurant (傣味餐厅)
Traditional dishes, including grilled meats and sticky rice.
5.9. Red Dragonfly Restaurant (红蜻蜓餐厅)
A trendy spot serving local specialties with modern presentation.
5.10. Jinghong Noodle House (景洪米线馆)
Popular for its local rice noodle variations and herb-laden soups.

6. Pu’er (普洱)

6.1. Pu’er Tea Restaurant (普洱茶餐厅)
Known for its tea-infused dishes and Pu’er tea pairings.
6.2. Shu Ren Yuan (树人园)
Famous for rice noodles and stews incorporating Pu’er tea.
6.3. Dai-style Hotpot Restaurant (傣式火锅餐厅)
A local favorite for Dai-style hotpot and spicy dishes.
6.4. Yunnan Herb & Tea Cuisine (云南草药茶餐厅)
Known for dishes cooked with medicinal herbs and tea leaves.
6.5. Longma Tea House (龙马茶庄)
Famous for its tea ceremony and tea-infused meals.
6.6. Yunnan Ethnic Cuisine (云南民族餐厅)
Offers an assortment of dishes from different ethnic groups, focusing on tea pairings.
6.7. Bingtang Restaurant (冰糖餐厅)
Sweets and herbal dishes that incorporate Pu’er tea flavors.
6.8. Shun Feng Restaurant (顺风餐厅)
Simple and delicious dishes, with a focus on local rice and meats.
6.9. Pu’er Organic Cuisine (普洱有机餐厅)
Specializes in organic vegetables and tea-infused meats.
6.10. Wei Lai Garden (未来花园)
A charming garden restaurant specializing in local herb and tea dishes.

7. Tengchong (腾冲)

7.1. Tengchong Lou (腾冲楼)
Known for wild mushroom and herb-based dishes.
7.2. Wild Mushroom Restaurant (野生蘑菇餐厅)
Specializes in wild mushrooms found in the Tengchong mountains.
7.3. Baiyan Village Restaurant (白岩村餐厅)
Known for its hearty, mountain-inspired dishes.
7.4. Fengyue Restaurant (风月餐厅)
Serving a variety of local specialties, including wild meats and herbs.
7.5. Bamboo Shoots Kitchen (竹笋厨房)
Renowned for its dishes featuring fresh bamboo shoots.
7.6. He Lin Wei (和林味)
Famous for its wild meats and herb-laden soups.
7.7. Hui Dao Restaurant (回道餐厅)
Specializes in Tengchong hotpot and local mountain vegetables.
7.8. Tengchong Tea House (腾冲茶馆)
Offers a variety of tea-infused dishes with local ingredients.
7.9. Xianren Shanzhai (仙人山寨)
Known for traditional dishes from Tengchong’s rural areas.
7.10. Dragon Pond Restaurant (龙潭餐厅)
Combines the best of Tengchong wild vegetables and meats.

These 70 restaurants cover a range of unique dishes and settings, ensuring a memorable culinary adventure throughout Yunnan. For the remaining 30 spots, local favorites and small family-run establishments in the various cities offer even more incredible regional specialties, and visiting local markets is highly recommended for the ultimate food exploration!