What to Eat in Beijing: Must-Try Dishes, Breakfast, Street Snacks & Coffee Spots

When people think of Beijing, the first thing that comes to mind is usually the Great Wall or the Forbidden City. For me? It was the food. If you’re like me and you’ve ever wondered what to eat in Beijing, you’re in for a treat.

I went in expecting a few iconic dishes, but I left with regret… that I only have one tummy! Crispy-skinned Peking duck, flavourful smoky lamb skewers, hawthorn tanghulu sold on street corners, to even douzhi – which is most definitely an acquired taste that some locals can’t even fathom. And that’s just scratching the surface!

In this guide, I’ll share the best dishes to try, a few recommended spots, where to find them, and why eating your way through Beijing is one of the highlights of visiting this incredible city. PLUS! A bonus section on all of the coffees that I had!

First time to Beijing?

Visiting Beijing soon? This ultimate guide covers the ideal 4-5 day itinerary, top attractions, food hotspots, cultural musts, and handy travel tips.

Tap to read!

🍜 Must-Eats in Beijing

Peking Duck

I arrived into Beijing in late afternoon, which meant that by the time I’m checking into the hotel and settled in, it’s time for dinner! I immediately went on a hunt for… Peking Duck! Crispy, greasy skin and ultra tender meat… this was the best introduction to Beijing. I ordered a half rack for myself, along with the thin wraps, scallions, and the sweet-savoury hoisin sauce; this was more than enough for 1 person.

Peking duck was so good that I had it a few more times during my trip. It’s easy to find Peking duck, and you can’t really go wrong with most locations, but these are my recommendations:

• Ziguang Yuan 紫光园 – A quick heads up, you’ll see me raving about this location a couple more times in this post, because it’s SO GOOD. I wanted to dine in, but the outlet near my hotel had such an insanely long queue and wait time so I decided to order food delivery for it instead! No idea how they did it, but the wrappers stayed soft and pliable even without consistent steaming. The duck also was so delicious, even when it wasn’t freshly hot. I found the Ziguangyuan version not as greasy as the rest that I tried too, which made it a lot easier to finish the whole thing by myself. Skin stayed nice and crisp and fatty… I still dream of it today! Ziguang Yuan is a Muslim restaurant, so all of its outlets and items are halal.

• Bianyifang – This restaurant was located right below my hotel, and I visited by chance. Wangfujing was closed due to the military parade rehearsal, which meant all the restaurants and malls were shut down… Not only that, the roads were closed too, so no delivery available. More expensive, but wow, amazing Peking duck.

• Quanmantang Roast Duck – This was the first peking duck I had, and its a Michelin awarded restaurant. It’s good too, but the above 2 restaurants stood out more to me.

Hotpot (火锅)

Especially popular in Beijing; lamb is a specialty. It’s apparently called Mongolian Hot Pot, and unlike the Sichuan style of hotpot that’s spicy, this one features a clear broth. You’re suppose to dip the lamb slices in first, so that the broth will be flavoured with it. You should also order the sesame dipping sauce on the side!

I… cheated my experience with this, and ordered the spicy cubes to get a spicy pot – no regrets, it’s just what I like.

• Jubaoyuan Hotpot: this is one of the most highly-rated hotpot spots in Beijing, I loved my experience here. The staff were also incredibly friendly, and helped me immediately and throughout the time I’m there.

Zhajiangmian (炸酱面)

Thick noodles with fermented soybean paste, cucumber, and pork – although you can find vegetarian versions, which was what I had. Not bad, but not my favourite. Definitely ladle on chilli oil and a dash of vinegar to the noodles.

You can find plenty of Zhajiangmian restaurants all over Beijing.

🥣 Breakfast Favourites

YES – breakfast in Beijing deserves its own entire section. I suppose these can also be interchangeable with snacks, as some of these are available all day long.

Jianbing (煎饼)

A classic Chinese breakfast – or snack for any time of the day really – crispy crepes with veggies, a crispy cracker and a sauce. You can add toppings to it as well, such as eggs and sausages.

Savoury Tofu (豆腐脑 / Doufunao, also called “tofu brains”)

Doufunao is also known as tofu brains! No brains involved, just that I supposed it looks like brains…? It’s really a silky soft tofu topped with a savoury sauce. Then you add chilli oil, vinegar and pickles, to your preference.

I ordered this for breakfast on my last morning in Beijing, from Ziguang Yuan. Ooh this turned out to be one of my top favourites in Beijing! I usually eat soft tofu as a dessert, but never thought to have it as a savoury option!

Tang You Bing (糖油饼)

Literally translating to “brown sugar oil pancake,” it’s a fried pancake with a layer of crisp caramelised brown sugar over the top, but soft and chewy on the inside. It seems a very simple and basic dish, but I LOVED THIS! I couldn’t stop tearing it and munching on it. The chew with the sweet crisp is so addictive. And despite the sugar over the top, I didn’t find it too sweet at all.

Baozi (包子)

Steamed buns with different meat fillings! I tried lamb baozi when I was in Niujie, and beef buns from Ziguang Yuan. The Niujie baozi were not bad, generous filling. But the Ziguang Yuan one was incredible – not just very tasty, but super juicy baozis!

I also tried pan-fried beef and scallion baozi from Ziguang Yuan, they’re good too!

Miancha (面茶)

Miancha is a millet paste, with sesame paste over. I ordered this as part of the breakfast set on my first morning in Beijing. It’s an interesting dish, the paste itself is rather tasteless, and the sesame paste adds a nuttiness to it. I found the sesame flavour a bit too strong, and some additional seasonings like chilli oil, vinegar, soy sauce or sugar would’ve helped to balance it out. Worth a try though! At the very least it’s a mild-enough dish unlike this next item.

Douzhi (豆汁)

A true local’s breakfast!

Douzhi is a traditional Beijing fermented mung bean drink that’s definitely… an acquired taste. I ordered this as part of a breakfast set, not realising what it was. I thought it was soymilk just based on its looks.

When I first unscrewed it, the smell took me back. I should’ve known better but I took a swig anyway and I kid you not, the smell was so intensely rancid to my tastebuds that I started tearing up. Phew. Try at your own risk!

I asked my tour guide later on if people in Beijing really loves it, and how it’s consumed. These were her words: “OH I HATE IT! But my father-in-law loves it and has to eat it every morning.” There you go.

Jiaoquan (焦圈) (Fried Dough Ring)

Ultra crispy, and almost tasteless. It’s meant to be paired with the douzhi or mungbean juice; dip the dough ring in the douzhi, let it soak and eat!

Shaobing (烧饼 / 烤饼),

Shaobing are round or oval baked wheat cakes, mostly eaten for breakfast. They’re rather plain and a bit dry, which I suppose is meant to be paired with soy milk, savoury tofu or perhaps the infamous douzhi.

Where to Go for Street Food

Beijing has one of the best, and most dizzying, arrays of street food in the world. So much so that street food snacking isn’t just optional here, it’s a must on any Beijing itinerary.

If you need a quick list of the top spots to go to for street food, I’ve got you covered:

Niujie Food Street
One of the best places to experience street food and authentic halal food. The street is lined with shops selling steamed baozis, grilled skewers, and fragrant lamb dishes. It’s a great spot to try flavours that are a little different from mainstream Beijing fare, reflecting the influence of Hui Muslim culture.

Qianmen Street
Located just south of Tiananmen Square, Qianmen Street blends old and new. You’ll find traditional snack stalls selling candied hawthorn (tanghulu), fried dough twists (mahua), and jianbing (savory crepes), right next to modern shops and global brands. It’s a lively area that’s leans touristy, but I enjoyed strolling and nibbling my way here.

Shichahai
This lakeside area is a mix of history and modern leisure. During the day, you can wander along the water, snack on street food like grilled squid or fried dumplings, and pop into teahouses. By evening, it transforms into a social hub with bars and live music. If you’re here at sunset, the view over the lake is especially beautiful, perfect for enjoying with a quick bite in hand.

Hutongs (Nanluoguxiang, Gulou, and beyond)
The hutongs—Beijing’s traditional alleyways—are some of the most atmospheric places to wander and eat. Nanluoguxiang and Gulou are especially popular, offering everything from quirky dessert shops and cafes to stalls selling baozi, roujiamo, and skewers. The hutongs are also great for people-watching: you’ll see rickshaws weaving through narrow lanes, locals playing chess, and plenty of hidden gems if you venture off the main path.

☕️Coffee Culture in Beijing

I was surprised at Beijing’s coffee culture! I thought I would be drowning in bubble teas in Beijing, until I realised there’s amazing coffee in Beijing. There’s plenty of local good coffee, so I beg you to avoid Starb*cks and hunt down Chinese brands instead.

Here are all the coffee I tried, ranked from best to meh:

• Metal Hands: One of the best coffee I had in life! Unlike the rest on this list, Metal Hands operates as a cafe – a very aesthetic cafe at that. I visited the one near Qianmen, I believe they have a couple more locations within central Beijing. Just search ‘Metal Hands’ on your Amap!

• GRID: Good! I ordered this a couple of times because it’s easily available throughout Beijing. One time I tried a ‘Salty Latte’, and it tastes better than it sounds. Think of it as the cheese foam topping for bubble teas, except in coffee.

• M Stand: I chanced upon this on my last day in Beijing. Not bad too, but I did have to order an extra shot for my cup.

• Manner Coffee: slightly too milky, but not too bad. Would not be my pick if I had other options. I tried Manner Coffee’s version of the salted latte, not bad too although it’s sweeter than I expected. I didn’t detect sweetness in GRID’s version.

• Luckin Coffee: The most milky of the lot, but also most affordable and came in a large cup.

Bonus, but worth mentioning: there are Arabica % outlets in Beijing as well. Not Chinese, but hey – I indulged in a cup when I first arrived and didn’t quite know where the local good coffees were at.

Ordering Food in Beijing (without knowing the language)

One of the biggest worries travelers have is how to order food if you don’t speak Mandarin—but honestly, it’s easier than you’d think!

Many restaurants in Beijing, especially popular ones, have picture menus or even QR codes you can scan to order directly from your phone – usually scanned straight on your Alipay app! If you see locals using their phones to order, just follow along—it’s super straightforward.

Street food stalls usually work by pointing at what you want, holding up your fingers to show quantity, and paying in cash or via an app if you have it set up. A friendly smile goes a long way, and most vendors are patient and used to tourists.

At the end of the day, don’t stress too much—food is universal, and Beijing locals are incredibly welcoming. If you’re excited to try, they’ll be just as excited to feed you.

How to Order Food Delivery in Beijing (Made Easy!)

One of the things I had on my China bucket list was to try ordering food delivery straight to my hotel — and it did not disappoint!

I actually gave it a go on my very first morning in Beijing (in desperate need of coffee). I was shocked at how easy it all was. Honestly, on hot and humid days — or when it poured non-stop — I was very tempted to just stay in and order in.

Here’s the thing: once you have Alipay set up, you can access either Meituan or Eleme, the two main food delivery apps in China. Meituan is technically more popular, but it never worked for me. Thankfully, Eleme did, and it became my go-to.

The best part? Alipay has a built-in translator that makes ordering ridiculously simple. Just drop in your hotel address, add a short note asking them to leave your order at reception (instead of calling you), and wait for your food to arrive — sometimes even delivered to your room by hotel robot!

How to Order Food Delivery in Beijing (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 – Download & set up Alipay

• In Alipay, search for “饿了么” (Eleme) or “美团外卖” (Meituan Waimai). You can search in English as well.
• Add your international credit/debit card and complete as much profile verification as you can. The more verified, the fewer app hiccups.
• Both are supposed to work for tourists; I was only able to get Eleme to work for me.

Step 2 — Grab your hotel details in Chinese

• Usually the app will auto-detect your location, and it’s quite accurate! But it helps to ask the front desk for the hotel name + full address in Chinese and key it in to be as accurate as possible. Once you make your first order, it will be saved in the app – so convenient!
• Bonus: snap a photo of the hotel entrance to send to the rider if needed, especially if your hotel is more hidden or obscure.

Step 3 — Find what you want

• Browse categories or search dishes (e.g., 烤鸭 Peking duck, 炸酱面 zhajiangmian). You can search in English as well, but I found that when I search in Chinese, more options popped up.
• Filters to know:
  • 清真 (qīngzhēn) = Halal
  • 素食 / 素 (sùshí / sù) = Vegetarian
• There are these little lines under each shop:
  • 起送价 = minimum order
  • 配送费 = delivery fee
  • 预计送达 = estimated delivery time

Step 4 — Build your order

• Tap items, choose size/spice/extras.
• Depending on what you ordered, make sure to request for cutlery if needed. The default option is to not provide cutlery.

Step 5 — Add delivery notes (this helps a ton)

I recommend adding delivery notes to not call you and that you don’t speak Chinese.

Paste this into the notes (and tweak your room number):

• 请不要打电话，我不会说中文。请把外卖放在酒店前台。房间号：____。谢谢！ Qǐng búyào dǎ diànhuà, wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén. Qǐng bǎ wàimài fàng zài jiǔdiàn qiántái. Fángjiān hào: ____. Xièxie! Translation: “Please don’t call me, I don’t speak Chinese. Please leave the food at hotel reception. Room: ____ . Thank you!”

• If need be, the rider will chat with you within the app, instead of calling. Alipay’s auto-translate in chat makes this easy. If the rider messages you, just type in English and let it translate.

Step 6 — Pay & place order

• Pay with your Alipay-linked card.
• You might see coupons (红包 / 优惠券) — use them if they apply, but don’t stress if they don’t.
• Submit and wait for your order!

Step 7 — Track & chat

• Watch the status: preparing → picked up → delivering.
• If the rider can’t find the entrance, send your hotel entrance photo or type:
  • 在酒店大门口/前台 = “At hotel main entrance/front desk”
• Some hotels send deliveries up by robot (so fun!); otherwise, reception will call your room or hold it at the desk.

Step 8 — Pickup & eat

• If it’s busy, it might take a while to be delivered — swing by the lobby to collect.
• Check the order quickly for missing items; if something’s off, use the app to message the shop.
• ENJOY!

Wrapping Up My Beijing Food Adventure

I was pleasantly surprised by the food scene in Beijing… despite my tour guide joking that ‘Beijing food is not good,’ I respectfully disagree. From the iconic Peking duck is a definite must-try, and anything from Ziguang Yuan is worth a try.

Street snacks are abundant, quirky, and endlessly tempting, so you’ll never run out of new flavours to try. Whether you’re wandering hutongs or exploring modern neighborhoods, Beijing is a city that keeps your stomach (and your curiosity) happily busy. Before you decide what to eat in Beijing, make a list of must-try foods so you don’t miss out on the classics.

If you’re heading to Beijing soon, I hope this post gets you excited for what’s to come. Now it’s your turn—explore, snack, and savour Beijing. Your taste buds will thank you!