Guangzhou Restaurants Guide – Best Places to Eat & Drink
Guangzhou is the home of Cantonese cuisine – steaming baskets of dim sum in the morning, claypot rice and noodles at night, and expat-friendly bars and bistros along the river. This Zhujianger guide shows you where to eat in Guangzhou, from classic local spots to popular venues like JoJo’s, Morgan’s, Hooley’s and Sultan’s.
Use the shortcuts below to jump to dim sum, budget eats, expat favourites and practical tips for paying and getting around.
How Guangzhou’s food scene works
Eating in Guangzhou is all about timing and neighbourhoods. Mornings are for Cantonese dim sum in bright tea houses; evenings belong to sizzling woks, hot pot, claypot rice and cold beers by the river. You will find restaurants tucked into shopping malls, small family kitchens hidden in old alleyways, and international bars popular with the expat crowd.
Most modern places now use QR-code ordering and photo menus, so you can point and tap your way through even if you do not read Chinese. For small neighbourhood spots, it still helps to have a few saved phrases and screenshots of dishes you like.
If you want to dig deeper into specific dishes and local snacks, start with the dedicated Zhujianger food section, then use this page as your quick reference for where to actually go out and eat.
Useful links before you start eating
These pages help you plan the food side of your trip – how to pay, how to move between districts, and where to go for reliable Western-style options.
- Zhujianger Food in Guangzhou – dishes to try, dim sum basics and local flavours.
- How to pay in China as a visitor – Alipay, WeChat Pay and card options.
- Guangzhou Metro Route Planner – work out which food areas you can reach in one ride.
- JoJo’s Riverside – riverside bar & restaurant with Canton Tower and Pearl River views.
- Morgan’s – long-running expat bar and restaurant with comfort food and sports.
For deeper dives into local food, you can also check guides from 3ThanWong and The Food Ranger to compare notes with what you find on the streets.
Best areas to find restaurants and bars in Guangzhou
Instead of chasing one famous place on the other side of the city, it is easier to pick a couple of good districts and explore them properly. Guangzhou’s metro makes it simple to hop between areas in a single day, especially if you are staying in Tianhe, Zhujiang New Town or along the Pearl River.
Zhujiang New Town & the riverfront – skyline views and expat favourites
Zhujiang New Town is the modern CBD with glass towers, international hotels and lots of dining hidden in malls and side streets. At night, many visitors head towards the riverfront and the area around JoJo’s Riverside for casual food, cocktails and Canton Tower views. It is one of the easiest places in Guangzhou to find English-friendly menus and a mix of Chinese and Western dishes.
Tianhe malls – convenient restaurant floors
The big malls in Tianhe – including the complexes around Shipaiqiao and Tiyu Xilu – are packed with restaurant floors. You can find everything from hot pot chains and dim sum to Japanese, Korean BBQ and dessert shops. This is a good choice if you are short on time or visiting with family and want lots of options in one place.
Old Guangzhou – dim sum, claypot rice and alleyway snacks
In older parts of Guangzhou, especially around Liwan and the historic streets, you will find classic tea houses serving dim sum in the morning and tiny shops selling claypot rice and noodles at night. These areas are less polished but feel the most “local”. It is worth coming early for breakfast, then wandering through the lanes to find somewhere busy and full of steam.
Guangzhou restaurant & bar shortlist
This shortlist gives you a starting point that mixes local food with expat-friendly places. Use it alongside the main Zhujianger food section and then explore streets and side alleys nearby – Guangzhou often rewards you with great finds just one block away from the main road.
Cantonese Dim Sum Tea Houses
Dim sum is the classic Guangzhou breakfast and brunch. Expect baskets of har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai, rice rolls, steamed buns and sweet desserts, all served with endless pots of tea. Many locals treat it as a slow social meal that lasts the whole morning.
Tip: arrive between 08:30–11:00 for the liveliest atmosphere. In very local places, you can simply point at pictures or copy what the next table is ordering.
Claypot Rice, Noodles & Budget Eats
Away from the malls, look for small shops with big metal woks or rows of claypots over charcoal. These places serve simple rice bowls with Chinese sausage, pork, greens and soy sauce, as well as fried noodles and soups. They are cheap, filling and very local.
Many of these restaurants only take local payment methods or cash, so it helps to set up your apps in advance using the Zhujianger “How to pay in China” guide.
JoJo’s Riverside
JoJo’s Riverside is one of Guangzhou’s most popular expat spots, with outdoor seating right on the river, views towards Canton Tower and a menu that mixes Western favourites with easygoing bar snacks. It is ideal for sundowners, casual dinners and showing first-time visitors the city lights.
Expect a mix of locals, expats and Canton Fair visitors, especially during trade show weeks and on weekends.
Morgan’s
Morgan’s is a long-running expat pub and restaurant known for burgers, pies, grills and a relaxed atmosphere. If you are craving familiar comfort food, want to watch sports or need a straightforward place for a group with different tastes, Morgan’s is a very easy choice.
Popular for quiz nights, live sports and casual meetups – check local expat groups for current events.
Hooley’s
Hooley’s brings the classic Irish pub feel to Guangzhou with live music, a friendly bar and a menu of Western pub staples. It is one of the go-to options for live bands and a busy atmosphere later in the evening.
Arrive earlier in the night if you prefer a quieter drink and some food before the music kicks off.
Sultan’s
Sultan’s is known in the expat community for Middle Eastern cuisine, grilled meats and shared plates. It is a strong option if you want something different from Chinese food without diving into full-on Western pub style.
Great choice for groups who like grilled dishes, dips and bread to share around the table.
Practical tips for eating out in Guangzhou
Reservations and busy times
Casual local restaurants often work on a simple “take a ticket and wait” system. For expat favourites and riverfront spots like JoJo’s, Morgan’s, Hooley’s and Sultan’s, it is smart to book ahead on Friday and Saturday evenings, during holidays and throughout Canton Fair periods.
How to pay for your meal
Mobile payment is standard in Guangzhou, even in small shops. Some venues can now accept international cards through terminals or QR links, but you will have a much smoother trip if you set up at least one local-friendly option before you arrive. Zhujianger’s guide How to pay in China walks you through the current options step by step.
Getting between food areas
The Guangzhou metro is fast, inexpensive and usually easier than dealing with taxis in rush hour. Use the Guangzhou Metro Route Planner to work out which line to use for Zhujiang New Town, the riverfront, older food streets or the areas where your favourite bars are located.
Language and menus
In many local restaurants, staff may not speak much English but are generally patient and used to visitors pointing at dishes. In expat-heavy venues like JoJo’s, Morgan’s, Hooley’s and Sultan’s you can expect English menus and staff comfortable with international guests.
Building your own Guangzhou food trail
The easiest way to enjoy Guangzhou’s food scene is to treat each day like a small loop: dim sum or noodles in the morning, a new district or market in the afternoon, and an expat bar or riverside terrace at night. Combine this page with the main Zhujianger food section so you can tick off classic dishes and favourite venues in the same trip.
Once you know which restaurants and bars you want to try, use Zhujianger to plan how you will get there, how you will pay and what else you can see nearby. A little preparation goes a long way in Guangzhou, especially during busy trade fairs and weekends.
