10 Best Restaurants in Chengdu: A Local’s Ultimate Guide

Hello again, friends! It’s Lukas.

After our last post about Chengdu’s amazing food, I knew what we had to do next. It’s great to know what to eat, but the real question is where to eat it!

Honestly, picking just 10 restaurants in Chengdu is an impossible task. This city is a paradise for food lovers, and I feel like I could list 100 places and still not cover everything. So please, think of this list as a very personal and subjective guide. Hardy and I argued a lot about this list, but we finally chose some places that we feel show the special “Chengdu character.”

We’ve left out many famous food types, like rabbit head, amazing noodle shops, dry pot, and màocài (冒菜). But don’t worry! This is just the beginning. We promise we will cover all of those in future blog posts.

We’ll hit the highlights: why go, must-order bites, who’s it for, pro tips, and post-meal wanders to keep the adventure rolling. For now, let’s get started on your culinary adventure!

Part 1: The New Hotshots – Modern Local Favorites

These spots are blowing up on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)—trendy, shareable, and packed with that fusion flair us millennials crave. They’ve taken a traditional dish and made it into a fun, modern dining experience.

1. 烤匠麻辣烤鱼 (Kǎojiàng Málà Kǎoyú) – Kaojiang Spicy Grilled Fish

If you want to see where young people in Chengdu go for a fun, loud, and delicious dinner with friends, this is it. Kaojiang specializes in one thing: spicy grilled fish, and they do it perfectly. The atmosphere is always lively, with modern decor and energetic music. It’s a real social event.

  • Why We Recommend It: It’s a modern take on a classic Sichuan flavor. You choose your type of fish, your flavor (the classic spicy is a must-try!), and a bunch of add-ins like potatoes and lotus root that soak up the incredible sauce.
  • Must-Order Dish: The signature 烤鱼 (kǎo yú, grilled fish) (It is the soul of the dish when paired with tofu pudding)piled with green chilies and Sichuan peppercorns—crackly skin yields to flaky flesh swimming in numbing oil. The fish is grilled until the skin is crispy, then served in a bubbling tray of oily, spicy, and numbing broth. Coated tofu, and Sichuan pepper ice cream (a very distinctive after-meal dessert).
  • Who It’s For: Groups of friends, couples, and anyone who loves spicy food and a lively atmosphere.
  • What to Do Nearby:
    You’re in Chunxi Road’s heart—wander Taikoo Li (太古里) for luxury window-shopping or street performers juggling fire (fitting, right?). If energy’s low, hit a nearby boba spot for cooldown.

Quick Info:

  • Address: 锦江区春熙路南段8号群光广场9楼 (9th Floor, Gwanghwa Plaza, No. 8 South Chunxi Road, Jinjiang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥89 RMB (approx. $12.50 USD)
  • Closest Metro: Chunxi Road Station, Exit C

2. 陈玲芋儿鸡 (Chénlíng Yù’er Jī) – Chenling Taro Chicken

This is a true Chengdu comfort food classic. Imagine a big pot filled with tender chicken pieces and chunks of taro, all braised in a thick, fragrant, and spicy sauce. The chicken is delicious, but the real star is the taro. It becomes incredibly soft and creamy, absorbing all the flavors of the rich sauce. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.

  • Why We Recommend It: It’s a unique dish that you might not find outside of Sichuan. It represents the heart of Chengdu’s home-style cooking—bold, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.
  • Must-Order Dish: The namesake 芋儿鸡 (yù ér jī)—slow-braised chicken chunks in taro puree, laced with dried chilies for subtle ma.
  • A Little Tip: Be sure to order a side of vegetables or noodles to cook in the leftover sauce at the end. You don’t want any of that flavor to go to waste!
  • What to Do Nearby: East Suburb Memory’s an old factory turned artsy hood—post-feast, poke into galleries or vintage shops. Sunset views over the ruins? Chef’s kiss. It’s full of cafes, live music venues, and shops.

Quick Info:

  • Address: 成华区建功路22号 (No. 22 Jiangong Road, Chenghua District)
  • Average Cost: ¥64 RMB (approx. $9.00 USD)
  • Closest Metro: Shanbanqiao Station, Exit A

Part 2: The Legends – Classic Sichuan Cuisine

These are the institutions, the places that have been serving timeless Sichuan dishes for generations.

3. 陈麻婆豆腐总店 (Chén Mápó Dòufu Zǒngdiàn) – Chen Mapo Tofu (Main Store)

This is not just a restaurant; it’s a pilgrimage site for food lovers. This is the original shop, the birthplace of the world-famous Mapo Tofu. The recipe has been passed down since the 19th century. Eating Mapo Tofu here is like tasting history. It’s an essential experience for anyone who truly loves Sichuan food.

  • Why We Recommend It: You are eating the most authentic version of one of the world’s most famous dishes, right where it was invented. The flavor is intense, complex, and unforgettable.
  • Must-Order Dishes: You absolutely must order the Chen Mapo Tofu (陈麻婆豆腐). It’s incredibly fragrant, properly numbing from high-quality Sichuan peppercorns, and deeply savory. Also, try their Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁) to taste another classic done right.
  • A Little Tip: Be prepared! The numbing sensation (má – 麻) here is stronger and more authentic than in most restaurants. Your mouth will tingle in the most wonderful way.

Quick Info:

  • Address: 青羊区东华门街51号 (No. 51 Donghuamen Street, Qingyang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥62 RMB (approx. $8.70 USD)
  • Closest Metro: Luomashi Station, Exit E

4. 芙蓉凰花园酒楼 (Fúróng Huáng Huāyuán Jiǔlóu) – Furong Huang Garden Restaurant

This restaurant offers a slightly more refined and comfortable dining experience without being intimidatingly formal. It feels like you’re eating in a classic Chinese garden. They serve a wide range of expertly prepared, classic Sichuan dishes. It’s a reliable and excellent choice for when you want a nice, sit-down meal with family or friends.

  • Why We Recommend It: It’s a perfect middle ground. The food quality is high, the environment is pleasant, and the prices are very reasonable for what you get. It’s a great place to try a wide variety of Sichuan dishes in one meal.
  • Who It’s For: Families, business casual meals, or anyone looking for a comfortable and authentic Sichuan dining experience.
  • Must-Order Dishes: Their Twice-Cooked Pork (回锅肉) is excellent, as is their Boiled Beef in Chili Oil (水煮牛肉).

Quick Info:

  • Address: 青羊区光华村街66号附7号3-4层 (3-4th Floor, No. 66 Guanghuacun Street, Annex 7, Qingyang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥110 RMB (approx. $15.40 USD)
  • Closest Metro: Cultural Palace Station, Exit E

Part 3: The Hidden Gems – “Fly Restaurants” (苍蝇馆子)

In Chengdu, we have a special name for small, old, not-so-pretty-looking restaurants that serve absolutely incredible food: Cāngyíng Guǎnzi (苍蝇馆子), or “Fly Restaurants.” Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean they are dirty! It means they are so popular that they attract crowds like flies. These are where you find the true soul of Chengdu’s everyday food.

5. 甩记小吃店 (Shuǎijì Xiǎochī Diàn) – Shuaiji Snack Shop

This is the definition of a “fly restaurant.” It’s a cramped, no-frills joint, often packed with locals hunched over small tables. The menu is short and to the point, focusing on 20+ of classic Sichuan foods that they’ve perfected. They are famous for their 回锅肉 and 肝腰合炒. The flavor is bold, authentic, and unapologetically local.

  • Why We Recommend It: For a truly genuine taste of Chengdu’s everyday food culture, away from the tourist spots. It’s incredibly affordable, explosively flavorful, and offers a glimpse into the dishes that real Chengdu residents have loved for generations.
  • Who It’s For: Adventurous eaters who prioritize flavor over ambiance, travelers on a tight budget, and anyone who wants to experience a quintessential, no-frills local eatery.

Quick Info:

  • Address: 青羊区鹏宇大厦西南门旁 (Next to the Southwest Gate of Pengyu Building, Qingyang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥36 RMB (approx. $5.00 USD)
  • Closest Metro: Taisheng South Road Station, Exit C

6. 雨田饭店 (Yǔtián Fàndiàn) – Yutian Restaurant

Another legendary “fly restaurant,” Yutian is famous for its home-style Sichuan cooking (jiāchángcài – 家常菜). The space is small and always packed with a line out the door. You point at the dishes you want from a glass counter, and they cook them for you. The flavors are strong, savory, and incredibly satisfying.

  • Why We Recommend It: It’s a Chengdu institution. Eating here feels like you’ve been invited to a Chengdu family’s dinner table for their best home cooking.
  • Must-Order Dishes: Their Twice-Cooked Pork (回锅肉) and Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) are famous.
  • A Little Tip: Go early! If you arrive during peak lunch or dinner hours, be prepared to wait.

Quick Info:

  • Address: 锦江区红星路二段20号1层附9号 (No. 20, Section 2, Hongxing Road, 1st Floor, Annex 9, Jinjiang District) Average Cost: ¥52 RMB (approx. $7.30 USD) Closest Metro: 2nd City Hospital Station, Exit A

Part 4: The Main Event – Hot Pot (火锅)

You cannot come to Chengdu and not eat hot pot. Here are two options: one for a spectacular show, and one for a hardcore local taste.

7. 小龙翻大江火锅酒楼 (Xiǎolóng Fān Dàjiāng) – Xiaolong Fandajiang Hot Pot

This place is an experience. The decoration is incredibly grand and ornate, designed like an ancient Chinese palace. It’s the perfect place to take visitors or for a special occasion. More than just food, they offer a cultural show.

  • Why We Recommend It: While you eat, you can watch a live performance of Sichuan Opera Face-Changing (变脸 – Biànliǎn) right in the restaurant! It’s the perfect combination of a delicious meal and amazing entertainment.
  • Who It’s For: First-time visitors to Chengdu, business dinners, or anyone who wants a more high-end and entertaining hot pot experience.

Quick Info:

  • Address: 锦江区东大街下东大街段香槟广场3层 (3rd Floor, Champagne Plaza, Xiadong Street Section, Dongda Street, Jinjiang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥129 RMB (approx. $18.00 USD)
  • Closest Metro: Chunxi Road Station, Exit E2

8. 罗二火锅 (Luó’èr Huǒguō) – Luo’er Hot Pot

If Xiaolong is the palace, Luo’er is the passionate, beating heart of old-school Chengdu hot pot. It’s located in a busy, older neighborhood, and the focus here is 100% on the flavor. The broth is rich, thick with beef tallow, and intensely spicy. This is the kind of place local connoisseurs go.

  • Why We Recommend It: For an unapologetically authentic, fiery, and fragrant hot pot experience, this is it. It’s less about the fancy environment and all about the deep, traditional taste.
  • Who It’s For: Serious hot pot lovers and adventurous eaters who want the real local deal.
  • A Little Tip: Order the beef tripe (毛肚) and duck intestines (鸭肠). They are classic items that test the quality of a hot pot restaurant.

Quick Info:

  • Address: 青羊区蓥华寺街34号 (No. 34 Yinghuasi Street, Qingyang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥99 RMB (approx. $13.90 USD)
  • Closest Metro: Hongxing Bridge Station, Exit D

Part 5: The Artistry – High-End Sichuan Cuisine

For a truly special, once-in-a-lifetime meal, these two restaurants represent the absolute peak of Sichuan culinary art. They are very expensive, but they are more than just a meal—they are a cultural experience.

9 & 10. 松云泽 (Sōng Yún Zé) & 玉芝兰 (Yù zhī Lán) – Song Yun Ze & Yu Zhi Lan

I am listing these two restaurants together because they represent the same thing: the preservation and elevation of traditional Sichuan cuisine. This is not the spicy, fiery food you find on the street. This is the food of old Chengdu high society—complex, subtle, and incredibly refined, requiring immense skill and the best ingredients.

松云泽 (Sōng Yún Zé)

Chef Zhang Yuanfu, the master behind Songyunze, studied under Wang Kaifa, a 74-year-old Sichuan cuisine master. The restaurant’s name, Songyunze, pays tribute to Wang’s own teacher — the late culinary legend Zhang Songyun.

Songyunze upholds the traditional banquet philosophy of Sichuan cuisine, faithfully preserving the format, process, and signature dishes of Republic-era banquets. Every course embodies the spirit of Sichuan cooking — one dish, one style; a hundred dishes, a hundred flavors — showcasing the refined artistry, rich heritage, and cultural elegance of classic Sichuan feasts.

By carrying forward nearly a century of authentic craftsmanship, Songyunze preserves the pure essence of traditional Sichuan cuisine while infusing it with modern vitality. This legacy has earned the restaurant prestigious honors such as one Michelin star in the inaugural Chengdu guide and four consecutive Black Pearl Diamonds.

Food lovers from across the globe have fallen in love with it — culinary icon Chua Lam once posted five Weibo praises in a row after dining here; Japan’s “Iron Chef” Yoshiki Inoue and restaurateur Heisei Yoshida came to learn its secrets; and visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan travel here just for a single unforgettable meal.

玉芝兰 (Yù zhī Lán)

Story time first: This gem’s brainchild of Lan Shifu (兰师傅, Lan Guijun), the “father of pickled chicken feet” (泡椒凤爪之父). He is a true artist who believes in using the best seasonal ingredients and showcasing the incredible depth of Sichuan flavors beyond just málà. He famously serves his exquisite dishes in custom-made porcelain. Back in the ’80s, young Lan innovated that tangy snack in a tiny kitchen, blending Sichuan heat with Hakka brine— it exploded nationwide, landing him on TV and in hearts.

Fast-forward: He poured that bold spirit into 玉芝兰 (named for him and wife Yu, like a rare orchid), starting as a private chef hideout in 2009. Now, it’s global acclaim for “soup philosophy”—dishes built on layered broths, ditching heavy oils for elegant ma-la. Lan’s mantra? “Control the ingredients, and the dish controls you.” From fiery youth to refined elder, his story’s pure Chengdu: gritty roots, graceful blooms.

  • Why We Recommend It: To understand the true potential and history of Sichuan food. It’s a quiet, intimate, and unforgettable dining experience that will completely change your perspective on Chinese cuisine.
  • Who It’s For: Serious food lovers, epicureans, and those celebrating a very, very special occasion.
  • A Little Tip: You must book these restaurants far in advance. They are small, private kitchens, and you cannot simply walk in.

Quick Info for 松云泽 (Sōng Yún Zé):

  • Address: 锦江区琉璃路8号翡翠里2-8号 (No. 2-8 Feicuili, No. 8 Liuli Road, Jinjiang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥1767 RMB (approx. $248 USD) – This is a set menu price.
  • Closest Metro: Donghu Park Station, Exit A

Quick Info for 玉芝兰 (Yù zhī Lán):

  • Address: 青羊区长发街24号附一号 (No. 24 Changfa Street, Annex 1, Qingyang District)
  • Average Cost: ¥1767 RMB (approx. $248 USD) – This is a set menu price.
  • Closest Metro: Luomashi Station, Exit A

Conclusion

Whew, there you have it—our wildly biased top 10, from 36 RMB steals to $250 splurges, all laced with that Chengdu fusion magic. But let’s be real: This list’s a starting point, not the gospel. Missed your fave dry pot dive or rabbit head haven? Blame our limited weekends (office life, amirite?). Drop a comment— we’ll weave it into the next roundup.

Future blogs? More on noodle nooks, veggie feasts, and maybe a “budget vs. baller” showdown. Until then, dream of that ma-la tingle, book a ticket, and come eat with us. Chengdu’s table’s always set—chopsticks optional, enthusiasm mandatory. What’s your first bite gonna be? Hahaha, spill below.

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