Where to Eat in Lijiang: The Best Restaurants and Bars

September 25, 2017 Flossie Demartino

Lijiang is a beautifully preserved ancient Chinese town, infused with cultural flavor. Strolling along the 800-year-old bridges and waterways of the world-famous Old Town district is like stepping back in time. Don’t miss the views atop Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the Dongba cultural center of Jade Water Village.
Things to do in Lijiang

1. LaMu's House of Tibet

Jishan Lane, Xinyi Street, Old Town, Lijiang, China Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol Asian, Tibetan Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Late Night
Excellent
40%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 113 reviews

LaMu's House of Tibet

right across the street from the Sanhe Hotel. It is absolutely amazing food with a neat bohemian feel.

Reviewed By Sjakie S - Hoorn, The Netherlands

We went here for dinner because of the ratings on TA and recommendation of LP and weren't disappointed. There's western dishes, Chinese dishes and Tibetan dishes
We ordered Tibetan only (you can't eat Tibetan that often everywhere), and chose the fried rice, dumplings with yak meat, stir fried vegetables (OK that's Chinese) and bread with honey. Before we got some peanuts as a bonus. Everything was delicious. Too bad they don't serve plum wine, but they have enough other choices

2. N's Kitchen

2F, 17 Jishan Alley, Xinyi Street | Xiaosifang Street, Lijiang, China Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Takeout American, Cafe, European, Pizza, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks HK$157 - HK$628 +86 888 512 0060
Excellent
53%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 258 reviews

N's Kitchen

Reviewed By Julie D - Australia

Based on the reviews, we sought out N's kitchen and we weren't disappointed. The meals were delicious, as was the coffee and juice. The couple that were running the place spoke excellent english and were so helpful in providing us with information. We enjoyed the food so much, we went back another day for a delicious western breakfast. Highly recommended for anyone who would like a change from the more traditional chinese food.

3. Stone the Crows

134-2 Wenzhi Alley | Wuyi st, Lijiang, China Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Digital Payments, Takeout Bar, Irish, Pizza, Pub Dinner, Drinks HK$16 - HK$110 +86 156 0888 8739
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Stone the Crows

Irish Run Bar/Pub and Restaurant with relaxed atmosphere, good music and friendly English speaking staff. Western meals including Pizza, Burgers, Pies, Steaks and Deserts. A full menu of cocktails, shooters, imported and local beer all at very reasonable prices..

Reviewed By LDtravelLD - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Good place to chill. Different kinds of beers, nice seats and good music. Pizza's (vegatarian and bacon&mushroom) tasted a bit the same. I added a photo of the location, so hopefully you can find the place quicker than we did! Arrow shows the correct place. Enjoy!

4. BuLaGe Cafe

80 Mishi Xiang, at Xinyi Jie | Lijiang Old Town, Lijiang, China Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol Cafe, European Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner +86 888 512 3757
Excellent
44%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 128 reviews

BuLaGe Cafe

Reviewed By Tricia V - Boston, Massachusetts

Great spot to stop when you need Western Breakfast or are looking for coffee. Staff is friendly and helpful, with good English speaking skills. Prices are much more reasonable than other local choices.
Note that the sign is actually in English and reads "Prague Cafe". Enjoy.

5. 88 Snack

88 Wu Yi Street, Lijiang, China Seating, Serves Alcohol, Takeout, Waitstaff Chinese, Asian, Fast Food Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +86 888 888 8676
Excellent
38%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 71 reviews

88 Snack

Reviewed By SoozSolo - Brisbane, Australia

Yum, yum and yum! Fantastically full-flavoured food in casual, busy, rowdy atmosphere. Pots clang as they’re washed, diners talk loudly, and heaping helpings of gastronomic goodness is served to tables, constantly. Remains are cleared, wiped quickly clean and it starts again. Tables turn over on what seems like a never-ending procession of those who have come to feast; more like banquet-sized servings, than snacks, and even in the low season it was packed.

6. Nomad Guesthouse & Cafe

GuCheng District Shu He Old Town Zhihuibu, Lijiang, China Reservations, Seating Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Dinner +86 888 513 6627
Excellent
90%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Nomad Guesthouse & Cafe

Reviewed By Chris_and_Jean - Derby, England

We can only comment on the food and the excellent service provided by the very talented Dutch proprietor, Peter [as we were staying at the Hui Feng Inn, which doesn't ordinarily serve meals (see separate review)].
This is a vegetarian establishment and more care is taken with the food than in many restaurants. The menu is itself attractive and offers both a la carte and good value 'set' selections comprising, for example [in the case of breakfast], a freshly squeezed mixed fruit and/or vegetable juice (half size), fried potatoes with rosemary and baby toms, choice of eggs, toast & preserve and coffee or tea (38 yuan).
Portions are generous and a bowl of noodle soup with vegetables is almost a meal in itself. We're meat-eating vegetarians and the food here made a very nice change in itself, and especially from Chinese!
Even if you're on a day-trip from Lijiang and not dining then this is a great place to pause for a tea or coffee. Peter has a great selection all lovingly prepared and, whilst I noticed some inconsistency in the cheesecake, the apple strudel is excellent.

7. Maya Cafe

Nunber 33, Yu He Zou Lang | [After the Water Wheel, follow the stream northward towards Black Dragon Pool. Continue walking under Yu Yuan Bridge; approx. 50 meters after the bridge, look for an alley on the right. The cafe is located at the end (3rd row of buildings)], Lijiang 674100, China Takeout, Free Wifi, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer Indian, Asian, Cafe, International Lunch, Brunch, Breakfast, Dinner HK$16 - HK$94 +86 888 512 6705
Excellent
78%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 156 reviews

Maya Cafe

Reviewed By CassavaHK - Hong Kong

A great little hidden restaurant near the Square. It's great for kids because they have a separate playroom with toys and TV.
The curry was just fab. My husband had a salad which looked really. My kids fancied pancakes and my, they are the biggest, fluffiest pancakes I have ever seen.
The hot chocolate was also yummie!
Overall a great place to dine and the price isn't bad either.

8. He Shu Shi Fu

No.9 Zhengxing Alley Wuyi Street, Lijiang 674100, China Chinese, Yunnan HK$31 - HK$63 +86 187 0888 6017
Excellent
58%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 55 reviews

He Shu Shi Fu

Reviewed By Gurumir - Espoo, Finland

Visited with my girlfriend with some high expectations because the place was previously 15/15 times 5 stars (all chinese votes). We thought the place was decent but definitely not 5/5 nor the best place in Lijiang.

9. The Ugly Mug Cafe

26 Jie Wei Xiang, Lijiang 674100, China Seating, Waitstaff Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$39 +86 181 0880 7180
Excellent
72%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

The Ugly Mug Cafe

The Ugly Mug Cafe specializes in American and Northeastern Chinese cuisine, including homemade waffles and cheesecakes, espresso and specialty drinks, steamed buns, dumplings and more. We are centrally located in Shuhe Old Town, with window Seating looking out on bustling cobblestone street. We are newly renovated, with open concept kitchen and English speaking staff. We make an excellent cup of Cappuccino. Our French Toast, Waffle and Yogurt and all topped with fresh fruits.

Reviewed By Mokkey8 - Hong Kong, China

Stumbled across this place after walking around Shuhe. Only had beers, coffee and chicken wings so can't comment on the rest of the offerings but the cakes (which the next table had) looked delicious and the comments from the customers were all positive.

10. V.sherry Restaurant

No.95 Xingwen Alley, Qiyi Street, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100, China Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Takeout Chinese, Asian, Yunnan, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Dinner HK$86 - HK$188 +86 888 511 1196
Excellent
79%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 81 reviews

V.sherry Restaurant

V.sherry restaurant is a Yunnan style restaurant.We have two restaurants in Xingwen alley Lijiang old town. Local food, fish, wild mushroom, plum wine,ricenoodles,steamed chilcken soup yunnan style,Yak meat.Many national culture.

Reviewed By tosa55 - Hokkaido, Japan

Our guesthouse recommended this restaurant. We liked this place so much and went there 3 times during our stay in Lijiang. The biggest dish we ordered was "Taste of Shangri-la hotpot", which was covered by lots of tender beef slices (Maybe this dish is suitable for 3-4 people, as my husband and I could not eat all). We also tried some kind of dishes such as braised pork, self-grinding Tofu, local vegetable, and wild mushrooms, Lijiang baba, local yoghurt, etc. Everything was so delicious and impressive! Now we are back in home, but still miss their taste.
Although the staffs spoke only Chinese, they were so friendly and kind, communication with them was not difficult. The inside of the restaurant was spacious, clean, and tastefully decorated. We spent really cozy time there. Thank you!

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