Qingdao Destination Guide

Food & Drink

Shandong cuisine is one of the eight great traditions of Chinese cuisine. It can be more finely divided into inland Shandong cuisine (e.g. Jinan cuisine); the seafood-centered Jiaodong cuisine in the peninsula; and Confucius's Mansion cuisine, an elaborate tradition originally intended for imperial and other important feasts.

Qingdao is rich in seafood, including fish, prawns, shellfish, and seaweed. YunXiao Lu (Road) is the major restaurant area in Qingdao. It explodes with regional and international delicacies. By virtue of its seafront location, seafood dominates the menus, ranging in cooking styles from spicy Sichuan to sweet DongBei and even savoury Beijing Duck.

There are also plenty of international options including Italian, German, Japanese and Korean. Prices are flexible enough to accommodate all budgets. Probably the most authentic western cuisine is to be found in the Crowne Plaza and Shangri-La Hotels, and if you are keen on pizzas or pasta head for the Eden Cafe in Parkson Department store on Zhongshan Lu. 

There are the usual fast food chains around the station as well a Chinese eateries along Hong Kong Rd. Sushi was spotted along this road also. As there are many Koreans in Qingdao, Korean food is also easy to find. Many Chinese restaurants are in the nightlife area near the business district, some 10 kilometres east of the old town.  

Some suggested restaurants:

Asian:

Shimbashi
HaiTian Hotel
48 Xianggang Xi Lu
Tel: 8387 1888
This Japanese restaurant is as authentic as it comes in Qingdao. Offering a great all you can eat, all you can drink (including Sake!) Teppanyaki for only RMB200 per person. The Sushi is delicious and the menu has a wide variety of great Japanese Cuisine to suit one and all. The environment is traditional or modern depending on the room you choose and can be excellent for group dinners and entertaining guests as well as customers. The staff are friendly and the menu has pictures so you wont find it difficult to get what you need.

Chinese:

Blue Wave Gulf Restaurant
9 West Hong Kong Road, Qingdao
Tel: 387 4792
Graced with the Taiping Bay as a backdrop this dining pearl looks, smells and most importantly, tastes like an authentic seafood restaurant. The kitchen favors Sichuan and Cantonese styles, giving diners a wide choice of options. Those with flameproof tongues will enjoy some of the spicier dishes from its ever-changing menu, including bean curd and hot pots. Shark’s fin and Bird’s Nest are some of its more popular dishes. Tourists favor this restaurant, especially those returning from a day at the beach or from the Zhanshan Temple.

Casa Cassis – New Age Restaurant
Nanjing Lu, opposite Carrefour
Tel: 8573 8988
This Chinese restaurant is perfectly located just near Carrefour. It is a very popular and consistently good place to eat. The full range of dishes are on display in “mock” form and a member of the waiting staff will stroll around with you as you choose and question, “What’s this?” They will take your order as you admire the huge selection on display. Definitely worth a visit.

Chunhe Lou
Zhongshan Lu 146
Tel: 0532 282 4346
This long-standing institution for Shandong cuisine is located in an old two-story corner building in the German Concession. The first floor serves casual fast food while the second floor has large tables and private rooms. Despite the modest ambience, the food has its devotees.

De Heng Beijing Roasted Duck
Address: 49 Nanjing Lu
Tel: 8578 2956
Simply the best Beijing Duck in town. Their specialty dish consistently meets a high standard. Once you have stepped inside the entrance hall you will be faced with an extensive display of dishes, carefully laid out to help you choose. Fresh fish and seafood are available for your choice, too. Every dish is very delicious and the Beijing Duck is served with some flare.

Dim Sum at Dun Huang Haixian Jiu Lou
106 Xianggang Zhong Lu
Tel: 8588 7556
This is a large restaurant very close to the Grand Regency Hotel. It is well known for its excellent dim sum dishes. The choice is plentiful and the environment is clean, smart and very welcoming. 

Steven Gao's Restaurant (Gaoshi Jiudian)
Yunxiao Lu 38
Tel: 0532 573 6676
Guitars and posters of Jim Morrison and Axl Rose decorate the walls of this three-story restaurant located on food street Yunxiao Lu. Try the jingjiang rousi (shredded pork Peking style), suanxiang gu (fried pork chop with garlic), or shao erdong (sauteed mushrooms with asparagus); or choose from the tanks of fresh seafood out front.

Tudali
Xianggang Xi Lu 52
Tel: 013 58322 9720
Located just west of the Shangri-La Hotel, this late-night Korean barbecue diner has a cozy and informal feel, with its exposed wooden beams and plenty of wall graffiti from happy and appreciative patrons. Barbecued meat and vegetable skewers are the main attractions here, along with other tasty Korean staples like kimchi fried rice and chap chae (stir-fried yam noodles).

International:

Cafe Asia
Crowne Plaza Hotel
76 Xianggang Zhong Lu
Tel: 8571 8888
Cafe Asia is a favourite treat to be found at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Within this restaurant there are five interactive kitchens, Asian, Indian, Brazilian, Mongolian and Western. Diners may choose to enjoy the exten- sive buffet or select a dish from the international menu. The buffet also serves wonderful desserts, cheeses, fresh sushi and a salad bar. The environment is pleasant with very good service.

La Luna
Xianggang Zhong Lu
Hong Kong Garden, Xiang Dao Mansion
Tel: 8588 9791
Here you may enjoy excellent and genuine French cuisine served for dinner in the evenings (only). The atmosphere is very pleasant, with soft lighting and comfy chairs. You may indulge, too, in a bottle of French wine from a carefully selected wine list. This restaurant is ideal for a quiet, intimate dinner or is the place to relax with a group of friends.

Monnemer Eck
173 Jiangxi Lu
Tel: 8592 1096
Monnemer Eck is the centre of the German community, primarily, but once visited and the friendly atmosphere is felt, you’ll be back. All are welcome! Great German draught beers are served. This is a casual bar and German restaurant all in one area. Dinners are served in the evenings only, offering typical German food such as sausages, meat dishes and of course schnitzel.

Muranos
2F Crowne Plaza Hotel
76 Xianggang Zhong Lu
Tel: 8571 8888
Found next to Cafe Asia, Muranos is probably the best authentic Italian restaurant in Qingdao. The products are specially ordered and delivered from Italy. The menu is of the highest standard, with each dish receiving great attention from the chefs. You should not be disappointed. The interior is very welcoming, comfortable and homely and yet stylish.

Salvatore
Floor North Building of Golden Plaza
Tel: 8502 5647
This Italian restaurant opened in 2005, so it’s fairly new to Qingdao. The produce used is imported and selected by the resident Italian chef. The menu provides you with a real taste of Italy, wines and good coffee can be enjoyed, too. The staff are friendly and do want you to enjoy yourselves. Families with children are frequently found here ordering a good pizza! Meals are served at lunchtime and in the evening.
 

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