A colorful family style eatery, Shi Wang Fu is one of the destinations in the Shizi Qiao neighborhood. With a broad selection of local favorites, it specializes in Huaiying cuisine and just might be the place where visitors try their first bowl of duck blood soup.
Whether you are looking for a dense, fresh bread or a Black Forest chocolate cake, this German bakery should be your destination. The selection is freshly baked daily and includes plenty of sweets too irresistible to miss. Mornings start out with fresh croissants, doughnuts and fresh coffee. Lines begin to form around lunch time as people come to enjoy fresh sandwiches. A wide selection of cakes, including a cheesecake that will melt your heart, are available by the slice or for take home. Offering free WiFi to patrons and a second location on Taiping Road in Xuanwu, Skyways should not be missed.
Just a few steps from the subway station, step into Finnegans and be transported thousands of miles away. This is the real deal, an Irish pub to put all imitators to shame. The welcoming atmosphere and dark wood invite patrons to sit at the bar for a Guinness or an authentic Bushmills. The menu features comforting pub grub from fish and chips and burgers to cottage pie and bangers with mash. As the evening rolls on the bar fills up and before you know it, you'll have a dozen new friends.
Thai, Vietnamese and regional Chinese restaurants dot the street, which is packed with people as much as bicycle traffic. Cars are prohibited on this street between North Yunnan Road and Hunan Road, which means you can browse at your own pace. This is another epic dining destination in Nanjing where visitors can sample a wide variety of local foods for pennies. Loyal patrons rave about the Golden Harvest Thai Opera Cafe and the Shizi Lou Chinese restaurant. The nearby Matajie Night Market is another great place to people watch and soak up a vibrant evening atmosphere in the summer.
This little French-owned cafe is tucked into an alley near Nanjing University. Full of charm, the owners have succeeded in creating a cozy atmosphere that keeps patrons returning. The menu is reasonably priced and full of selections that might prove to be hard to choose between. Upstairs there is a full bar and a foosball table.
Sporting an unusual Spanish facade and Mediterranean dining room, Behind the Wall is known for its live music and noble attempt at Mexican food. The menu includes pizza and pasta, but people come here for the tacos, enchiladas and burritos to the accompaniment of sangria or a margarita. Weeknights feature acoustic Spanish guitar, but the weekend entertainment is turned over to local rock bands. Live music is scheduled from 8p-11p.
Just outside the main gate of Xuanwu Lake Park, Secco has a lot to offer. This German-owned restaurant offers some of the best cuts of steak in Nanjing and a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy it in. The bar is well stocked with local favorites as well as hard-to-find rarities, making it a great place to try something new. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays feature live music in the dining room. In addition, every Sunday there is an all-you-can-eat barbecue special for CNY125.
One of the most visited spots in Nanjing is the waterside of the Qin Huai River. A preserved historical district, the alleys and willow-covered walkways along the river have been a destination since Tang (618-906) times. During the city's heyday during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the river front was full of pleasure houses for wealthy merchants. Some of Nanjing's best known spots dot the river, including the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Examination Hall Museum as well as well known eateries including the Kui Guang Ge Tea House and fun stops like the curious Ghost Valley Costume Shop. During the evenings the area around the Confucius Temple comes alive with neon lights and small food stands.
Tacos is a large restaurant and bar that serves Western food with a bit of Chinese style. Pizza, french fries, steak and of course tacos are available as well as Chinese food with a large selection of beer, wine and hard liquor from around the world to help wash it down. The restaurant is on two floors, with a patio for dining outside in the summer. The first floor is more like a bar with some large tables for groups and a pool table. The second floor is quieter and more intimate - the perfect place for couples and families to sit down and have a relaxing meal. The staff's English level varies, but the menu is in English, so simply pointing at the food or drink works well. -Daniel Clarke
61 House is an ideal place to meet friends, colleagues and family. The place has an open air garden and is surrounded with trees on either sides. One can enjoy live music music performances, play billiards,chess and at the same time enjoy the delectable dishes - Multi cuisine. The venue also provides the option of hosting private parties like birthday parties, garden barbeques and many more.
A colorful family style eatery, Shi Wang Fu is one of the destinations in the Shizi Qiao neighborhood. With a broad selection of local favorites, it specializes in Huaiying cuisine and just might be the place where visitors try their first bowl of duck blood soup.
Behind the Sheraton Hotel on Hangzhoumen Road, Ciao Italia Pizzeria has been making pizza and every other type of Italian food since 2007. The restaurant is popular for the authentic Italian food and the English-speaking staff. It does deliver to hotels throughout Nanjing, but it is rather slow so most people recommend getting takeaway or eating at the restaurant itself. The prices are high but the food is authentic, and any complaints are dealt with quickly. -Daniel Clarke