Lune Tours prides itself on personalized tours and personalized service. Too often tour groups are herded into large cafeteria restaurants to eat basic Chinese food before being rushed off to the next destination. And while sometimes this type of meal is necessary to meet time requirements, we know that people prefer more authentic and intimate dining experiences. So, for your benefit, we have prepared a list of our top 6 favorite small restaurants in central Beijing.

If you do not speak Chinese you can use the Lune Menu (PDF) to order at the restaurants below.
Pictures of some dishes are also available here: Dish Pics.

Here is the list:

1. Long Cheng Tang
   You may feel transported out of Beijing and into southern China on entering this courtyard restaurant. But the atmosphere is not the only reason this restaurant has a cult following in Beijing. The food is good too…. Enjoy quality Guilin dishes made by a Guilin family in a Guilin atmosphere. Plus the smiling service is a welcome change from the Beijing standard. For groups of 4 or more make a reservation for a loft table and enjoy one of the best private dining experiences in Beijing.
   LongChengTang – 龙城堂‚
   Dong HuangChengGen Beijie #28 – 东皇城根北街28号·
   Tel: 6401 9498
   Restaurant Pictures
2. XianLaoMan Dumplings
   For dumpling and snack enthusiasts you must try this restaurant. The selection of dumplings here is one of the largest in Beijing. Plus they come out true to their name with “extra fillings”. The restaurant is not quite as small as some of the other ones on this list, but given the quality of the food we thought it deserved to be mentioned here.
   XianLaoMan – 馅老满
   AnDingMen Nei Dajie #252 安定门内大街252号·
   Tel: 6404 6944
   Restaurant Pictures
3. Pu’An Japanese Noodle Bar
   This family run operation specializes in Japanese style noodle soup and small sushis. With everyone (max seating ~15) around a single bar you can study the noodle master as your food is prepared. For dessert try the almond tofu. Like the seating the menu is also limited but if you are hungry for noodle soup this is the place.
   Pu’An Japanese Noodles – 普安日式面馆
   Dong Cheng District Gulou Dong Dajie #132 – 东城区 鼓楼东大街132号·
   Tel: 6401-4598
   Restaurant Blog
4. Nai Fen
   This cafe specializes in coffee, cake, and cute. Perfect for dessert or a small snack and chat. The cakes are very reasonably priced so you won’t feel light in your pockets afterward either. Try back often because the options change frequently and you will want to try out their latest creations.
   NaiFen － 奶粉
   Jiu Gulou Dajie – #141 旧鼓楼大街141å号·
   Tel: 010-64026031
   Restaurant Website
5. YanJi Flavor – 延吉味
   This genuine dive is run by a man from the region of northeast China bordering Korea. There are no thrills, frills, or extras here, just good Korean style food. If you are looking to dine then don’t even consider this hole in the wall. We recommend the Korean rice bowls (石锅拌饭 shiguo banfan), the tofu soup (da jiang tang 大酱汤), and the kimchi (la baicai 辣白菜). Food comes out fast and shouldn’t cost you more than the equivalent of $6 no matter what you order.
   Yanji Flavor
   Dongzhimen Beixiaojie 东直门北小街
   First light, west side of the street
   Tel: 6622 1779
   Reviews (in Chinese)