* Liuhua Congee House, Renmin Bei Lu (In Liuhua Park. Metro 2, exit Yue Xiu Gong Yuan). +86 20 8668-0108 Open 24 hours. Excellent dim sum in beautiful surroundings.

* Lian Xiang Lou, 67 Dishipu Lu(''Metro 1, exit Chang Shou Lu''), +86 20 8181-1638. M-F 6:30AM-10PM, Sa-Su 6:30AM-11PM. Founded in 1889, Lian Xiang Lou is known for its tasty dim sum. Local cards only.

* Tao Tao Ju, +86 20 8138-9632. Tao Tao's speciality is the Cantonese moon cakes.

* Chuan Guo Yan Yi, 140-148 Tiyu Dong Lu, Tien He District, +86 20 3887 9879. Food from Si Chuan province, the food from this restaurant is served hot pot style. Busy on Friday and Saturday nights. Popular with expats, though be warned, its food is spicy!

* Guangzhou Restaurant ,+86 20 8138-0388. This Cantonese family restaurant has several branches all over the city. Other convenient locations include 20 Binjiang Xi Lu and 112 Ti Yu Dong Lu.

* Datong Restaurant , 63 Yanjiang Lu , +86 20 8188-8988. This huge restaurant spans all the eight floors of the old building. The place has been around for a long time and is a favorite among locals.

* Wenji Restaurant, 10 Xuanyuan Qiao, +86 20 8172-8887. As the place was established by the former chefs from Qingping restaurant, they have the original Qingping chicken on the menu.

* Baifu Restaurant, 112 Tiyu Dong Lu (3/F, Baifu Plaz, Metro 1 Ti Yu Zhong Xin), +86 20 3880-8268

* Pan Xi Restaurant, 151 Longjin Xi Lu +86 020 8181-5718. This beautiful restaurant serves up dim sum among trickling streams and stunning architecture. Try one of their famous dumplings shaped like a rabbit's head.

* Lucy's : 3 Shamian Nan Jie, Shamian, Guangzhou, China
+86 020 8121-5106

- Cow and Bridge Thai Restaurant, 2/F, Xiang Long Garden, 181 Tianhe Bei Lu , +86 20 8525-0821. This famous Thai restaurant offers many varities of Thai dishes. Ask for the more fiery version of your meal, if you're used to Thai cuisine, as the dishes are somewhat localized.

- Lan Kwai Fong, 5 Shamian Nan Jie , +86 20 8121-6523. Good curries and polite service in this Shamian Island favorite. It is tourist friendly and menus are available in English.

- Banana Leaf, 28 Tianhe Bei Lu (2/F, Times Square), +86 20 3891-0728, . Traditional and established Thai restaurant chain in Guangzhou. They also have branches at GZTV Hotel (G/F, 8 Luhu Lu, +86 20 8359-7499) and World Trade Center (5/F, 371-375 Huanshi Dong Lu). (Metro 3 Lin He Xi)

- The Italian Restaurant, 360 Huanshi Dong Lu (3/F, East Tower, Zhujiang Building), +86 20 8386-3840. Open 10:30AM-2AM.. Despite the unimaginative name, this is the place to come, if you're craving Italian in Guangzhou. Pizzas, pastas and beer are on offer.

- La Seine, 33 Qingbo Lu (G/F, Zinghai Concert Hall), +86 20 8735-2222. The best French restaurant in the city. Also, one of the most expensive restaurants.

- Danny's Italian American Restaurant. 4/f Unit 403, #188 Huangpu Da Dao Xi, Home Garden Mall, Tianhe. +86 020-8756-1993. . A Guangzhou expat institution. Delicious Italian dishes including Pasta, Pizza, Great salads, Desserts, Beef hamburgers and other western foods. Chinese dishes are also available. For dine in or take out. Priced right

- Shui Yun Tian, 38-42 Jinghui Lu (next to the Guangxiao Temple, Metro 1 Xi Men Kou), +86 20 8107-2463. 6:30AM-2:30PM, 4:30PM-9:30PM. Great buffet around noon.

- Cai Gen Xiang, 167 Zhongshan 6 Lu , +86 20 8334-4363. 6:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM.

- Fo Shi Jie, Niu Nai Chang Jie (by Tongfu Zhong Lu), +86 20 8424-3590. 7AM-9PM. Part of the profits from this humble Buddhist vegetarian restaurant is given to charity.

- Fo You Yuan, 12 Shi Lu Ji Zhongshan 8 Lu; 712 Shangjiu Lu, +86 20 8181-9188. 6:30AM-3PM, 5PM-10PM. Interesting and new vegetarian dishes

- Vaastu, a date with India , +86-20-38258181, . Vaastu started operations in October 2008. The food is great and the location is near the new central business district in Zhujing Xinchng (Pearl River New City). A must visit on your trip to Guangzhou. Voted the Best Restaurant in Guangzhou in 2008 and 2009.