When you think of Shenzhen, you might first picture towering skyscrapers and cutting-edge technology. But did you know? This city is also a paradise for food lovers. Its culinary landscape is rich and diverse—whether you cherish the delicate flavors of authentic Cantonese cuisine, crave the fiery excitement of Sichuan dishes, or want to explore flavors from around the world, Shenzhen has something to satisfy you.
This guide draws from Dianping’s Must-Eat list and popular feedback on Xiaohongshu, as well as years of on-site visits and unanimous recognition from our team before inclusion. We hope it helps you avoid culinary pitfalls and leads you directly to truly worthwhile delicacies. In 2025, embark on your own unforgettable food journey in Shenzhen.
Recommended Classic Guangdong Cuisine
As one of the birthplaces of Cantonese cuisine, Shenzhen’s Guangdong food emphasizes utmost respect for the original flavors of ingredients and exquisite cooking techniques. The taste is light yet rich in layers, with every detail hidden in each bite.
Morning Tea Culture: The Dawn Prelude of Dim Sum and Tea Aroma
Morning tea (Yum Cha) is a unique lifestyle ritual for Cantonese people and an indispensable part of Shenzhen’s food culture.
Xiang Gong (Shenzhen Shangri-La Hotel)
Why: Located inside the Shangri-La Hotel, Xiang Gong is known for its high-quality Cantonese cuisine. The dim sum is meticulously crafted with carefully selected ingredients, set in an elegant environment with attentive service.
If you arrive on a weekend and want a high-standard, quiet, and comfortable Yum Cha experience, Xiang Gong is my top recommendation!
Average cost: 150-280 RMB per person
Address: 2nd Floor, Shenzhen Shangri-La Hotel, No. 4088 Yitian Road, Futian District
Tips: Morning tea is served on weekends and holidays; reservations are recommended.
Fan Lou (Multiple branches)
Why: Fan Lou is a favorite Yum Cha spot among me and my younger friends because it serves dim sum all day, solving the problem of missing the traditional morning tea hours.
It blends tradition with modernity, offering a stylish and elegant atmosphere. Popular dishes like the Gold Medal Shrimp Dumplings, Black Gold Custard Buns, and Roast Goose are beloved by young diners and often require waiting in line on Dianping and Xiaohongshu.
Average cost: Around 100-200 RMB per person
A Legacy on the Palate and Local Memory
Beyond the casual morning tea, Shenzhen’s Cantonese main courses also surprise and delight. Whether from long-standing old brands or local establishments preserving original flavors for decades, you can always find a dish that wins your heart.
Lei Garden Restaurant (MixC branch)
Why: In my heart, Lei Garden is the “ceiling” of Cantonese cuisine in Shenzhen. A famous Hong Kong brand with a great reputation here, it’s known for strict ingredient selection, superb cooking skills, and consistent quality.
Signature dishes such as Crispy Roasted Pork Belly, Lobster Congee, and Slow-Cooked Soups are highly recommended by diners.
Lei Garden consistently ranks on Dianping’s Cantonese cuisine list and is a must-visit for authentic high-end Cantonese food.
Average cost: 300-600 RMB per person
Address: Shop S333, China Resources MixC, 1881 Bao’an South Road, Luohu District
Xian Ji Roast Goose King (Multiple branches)
Why: Looking for down-to-earth yet authentic roast goose? I recommend Xian Ji. Founded in 1994, it represents Shenzhen’s local Cantonese cuisine well.
Its roast goose with crispy skin, tender meat, and rich juices is beloved by locals. The restaurant also offers authentic Cantonese stir-fry dishes with great value, making it a good choice for enjoying Shenzhen-style home-cooked Cantonese food.
Average cost: 80-150 RMB per person
Featured Shenzhen Specialty Restaurants
As a city of immigrants, Shenzhen has developed a unique food culture. The following restaurants are highly popular representatives of Shenzhen’s culinary scene with their distinctive offerings.
Local Flavors and Popular Favorites
Run Yuan Four Seasons Coconut Chicken (Multiple branches)
Why: Run Yuan Four Seasons Coconut Chicken is considered a “city icon” in Shenzhen. For most locals, when you mention coconut chicken, this is the first place that comes to mind! It is regarded by many diners (including myself) as the “best coconut chicken in the country.”
Made with fresh Hainan Wenchang chicken and Thai young coconut water, the broth is sweet and the chicken tender. It’s so popular that there are often queues during peak times.
Average cost: 100-180 RMB per person
Hong Da Chu Chicken Hotpot (Multiple branches)
Why: Hong Da Chu Chicken Hotpot is called “the best chicken hotpot in Shenzhen” by many locals and is known as the “king of queues.”
It frequently appears on Dianping’s Must-Eat lists. Its sauce is rich and flavorful, the chicken is well-marinated, and the spicy taste with the unique “pot aroma” is unforgettable. If you love spicy food and want to experience the steaming hot “pot aroma” that locals adore, this place is a must-try!
Average cost: 80-150 RMB per person
No.79 Fisherman’s Boat Seafood Restaurant (Science Park branch)
Why: As a coastal city, enjoying seafood is naturally an essential Shenzhen experience. This restaurant offers a spacious environment where you can pick fresh live seafood directly from tanks. The Science Park branch has been repeatedly featured on Dianping’s Must-Eat list.
Signature dishes include Deep Sea Yellow Croaker and Salt & Pepper Mantis Shrimp. You can select your favorite live seafood and watch it be cooked into delicious dishes. The quality is consistently good and rarely disappointing.
Average cost: 180-350 RMB per person
Address: B2, 1st Floor, Building 2B, Shenzhen Bay Science & Eco-Park, No. 9028 Shennan Avenue South, Nanshan District
Chaoyue Beef Hotpot (Multiple branches)
Why: Chaoshan culinary culture has long been rooted in Shenzhen, making Chaoshan beef hotpot a daily must-have for locals. Chaoyue Beef Hotpot is a Dianping Must-Eat member.
The beef here is freshly slaughtered and hand-sliced daily, cooked instantly to preserve tenderness and springiness. Paired with their special satay sauce, the taste is excellent and unforgettable!
Average cost: 100-200 RMB per person
A Collection of Flavors from Across China in Shenzhen
The magic of Shenzhen lies in the fact that you can find authentic flavors of nearly all major Chinese cuisines here. I often joke that in Shenzhen, you can “eat your way across China” without leaving the city.
Flavors Across Regions
Peking Duck – Xi He Ya Yuan (Multiple branches)
Why: Xi He Ya Yuan is one of Shenzhen’s representatives of Beijing cuisine and consistently tops Dianping’s Beijing cuisine rankings for good reasons.
Their roast duck has crispy skin and tender meat, and the slicing technique of their chefs is professional. Wrapped in thin pancakes with shredded scallions and cucumber, dipped in sweet bean sauce, it’s the classic way to enjoy Peking duck.
Average cost: 150-280 RMB per person
Zhejiang Cuisine – Yong Fu Xiao Xian (MixC store)
Why: Yong Fu Xiao Xian is a representative of high-quality Ningbo cuisine in Shenzhen and a regular on Dianping’s Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine list. If you prefer the light, fresh flavors of Jiangnan cuisine, this is my secret recommendation! Signature dishes like scallion oil clams and preserved vegetable yellow croaker look simple but bring out the natural sweetness of seafood.
The restaurant has an elegant environment and attentive service, perfect for those seeking quality dining.
Average cost: 200-400 RMB per person
Address: L157a, Lane, MixC, No. 9668 Shennan Avenue, Yuehai Street, Nanshan District
Sichuan Cuisine – Chuan Xiang Lou Restaurant (Nanshan District)
Why: Chuan Xiang Lou is a long-established Sichuan restaurant in Shenzhen, operating for over 20 years. It’s famous for authentic spicy and numbing flavors and classic Sichuan dishes.
They remain committed to genuine Sichuan taste without compromising to market trends. Signature dishes like Boiled Fish in Chili Oil and Spicy Blood Curd Hotpot are flavorful and exhilarating, making it the top choice for authentic Sichuan cuisine lovers.
Average cost: 80-150 RMB per person
Address: 1F, Building B, Tianli Mingcheng, Haide 2nd Road, Nanshan District (near Coastal City)
Shanghai Cuisine – Lao Da Chang Restaurant (Multiple branches)
Why: Lao Da Chang is a top choice for authentic Shanghai home-style cuisine in Shenzhen and frequently appears on Dianping’s Must-Eat lists. The dishes focus on rich sauces balanced with moderate saltiness and sweetness.
Signature dishes include Braised Pork Belly and Crab Meat Soup Dumplings. The decor is vintage, filled with the charm of old Shanghai.
Average cost: 100-200 RMB per person
Global Flavors Converge in Shenzhen
In Shenzhen, not only can you “eat across China,” but thanks to its openness and international character, “eating around the world” is also within reach. Global cuisines shine here.
Exotic Flavors at Your Fingertips
Korean Cuisine – One Pot (Futian District)
Why: One Pot is a beloved Korean restaurant in Shenzhen, often featured on Dianping’s Must-Eat lists. It’s known for authentic Korean BBQ and hotpot. The BBQ quality is excellent, and dishes like Army Stew and Korean Fried Chicken are popular. The lively atmosphere makes it a perfect place to experience Korean food culture and a favorite check-in spot on Xiaohongshu.
Average cost: 100-200 RMB per person
Address: 1F, Zhiben Building, No. 123 Fumin Road, Huanggang Community, Futian District
Thai Cuisine – Patpong Thai Restaurant (Multiple branches)
Why: Patpong is a popular Thai restaurant in Shenzhen, often topping Dianping’s Must-Eat lists and Xiaohongshu’s Thai food trends.
The restaurant specializes in authentic Thai flavors, with carefully selected spices and exquisite plating. Signature dishes like Tom Yum Soup, Curry Crab, and Charcoal-Grilled Pork Neck receive high praise. The environment is full of Southeast Asian charm, creating a relaxed and cozy dining atmosphere.
Average cost: 120-250 RMB per person
Japanese Cuisine – Unajiro Eel Specialty Restaurant (Multiple branches)
Why: Unajiro is Shenzhen’s professional eel cuisine specialist, repeatedly selected in Dianping’s Must-Eat lists. It focuses on various eel dishes, from classic three-style grilled eel rice to innovative snacks, maximizing the eel’s deliciousness.
The eel meat is tender and the sauce rich. (Source: Dianping Must-Eat list and eel lover communities, as of July 2025)
Average cost: 150-300 RMB per person
Shake Shack (MixC Store, Shenzhen)
Why: Shake Shack is a globally renowned American burger chain. Its opening at MixC caused long queues and became a popular check-in spot on Xiaohongshu.
I have visited several times and totally understand its popularity. Their Angus beef burgers are juicy and hearty, paired with rich milkshakes and crispy crinkle fries—a perfect combo. The atmosphere is young and stylish, ideal for both friends gathering or solo dining, offering a true American casual dining experience.
Average cost: 80-150 RMB per person
Address: Shop SL101, Level 1, MixC, No. 9668 Shennan Avenue, Nanshan District
Conclusion
Shenzhen’s dining scene is as vibrant, innovative, and inclusive as the city itself. It satisfies your love for traditional local flavors and takes you on a journey through global cuisines. From elegant Cantonese morning tea to the lively chicken hotpot, from refined Japanese dishes to passionate Thai meals and trendy American burgers, Shenzhen’s culinary landscape is diverse enough to let every diner find their true favorite.
So, which flavor are you most excited to try in Shenzhen?
