Filling a void in the Hunan Lu part of town for the trendy café/bar/wireless internet hangout is Solar. Situated in an old house, the many highlights include imported dark and light beer from Laos, plus other brews that during the summer months the owners plan to keep chilled in a well located in their very own yard! Nice selection of Mexican food available. Open from 2pm until 2am.
One could likely count the rooftop terraces in Nanjing on the fingers of one hand. Now perhaps not. Spring and Autumn Tea House is a tea house/art gallery that distinguishes itself with period decoration (and staff uniforms) much of which is “revolutionary” in character. Plus its rooftop terrace which features unobstructed sky views to the north from its location on Xinmofan Lu a little to west of its junction with Zhongshan Bei Lu.”
A well sized Vietnamese restaurant with a menu in Chinese, English and Vietnamese, located on Shigu Lu.
Pho Saigon is a Vietnamese restaurant with an extensive menu located on the second floor of the Huanya Plaza on Shigu Lu. Popular fare here are the Vietnamese style noodles (pho) and the menu spans a range of other options including vegetarian dishes and seafood as well as the standard beef, pork, chicken and duck selections. The menu reads in Chinese, English and Vietnamese and offers a wide selection of drinks (teas, juices, milkshakes, beer) and desserts. Mains range from around RMB26-50 and starters for as low as RMB6 to as high as RMB25.
From the people who brought us Blue Marlin comes a long overdue western dining option in Nanjing’s Olympiad area. While not entirely dissimilar to its parent in terms of menu items, Candles Steakhouse offers a pleasant option for outside on-street dining – the evenings only, for they are not permitted to put tables on the street during the day!
Given their history, it seems a little odd that French-Vietnamese restuarants are not more widespread. Nanjing can think itself lucky to have 1850 in the Nanjing International Center (same building as The Westin Nanjing). With a local chef who spent six years working in Australia, your taste buds are set for a genuine experience, while dishes are also exquisitely presented. The decor borders on garish, but this is China after all. The French community are likely divided on their verdict, but 1850 certainly offers something of an experience while also being the perfect setting for a date with a difference that won’t break the bank. Worth visiting for the Vietnamese lemongrass noodles alone.
The coffee shop rage across many of China’s first and second tier cities has pushed the “RMB per Bean” rate sky-high. Not necessarily, for situated slap bang in the heart of Gulou, literally a stone’s throw from the fancy address that is Zifeng Tower lies Fancy Coffee, where a quality cuppa of Americano will set you back only ¥12. Espresso goes for ¥16 while you could go crazy and splash out on a Cappuccino at ¥20. In addition, Fancy Coffee offers a range of teas, the now obligatory beers and breezers, plus homemade cookies, cakes and other biscuits. Find therein also fancy free wifi, western music, fancy friendly service and outside, a small terrace.
Don’t be put off by the lack of an English menu. For this is a Taiwan street food restaurant, and one that is not on the street! That means the everything is presented in traditional China characters which, combined with Taiwan’s mysterious culinary traditions, is sure to leave the Mandarin speaker as much in need of the pictures on the menu as many an ignorant lao wai! Enjoy the island state’s version of stinky tou fu, deep fried fish balls and famous sweet desserts, all at very attractive prices!
Gourmet Village is the Nanjing dining scene’s answer to “chic”, opened by the creators of the more down to earth Pisa Pizza that lies just a few doors up the street.
In addition to its local customers, Che Che’s Room become patronized by some of the foreign student population that span the Ninghai Lu/Shanghai Lu mini-conurbation.
Serving up an interesting combination of Chinese – Asian – Western dishes such as Thai curry fried rice, spaghetti, coffee and tea, and all at reasonable prices, Che Che’s Room also boasts hand-drawn individualized menus! The otherwise tranquil environment is tempered on Wednesday evenings when movies are also shown on a big screen.
It is pretty much accepted that Teppanyaki is an out of this world experience, but not one that is financially viable as a daily activity, right? WRONG!! Introducing Taiwan Teppan Corner whose simple philosophy is to bring a quality and affordable Teppanyaki experience to the lunch and dinner tables of Nanjing’s hungry office workers. Having already carved out a niche in the Olympiad area the Belgian and Taiwanese operators have their eye on more locations city wide in the not to distant future. Taiwan Teppan Corner’s menu features the usual items one would normally find at a teppanyaki restaurant, including teppan beef set menus, veggies, mushrooms and prawns. Set Menus will help one to decide quickly, with prices starting from as little asʴ26. The venue is ideal for a company dinner whereupon the bright spark who can convince their boss to splash out on the dinner can also avail themselves of a VIP card entitling up to 20% discount on future visits.