https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/city/datong/100900015107
Must-Visit Restaurants
Top 20 Must-Visit Restaurants in Datong [2025]
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HONG YA FAN DIAN HUO GUO TING
5.0
/5
32 reviews
Cantonese Cuisine
From INR 900.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 894m from downtown
Address: The fourth floor of Hongya Hotel, opposite to Kaide Family Hotel, Yingbin East Road
No. 9 of Local Restaurants in Datong
Highlights:
A well-known restaurant that mixes Cantonese and Shanxi cuisine for diverse flavors
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Overall, it's pretty good and the price/performance ratio is quite high. Two people ordered 6 dishes. Many dishes can be ordered in portions. It's quite friendly to people with small appetites.
I'm a total slam dunker on local cuisine at the Qiyu Hotel in Datong! I could eat at Hongya Restaurant for three days straight! Here's my secret to waiting in line!
For those of you staying at the Qiyu Hotel in Datong, forget about where to eat local food! Hongya Restaurant has the traditional flavors of Datong squarely on the menu, especially these three dishes. It's a complete waste of time if you don't try them! The lines are ridiculously long, so I've personally developed a set of "anti-involutionary strategies" – save them! Even better, this place is a paradise for families with kids, and the waiters are incredibly attentive!
🍲 Spicy Garlic Hotpot
Who knows! The garlic fish is so tender it falls off the bone with just a chopstick, and the red oil-soaked broth is incredibly flavorful. It's spicy enough without burning your stomach, and there are few bones, making it safe for both young and old! The hotpot also has tofu and wide noodles, which absorb the fish's flavor and are incredibly fragrant. I recommend ordering the medium spice option.
Lychee🍡 Always smiling
My first time trying this creative dish of lychee wrapped in glutinous rice! The lychee flesh is crispy and sweet, wrapped in soft, juicy glutinous rice. A subtle salty aroma is added when you bite into it. The perfect balance of sweet and salty, it relieves both the spiciness and the greasiness. Girls and children will love it! This dish is so visually appealing that I've been asked for the address after posting photos on Instagram!
🥧 Marrow Oil Cake
Lao Datong's traditional cakes are truly amazing! The crust is fried to a golden, crispy finish that crumbles when you bite into it. The glutinous rice balls are coated in marrow oil, creating a rich, fragrant flavor without being overly sweet, and with a subtle rice aroma. It pairs perfectly with hot tea! It's best eaten hot; the crust softens when it cools.
🔥 Queuing Guide: A local's anti-involutionary strategy
1. Dining at off-peak times is key
- Morning Tea: Arrive before 7:00 PM for a seat. After 7:30 PM, there's a long line outside! Some dishes may sell out after 9:00 PM, so don't miss your time. - Lunch: Arrive before 10:50 AM to get a number, and food starts promptly at 11:00 AM. After 11:30 AM, expect to queue for at least 30 minutes.
- Dinner: Arrive before 5:10 PM. The restaurant fills up quickly after the 5:30 PM opening, so avoid the 6:00 PM-7:30 PM rush.
2. Double insurance: Online and offline
- Call directly to inquire about queue times.
3. Flexible table sharing saves time. If you're traveling with two or three people, ask the waiter if you can share a table. The turnover rate is very high, and you can usually get your food in 10-15 minutes!
💡 Other Tips
- You can eat a full meal for just over 50 yuan per person, and the portions are very generous. I recommend ordering two dishes and one main course for two or three people to avoid waste.
If you're staying at the Qiyu Hotel in Datong and want to experience authentic, traditional food, head straight to Hongya Restaurant! Follow my tips to easily avoid the crowds and enjoy a comfortable meal! #NationalDayTravelDiary #DatongTravel #NewPopularHotels #SpecialFood #DatongFood
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Northern Wei family feast
4.7
/5
49 reviews
Shanxi Cuisine
From INR 945.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 933m from downtown
Address: 116 Yingbin East Road, Pingcheng District, Datong (near Nanguan South Street)
No. 7 of Local Restaurants in Datong
Highlights:
An artistic Jin cuisine restaurant that promotes the food culture of the Xianbei Tuoba tribe
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Verified user reviews
During the Qingming Festival, I chose Datong, which is relatively close, to play. As a result, there were also crowds of people, especially the famous restaurants. Basically, don't think about being able to make reservations in advance. You can only go to reserve a seat at 5 o'clock in the morning, and you have to queue up for a seat in a short while.
Because I have children, I ordered chicken wings and roasted quail, which the children love. Chicken feet and rabbit heads are for drinking, which are very tasty. The cold cakes and eggplants are recommended and taste good.
The environment is clean and sanitary, the service is also thoughtful, and the dishes are not bad. It's a good place
On the second day of my arrival in Datong, I checked in at Beiwei Family Banquet. The decoration style is very unique and the waiters are very enthusiastic (several high-scoring hotels I experienced in Datong are very enthusiastic). I definitely didn't have to wait for a table because it was off-season. The roasted quail was very good, highly recommended, and the price was cheap.
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EASTWHEAT
4.3
/5
285 reviews
Snacks
From INR 216.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 1.9 km from downtown
Address: 振华街道云中路建设里小区西区西侧（金豆米粥旁）
Highlights:
A well-known local chain noodle restaurant famous for its Shanxi knife-cut noodles
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I have been to Datong many times, and every time I have to eat knife-cut noodles. This Dongfang is a chain store with many branches. Basically, it is fast food, tastes good, and comes with braised eggs, meatballs, and dried tofu. You can add coriander, chopped green onions, chopped chives, etc. by yourself, and the noodle soup is also free.
The traditional knife-cut noodles are really delicious. The noodles are thick and chewy, and the texture is what you want to eat. The braised pork chunks are super big, and the meat is solid and satisfying to eat. The soup is quite flavorful, and it is the kind that northerners love.
No.
4
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ZINI 369 CULIANG JI
4.4
/5
204 reviews
Shanxi Cuisine
From INR 923.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 1.6 km from downtown
Address: No. 13 Gulou West Street (near Gulou Antique City)
No. 2 of Local Restaurants in Datong
Highlights:
A Shanxi restaurant featuring whole grains, with authentic Northwestern Shanxi flavors.
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【Service】Come to get a number at around 9am, so you can eat in the first wave after the meal starts. However, I didn't arrive at 10:30, and when I arrived at 10:45, my number had already passed. Fortunately, the service was flexible and arranged a shared table. Four groups of 2-3 people were arranged for a large table in the private room. The old lady at home thought this arrangement was quite interesting. The service of the lady in the private room was also very good, and she didn't delay the serving of dishes and refilling of water. Thumbs up for the flexible service.
【Taste】
If you can only choose one from the opposite side. I recommend this restaurant. Every dish is delicious.
💯💯Yellow rice jelly, delicious. Even my dad who doesn't like sweets ate half of it.
💯💯Signature eggplant, the caramel part is a bit sticky, but overall it's good.
💯💯💯Hunyuan jelly (large portion)^, my mom made it, refreshing and not greasy, not spicy at all.
💯💯Sand scallion oil splashed oat noodles, my favorite, delicious.
💯💯Dufu chopping board lamb chops, although the wait time is a bit long, but it's worth it, grilled just right.
In Datong, 369 Coarse Grain Season is indeed a special restaurant. Every time it is dinner time, long queues form early in the morning and the rows of stools in front of the door are filled with people. The dishes are made from coarse grains and are very delicious. Each dish has its own characteristics.
No.
5
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FENG LIN GE
4.4
/5
1167 reviews
Shanxi Cuisine
From INR 1105.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 1.7 km from downtown
Address: Intersection of Gulou West Street and Huayan Street (near Huayan Temple)
No. 1 of Local Restaurants in Datong
Highlights:
A renowned Shanxi cuisine restaurant and the filming location for "Look for a Star"
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During the National Day holiday, I came to Fenglin Pavilion for dinner. There were really a lot of people. We lined up online at around 3 pm. There were more than 300 numbers in total, and we got A101. It opened at 5:15 pm, and we waited until 7 pm to get in and get our meals. If you come to eat during holidays, remember to get your number in advance, otherwise they won't give you a number when you arrive. Fenglin Pavilion is a century-old restaurant. I had dinner here when I first came to Datong in 2018. I was very impressed with this restaurant at the time. The restaurant is very grand and has various architectural designs of pavilions and towers in the antique architectural style. In addition to enjoying the taste buds, you can also appreciate the indoor calligraphy and painting art, and the dishes are all local characteristics of Datong.
A century-old restaurant, located in the core of Datong Ancient City, very close to Huayan Temple, Nine Dragon Wall, etc., with an antique style, elegant environment, good taste, and inexpensive price. The only thing is that the business hours are a bit short😄. If you go before 8 o'clock in the evening, you will stop taking numbers. Friends who want to go should pay attention to the business hours!
The dishes are large, ordered steamed buns, cold cabbage hearts, pure mutton offal (no smell at all, especially clean and delicious), sweet and sour meatballs (sweet and sour, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, large quantity), hot and sour soup (you can order half a portion, the quantity is very sufficient, the other dishes were not finished, the hot and sour soup is the only one that I drank clean😄 delicious)
No.
6
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KaigeHuoguo
5.0
/5
1 reviews
Hot Pot
From INR 649.00
Datong South Railway Station/Fantawild Adventure | 3.8 km from downtown
Address: 西京府东区A307-309号商铺
Highlights:
The space is simple and elegant, and this viral hot pot restaurant is extremely popular
Verified user reviews
Kaige Hotpot has delicious taste and a clean and tidy environment.
No.
7
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XINJIN TAO
5.0
/5
32 reviews
Snacks
From INR 398.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 1.7 km from downtown
Address: 清远街古城B区1号商铺（钟楼南侧）
Highlights:
Carrying on cultural heritage through cuisine, specializing in traditional Datong sliced noodles.
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I had the luxurious knife-cut noodles, which were so generous in portion that even I, who don't really like noodles, praised their appearance. I highly recommend the classic minced meat version, which comes with egg, dried tofu, and pickled vegetables, saving you the trouble of adding extra ingredients.
Enjoy the refreshing weather and visit ancient temples! September brings the vibrant yellow poplars of Datong, and the grottoes are illuminated with breathtaking light and shadow. ✨
🔥Must-see attraction:
🏛️ Yungang Grottoes (Address: Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City)
⏰ 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM | 💰 120 RMB/person
Arrive before 9 AM for the best lighting! The majestic Giant Buddha in Cave 20 and the stunning Flying Apsaras in Cave 6 are truly stunning. The 200 RMB guide is well worth the price! 🗿 Absolutely breathtaking! A 3-4 hour visit is recommended.
🏮 Hanging Temple (Address: At the foot of Hengshan Mountain, Yong'an Town, Hunyuan County)
⏰ 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM | 115 RMB (including entrance fee)
Tickets are limited to 3,260 per day. Tips for grabbing tickets:
1️⃣ Use the "Northern Peak Cloud Tour" app 7 days in advance.
2️⃣ Easiest to grab a ticket between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Beware of height-phobes! ⚠️ This is a must-see!
🕌 Huayan Temple (Address: No. 459, Xiasipo Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City)
⏰ 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM | 50 RMB
The Liao Dynasty main hall is stunning! The Chiwen on the rooftop of the temple is a perfect photo op, and the underground bronze palace is magnificent. ✨A two-hour visit is recommended~
🍜 Locals highly recommend:
🍜 "Xijindao" Sliced Noodles (Address: 49 Nanhuan Road, Pingcheng District)
💰25 yuan/bowl | ⏰10:00-21:00
The noodles are chewy and the gravy is rich and flavorful. You can get free refills until you're done.
🥘 "He Laoren Yang Za" (Address: 28 Nanguan South Street, Pingcheng District)
💰15 yuan/bowl | ⏰6:30-14:00
The mutton offal is incredibly clean! A bowl of it is perfect with crispy sesame seed buns! A winter treat for a warmer stomach~
🥟 "Fenglin Pavilion" Baihua Shaomai (Address: Intersection of Gulou West Street and Huayan Street, Pingcheng District)
💰60 yuan/person | ⏰11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Intangible Cultural Heritage! The presentation is so beautiful, you won't want to give it up. The thin skin is so juicy and the filling is so filling. I recommend ordering a platter to try them all!
✨3-Day Itinerary:
Day 1️⃣: Yungang Grottoes → Xijindao Knife-Cut Noodles → Datong Museum (free!) → He Lao Ren's Lamb Offal Supper 🌙
Day 2️⃣: 7:00 AM Head to the Hanging Temple → Hengshan Farmhouse Cuisine → Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (1.5-hour drive) → Overnight in Yingxian 🏨
Day 3️⃣: Huayan Temple → Fenglinge Shaomai → Shanhua Temple (free!) → 5:00 PM Watch the sunset from the ancient city wall 🌇
📸Outfit Tips:
Solid colors are perfect for grotto photos! Temples pair perfectly with Hanfu! Temperatures fluctuate greatly in September, so remember to bring a jacket!
#ShanxiTravel #YungangGrottos #HangingTempleTicketStrategy #NorthernWeiGrottos #DatongFood
No.
8
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王老五粉豆腐(福康里店)
5.0
/5
2 reviews
Snacks
From INR 113.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 880m from downtown
Address: 北都街274号
Highlights:
A snack shop favored by locals. The fendoufu is soft, tender, and chewy.
Verified user reviews
I like this tofu with a slightly sour and chewy texture. The flour is similar to a mixture of potato flour and sweet potato flour. It looks very spicy, but it's actually not spicy at all. I even added extra spice.
🍽[Food Guide]
📍Detailed Address: Wang Laowu Vermicelli Tofu (Fukangli Branch), Datong, Shanxi
🕙Opening Hours: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
🍽Recommended Dishes:
P1 Vermicelli Tofu: Vermicelli and tofu are mixed in a special broth (similar to hot and sour vermicelli, but not sour; you can add your own vinegar). You can choose more tofu or less vermicelli. The price is based on the tofu itself. The tofu is incredibly flavorful and worth a try if you've never seen it served this way.
P2 Fried Cakes: Freshly fried, very fragrant. Delicious eaten dry or dipped in vermicelli tofu.
🖼Restaurant Environment: A typical streetside eatery frequented by locals. No fancy decor, just the everyday atmosphere. 🔥 However, there's plenty of seating and a wide selection of side dishes. You won't regret visiting!
💰Per capita cost: Relatively affordable, generally around 10 yuan per person, but never more than 15 yuan. #TrueFlavorfulSnacksCollection #LocalDeliciousFood #TryAuthenticOldBoutique #LocalSpecialSnacks #TasteAuthenticFood
No.
9
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HE SHENG CAI DIM SUM
5.0
/5
5 reviews
Bakeries
From INR 353.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 1.6 km from downtown
Address: 清远西街A区11号商铺
Highlights:
This new Chinese-style pastry shop is quite famous, and its creative new products are very popular.
Verified user reviews
Enjoy 8 classic flavors at one go at Beijing Eight Delicatessen, which are sweet but not greasy; the Mahjong Green Bean Cake is cute in shape and has the fragrance of green beans; the Yunnan Ham and Egg Yolk Pastry is a combination of sweet and salty, with a crispy crust that is so fragrant that you’ll stamp your feet!
Day 1️⃣: Taiyuan ✈️Datong 🚅 — Embark on a time-travel journey
📍First stop: Datong Museum (experience the rich history)
🍴Dinner: Zini 369 Whole Grain Season (authentic Shanxi flavor, completely captivating!)
📝A surprising first experience: Upon landing, I was greeted by the warmth of the Datong people. My driver, sharing delicious food and interesting stories along the way, instantly impressed me. 💥
Day 2️⃣: Ancient City Rampage Mode begins 🔛
🍜Breakfast: Laochao Shaved Noodles (a bowl of Soul, noodle lovers rejoice!
📍Huayan Temple → Shanhua Temple → Nine Dragon Wall (The beauty of this ancient building surpasses the movie!)
🍴Lunch: Fenglin Pavilion (A magical clash of imperial cuisine and folk flavors)
🍰Afternoon Tea: Heshengcai Dim Sum Shop (Old-fashioned pastries, heart-warmingly sweet!)
🎭Special Experience: Shanxi Merchant Photo Gallery (Travel back in time to become the owner of a Ming and Qing dynasty merchant house!)
🌆Evening: Fat Lailai Rabbit Head and Ancient City Wall Night Tour (Eat a rabbit head and watch the lights, it's amazing!)
📌Hidden Easter Egg: Encounter Square A shuttlecock kicking competition, fun for adults and children alike, a childhood memory 💫
Day 3️⃣: Exploring the Wooden Pagoda + Frontier Storms
🍝Breakfast: Wang Laowu Tofu Noodles at Beida Street (a top-rated breakfast!)
🚐Yingxian Wooden Pagoda → Yanmen Pass Day Trip (The wooden pagoda is stunning, Yanmen Pass is desolate, and full of historical buffs!)
🍲Dinner: Cai's Restaurant (a local's hidden gem, the assorted copper pot lamb is incredible!)
🌬️Today's Reflection: Baked like charcoal during the day, freezing cold at night. The temperature swings in Datong are truly romantic 🌞❄️
Day 4️⃣: Hanging Temple + Hengshan Immortal Cultivation Tour
🏯Hanging Temple (feeling suspended in mid-air, your heart races! The wisdom of the ancients is truly remarkable)
⛰️Hengshan Hike (sea of clouds + breathtaking peaks, a haven for oxygen and lung cleansing)
🍜Lunch: Xiaoxifu Jelly (refreshing and refreshing, a welcome dose of summer)
🏞️Afternoon: Yuanjue Temple + Yong'an Zen Temple (immersive Zen atmosphere, all your restlessness melts away)
📸Check-in Tip: Wear Hanfu for photos – they'll create stunning photos in no time!
Day 5️⃣: Grottoes + Industrial Style + Night Views
🌄Morning Tour of the Yungang Grottoes (Buddha's Light and Stone Rhythm, a World Heritage Site Well-Deserved)
🗿Datong Coal Museum (Hardcore Industrial Style, Miners' Stories Ultra-Touching)
🍢Dinner: No. 7 Middle School Fried Skewers (A Taste of Schooldays, Fried Skewers with Beer, Delicious!)
🌃Night Tour of the Northern Wei Mingtang Ruins Park (Light Show + Ancient Style Performance, Breathtakingly Beautiful)
🐑Hidden Dish: Cliff Sheep Farm (Roasted Whole Lamb with Mountain Views, a Delight for Your Flavor!)
🌟Quote of the Day: "After seeing the Buddha at Yungang, it's hard to be attracted to any other grottoes."
Day 6️⃣: Farewell to Datong, Reluctant to Leave
📍Fahua Temple → Liang Sicheng Memorial Hall → Pingcheng Memory Hall
📌Must-Buy Souvenirs: Yellow Cake, Datong Daylily, Bronze Crafts
✈️Returning to the Museum: I Can't Wait! I'll definitely stay a month next time~
🎉[Datong's Four Surprise Easter Eggs]💥 (Must-see!)
1⃣️ The hospitality was incredible: The driver took us on detours to see off-the-beaten-path attractions, the noodle shop lady forced snacks into our mouths, and even the uncle who asked for directions offered to show us the way! 🍜
2⃣️ The cultural tourism scene is incredibly welcoming to tourists: During the traffic restrictions in the ancient city, out-of-town vehicles can park freely, and the traffic police will let them pass with a heart, much to the envy of the locals🤩
3⃣️ Mayor Geng Yanbo commented: Without him, there wouldn't be Datong today, with its blue skies and revitalized ancient city! That line, "If I don't get it this time... I'll never get it again," really brought me to tears [Sob]
4⃣️ A City of Ancient Architecture: Relics from the Liao, Jin, Yuan, and Ming dynasties abound, blending Han culture with ethnic minority customs. Every brick and tile speaks of the romance of "Great Harmony Under Heaven" 🏯🔥
[Practical Tips]
•Must-Bring: Sunscreen and a light jacket (sunny during the day, cold at night)
•Food Code: "Boss, give me a bowl of oat noodle and fish!" "I want the wide noodles!"
•Accommodation recommended near the ancient city; it's super convenient for enjoying the night view~
•Transportation: High-speed rail and taxis are both available; drivers are super reliable 🚗
📍Summary:
"Great Harmony Under Heaven, Harmony and Beauty"
But Datong is no ordinary ancient city; it's a treasure trove of millennia-old stories, everyday life, and endless surprises! Come check it out! You'll fall in love with this city just like me! ❤️
#most-asked-about-places #nichediscovery #local-only-food #photography-guide #commando-style-travel
No.
10
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OLD TONG HE YANG JU RESTAURANT
4.2
/5
24 reviews
Shanxi Cuisine
From INR 775.00
Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area | 2 km from downtown
Address: 和阳街大同法华寺南门西行50米
Highlights:
The restaurant specializes in traditional Shanxi cuisine, with a rustic ambiance and elegant music
100+ recent views
Verified user reviews
One of the must-eat restaurants when visiting Datong, the antique archway and architecture, the courtyard house you see inside, are full of Chinese characteristics. The old hot pot is also a world intangible cultural heritage, but unfortunately there are only two of us and we couldn't finish it and didn't order this dish. But the fried pork and knife-cut noodles are also very good. The fried pork tastes good, the lean meat is tender and smooth without residue; the knife-cut noodles have a strong flour aroma and the noodles are sharp.
Lao Datong Restaurant is located on Dadong Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province, next to the Fahua Temple. It is a restaurant that serves a variety of Datong specialties. The hot pot tastes good and the knife-cut noodles are also very good.
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