9 Best Restaurants in Sichuan and Chongqing, China

This always-packed family-run restaurant near the river is only a five-minute walk from the Giant Buddha. Local Sichuan dishes, including Leshan's famous cold chicken in a spicy sauce can be sampled here. Consistently delicious food, a friendly staff, and a laid-back atmosphere make Deng Qiang by far the best choice in the town.

Set among several other decent restaurants on "Good Eats Street," Emei Kaoyu lays out a variety of fresh dishes every day, including fiddlehead ferns fried with local bacon. Simply choose your vegetable and protein of choice, and the cooks will turn them into delicious stir-fries.

On the main drag not far from the bus station, Emma's Kitchen serves both Western and Chinese fare. The prices are reasonable, and the very friendly staff speaks English. The proprietor is a great source of information about the area. With no actual address, simply go about 30 meters from the bus station, then turn left onto the main road.

Eat like a local at Hong Xing, where Sichuan cuisine is done consistently well. Favorites on offer include eggplant with garlic and ginger, pork with peanuts and peppers, or the house signature dish called Hong Xing Ji, which is tender bits of chicken floating in a sea of sesame oil topped with peanuts and mouth-numbing pebbles of Sichuan peppercorns. There are lots of unique vegetarian options, including shredded white bamboo.

Run by artists, this amazing restaurant occupies a massive brick-and-stone building with sculpted pillars flanking either side and a facade depicting scenes from old Chengdu. The hotpot comes in the traditional spicy varieties, as well as a qing tang, or "soft soup," style without the spices. You can also opt for those prepared with wild mushrooms or seafood. There are often photo exhibitions from local artists. The top floor is a high-end teahouse and a performance space.

Some of Chongqing's most authentic Sichuanese dishes are served in this restaurant on the bank of the Yangtze. An after-dinner stroll along the banks of the river is a great cap to the meal. A house specialty is water-boiled fish slices: the "water" actually has liberal amounts of oil, dried chilies, whole Sichuan peppercorns, and other spices that create an explosion of flavor. Other good choices are cold rice noodles, tofu-stuffed dumplings, and spicy fried chicken. If you want a seat overlooking the river, try to beat the dinner rush and arrive by 6 pm.

Just a couple of blocks southwest from the American Consulate and across the street from the Bookworm Cafe, this northern Indian restaurant serves Chengdu's best Indian fare. The decor, a sophisticated combination of wood and mirrors, makes a meal here seem like a special occasion. Tandoor is named after the traditional clay oven used in India, so it's no surprise the grilled meats and chicken are consistently tender and delicious.