4 Best Restaurants in Southwestern China, China

On a cozy corner on bustling West Street, Café China serves addictive rotisserie chicken made from a highly guarded local recipe. The kitchen roasts between 12 and 18 chickens each night, so in-the-know diners call at least an hour in advance. One whole chicken will set you back Y50. In addition, the kitchen also turns out shepherd's pie and sandwiches on baguettes.

A longtime favorite specializing in Western and Chinese classics as well as some local Bai specialties, Café de Jack serves good breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and the strongest cup of coffee in Yunnan. All three floors are a bit different: the first floor feels like a bar, the second floor is more like a restaurant, and the rooftop is a perfect place to kick back with a beer. Catch up with the rest of the world via computer terminals or Wi-Fi.

Beloved by expats, this closet-size café is an escape from the hustle and bustle of West Street. On any given night, English teachers can be found sampling tasty Chinese-style dumpling soups and drinking beer in the cobblestone pavilion.

Norman's Kitchen, or simply N's Kitchen, serves a classic selection of Western food at reasonable prices. Diners eat on the second floor, from which vantage point they can watch tourists leisurely stroll by. Also available are bus tickets and tourist and hiking information.