4 Best Restaurants in Southwestern China, China

For a taste of one of Yunnan's major cash crops, head to the Bird Bar, which grows, roasts and grinds its own coffee beans. The owner's love for antique buildings clearly shines through in the coffeehouse's cozy, old-fashioned interior.

Popular with locals and expats alike, this place stands for quality pizza and other American-style snacks and fast food, such as meatball sandwiches and a range of salads. Pizza can be ordered per slice or as a whole, with massive sizes for groups. For somewhere with such broad appeal, the drink menu is unsurprisingly extensive, including several craft beers from around the world.

Hidden inside a leaning shack, this little dumpling palace wraps the best jiaozi in Dali and the surrounding region. Other dishes are on offer, depending on what's available in the local markets. The menus have been kindly translated into English by expat regulars, but they don't mention the selection of splendid house-made liquor. The owners both hail from China's freezing northeastern reaches.

Understated decor, comfy seating, and high-quality imported coffee turned into tasty beverages by skilled baristas are the highlights here. There are also savory panini on homemade bread, as well as a wide selection of teas, smoothies, and desserts. The affable American owner, who's often here, always tries to make visitors feel at home. The smoking area is separated from the rest of the dining area.