"What should we eat tonight?" — Whether in Hong Kong or Shenzhen, this question is always the hardest to answer. If you're a newbie heading north, worried about getting ripped off or ending up at a bad spot, the safest choice is to go to chain restaurants: consistent quality, transparent pricing, and plenty of locations — you'll find them in almost every major Shenzhen mall.
Here's a roundup of 10 chain restaurants that Hong Kongers most commonly eat at and are most famous for when heading north, from hotpot and boiled fish with pickled mustard greens to BBQ and desserts — there's bound to be one you'll like. Each one comes with an Amap navigation button — tap it to find the nearest branch directly.
🔥 Haidilao — The hotpot place with service so good it'll shock you
Haidilao is basically the "celebrity of the hotpot world": free snacks, manicures, and shoe-shining services — they've got it all. Even if you dine alone, a stuffed toy will keep you company. There's a wide range of soup bases, with the tomato pot and the three-delicacy pot being Hong Kongers' favourites. Average cost is around ¥120–180 per person, and you'll get free fruit and gum after your meal.
Tip: Use Meituan / Dianping to take a queue number — during peak hours, you can end up waiting an hour, so it's best to grab a ticket early.
🐟 Tai Er Suan Cai Yu — The boiled fish joint where you'll queue till you're dizzy
"The pickled cabbage is better than the fish" is Tai Er's slogan, but honestly, the fish is just as good. Their signature old-vat pickled cabbage fish lets you pick your spice level — the fish slices are silky tender and the pickled cabbage is wonderfully appetising. Average cost is around ¥90–130. Tai Er has tons of branches, but you'll still queue on weekends, and they don't accept tables of more than 4 people, so bigger groups will need to look elsewhere.
🔥 Tan Yu — The go-to for bold-flavoured grilled fish
Tan Yu is the leader in the grilled fish world, specialising in Chongqing tofu grilled fish, garlic-flavoured grilled fish, and more. The fish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, and the more you eat, the spicier and more addictive it gets. Average cost is around ¥100–150. If you can't handle heat, go for the garlic or savoury sauce options, and pair it with some ice jelly and snacks for the perfect meal.
🍢 Muwu BBQ — The king of late-night BBQ chains
Muwu BBQ is Shenzhen's most famous BBQ chain, known for lamb skewers, grilled oysters, grilled chives, and more. It stays open late into the night, making it perfect for Hong Kongers who've been out late. Average cost is around ¥80–120. With branches in almost every district, it's the spot for late-night skewers and good conversation.
🥟 Xibei Oat Noodle Village — The healthy pick for Northwestern Chinese food
Want to eat a bit healthier? Xibei specialises in Northwestern Chinese cuisine: hand-pulled noodles, lamb, and whole grains. Their signatures include Xibei gluten salad, oat noodle fish, and grilled lamb skewers. It suits both kids and adults, and the place is clean and tidy. Average cost is around ¥80–120.
🥩 Baheli Haiji — The Chaoshan beef hotpot specialist
If you're into Hong Kong-style Chiu Chow food, you'll love Baheli — it's all about freshly sliced, fresh Chaoshan beef. Diao long, shi bing, xiong kou la — every cut is served by specific part of the cow, and the meat is sweet and tender. Average cost is around ¥100–150. The broth is light and sweet, and it pairs perfectly with satay sauce.
🏮 Grandma's Home — Great-value Hangzhou cuisine
Grandma's Home is famous for its "affordable Hangzhou dishes," with signatures like tea-smoked chicken, mapo tofu (under ¥10!), and West Lake vinegar fish. Average cost is around ¥60–90, which is a real bargain by Shenzhen standards — excellent value for money. It's perfect for Hong Kongers who want home-style cooking without breaking the bank.
🍵 Green Tea Restaurant — The trendy pick for new-style Chinese food and photo ops
Green Tea Restaurant has a charming, antique-style ambience and serves new-style Jiangzhe cuisine. Their signatures include green tea roast chicken, "bread temptation" (ice cream toast), and scallion-scented roast meat. Average cost is around ¥70–100. The decor is beautiful — great for taking photos.
🥤 Wenheyou — The Changsha street food photo-op mecca
Shenzhen's Wenheyou operates on the "Super Wenheyou" concept — the whole space feels like stepping back in time to 1980s Changsha. It's known for Changsha stinky tofu, tangyou baba (sugar-oil glutinous rice balls), and crayfish. Walking in is already an attraction in itself. Average cost is around ¥80–150. Located around Luohu's Dongmen area, it's great for photos and shopping.
🥥 Runyuan Four Seasons Coconut Chicken — The light and healthy option
Want something lighter? Runyuan Four Seasons specialises in Hainan coconut chicken: fresh young coconut water as the broth base, then chicken pieces dropped in once it boils — the broth is unbelievably sweet and refreshing. Average cost is around ¥100–150. Hong Kongers who can't handle spice will love it, and you can even drink up the whole pot of soup when you're done.
Can't decide? Quick pick list
- Big group gathering: Haidilao, Baheli, Runyuan Four Seasons Coconut Chicken (comfortable seating)
- Date night / dining solo: Tai Er (max 4 people), Grandma's Home, Green Tea
- Craving spicy: Tan Yu, Muwu BBQ
- Late-night supper: Muwu BBQ
- Want to take photos: Wenheyou, Green Tea
- Eating healthy: Xibei, Runyuan Four Seasons
Money-saving tips
- Before heading out, check Meituan / Dianping for group deals and vouchers — you can often save 30–50%
- For popular restaurants (Haidilao, Tai Er), remember to grab a queue number online to save waiting time
- Want to know what else is good to eat in Shenzhen? Check out the Hong Kongers' Shenzhen food-hunting list and the Dianping food-finding guide
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