Explore Xi’an local restaurants and uncover the city’s best Shaanxi flavors.
From upscale new-style eateries serving Húlú Jī and biangbiang noodles to legendary street-side “cāngyíng guǎn” spots with tofu pudding, spicy soups, and tandoor treats.
This guide takes you on a culinary journey through authentic dishes loved by locals and travelers alike.
Big Feast: Authentic Shaanxi Banquets
Fenxiang No. 13 Shaanxi Restaurant（粉巷13号陕菜馆）
A five-year-old local favorite, this restaurant sits at the east end of Fenxiang Street, with bright signage and optional window seats. The menu covers an impressive range of Shaanxi specialties—from Cháng’ān Húlú Jī（长安葫芦鸡） , Shaanbei Millet Cake（陕北糜子糕） , and Qin-Style Appetizer Set（秦人四小件） , to Ziyang Steamed Pot（紫阳蒸盆子） , Crispy Pork with Three Delicacies（酥肉烩三鲜） , and classic biangbiang noodles. Portions are generous and flavors stay true to tradition, giving you a full tour of real Shaanxi cuisine in one stop.
Hours: 11:00–22:00 daily
Average Spend: 75 RMB per person
Hours: 11:00–22:00 daily
Average Spend: 75 RMB per person
Chang’an Canteen（长安大排档）
A hugely popular local chain, Chang’an Canteen now has seven branches, including Shangyuan Lantern Fair (Bell Tower) , Bell Tower Library (Beidajie) , Twelve Food Hours (Zhongmao) , and Journey to the West (Joy City).
With drum-shaped ceiling lamps, paper lanterns, and live tea-making shows , each location is filled with festive old-Shaanxi charm. Besides must-order dishes like Chang’an Húlú Jī , Princess Smile Dessert（妃子笑） , Brush-Shaped Pastry（毛笔酥） , and Xifu One-Bite Snack（西府一口香） , don’t miss the osmanthus rice-wine yogurt and rice-wine ice cream —sweet, refreshing, and very local.
Hours: 11:00–21:30 daily
Average Spend: 85 RMB per person
With drum-shaped ceiling lamps, paper lanterns, and live tea-making shows , each location is filled with festive old-Shaanxi charm. Besides must-order dishes like Chang’an Húlú Jī , Princess Smile Dessert（妃子笑） , Brush-Shaped Pastry（毛笔酥） , and Xifu One-Bite Snack（西府一口香） , don’t miss the osmanthus rice-wine yogurt and rice-wine ice cream —sweet, refreshing, and very local.
Hours: 11:00–21:30 daily
Average Spend: 85 RMB per person
Drunken Chang’an（醉长安）
A long-standing favorite that dominates Xi’an’s Shaanxi-cuisine rankings year after year, Drunken Chang’an currently has two branches: South Gate Flagship and Bell Tower Flagship.
The decor is elegant and traditional, and servers wear Hanfu. Head chef Chang Jucheng—an inheritor of Shaanxi culinary heritage—creates dishes like the iconic Lǎo Shǎn Húlú Jī , steamed then fried, with flavorful fillings tucked inside the chicken. Another highlight is the Daily-Limited Luxury Pork Knuckle（炫富肘子） , soft, savory, and deeply satisfying.
South Gate Address: 56 Shuyuanmen Pedestrian Street, Beilin District
Bell Tower Address: No. 7 Zhuba Market, next to Mehood Lizhi Hotel
Hours: 11:00–14:00 & 17:00–21:30
Average Spend: 91 RMB per person
The decor is elegant and traditional, and servers wear Hanfu. Head chef Chang Jucheng—an inheritor of Shaanxi culinary heritage—creates dishes like the iconic Lǎo Shǎn Húlú Jī , steamed then fried, with flavorful fillings tucked inside the chicken. Another highlight is the Daily-Limited Luxury Pork Knuckle（炫富肘子） , soft, savory, and deeply satisfying.
South Gate Address: 56 Shuyuanmen Pedestrian Street, Beilin District
Bell Tower Address: No. 7 Zhuba Market, next to Mehood Lizhi Hotel
Hours: 11:00–14:00 & 17:00–21:30
Average Spend: 91 RMB per person
Chang’an No. 1（长安壹号）
Featured in the 2021 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide , this is a top choice for high-end Shaanxi cuisine. Signature dishes include Chang’an Húlú Jī , Taizong Roast Pork（太宗吊烧肉） , Golden Thread Oil Tower（油塔） , and Silky Shredded Chicken Feet（缠丝凤爪）.
When each dish arrives, staff will share the history and story behind it—an immersive dining experience. Before your main meal, try the Three-Color Liangpi or the Mini Cured-Pork Bun（腊汁肉夹馍） to warm up your palate.
Hours: 11:00–14:30 & 17:00–22:00
Average Spend: 253 RMB per person
When each dish arrives, staff will share the history and story behind it—an immersive dining experience. Before your main meal, try the Three-Color Liangpi or the Mini Cured-Pork Bun（腊汁肉夹馍） to warm up your palate.
Hours: 11:00–14:30 & 17:00–22:00
Average Spend: 253 RMB per person
Chang’an Hui · Original Shaanxi Flavor（长安荟·原味陕菜）
Located inside the artsy Xi’an Film Studio , this famed new-style Shaanxi restaurant is known as “the Hermès of Shaanxi cuisine.”
Its signature dishes include the refined Chang’an Jiuding Platter（长安九鼎盘） , tender cured pork with xièkébǐng (蟹壳饼) , and perfectly executed Húlú Jī with crispy skin and juicy meat.
Combining traditional local ingredients with innovative techniques, the restaurant defines modern Shaanxi cuisine both in taste and atmosphere. The Chinese-style decor , paired with warm, dim lighting , creates a bistro-like elegance—ideal for dates or small gatherings.
Hours: 11:30–14:00 & 17:30–21:30
Average Spend: 343 RMB per person
Its signature dishes include the refined Chang’an Jiuding Platter（长安九鼎盘） , tender cured pork with xièkébǐng (蟹壳饼) , and perfectly executed Húlú Jī with crispy skin and juicy meat.
Combining traditional local ingredients with innovative techniques, the restaurant defines modern Shaanxi cuisine both in taste and atmosphere. The Chinese-style decor , paired with warm, dim lighting , creates a bistro-like elegance—ideal for dates or small gatherings.
Hours: 11:30–14:00 & 17:30–21:30
Average Spend: 343 RMB per person
Read Next: To work off all those biangbiang noodles, climb the Xi’an City Wall and bike the ancient ramparts — one of the best ways to burn calories and see the city.
Down-to-Earth Delights: Legendary Local “Cāngyíng Guǎn” Eateries
Fengxiang Gaigai Douhua Paomo（凤翔改改豆花泡馍 · Shuangrenfu Street）
One of the top-rated spots in Xi’an for dòuhuā pàomó（豆花泡馍, tofu pudding with soaked flatbread） , and a long-standing authentic shop. Staff speak the thick Fengxiang accent from Baoji, adding to the charm.
The signature bowl comes with handmade máhuā（麻花, twisted fried dough）. Despite its rich look, the flavor is mellow with a strong soy aroma. The creamy, lightly salted broth goes perfectly with the house-made pickled mustard greens and chilled cabbage salad. Refreshing in summer, comforting in winter.
Hours: 06:00–14:00 daily
Average Spend: 10 RMB per person
The signature bowl comes with handmade máhuā（麻花, twisted fried dough）. Despite its rich look, the flavor is mellow with a strong soy aroma. The creamy, lightly salted broth goes perfectly with the house-made pickled mustard greens and chilled cabbage salad. Refreshing in summer, comforting in winter.
Hours: 06:00–14:00 daily
Average Spend: 10 RMB per person
Liu Laohu Meatball Spicy Soup（刘老虎肉丸胡辣汤 · Congxin Alley）
A beloved spot on Lianhu Road, famous for húlàtāng（胡辣汤, spicy pepper soup） and always attracting early-morning queues.
Their version has medium heat, plenty of meatballs, and a thick, flavorful broth packed with vegetables—cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini.
The texture is well-balanced, and locals like to tear bread into the soup , stir it up, and dig in. A small bowl is only 6 RMB, bread is 1 RMB, and the spicy warmth keeps you full till noon.
Hours: 06:00–14:00 daily
Average Spend: 10 RMB per person
Their version has medium heat, plenty of meatballs, and a thick, flavorful broth packed with vegetables—cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini.
The texture is well-balanced, and locals like to tear bread into the soup , stir it up, and dig in. A small bowl is only 6 RMB, bread is 1 RMB, and the spicy warmth keeps you full till noon.
Hours: 06:00–14:00 daily
Average Spend: 10 RMB per person
Laobaijia Noodle House（老白家面馆 · Cehuai East Road Main Store）
A nearly 30-year-old noodle shop that fills up even before mealtime.
Recommended dishes include Vegetable Soup Chěmiàn（素烩扯面） , Laobaijia Three-in-One（老白家三合一） , and Youpo Gungun Noodles（油泼棍棍面）.
The classic Youpo Noodles（油泼面） are only 9 RMB for a large bowl—generous, fragrant, and not overly spicy. Add a few cloves of raw garlic and the flavor gets even better.
They also serve excellent cold appetizers, perfect with noodles.
Hours: 10:30–22:30 daily
Average Spend: 21 RMB per person
Recommended dishes include Vegetable Soup Chěmiàn（素烩扯面） , Laobaijia Three-in-One（老白家三合一） , and Youpo Gungun Noodles（油泼棍棍面）.
The classic Youpo Noodles（油泼面） are only 9 RMB for a large bowl—generous, fragrant, and not overly spicy. Add a few cloves of raw garlic and the flavor gets even better.
They also serve excellent cold appetizers, perfect with noodles.
Hours: 10:30–22:30 daily
Average Spend: 21 RMB per person
Zhuangde Mian（庄德面）
A popular fusion eatery blending Shaanxi and Xinjiang flavors. The menu is short, but every dish is a knockout—from Zhuangde Signature Tandoor Lamb（馕坑肉） and Big Plate Chicken（大盘鸡） to Tandoor-Grilled Fish（馕坑烤库鱼） and Clay Pot Pork（缸子肉）.
If you love flour-based dishes, don’t miss the baked buns and the onion-sesame naan（洋葱芝麻烤馕）. Freshly baked, crispy, and irresistible.
Hours: 11:00–14:30 & 17:00–22:00
Average Spend: 53 RMB per person
If you love flour-based dishes, don’t miss the baked buns and the onion-sesame naan（洋葱芝麻烤馕）. Freshly baked, crispy, and irresistible.
Hours: 11:00–14:30 & 17:00–22:00
Average Spend: 53 RMB per person
Lingling Beef Tripe Hotpot（玲玲涮牛肚）
A cult favorite in western Xi’an, famous for its beef tripe hotpot（涮牛肚）. Order half medium spicy and half mild spicy for the best balance.
Pair it with crispy kao ganbing（烤干饼, baked flatbread） , rich sesame sauce , pickled quail eggs, and tofu skin. The bold flavors instantly bring back nostalgic childhood memories of old Tumen District.
Hours: 11:30–24:00 daily
Average Spend: 57 RMB per person
Pair it with crispy kao ganbing（烤干饼, baked flatbread） , rich sesame sauce , pickled quail eggs, and tofu skin. The bold flavors instantly bring back nostalgic childhood memories of old Tumen District.
Hours: 11:30–24:00 daily
Average Spend: 57 RMB per person