Cantonese cuisine is well-known for its blend of color, fragrance, taste and presentation, and it is ranked among the top four in the country. In particular, dim sum, a delicate  pastry, is famous for being simple yet delicious. Local customs have also played a major role in the development and diversity of Cantonese cuisine, as it is often said that Cantonese people eat everything that swims except a submarine, everything that flies except an airplane, and everything with four legs except a table. However, despite the culinary achievements in the kitchen, the standards of hygiene still leave a lot to be desired, and so care should be taken in choosing restaurants and dishes. If in doubt, it is safer to avoid food containing meat, and fortunately Cantonese cuisine is famous for its vegetarian dishes.

Traditional

Liuhua Congee House, Renmin Bei Lu(In Liuhua Park), ☎ +86 20 8668-0108. Excellent dim sum and beautiful surroundings. [Metro 2 Yue Xiu Gong Yuan]
Panxi Restaurant, 151 Longjin Xi Lu, ☎ +86 20 8181-5718. Traditional Chinese restaurant famous for their dim sum. Menu in English is available, but the restaurant accepts only local credit cards.
As of January 7, 2008, this restaurant was closed for renovation.
Lian Xiang Lou, 67 Dishipu Lu, ☎ +86 20 8181-1638. Founded in 1889, Lian Xiang Lou is known for it's tasty dim sum. [Metro 1 Chang Shou Lu]
Tao Tao Ju, 20 Dishipu Lu, ☎ +86 20 8138-9632. Tao Tao's speciality is the Cantonese moon cakes [Metro 1 Chang Shou Lu]
Guangzhou Restaurant, 2 Wenchang Nan Lu, ☎ +86 20 8138-0388. This Cantonese family-restaurant has several branches all over the city. Other convenient locations include 20 Binjiang Xi Lu and 112 Ti Yu Dong Lu. [Metro 1 Chang Shou Lu]
Datong Restaurant, 63 Yanjiang Lu, ☎ +86 20 8188-8988. This huge restaurant spans all the 8 eight floors of the old building. The place has been around for a long time and is a favourite among locals.
Wenji Restaurant, 10 Xuanyuan Qiao, ☎ +86 20 8172-8887. As the place was established by the former chefs from Qingping restaurant, they have the original Qingping chicken on the menu. [Metro 1 Chang Shou Lu]
Baifu Restaurant, 112 Tiyu Dong Lu (3/F, Baifu Plaza), ☎ +86 20 3880-8268. [Metro 1 Ti Yu Zhong Xin]

Vegetarian

Shui Yun Tian, 38-42 Jinghui Lu (next to the Guangxiao Temple), ☎ +86 20 8107-2463. 6:30AM-2:30PM, 4:30PM-9:30PM. Great buffet around noon. [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou]
Cai Gen Xiang, 167 Zhongshan 6 Lu, ☎ +86 20 8334-4363. 6:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM. [Metro 1 Xi Men Kou]
Fo Shi Jie, Niu Nai Chang Jie (by Tongfu Zhong Lu), ☎ +86 20 8424-3590. 7AM-9PM. A part of the profit from this humble Buddhist vegetarian restaurant is given to charity.
Fo You Yuan, 12 Shi Lu Ji Zhongshan 8 Lu; 712 Shangjiu Lu, ☎ +86 20 8181-9188. 6:30AM-3PM, 5PM-10PM. [Metro 1 Chang Shou Lu] Interesting and new vegetarian dishes.

Southeast Asian

Cow and Bridge Thai Restaurant, 2/F, Xiang Long Garden, 181 Tianhe Bei Lu, ☎ +86 20 8525-0821. This famous Thai restaurant offers many varities of Thai dishes. Ask for the more fiery version of your meal, if you're used to Thai cuisine, as the dishes are somewhat localized. [Metro 3 Lin He Xi]
Lan Kwai Fong, 5 Shamian Nan Jie, ☎ +86 20 8121-6523. good curries and polite service in this Shamian Island favorite. It is tourist friendly and menus are available in English. [Metro 1 Huang Sha]
Banana Leaf, 28 Tianhe Bei Lu (2/F, Times Square), ☎ +86 20 3891-0728, [45]. Traditional and established Thai restaurant chain in Guangzhou. They have also restaurants at GZTV Hotel (G/F, 8 Luhu Lu, +86 20 8359-7499) and World Trade Center (5/F, 371-375 Huanshi Dong Lu). [Metro 3 Lin He Xi]

Western

The Italian Restaurant, 360 Huanshi Dong Lu (3/F, East Tower, Zhujiang Building), ☎ +86 20 8386-3840. 10:30AM-2AM. Despite the unimaginative name, this is the place to come, if you're craving for Italian in Guangzhou. The pizzas are somewhat localized.
The Mexican Restaurant. Just above the Italian Restaurant. OK but not great, fairly expensive.
La Sein, 33 Qingbo Lu (G/F, Zinghai Concert Hall), ☎ +86 20 8735-2222. The best French restaurant in the city. Also, one of the most expensive restaurants.
Foreign Chains
Foreign fast food, ice cream and coffee chains are well established in Guangzhou. These include KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Starbucks and Häagen-Dazs . All of these can be found in the Zhengjia Plaza (See "Shop").