Yunteng Shifu

It may no longer be the Rainforest Café replica that Beijing wants (or needs), but luckily the food remains the same at the original Yunnan provincial government offices (the current offices operate out of Rainbow Plaza). Try to resist the urge to gorge on cheese and mushrooms in order to save room for the rose cakes (RMB26). A flaky, egg-washed pastry encases a filling that’s pure rose petals and white sugar, resulting in a silky crunch in every bite.

Address: Building No. 7, Donghuashi Beili Dongqu, Dongcheng District

Tel: 010 - 67113322-7117 /010-67136439

Opening hours: 11:00 - 22:00

This restaurant is associated with the Dali municipal government, and is worth the trek toXidan. The xianhuabing (RMB36) come six to an order, and you’ll be fighting over who gets the last one. The filling is finer and ever-so-slightly perfumed with osmanthus, resulting in an extremely light dessert.

Address: First Floor, Hudiequan Hotel, No. 55, Xidan North Street Xixiejie, Xicheng District

Tel: 010-66156583 /010-52606911

Opening hours: 7:00 - 20:00

Departing from the egg-washed pastry of other rose cakes around town, the outer shells at Little Yunnan have a crumblier, northern character, but are no less excellent counterparts for the filling within. If one is craving sweets, look no further than their excellent afternoon tea set, where from 2-5pm every day, RMB48 nets you a pot of tea (and endless refills), a plate of rose cakes (RMB18 à la carte), and an enormous bowl of sunflower seeds. It’s the perfect way to pass a lazy afternoon.

Address: No. 28, Donghuangchenggen North Street, Dongcheng District

Tel: 010-64019498

Opening hours: 12:00 - 21:00