Beijing roast duck is thought to be one of the most famous dishes in the city. Quanjude and Bianyifang, as the two representatives of this famous taste, attract tourists from all over the world. Today, we are going to list more choices for you to try this wonderful flavor.

▶ Liqun Roast Duck (利群烤鸭)

Nestled in the Beixiangfeng Hutong nearby Qianmen Avenue, the over 20-year-old restaurant truly explains the old saying “good wine needs no bush”. Liqun Roast Duck has received many foreign leaders, which can be seen from photos in the restaurant.

In the hole-in-the-wall restaurant, group photos of chefs and foreign leaders are hanged on the walls on both sides of narrow passage. After turning left and then right along the passage, you will arrive at a modest quadrangle for guests to enjoy meals. As there’s no table reserved in advance, you can choose your seat at will.

Roast duck is of course the must-order dish, and mixed vegetable salad can help to cleanse the palate of duck meat. In a short ten minutes after you order dishes, well-sliced roast duck will be presented on your table. Pancakes are offered with moderate thickness, soybean paste is fragrant but not too sweet, and duck meat is fat but not greasy, with crisp skins especially nearly the rump. 

Address: No. 11, Beixiangfeng Hutong (at the southern end of Zhengyi Road South), Qianmen East Avenue 前门东大街北翔凤胡同11号(正义路南口)

Tel: +86 10 67025681

Opening hours: 11:00-22:00

Average spend: 160 yuan per person

▶ Quan Ju De (全聚德)

Quanjude was established in 1864 famous for its hung-oven roasting technique which has been passed on for over 100 years. It has received heads of states among other government officials from more than 100 countries and regions. By this, Quanjude has become a bond and bridge through which Chinese food culture has been disseminated, with the friendship, exchange and cooperation between China and other countries promoted. In addition to roast duck beloved by guests at home and abroad, Quanjude offers a range of exquisite dishes like all-duck feast, specialties, innovative dishes and celebrity feast, forming an inclusive cuisine culture peculiar to Quanjude. The hung-oven roasting technique has been included in the “National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China”. Quanjude’s chefs believes that all parts of the duck, both inside and outside, are pretty precious. The ingredient of Quanjude roast duck is the superior Peking duck. In addition to hung-oven roast duck, chefs make a variety of cold and hot dishes elaborately with duck wings, feet, hearts, livers and gizzards. With years of cooking experiences, Quanjude has created the “Quanjude All-Duck Feast” which is famous all over the world, represented by duck feet with mustard sauce, salted duck liver, sautéed duck hearts, braised four delicacies of duck, duck tongue in egg white and sautéed diced duck meat in potato basket.

Address: No. 30, Qianmen Street, Xicheng District 西城区前门大街30号

Tel: +86 10 65112418

Opening hours: 11:00-13:30 16:30-20:00

Average spend: 192 yuan per person

▶ Si Ji Min Fu (四季民福)

As a model of Beijing cuisines, roast duck is the best-known one. There are different brands of roast duck like the time-honored Bianyifang while Sijiminfu represents the new Beijing cuisines. Sijiminfu restaurant is designed in gorgeous antique style embellished with elements like black-brick wall, grey tiles and the striking red façade which is like an old photograph carrying the unique memory of old Beijing. Stepping into the restaurant, you will see rectangular tables and back-rest chairs all in the same styles. In addition to roast duck, the restaurant also offers some special dishes of old Beijing. Sijiminfu is well received by customers owing to its classic flavor, sufficient amount and fair price.

Address: Beside the East Gate of the Palace Museum, No. 11, Nanchizi Street 南池子大街11号故宫东门旁

Tel:+86 10 6256 7369

Opening hours: 09:30-22:30

Average spend: 153 yuan per person

▶ Bian Yi Fang (便宜坊)

Bianyifang was set up in 1416 by a southerner as a food stall. With efforts of more than 10 generations, it has become a time-honored catering business in the capital city of Beijing.

After more than 600 years of development, Bianyifang has formed a style based on Shandong cuisine, with Beijing force-fed duck as the raw material and with stove-roasted duck as the leading product. As the roast duck isn't exposed to fire and is environment-friendly during the roast process, the dish is known as "green roast duck". The stove-roast duck process has been included in the "National Intangible Cultural Heritage List."

In order to enrich its core products, the restaurant has also developed the patented "Fragrant Crispy Duck" and "Crispy Duck with Vegetable", as well as 24 special dishes corresponding to Chinese 24 solar terms. It has restored the traditional famous dishes, such as Qingjiangrou (braised pork with soy sauce) and Tongziji (bucket chickens) and made China’s traditional dining culture widely accepted by people.

Address: Xianyukou Food Street, east side of Qianmen Street, Dongcheng District 前门大街东侧鲜鱼口老字号餐饮一条街

Tel: +86 10 6713 2536

Opening hours: 11:00-21:00

Average spend: 133 yuan per person

▶ Da Dong Roast Duck (大董烤鸭)

Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant is a famous high-end brand specializing in Beijing flavors. It has 10 branches while two of them are situated in Shanghai awarded one Michelin star. The exquisite restaurant has renovated the dishes with western cooking method which suits most foodies. Even each branch features different theme. A menu book amazed majorities at first glance because it looks like an album of painting rather than a simple menu.

In addition to classic Peking ducks, other creative dishes are also welcomed by foodies. The restaurant also sells the sauce of noodles with soy bean sauce (Zhangjiangmian or 炸酱面) that guests can take out and cook at home. You can buy one as gift if you definitely love it.

Booking a table in advance is necessary for you to saving time or you will have to wait for hours.

Address: 1-2/F, Nanxincang International Plaza, 22A Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District 东城区东四十条22A 南新仓国际广场 1-2/F

Tel: +86 10 5169 0329

Opening Hours: 11:00 – 22:00

Average spend: 300 yuan per person