Local “Bai” Food

Duan’s Kitchen

This place can get busy and with good reason. Outstanding local Bai food as well as a twist on some popular chinese foods. The PuEr Chicken is recommended, followed by the mulberry yoghurt.

Good Panda

A solid choice on a street which has many similar looking local restaurants, that can be identified by the wide array of fresh vegetables they display outside. The Good Panda serves up a great Yunnan Spicy Chicken, and has a wide selection of mushroom dishes. A good choice for both vegetarians and meat-eaters.

Cang Er Chun

Just across the road from Good Panda, this guide-book favourite has been serving up delicious local Bai food for many, many years. Don’t let the décor put you off, this place is worth a visit. Give the Dali fish in casserole a try.

Bamboo Cafe

This place has a wide range of dishes from around the world, but it is worth coming here for the local Bai food. Order a bunch of dishes and tuck in, and be sure to try the local specialty of Grandma’s potatoes. It looks so simple but tastes delicious.

Shao Cao (Barbeque)

Dotted around town you will find plenty of places offering barbequed meats and vegetables. Our favourite is a little out of the way at the top of SanYueJie, but you can find a nice collection of these restaurants just off Fuxing Lu. Instead of turning up foreigner street, tun the other way down a few steps and you will see the collection of restaurants there. Do not visit one of these without trying the spicy eggplant. It can be a little pricey, but worth every penny, and a great thing to share between 2 or 3 people.