202 Xiaobei Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

(86 20) 8356 5021

Average food cost: Y

Grand buffet

East meets West at this cavernous eatery on the first floor of the Crowne Plaza Guangzhou Science City. There are several buffet counters serving everything from fresh seafood to barbecued steaks prepared to order, to Chinese dim sum and Japanese noodles. If the extensive buffets don't tempt you, order ? la carte. There is outdoor seating on the patio. The Chinese restaurants upstairs - Mei Hua, serving Cantonese cuisine, and Hao Chi Gourmet Restaurant, serving regional Chinese dishes - are more intimate.

ADD Pan Asian Restaurant

First Floor, Crowne Plaza Guangzhou Science City, Guangzhou

(86 20) 8880 0999

Average food cost: YY-YYY

Private dining

For fine dining in intimate surroundings, you can't beat the Penthouse (left) atop the twin towers of the Grand Hyatt Guangzhou. Private dining rooms are all the rage in Guangzhou and, with 13 of them - each with its own decor - this is the perfect spot to entertain friends, celebrate special occasions, or engage in high-powered business negotiations. The Penthouse affords spectacular views of the Pearl River, which bisects Guangdong's provincial capital and its new central business district. But the delicious cuisine and professional service are the real attractions.

The Penthouse

Grand Hyatt Guangzhou, No. 12 Zhujiang West Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou

(86 20) 8396 1234, ext. 3399 or 3398 WWW.guangzhou.grandhyatt.com

Average food cost: YY-YYYY

Capital fare

Located in the heart of Guangzhou's central business district, this contemporary restaurant reflects the new face of Guangdong Province, demonstrating that the provincial capital is anything but provincial. It attracts a well-heeled crowd with its extensive menu - and the emphasis is on innovative Nouvelle Cantonese fare. Favoured by locals is the Chinese-style sashimi. Word has it that the raw shrimps are the best in town - try them if you dare. For dessert, you can't beat the mango pudding. All in sumptuous contemporary surroundings.

Bing Sheng

2 Xichun Road, Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou

(86 20) 3803 5888

Average food cost: YY-YYYY

Hearty Hunanese

The birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong, Hunan is known for its fiery cuisine. This is one cooking style where chefs routinely don't remove seeds from their chillies. Mao once famously remarked that the reason why so many rebellions had erupted in the province was because of its liberal use of peppers. You will find all of Mao's favourites on the extensive menu - from red cooked-fatty pork to stuffed peppers to frog's legs at Mao Jia (above). In addition to Hunanese dishes are yummy offerings from Sichuan, liberally spiced with those distinctive numbing Sichuanese peppers, that are known in Putonghua as ma la. If you are not into strong flavours, there is also a liberal selection of Cantonese dishes, with their subtler tastes. With d?cor right out of the Cultural Revolution, this stylish eatery is a great place to impress your out-of-town friends - especially those from Hunan province.

Mao Jia Restaurant

Chun Feng Road, 2033 Yun Jiang Hao Garden, 2nd Floor, Luohu District, shenzhen

(86 - 755) 8221 6569

Average food cost: Y

Gallic charm

French for 'wine straw', Pipette has an innovative menu and an extensive wine list. This is as close to Michelin-star dining as you can get in Shenzhen, and if this stylish eatery hasn't been discovered by Michelin yet, it's probably because the French-based publisher hasn't launched an edition for the mainland. It is strong on seafood, sumptuous sauces and impeccable service. Five course meals, with each course matched by a varietal from a different a wine producing region, can be arranged for small groups. The main dining room is contemporary in design and spacious - yet remains intimate. Ask for a table next to the glass enclosed open kitchen and enjoy the show. There are also five private dining rooms, each with a different theme: La Tour, Cognac, Champagne, Library and Wine. For dinner only.

Pipette French Restaurant

InterContinental Shenzhen, Floor L, Overseas Chinese Town, Nan Shan District, Shenzhen

(86 755) 3399 3388

Average food cost: YY-YYY

Joyous Jiangnan

Jiangnan means 'south of the river' and, in this case, we are talking about the Yangtze River. Jiangnan cuisine, also known as Huaiyang cuisine, collectively refers to the cooking styles of Hangzhou, Suzhou and other nearby communities to the south of Shanghai. But the focus here is on Hangzhou cuisine. Tastes tend to be sweet, ingredients are fresh, and sauces are gooey. Cold noodle dishes, and hot and cold dim sum are featured. The lion's head - served in a heated dish - and the dong po pork are especially good. Many of the ingredients - such as the seafood - are imported from Hangzhou, so expect to pay a premium. Overall, servings are smallish and prices a bit high by Shenzhen standards. But that doesn't scare off the crowds. This stylish eatery is one of the most popular restaurants in town.

Famous Chef from Jiangnan

Holiday Plaza, 3rd Floor, Shops 4 & 5, 9028-1 Shen Nan Boulevard, Nan Shan District, shenzhen

(86 755) 8981 9988

Average food cost: Y-YYYY

What's in a name?

Don't let the name fool you, as Marco's is a Chinese restaurant. The Italian-sounding epithet is a result of the hotel's Venetian theme rather than the menu. Serving regional Chinese cuisine, Marco's emphasises Cantonese fare, with its fresh ingredients and subtle flavours. The circular main dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows opening on to the lushly landscaped gardens. Specialities run from shark's fin soup and bird's nest soup, to abalone, pigeon and dim sum. But the real draw is the yummy noodles prepared in full view at the stylish noodles bar in the main dining room. There are several private rooms that are popular for power lunches and intimate wedding banquets.

Marco's chinese restaurant

Crowne Plaza Shenzhen, 900026 Shan Nan Road, Overseas Chinese Town, Nan Shan District, Shenzhen

(86 755) 2693 6888 ex 8150

Average food cost: YY-YYY

Hearty helpings

Warm and friendly, Lucio serves up hearty helpings of all of your Italian and Mediterranean favourites from an open kitchen, whose chef will keep you entertained with his lively antics. Featured dishes include pasta and pizzas, prepared in a wood stone oven.

Note: with the exception of restaurants in five-star hotels, few eateries in the Pearl River Delta accept international credit cards. Many don't even accept domestic credit cards. So make sure to bring sufficient cash to cover your bill.

Lucio Italian Restaurant

5th Floor, Holiday Inn Zhuhai

188 Jin Shan Road, Zhuhai

(86 756) 322 8888

Average food cost: YY-YYY

Euro bistro

Who would expect to find an authentic European bistro in the seaside resort of Zhuhai? There are dark woods, white tablecloths and lots of mirrors, and the menu runs from American-style barbecue spare ribs to tasty sandwiches made with French bread and hearty German and Belgian fare. There is also a wide selection of imported beers and an extensive wine list.

Zhuhai

Alain's Zhuhai Belgium Restaurant

28/7 Hua Jing Xi Yuan, Shi Hua East Road 58, (opposite Hai Wan Hua Yuan), Gongbei District, Zhuhai

(86 756) 333 5671

Average food cost: Y-YY

Key

Y - most dishes below 50 yuan (HK$53)

YY - most dishes below 100 yuan

YYY - most dishes below 150 yuan

YYYY - many dishes/main courses more than 150 yuan