YAN 煙

I s there anything in life better than a really good burger? Probably, but the experience of diving in to a tasty pile of meat, cheese, and bread is definitely up there. But, alas, in Xi’an it can be difficult to find a burger that really hits the spot, and often times you get a fried chicken sandwich instead of a burger when ordering a 汉堡. But, luckily we seem to be going through something of a burger revolution, as there are now numerous spots serving up burgers that are better than anything we’ve seen in recent years. One such place is a new restaurant that ranks among the best we’ve seen in a long time, Yan.
Located just inside of South Gate, close to the entrance of Shuyuan Men, Yan started serving food at the end of 2021, right before the most recent lockdown shut temporarily shut their doors for a month. However, they persisted and now are back to serving up some great food.

Moo Brewpub 牛啤精酿酒馆

We’ve reviewed many different bars at the magazine over the years, and in doing so, we’ve discovered a trend. Bars have been getting fancier over the years, and prices across the board have been rising, to the point where a single night out is going to cost you a pretty penny if you are going to remotely approach having a good time. While in many cases, this has led to improved quality and service, it can be a bit difficult to justify a regular trips where you return home with a significant dent in your pocket. The other side of the spectrum, where cheap drinks remain, are often serve drinks so bad that many cringe at the thought of them. What’s needed is a place that strikes a happy medium, somewhere where you can have a few drinks, have a good time, and not regret (most) of your decisions the next day. A place like Moo Brewpub.

ALLEGRO 吃喝玩乐意大利餐吧

There are times when Western restaurants in Xi’an can feel lackluster. Sure they have many of the classics, with most ‘Western Restaurants’ serving up what can at best be described as a close approximation of the food that we know and love. Finding the real deal can be difficult, especially when many of the best restaurants are hidden away. However, once you find that hidden gem, you’re in for a real treat. This is the case with Allegro at the Grand Hyatt.

ZAO 造精酿餐厅

Xi’an is a city that is well known for its food, and for good reason. The local food in Xi’an is really good, and so finding a restaurant that serves up delicious food is not that hard. The same can be said for many of the restaurants serving up various cuisines from around China. The food is good and people enjoy it. But for some reason, the same cannot be said for many restaurants serving Western-style food. There always seems to be something lacking, a taste or flavor that doesn’t seem quite right. So when you find a place that does bring the flavor, it’s worth talking about. One such place is Zao.

M&G Wine and Spirits

I t’s always nice meeting people that have a passion for what they do, as often times people are mostly doing what they can to just get by. When you meet people that are in the midst of pursuing that passion, it can be an exciting thing, as you will often get caught up in it as well. As an added bonus, people that tend to be very into what they are doing also happen to be good at it. Such is the case with M&G Wine and Spirits, where you have not one, but two people who are passionate about all things booze.

Vincup

Two of the great joys in life are coffee and wine. Coffee picks you up and makes you more productive, getting you through those long days, or just providing warm punctuation to your morning or afternoon routine. Wine is perfect for relaxing or celebrating, a perfect pairing for the finer times of life. What’s more is that both coffee and wine are expressed through innumerable varietals, with each grape and bean varieties expressing themselves in different ways that can make the study of those differences extremely interesting. That is what happened with Kathy, one of the owners of Vincup, a new café on the Xi’an scene.

Latest Recipe- Le Méridien Xi’an Chanba 西安浐灞艾美酒店·新食谱西餐厅

If you like amazing river views, fancy stuffing yourself silly with Xi’an bbq skewers, or just want to be pampered and enjoy outstanding service at a world-class hotel, then you should check out Le Méridien’s buffet.
It is literally in the river in Chanba – it is perched at the northern tip of an island in the river, with an incredible view and outdoor seating (in the summer). The restaurant itself is tastefully decorated with cuts of granite and marble that notably match the dishware and glassware. The dinner buffet runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and is a steal at 238/person (198/pax on dianping!).

Izakaya 敬·長安

Dining out has become a hallmark of the Xi’an experience. New restaurants open weekly it seems and sifting through the sea of options can be a job. Often times, great places are lost among the many new places that pop up, which is why I always enjoy trying places that have been around and still stand out among the new guard. I got an opportunity to try such a place at Izakaya.

Standing Café

Hidden deep within the folds of Gaoxin lies a little oasis, a small garden of Eden that offers relief and refreshment from the hustle and bustle of busy Xi’an city life. South on Line 6, a 5-minute walk from Mu Ta Si metro station, you’ll find a small park lush with trees, flowers and park benches. But the real hidden treasure lies on the periphery.