Best Restaurant Apps in China: The Complete Guide for Travelers

The Situation: China’s digital ecosystem is unlike anywhere else in the world. Google Maps doesn’t work well, Yelp doesn’t exist, and Uber is long gone. But China has its own powerful, feature-rich apps that make finding, ordering, and paying for food remarkably easy — once you know how to use them. This guide covers the essential apps for eating well in China.

Why You Need Chinese Apps for Dining

If you’re used to relying on Google Maps, Yelp, and Uber Eats at home, China will require a adjustment. The Great Firewall blocks or hobbles most Western apps, and the domestic alternatives are actually more powerful — if you know how to use them.

Here’s what Chinese restaurant apps let you do:

• Find restaurants with reviews, photos, and ratings (like Yelp, but more detailed)
• Order delivery from virtually any restaurant (like Uber Eats, but faster and cheaper)
• Make reservations at popular restaurants
• Pay for meals without cash or credit card (mobile payment is ubiquitous)
• Browse menus with photos and English translations
• Get discounts and coupons exclusive to app users

For travelers, mastering a few key apps will transform your eating experience in China. Let’s break down the essential ones.

1. Dianping (大众点评) — China’s Yelp

What It Is

Dianping (大众点评, literally “public reviews”) is China’s dominant restaurant review and discovery platform. Think Yelp meets TripAdvisor meets Google Maps, but with more features and a bigger user base. Launched in 2003, Dianping has over 300 million users and covers virtually every restaurant, cafe, and food stall in China, from Michelin-starred dining rooms to hole-in-the-wall noodle shops.

Why You Need It

If you use only one app for dining in China, make it Dianping. It’s the best way to:

• Find highly-rated restaurants near you, filtered by cuisine, price, and distance
• Read reviews and see photos from real diners (machine translation can help with Chinese text)
• Browse menus with prices
• Make reservations at popular restaurants
• Get discounts and coupons — many restaurants offer Dianping-exclusive deals
• Buy group-buy vouchers (团购) that can save you 20–50% on your meal

How to Use It

1. Download: Available on iOS and Android. Search for “大众点评” in the App Store or Google Play (you may need a Chinese App Store account for Android).
2. Language: The app is primarily in Chinese, but some content has English translations. Use your phone’s built-in translation feature or a translation app to navigate.
3. Search: Use the search bar to find restaurants by name or cuisine. The app shows restaurants on a map with ratings (out of 5 stars) and review counts.
4. Filter: Filter by cuisine type (菜系), price range (人均消费), distance (距离), and rating (评分).
5. Reviews: Each restaurant has a review section with photos, ratings for taste (口味), environment (环境), and service (服务). Even if you can’t read the Chinese text, the photos and star ratings are helpful.
6. Coupons: Look for the “团购” (group buy) or “优惠券” (coupon) tabs for discounts.

Tips for Travelers

• Look for high review counts. A restaurant with 4.5 stars and 2,000 reviews is a safer bet than one with 5.0 stars and 10 reviews.
• Check the photos. User photos are the most reliable indicator of what the food actually looks like.
• Use the “nearby” (附近) function. It shows the best-rated restaurants within walking distance.
• Save restaurants for offline access. Bookmark restaurants you want to visit so you can find them later without an internet connection.

2. Meituan (美团) — Delivery and More

What It Is

Meituan (美团) is China’s largest food delivery and local services platform. It merged with Dianping in 2015, so the two apps share much of the same restaurant data. Meituan focuses on delivery, takeout, and discounted meal vouchers, while Dianping focuses on reviews and discovery. Together, they form the backbone of China’s digital dining ecosystem.

Why You Need It

• Food delivery to your hotel or apartment — incredibly fast (often 30 minutes or less) and cheap (delivery fees are ¥3–8)
• Order from virtually any restaurant — Meituan partners with hundreds of thousands of restaurants
• Buy discounted vouchers for sit-down meals
• Order groceries and fresh ingredients

How to Use It

1. Download: Search for “美团” in your app store.
2. Set your location: Enter your hotel or apartment address.
3. Browse restaurants: The app shows restaurants that deliver to your location, with estimated delivery times and minimum order amounts.
4. Order: Add items to your cart, select delivery, and pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay (see payment section below).
5. Track: Watch your delivery in real-time on a map. The delivery driver will call or text when they arrive.

Tips for Travelers

• Delivery is incredibly cheap. A bowl of noodles delivered to your hotel room costs only ¥3–5 more than eating at the restaurant.
• Use it on tired days. After a long day of sightseeing, having dinner delivered to your hotel is a game-changer.
• Look for “满减” (spend-and-save) deals. Many restaurants offer discounts when you spend over a certain amount (e.g., “spend ¥50, save ¥10”).
• You need a Chinese phone number to register and receive delivery. If you don’t have one, ask your hotel to order for you, or use the hotel’s concierge service.

3. Alipay (支付宝) — Mobile Payment

What It Is

Alipay (支付宝) is China’s dominant mobile payment platform, with over 1 billion users. It’s used for everything from paying for meals at restaurants to buying train tickets to paying utility bills. In China, mobile payment has largely replaced cash — even street food vendors have QR codes for Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Why You Need It

Without mobile payment, you’ll be carrying a lot of cash and constantly hunting for ATMs. With Alipay, you can:

• Pay at any restaurant by scanning a QR code
• Pay for delivery orders on Meituan and Ele.me
• Pay for street food (many stalls no longer accept cash)
• Pay for groceries, transportation, and tickets

How to Use It (for Foreign Travelers)

1. Download: Search for “Alipay” in your app store. The international version supports English.
2. Register: Use your passport and a phone number (your home country number works for the international version).
3. Link a payment method: You can link an international credit card (Visa, Mastercard) to Alipay. As of 2024, this process has been simplified for tourists.
4. Pay: When it’s time to pay at a restaurant, open the app, tap “Scan” (扫一扫), and scan the restaurant’s QR code. Enter the amount and confirm.

Tips for Travelers

• Alipay Tour Pass: Alipay offers a “Tour Pass” mini-program designed specifically for foreign travelers, with an English interface and support for international cards.
• Link your card before you arrive: Set up Alipay and link your card before you travel to China, so it’s ready to use when you land.
• Keep some cash as backup: While mobile payment is ubiquitous, having ¥100–200 in cash is wise for small stalls or in case of technical issues.

4. WeChat (微信) + WeChat Pay — The Everything App

What It Is

WeChat (微信) is China’s super-app — a combination of WhatsApp, Facebook, Apple Pay, and a web browser, with over 1.3 billion users. For dining, WeChat is essential for two things: communication and payment.

Why You Need It for Dining

• WeChat Pay: The other half of China’s mobile payment duopoly. Many restaurants accept both Alipay and WeChat Pay, but some accept only one.
• Restaurant mini-programs: Many restaurants have WeChat mini-programs for viewing menus, ordering, and paying — scan the QR code on the table to access them.
• Communicating with delivery drivers: If you order delivery, the driver will contact you via WeChat.
• Making reservations: Some restaurants take reservations through WeChat.
• Receiving recommendations: If you make Chinese friends, they’ll send you restaurant recommendations via WeChat.

How to Use It

1. Download: Search for “WeChat” in your app store. Available globally with an English interface.
2. Register: Use your phone number. You can register with an international number.
3. Set up WeChat Pay: Link an international credit card. The process is similar to Alipay.
4. Scan to pay: At restaurants, tap the “+” icon, select “Scan QR Code,” and scan the restaurant’s payment code.

Tips for Travelers

• WeChat Pay and Alipay are interchangeable for most purposes. Having both gives you maximum flexibility, but one is usually enough.
• WeChat is your communication lifeline in China. Even if you use Alipay for payments, install WeChat for messaging, translation, and mini-programs.
• Scan the table QR code. At many restaurants, there’s a QR code on the table. Scanning it opens a WeChat mini-program where you can view the menu (with photos), place your order, and pay — all without talking to a server.

5. Ele.me (饿了么) — Alternative Delivery

What It Is

Ele.me (饿了么, literally “are you hungry?”) is Alibaba’s food delivery platform, competing with Meituan. The two apps are similar in function and coverage. In some cities, Ele.me has better coverage; in others, Meituan dominates. Having both gives you more options.

Why You Need It

• More delivery options — if a restaurant isn’t on Meituan, it might be on Ele.me
• Occasionally better prices or promotions
• Integration with Alipay — seamless payment if you use Alipay

How to Use It

Similar to Meituan. Download “饿了么,” set your location, browse, order, and pay. The app is in Chinese, but the interface is intuitive enough to navigate with basic translation help.

6. Pleco — The Essential Dictionary

What It Is

Pleco is not a restaurant app per se, but it’s the most useful tool a food-loving traveler can have in China. It’s a Chinese-English dictionary app that works offline and includes powerful features for translating menus and signs.

Why You Need It

• Translate menus by drawing characters on your screen
• Look up ingredient names to check for allergens (critical for travelers with food allergies — see our food allergies guide)
• Search for dishes by name to find out what they contain
• Save vocabulary for future reference

How to Use It

1. Download: Search for “Pleco” in your app store. The basic version is free.
2. Draw characters: Use the handwriting recognition feature to draw Chinese characters you see on menus. Pleco identifies them and shows the English translation.
3. Optical Character Recognition (OCR): The paid OCR add-on lets you point your camera at a menu and get instant translations. Worth the investment for food-focused travelers.

7. Other Useful Apps

Sherpa’s

A grocery and food delivery service that caters to expats and travelers. Offers English-language menus, imported groceries, and delivery from Western restaurants. Available in major cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc.).

Apple Maps / Baidu Maps

Apple Maps works in China without a VPN and provides decent restaurant listings and directions. Baidu Maps (百度地图) is the domestic equivalent with more detailed coverage, but it’s in Chinese only.

Happy Cow

For vegetarian and vegan travelers, Happy Cow (happycow.net) lists vegetarian restaurants worldwide, including in China. Essential for finding safe dining options. See our vegetarian China guide for more.

Quick Reference: Which App for What?

Task	Best App
Finding a restaurant	Dianping
Reading reviews	Dianping
Food delivery	Meituan or Ele.me
Paying at restaurants	Alipay or WeChat Pay
Viewing menus / ordering at table	WeChat (scan QR code)
Translating menus	Pleco
Finding vegetarian food	Happy Cow
Getting directions to a restaurant	Apple Maps or Baidu Maps
Making reservations	Dianping or restaurant’s WeChat

Setting Up Mobile Payment: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mobile payment is the single most important thing to set up before you arrive in China. Here’s how:

Option 1: Alipay (Recommended for First-Timers)

1. Download “Alipay” from your app store.
2. Open the app and tap “Sign Up.”
3. Enter your phone number (international numbers work).
4. Verify with the SMS code.
5. Tap “Me” → “Bank Cards” → “Add Card.”
6. Enter your international credit card details (Visa, Mastercard, or JCB).
7. Verify with your bank’s SMS code.
8. You’re ready to pay! Tap “Scan” and scan any QR code to pay.

Option 2: WeChat Pay

1. Download “WeChat” from your app store.
2. Register with your phone number.
3. Tap “Me” → “Services” → “Wallet.”
4. Tap “Cards” → “Add a Card.”
5. Enter your international credit card details.
6. Verify with your bank’s SMS code.
7. To pay, tap “+” → “Scan QR Code.”

Troubleshooting

• “Payment failed” errors: Some international cards don’t work smoothly with Alipay/WeChat Pay. If yours doesn’t, try a different card or use the Tour Pass feature.
• Identity verification: You may need to verify your identity with your passport. Have a photo of your passport ready.
• Transaction limits: International cards may have daily or per-transaction limits. Check with your bank.

Tips for Using Restaurant Apps in China

1. Download all essential apps before you arrive. China’s internet can be slow for downloading foreign apps, and some app stores may not be accessible.
2. Set up mobile payment before you arrive. Don’t wait until you’re hungry at a restaurant to set up Alipay.
3. Carry a power bank. Using apps all day drains your battery fast. A portable charger (available at any convenience store for ¥30–60) is essential.
4. Get a Chinese SIM card or eSIM. A local data plan is essential for using apps on the go. Chinese SIM cards are available at airports and China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom stores. You’ll need your passport to buy one.
5. Use a VPN sparingly. A VPN can help you access Western apps (Google, Instagram, etc.), but it can slow down Chinese apps. Turn it off when using Dianping, Meituan, or mobile payment.
6. Screenshot important information. If you find a restaurant on Dianping, screenshot the address and map. You may not have internet when you’re trying to find it.
7. Ask your hotel for help. Hotel staff can help you download apps, set up payment, and order delivery. Don’t be shy about asking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google Maps in China?

Google Maps works in China, but it’s often inaccurate, slow, and doesn’t show the right locations due to China’s coordinate system offset. Apple Maps is a better choice for iOS users, and Baidu Maps is the most accurate (but Chinese-only). For restaurant directions, use Dianping’s built-in map.

Can I use Uber Eats in China?

No. Uber Eats does not operate in China. Use Meituan or Ele.me for food delivery.

Do I need a VPN to use Chinese restaurant apps?

No. Dianping, Meituan, Alipay, and WeChat all work without a VPN. In fact, a VPN may slow them down. You need a VPN only for Western apps like Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Can I pay with cash at restaurants?

Yes, cash is technically legal tender and most restaurants will accept it. However, many small stalls and street vendors prefer or require mobile payment. Carrying both cash and mobile payment is the best approach. See our Beijing street food guide for cash tips.

Can I use these apps without speaking Chinese?

Yes, with some effort. Dianping and Meituan are in Chinese, but the photo-heavy interface makes them navigable. Pleco helps with translation. Alipay and WeChat Pay have English versions. Delivery may require a Chinese phone number for the driver to contact you.

Final Thoughts

China’s digital dining ecosystem can feel overwhelming at first, but once you’re set up, it’s incredibly efficient and powerful. With Dianping for discovery, Meituan for delivery, Alipay or WeChat Pay for payment, and Pleco for translation, you have everything you need to eat like a local in China.

The initial setup — downloading apps, linking cards, learning the interfaces — takes some effort. But it’s worth it. These apps will not only help you find the best restaurants and pay effortlessly, but they’ll also open doors to experiences you’d never find on your own: that hidden noodle shop with 4,000 five-star reviews, the 30% discount voucher for a famous Peking duck restaurant, the late-night delivery of soup dumplings to your hotel room.

Embrace the apps, and China’s incredible food culture is at your fingertips.

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Related Articles

• Beijing Street Food Guide
• Food Allergies in China
• Vegetarian Food in China
• Chinese Breakfast Guide

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Last updated: July 2026