Top Restaurants Near Canton Fair: Where to Eat in Pazhou & Nearby

After a long day walking the halls of the Canton Fair, you need good food. Pazhou has improved its dining options significantly in recent years, but knowing where to go saves precious time. Here’s our curated list of the best spots near the fair.

Inside & Adjacent to the Complex

Exhibition Hall Restaurants

The Canton Fair Complex has multiple food courts and restaurants inside. They’re convenient but tend to be:

• Crowded during peak lunch hours (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
• Slightly overpriced compared to outside options
• Limited English menus

Tip: If you eat inside, go early (11:00 AM) or late (1:30 PM) to avoid the rush.

Pazhou Complex Underground Mall

The area beneath and around the exhibition halls has improved dining options including Chinese and Western restaurants, coffee shops, and fast food.

Walking Distance (5-15 minutes)

Dim Sum Breakfast Options

No visit to Guangzhou is complete without dim sum. Near Pazhou:

Guangzhou Restaurant (Pazhou Branch) A well-known Cantonese restaurant chain with a branch near the fair. Excellent dim sum for breakfast or lunch. Expect a wait during Canton Fair season.

Tao Tao Ju Another historic Guangzhou dim sum institution. Try the har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai, and char siu bao (BBQ pork buns).

Quick Lunch Spots

Zhenggongfu (Real Kung Fu) Chinese fast food chain with locations near Pazhou. Quick, reliable, and affordable. Rice plates with steamed chicken, ribs, or fish — healthy and filling.

Lanzhou Noodles Look for shops with “Lanzhou” in the name. Hand-pulled beef noodles that are fresh, cheap, and satisfying. A popular choice among fair-goers.

Short Taxi Ride (10-20 minutes)

For Group Dinners

Bingsheng Restaurant Upscale Cantonese dining, popular with business groups. Known for their roast goose and seafood. Multiple locations in Guangzhou — the Pazhou area branch is most convenient.

Dian Du De (A Bite of Canton) Modern Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary twist. Good for impressing clients or celebrating a successful day at the fair.

Local Street Food

Xiaogang Village A short ride from Pazhou, this area has authentic, affordable street food. Congee, rice noodle rolls (cheung fun), wonton noodles, and BBQ. It’s where locals eat, which means it’s good and cheap.

Practical Dining Tips

1. Restaurant apps: Download Dianping (China’s Yelp) for restaurant reviews and directions
2. Payment: Most restaurants accept WeChat Pay and Alipay. Some also take cash. International credit cards are less common at local spots
3. Ordering: Point at menu pictures or use translation apps. Many restaurants near the fair have English menus during fair season
4. Water: Don’t drink tap water. Bottled water and hot tea are standard at restaurants
5. Tipping: Not expected or customary in China

Our Driver’s Recommendations

Our drivers eat out in Guangzhou every day and know the hidden gems. When you book a car service with us, feel free to ask your driver for restaurant recommendations based on your preferences and budget. They can also help with ordering if you’re at a local spot without an English menu.

Best strategy for Canton Fair: Have your driver drop you at the fair in the morning, then arrange a specific pickup time for lunch at a restaurant away from the crowds. Return refreshed for the afternoon session.