Boasting the largest number of restaurants per capita of any Chinese city, Guangzhou won’t let visitors leave with empty stomachs. The city cooks up Cantonese cuisine at its best, from yum cha (morning or afternoon tea) and dim sum (steamed or fried snacks) to noodles and soups. Though some dishes, such as sweet and sour pork, are familiar to Westerners, Guangzhou’s cooks are known for their liberal use of unusual ingredients — even Beijingers allege that the Cantonese will eat anything with four legs.

For a non-intimidating introduction to Cantonese food, make a lunch or dinner reservation at one of the city’s many 5-star hotels. The Shangri-La Hotel’s Summer Palace restaurant is known for innovative and tasty dishes such as crispy chicken served on goose liver and jellyfish, as well as tried-and-true favorites like roasted spare ribs. Weekend dim sum is an institution at the city’s many courtyard restaurants; arrive early if you want to get a table at such well-known establishments as Panxi or Guangzhou Restaurant.

Fortunately for hungry diners, eating well in Guangzhou doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You’ll pay based on how exotic your tastes are, so even if bird’s nest isn’t your cup of tea, you can eat like a king in Canton.