Indian & Gujarati Food in Guangzhou — Guide for Trade Visitors
The Good News for Indian Visitors
Guangzhou has a thriving Indian food scene thanks to its large trading community
If food is your biggest concern about visiting China, here is some reassurance: Guangzhou has one of the best Indian food scenes of any Chinese city. Thanks to the large Indian trading community that has been based in Guangzhou for decades, the city has several authentic Indian restaurants serving North Indian, South Indian, and even Gujarati cuisine.
Most Indian restaurants are concentrated in the Xiaobei area (also known as “Little Africa” or the international trading district) and along Huanshi Dong Lu near the Garden Hotel area. Some newer restaurants have also opened closer to the Pazhou exhibition area to cater to Canton Fair visitors. While the food may not be exactly like home, you will find familiar flavours — dal, roti, paneer, biryani, and even Gujarati thali.
That said, we always recommend carrying some backup snacks from India, especially if you have very specific dietary requirements (Jain food, strictly no-onion no-garlic, etc.). Chinese cities are improving rapidly for Indian visitors, but it is always better to be prepared.
Recommended Indian Restaurants
Tried and tested by Indian traders visiting Canton Fair
Indian Garden Restaurant
Xiaobei area, near Guangzhou Railway Station
North Indian, South Indian, Gujarati
One of the most popular Indian restaurants among Canton Fair visitors. Serves a wide variety of dishes including butter chicken, dal makhani, paneer dishes, biryani, and South Indian dosa. They also offer a Gujarati thali option. The restaurant understands Indian dietary preferences well and can accommodate vegetarian and Jain requests. Prices are reasonable — expect to spend about ¥60-100 (₹750-1,250) per person for a full meal.
Bollywood Indian Restaurant
Tianhe District, near the CBD area
North Indian, Mughlai, Tandoori
A well-decorated restaurant with a Bollywood theme that serves authentic North Indian cuisine. Known for their excellent tandoori items, naan bread, and curry dishes. The staff speaks basic English and Hindi, which makes ordering much easier. Popular with Indian business travellers staying in the Tianhe area.
Taste of India
Huanshi Dong Lu, near Garden Hotel
Pan-Indian, Vegetarian options
A reliable option that has been serving Indian food in Guangzhou for many years. The menu covers a good range of North and South Indian dishes. They are known for consistent quality and generous portions. The restaurant is popular for lunch among Indian traders, so expect a wait during peak hours.
Little India Restaurant
Xiaobei area
North Indian, Street Food
A smaller, more casual restaurant that serves hearty Indian meals at affordable prices. Good for a quick lunch or dinner when you do not want a formal dining experience. Known for their thali meals and chai. The atmosphere is casual and you will likely meet other Indian traders here.
Sana Restaurant
Near Pazhou area
Indian, Halal, Pakistani
Conveniently located near the Canton Fair complex, Sana serves Indian and Pakistani cuisine with halal options. A good choice for traders who want to eat close to the fair venue without travelling far. The menu includes biryani, kebabs, curry dishes, and roti.
Restaurant availability and quality can change. We recommend checking recent reviews on Google Maps or Trip.com before visiting. Some smaller restaurants may close temporarily between Canton Fair sessions.
Vegetarian & Gujarati Food Options
Special guidance for vegetarian, Jain, and Gujarati food preferences
If you are vegetarian — and especially if you follow Gujarati or Jain dietary practices — China can be challenging but is absolutely manageable with some preparation. Here is what you need to know:
Gujarati Thali
A few Indian restaurants in Guangzhou offer Gujarati-style thali meals, particularly Indian Garden Restaurant. These include dal, sabzi, roti/puri, rice, kadhi, and sometimes khichdi. The taste may differ slightly from home, but the core flavours are familiar. Confirm availability when you arrive as thali options may not be available every day.
Jain Food Considerations
Strict Jain food (no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables) is hard to find in Chinese restaurants. Indian restaurants can usually accommodate if you explain your requirements clearly. We recommend calling ahead to confirm. Carrying your own Jain-friendly snacks and ready-to-eat meals from India is strongly advised.
Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurants
China has a tradition of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (“su cai”). These restaurants serve all-vegetarian meals, though the flavours are Chinese. They are a reliable option when Indian restaurants are not nearby. Look for restaurants with the “卫” (su/vegetarian) character.
Hotel Breakfast Tips
Most mid-range and luxury hotels offer breakfast buffets with some vegetarian options — bread, eggs, fruits, cereals, and sometimes congee (rice porridge). For a more filling start, carry instant upma, poha, or oats packets from India that you can prepare with hot water from the hotel room kettle.
Food Delivery Apps in Guangzhou
How to order food delivery to your hotel when you are too tired to go out
After a long day at Canton Fair, you might not have the energy to go out for dinner. The good news is that Guangzhou has excellent food delivery services, but the bad news is that most apps are in Chinese. Here are your options:
Meituan (美团)
China's largest food delivery platform. The app is primarily in Chinese, but you can use Google Translate's camera feature to translate the interface. Many Indian restaurants are listed on Meituan. Payment requires WeChat Pay or Alipay.
Ele.me (饿了么)
The second-largest delivery app in China, owned by Alibaba. Similar to Meituan in functionality. Some users find it slightly easier to navigate. Also requires Chinese payment methods.
Ask Your Hotel
The easiest option is to ask the hotel reception to order food delivery for you. Most hotel staff can navigate Chinese apps and help with ordering. Tip: show them a photo of the restaurant or dish you want.
Food Survival Tips for Indian Visitors
Practical advice from experienced Canton Fair travellers
Carry snacks from India
Pack thepla, khakhra, chakli, dry fruits, instant noodles (Maggi), instant poha/upma, pickle, and mukhwas. These are lifesavers on days when you cannot find suitable food.
Learn key Chinese food phrases
Learn to say "no meat" (bu yao rou / 不要肉), "vegetarian" (su shi / 素食), and "spicy" (la / 辣). Save these phrases on your phone to show restaurant staff.
Find Indian grocery stores
The Xiaobei area has a few stores selling Indian spices, dal, rice, and packaged Indian food. Stock up if you are staying for more than a few days and have access to a kitchen or hot plate.
Try Chinese vegetarian dishes
Dishes like fried rice (chao fan), steamed vegetables, tofu dishes, and noodle soups can be safe vegetarian options. Always confirm they do not contain meat stock or oyster sauce.
Carry a water bottle with filter
Tap water in China is not safe to drink. Carry a water bottle and buy bottled water from convenience stores. Hot water (boiled) is widely available and safe.
Use Google Translate camera
Download the Chinese language pack for offline use. Point your phone camera at menus to get instant translations. This is incredibly helpful in local Chinese restaurants.
Need Help Planning Your Guangzhou Trip?
We help Indian business owners plan their entire Canton Fair trip — including food recommendations, hotel bookings, and local guidance. Talk to us on WhatsApp.