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Local Restaurants
Top 20 Local Restaurants in Dunhuang [2025]
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Jingyuangaliumeiweiyanggaorou
4.6
/5
338 reviews
Northwest China Cuisine
From $11.00
Shazhou Market | 226m from downtown
Address: East Gate of Shazhou Paradise, Beitai Lane
Highlights:
Visited by many celebrities, the irresistible local folk cuisine keeps diners coming back for more
100+ recent views
Verified user reviews
The real Dunhuang queue king. I told the driver of the one-day tour about this place, and he knew I was going to eat Galiu lamb. I arrived at about 7 o'clock and waited for a table. It was around 8:20.
Taste:
White-strip lamb, braised lamb chops, strongly recommended to order 1 catty, we were not satisfied with half a catty. Lamb has no smell, 3 people were addicted after one bite. Half a catty is 49-98.
Fish salad with alfalfa. After eating fried eggs with sand onion at noon, I chose this dish. It tastes refreshing and is more greasy.
The mutton offal and white radish soup is a big portion, with a lot of mutton offal, mutton liver, mutton tripe, and mutton soup. Children like to eat the white radish in the mutton offal soup, which is crispy and delicious.
Cumin lamb chops (half a catty) This is not very surprising, maybe the lamb chops don’t feel fresh and tender after being roasted.
You can order half a portion of fish sand onion beef dumplings, which tastes very good. Try it.
The milk and egg fermented glutinous rice soup is a sweet after-meal dish similar to Shanghai's fermented glutinous rice egg drop soup.
Environment:
It is very large inside, with private rooms around the outside and the lobby in the middle, which is very lively. The dishes are served very quickly, and customers are asked about their feelings when they check out. When I went out, I saw waves of people queuing up.
Value for money:
A total of 200 yuan, and the coupons saved more than 10 yuan, which is very good value for money.
The restaurant is impeccable, the food is outstanding, and the owner is exceptionally kind. We had an extraordinary experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed savoring the local specialties.
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范记靖远羊羔肉
4.8
/5
28 reviews
Northwest China Cuisine
From $11.00
Shazhou Market | 1.1 km from downtown
Address: Yueying Road, Yangguan, Bottom Commerce (downstairs at Yangguan Hengye Hotel, opposite to the side door of Jinye Hotel)
Highlights:
Famous for delicious, non-gamy lamb cooked in various styles
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Verified user reviews
The soup is the soul, the noodles are the body, and the toppings are the beautiful clothes. A bowl of delicious noodle soup with thin white noodles, neatly filled in a large bowl, emerald green onion leaves scattered on the noodles or floating in the soup, and the toppings, big meat, big ribs, duck meat... just looking at it makes people salivate.
The service is great. The boss lady and the boss are both very nice people. I ordered cumin lamb chops, which are delicious. The skin is golden and crispy, and the inside is really tender. There is no smell of mutton at all. The ingredients are really authentic. I highly recommend it.
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QI XING LOU GUO MU KAO QUAN YANG
4.9
/5
249 reviews
Barbeque
From $13.00
Shazhou Market | 377m from downtown
Address: 沙州北路292号七星
Highlights:
Recommended on top food lists in China, its signature dish is the fragrant fruitwood-roasted whole lamb
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Verified user reviews
The Qixinglou wood-roasted whole lamb set meal is large in portion and tastes good, without any fishy or mutton smell. The private room is clean and tidy, and the mood is very comfortable. The waiters are very good and attentive. It is located in the city center, very close to the night market, and there is free parking. I will bring my friends next time.
Yellow noodle barbecue is a local snack with Gansu characteristics. The chewy yellow noodles are paired with tender barbecued meat. Once you take a bite, the rich aroma will stimulate your taste buds and leave you with an endless aftertaste. 👍
No.
4
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Yangjiazhuangtuyaoguomukaoquanyang
4.9
/5
36 reviews
Barbeque
From $15.00
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | 2 km from downtown
Address: Diagonally opposite Yangjiaqiao Health Center, Mingshan North Road
Highlights:
This restaurant has won many awards for its incredible Northwestern delicacies
Verified user reviews
We had the most satisfying meal here after traveling all the way. We booked a set meal of half a whole lamb roasted with fruit wood in advance. The restaurant roasted it 3 hours in advance and arranged for someone to pick us up from the hotel. The service was super good. [Strong] The restaurant specially arranged a neat small private room, brewed chrysanthemum tea to clear the heat, and a refreshing big watermelon, waiting for the roasted whole lamb to be served. [Naughty] Half a lamb actually had two full plates, crispy skin and tender meat, super fragrant, but two full plates, and many side dishes and snacks that could not be finished at all. Each taste was very positive. For tourists, they had to taste them all to satisfy their cravings. The staple food cakes here are also very fragrant. The noodles stewed with lamb are wrapped in the essence of the soup. You can't stop eating them at all. [Naughty] This is the lamb offal soup, which feels lighter and just relieves greasiness. Everyone ate so much that they had to lean on the wall. Based on the principle of not wasting, there was really no way. I discussed with the store to deposit the excess and come back to eat the next day. I didn't expect the store to agree. It was a surprise. The next day, we were given a large plate of watermelon as usual, which was very refreshing. It was served with some vegetables, all of which were fried well. The special fried eggs with shallots were delicious. The hand-shredded cabbage was also the best I had here. The service in the store was beyond imagination. I will definitely come again if I have the chance.
Traditional earthen kiln, delicious mutton, fresh vegetables.
The mutton doesn't feel fishy at all, it's delicious.
No.
5
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国辉·羊羔肉·胡羊焖饼(市场巷店)
4.3
/5
15 reviews
Northwest China Cuisine
From $8.00
Shazhou Market | 331m from downtown
Address: 市场巷356号敦煌特色街内第2家（国辉胡羊焖饼）
Highlights:
A famous shop that is loyal to quality and fully displays local flavor
Verified user reviews
Although it is a small shop, the mutton braised pancake is really delicious. Northwestern cuisine is a bit greasy, but this braised pancake is really fragrant. I didn't eat enough of one plate, so I ordered another plate of braised pancake. This braised pancake is a bit like noodles, and I don't know why it is called a pancake. You can also order some refreshing small cold dishes to adjust the taste.
The restaurant only opens at 11am. I don't want to queue up for a number, so I came back from Crescent Lake and went straight to Guohui Desert Mutton Stewed Cake. It was less than 11am. I only ordered mutton stewed noodles. The free tea was rich and fragrant; the apricot peel water was sweet and sour; the wide noodles were chewy; the mutton pieces were large and chewy; the mutton soup was fragrant and juicy; I asked for some chopped green onions to sprinkle on, red, green, white, purple, the colors made people more appetizing...
No.
6
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Chengbianbian Barbecue (Dunhuang Main Branch)
4.4
/5
18 reviews
Barbeque
From $12.00
Shazhou Market | 447m from downtown
Address: Bottom Vendor of Tianrun Garden Community, Xiyu Road
Highlights:
A renowned grilled skewer destination where fire refines the essence of ingredients
Verified user reviews
For our first dinner in Dunhuang, we had some skewers. Since it was off-season, there were not many people there at mealtime. I tried sand onion for the first time, which was quite delicious. It was like a healthy vegetable. I ordered some beef, mutton, and mushrooms. Except for the beef tendon, which was a bit hard to chew right after it was served, everything else was fine. The beef tendon had to be grilled on the charcoal fire for a while before it became soft and tender. It tasted very good when it was soft and tender.
If you are looking for a place to eat in the afternoon, this is the store with the best price. Because it is November, it closes very early. There are many stores nearby, especially the most famous snack shops. In the end, I had no choice but to choose this one, but surprisingly, the taste is not bad.
No.
7
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清真·敦来顺·手抓羊肉
5.0
/5
9 reviews
Northwest China Cuisine
From $9.00
Shazhou Market | 1.1 km from downtown
Address: 祥云西路239号一层111铺（敦煌维景大酒店左侧）
Highlights:
Popular and well-regarded, its signature hand-pulled lamb is full of ethnic flavor
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[Location] It is next to the Vision Hotel, very convenient. It is just across the road to the Dang River, perfect for digesting a full meal~
[Environment] The Dunhuang elements are used very carefully in the decoration. There is a caisson on the top, hand-painted nine-color deer and flying fairies on the wall, and the lamps are also gentle Buddha's hands holding pure pink lotus.
The lobby is clean and bright, and the private room is elegant and spacious, which can accommodate up to 16 people.
[Taste]
- Two ways to eat mutton: the hand-grabbed mutton is slightly salty, and the roasted mutton is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The four ingredients are suitable for both locals and foreign friends. The amount of two ways is very friendly for lone rangers or people dining in pairs!
- Stir-fried yellow beef: very tender and tasty.
- Fresh fruit yogurt: rich ingredients, real ingredients, sweet and sour.
Dunhuang In-Depth Tour Guide (Explore the Pearl of the Silk Road for 1500-3000 RMB per person)
Dunhuang, this ancient city nestled at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, is a must-visit destination in Northwest China, renowned for its Mogao Grottoes murals, the desert wonders of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, and the Martian-like Yardang landforms. This guide combines information on attraction tickets, local restaurants, accommodation options, and transportation costs to help you plan your trip efficiently.
I. Core Attractions and Ticket Prices
1. Mogao Grottoes: A Treasure Trove of Millennia-Old Mural Art
Tickets: Full price ticket 238 RMB (includes 8 open caves + a screening at the digital exhibition center), emergency ticket 100 RMB (only 4 caves).
How to Visit: It is recommended to book full-price tickets 30 days in advance through the official WeChat mini-program to avoid peak crowds. Photography is prohibited inside the caves; audio guides are available for rent, or you can join a professional guide to learn more about the stories behind the murals.
Tips: The Mogao Grottoes limit daily visitors to 6000. Tickets are available during peak season; it is recommended to choose the earliest available time (softer lighting for a better experience). 2. Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake: A Spectacular Symbiosis of Desert and Spring
Tickets: 110 RMB (multiple entries allowed within 3 days), Camel Riding: 100 RMB/person (approx. 40 minutes), Sandboarding: 20 RMB/ride, Desert Off-Road Vehicle: 120 RMB/person.
Activities: Climb Mingsha Mountain to watch the sunrise in the morning, experience camel riding across the dunes in the afternoon, and take stunning silhouette photos at Crescent Lake in the evening.
Tips: Strong ultraviolet radiation in the desert; bring sunscreen and sunglasses; wear sand-proof shoe covers or lightweight sports shoes to prevent sand from getting in.
3. Yadan National Geological Park: A Fantastic World Like the Surface of Mars
Tickets: 120 RMB (including sightseeing bus), Charter a vehicle: approximately 200 RMB/vehicle (more economical for 4 people sharing a vehicle).
Activities: Enter the scenic area at dusk, take silhouette photos at attractions such as "West Sea Fleet" and "Peacock Standing Tall," and experience the desolate beauty of "a lone plume of smoke rising straight in the vast desert."
Tips: There is no shade in the scenic area, so bring enough drinking water; hold your hat tight in strong winds to avoid it being blown away.
4. Recommended Free Attractions
Dunhuang Museum: Free admission (advance reservation required), exhibits Dunhuang historical artifacts and Silk Road culture, closed on Mondays.
Yangguan Ruins: Free admission, standing on the ancient pass ruins feels like stepping back into the farewell scene of "I urge you to drink another cup of wine."
Shazhou Night Market: Free admission, sample Northwest snacks and buy handicrafts, remember to bargain!
II. Featured Restaurants and Average Cost
1. Must-Try Food List
Donkey Meat Noodles: Shun Zhang Yellow Noodle Restaurant (average 50 RMB), Shun He Yellow Noodle Restaurant (average 48 RMB). The yellow noodles are chewy, the donkey meat is flavorful, and it's even more authentic when served with side dishes.
Hu Yang Stewed Flatbread: Guo Hui Hu Yang Stewed Flatbread (average 61 RMB), Huiweizhai Ancient Method Hu Yang Stewed Flatbread (average 46 RMB). The mutton is tender, and the flatbread soaks up the broth; a local favorite.
Hand-pulled mutton: Dunlaishun (64 RMB per person), tender meat, served with special dipping sauce, a truly satisfying bite.
Night market snacks: Mutton skewers (5 RMB/skewer), apricot juice (10 RMB/cup), liangpi (cold skin noodles) (15 RMB/serving), enough to fill you up for 30 RMB per person.
2. Money-saving dining tips: For lunch, choose restaurants frequented by locals for better value; have dinner at the night market to sample various snacks and experience the lively atmosphere.
Avoid restaurants inside tourist areas, as prices are generally high; for local specialties, consider group-buying deals for better value per person.
III. Accommodation options and price range
1. Budget accommodation: Youth hostels: 50-80 RMB per person per night, suitable for backpackers, offering opportunities to meet travelers from all over.
Budget hotels: Hotels near Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market average 200 RMB per night, within walking distance of the food street, convenient for travel.
2. Comfortable Accommodation
Mid-range Hotels: Such as Dunhuang Hotel and Dunhuang Vienna Hotel, priced at approximately 400-600 RMB/night, with complete facilities and attentive service.
Characteristic B&Bs: Desert B&Bs at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, priced at approximately 800-1200 RMB/night, offering unique activities such as stargazing camping and bonfire parties.
IV. Transportation Guide and Costs
1. Major Transportation
Airplane: Direct flights to Dunhuang are available from many domestic cities, with fares ranging from approximately 800-1500 RMB (advance booking offers discounts).
Train: Take the high-speed train from Lanzhou to Dunhuang, with fares ranging from approximately 300-500 RMB, enjoying the scenery of the Hexi Corridor along the way.
2. City Transportation
Airport Shuttle Bus: Approximately 20 RMB/person from Dunhuang Airport to the city center; taxi fare approximately 50 RMB.
Chartered Car Tour: Attractions like Yadan National Geological Park and Yumen Pass are far from the city center, so chartering a car is recommended. The cost is approximately 200-300 yuan per car (sharing a car with 4 people is more economical).
Public Transportation: City bus fares are 2 yuan, but services are infrequent. Using ride-hailing apps is recommended.
V. Itinerary Planning Suggestions
1. Classic 3-Day Tour
Day 1: Mogao Grottoes (full day) → Shazhou Night Market (dinner + shopping).
Day 2: Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake (sunrise + camel riding) → Dunhuang Museum (free) → Yangguan Ruins (free).
Day 3: Yadan National Geological Park (dusk) → Return trip.
2. In-Depth 5-Day Tour
Day 1-3: Same as the Classic 3-Day Tour.
Day 4: Yumen Pass (40 yuan) → Dunhuang Ancient City (filming location for *Investiture of the Gods*, 50 yuan) → *Encounter Dunhuang* performance (from 298 yuan).
Day 5: Dunhuang Poplar Forest (free) → Return trip.
VI. Money-Saving Tips and Precautions
Ticket Discounts: Students, seniors, and other groups can enjoy half-price tickets to attractions such as Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Mountain. Valid identification is required.
Off-Peak Travel: Avoid peak seasons like National Day and Spring Festival. Choose off-peak seasons (such as November to March of the following year) for lower ticket and accommodation prices.
Sun Protection and Warmth: Dunhuang experiences large temperature differences between day and night. Prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a warm jacket.
Respect Culture: Touching the murals and using flash photography are prohibited when visiting Mogao Grottoes. When dining in halal restaurants, respect local customs.
The charm of Dunhuang lies in the fusion of its millennia-old history and natural wonders. Whether it's the mural art of Mogao Grottoes or the desert scenery of Mingsha Mountain, you can experience the ruggedness and delicacy of Northwest China. With proper budget planning and avoiding peak seasons, you can enjoy this pearl of the Silk Road for 1500-3000 yuan per person!
No.
8
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五味香·驴肉黄面·胡杨焖饼·烧烤(敦煌店)
4.0
/5
10 reviews
Northwest China Cuisine
From $6.00
Shazhou Market | 504m from downtown
Address: No. 91 Mingzhou Plaza, Shazhou Night Market, Yangguan Middle Road
Highlights:
Award-winning, well-established restaurant with appetizing local dishes made from high-quality ingredients
Verified user reviews
🍜Dragon meat in the sky, donkey meat underground. Dunhuang's donkey meat yellow noodles are the most distinctive local snacks. The last time I came to Dunhuang, the restaurant I went to might not be very punctual, so I didn't get its deliciousness. This time I came to Wuweixiang and the whole table of people exclaimed that it was great.
The "Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles" set meal contains 4 servings of yellow noodles and a large portion of sauced donkey meat, which is much larger than the amount of yellow noodles directly. The donkey meat stew tastes excellent, and it also has some tendons and is very chewy. Dip it in the prepared chili sauce, it is several times more delicious than covering it with yellow noodles. The yellow noodles are q-elastic, and the tofu is poured on top, which has a unique flavor.
"Authentic Hejian Donkey Meat Fire Roast" This one is even better than the authentic Hejian Donkey Meat Fire Roast! The others are rectangular fire roasts, baked crispy, this one should be fried on the outside, and the meat inside is fried with cumin or something, and there are onions, chili peppers and other seasonings, super fragrant!
"Cold Alfalfa" Alfalfa was my rabbit's favorite when he was little. It's really delicious~very refreshing and full of fiber.
"Fried elm money" is also a kind of wild vegetable, wrapped in eggs and fried. I don't like this one.
"Fried wide noodles" "Dunhuang grain stuffed skin" There is nothing to pick about the pasta in the northwest. The taste is full and delicious.
"Home-brewed apricot peel water" is refreshing and a little sour. Have a cup of this while eating meat. It's great!
🤤 There are 6 of us. We bought a 4-person meal in a group and added a few dishes. The average cost per person is less than 60 yuan. It's super cost-effective. Friends who come to Dunhuang for tourism must come here to try it!
I feel like most people went there based on the reviews, and after eating, I felt like it might have been overcooked. Of the five dishes, only the Desert Sand Chicken had good color, flavor, and aroma. The signature donkey meat noodles were average, and the golden trout looked good on the plate, but we all felt it wasn't tasty, the fish was dry and tough. All in all, a little disappointed.
No.
9
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ZHOUJI MENBINGZI
4.2
/5
73 reviews
Snacks
From $10.00
Shazhou Market | 406m from downtown
Address: 5th Floor, Qixing Building, No. 8 North Shazhou Road (300 meters north of downtown sculpture, 20 meters north of Sun Hotel)
Highlights:
Recreates mom's cooking with flavorful braised flatbreads
100+ recent views
Verified user reviews
There are many braised cakes here, some with mutton flavor and some with beef flavor. You can choose whichever you like. I prefer mutton flavor! There are also various staple foods and vegetables, all of which are delicious and clean!
[Location] On the fifth floor of the same building as Qixinglou Roast Whole Lamb. There is a slight deviation in the positioning of Gaode Map.
[Environment] Simple decoration.
[Service] It was the first time I encountered rain in Dunhuang. It was said to be early September rain. After coming down from Mingsha Mountain, I was still not satisfied and felt a little hungry. Suddenly I wanted to have noodle soup. Unfortunately, noodle soup is breakfast, and many stores have not bought it. Fortunately, this one is still open and still has noodle soup.
After we finished eating, we sat and chatted for a while. The waiter didn't come to chase us away. I was really sorry that we delayed them from getting off work.
The dishes were ordered by scanning the code, which was also very convenient.
[Taste]
-Gang Gang Lamb Noodle Soup 15 yuan: warm, not much, tasted good, and the price-performance ratio was slightly low.
-Apricot peel tea 5 yuan: it is homemade, a little light, but only 5 yuan, it's okay.
No.
10
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妙街胡羊烧烤羊排
5.0
/5
5 reviews
Barbeque
From $10.00
Shazhou Market | 464m from downtown
Address: No. 32, Yangguan Middle Road (South of Huasheng Hotel)
Highlights:
Authentic local barbecue with a wonderful riverside atmosphere
Verified user reviews
I love the Huyang braised pancakes here. They are very tasty and go really well with a drink.
‼️p2-p4 Jingyuan Galiu Lamb🐑
Arrived at 6 PM on the first day and lined up for table 58, but gave up.
Arrived at 8:30 PM on the second day and just happened to get in~
As expected of a long-time internet celebrity, every dish was a delight to us.
The white-strip lamb wasn't at all smelly!
It had a delicate, meaty aroma and was incredibly tender.
The chili flakes and garlic slices made it perfect.
The cumin lamb was roasted to a crispy exterior and tender interior, not greasy. The aroma soothed away a day's fatigue.
The scallion eggs were larger and firmer than the scallions in Zhangye. The scallion flavor wasn't overpowering, so even those who don't like scallions can rest assured. The scrambled eggs were fragrant and a great dish to go with rice.
The lamb in the Huyang Braised Pancake was glutinous.
The chewy dough and broth were fantastic.
The sauerkraut and vermicelli meatballs were incredibly filling!!!
I'd still order the small portion; be careful with the large one~
The sour taste was very appetizing, and the fried meatballs were incredibly delicious!
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‼ ️p5 Big Beard Grilled Lamb Chops
A huge portion of simmered lamb in a kang kong.
The meat and vegetables were perfect, and the potatoes were perfectly roasted.
The lamb wasn't overly smelly, and the texture was good.
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‼ ️p6 Egg Fermented Gravy
This is available everywhere 🉑 We ordered it at a barbecue restaurant.
The barbecue restaurant was a bit disappointing, so I wouldn't recommend it~
But the egg fermented gravy was delicious! It had an eggy aroma and just the right amount of sweetness.
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‼ ️p7 Fruit I bought on the roadside just outside the middle gate of Mingsha Mountain.
Gansu fruits are so sweet and juicy.
And best of all, they're cheap!
I bought several varieties and carried back tons of bags.
It was only 40 yuan in one payment. Oh my god! That's amazing!
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