Beyond TripAdvisor: Use Dianping to Eat Like a Local in China

Master China's restaurant discovery app | Find amazing local dining spots

Restaurant Reviews

15 min guide

Free to use

🍽️ What is Dianping?

Think of Dianping as China's version of Yelp, but on a massive scale. As the country's go-to review platform with over 600 million users, it's your most reliable tool for navigating the local food scene. Whether you're hunting for the best-rated hotpot, a specific regional cuisine, or just a great spot nearby, Dianping's data-driven reviews make it essential for discovering hidden gems and avoiding tourist traps.

🎯 Key Features

Restaurant Search

Find restaurants by location, cuisine, price, or rating

User Reviews

Read authentic reviews and ratings from verified diners

Save Favorites

Bookmark restaurants you want to try or recommend

Reservations

Book tables directly through the app

Navigation

Get directions and location details

Menu Photos

View dish photos and prices before visiting

Step-by-Step Setup Process

Download Dianping App

Get the official Dianping app from your app store

Search "Dianping" in App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
Look for this orange icon
Install and open the app

💡 Pro Tip: Just search "Dianping" – it will be the first result!

Create Dianping Account

Tap "Sign Up" on the welcome screen
Enter your phone number (your home country number works)
Verify with SMS code sent to your phone
Set a secure password
(Optional) Link your WeChat or Alipay for easier login and payment

💡 Pro Tip: Linking WeChat/Alipay makes reservations and payments much easier!

Find & Get to a Restaurant on Dianping: A 4-Step Visual Guide

Start Your Search on the Homepage

Open the Dianping app
Confirm your city is correct in the top-left
either tap the main 'Restaurants' icon, use the 'Nearby' button for instant suggestions, or type a specific cuisine like "hotpot" into the search bar

💡 Pro Tip: City can be switched!

Screenshot of the Dianping app homepage, showing how to search for restaurants by selecting the city, using the search bar, or clicking the 'Nearby' button.

Filter Your Search Results

View the list of restaurants after searching
Sort by proximity, type of cuisine, what's currently open, user rating, and much more
Preview each restaurant for ratings and discounts

💡 Pro Tip: The star rating system is universal - look for 4+ stars and lots of reviews!

A screenshot of Dianping's search results list, highlighting the filter options for cuisine and rating, along with individual restaurant previews showing discounts.

Explore the Restaurant's Detail Page

Click a restaurant to open its detail page
Browse all the crucial details: photos of popular dishes, authentic user reviews, and promotional "Vouchers" to save money

💡 Pro Tip: Photos are your best friend - they tell you exactly what to expect!

A screenshot of a Dianping restaurant's detail page, pointing out the location for navigation, promotional vouchers, user reviews, and check-in features.

Navigate Directly from the App

On the restaurant detail page, tap the address bar
Dianping will prompt you to open the location in a map app
Choose your preferred map app (Amap or Baidu Maps recommended)
Show the address(Use the translation function on the page to translate English into Chinese) to your taxi driver if needed

💡 Pro Tip: For the most accurate navigation in China, we recommend having Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps (百度地图) installed on your phone.

🎯 Expert Tips for Success

Quality Check

Look for restaurants with 4+ stars and 100+ reviews for reliability

Timing

Avoid peak dining times (12-1PM, 6-7PM) for better service

Planning

Use the map feature to plan restaurant visits around your itinerary

Communication

Screenshot menu photos to show staff what you want to order

Payment

Check payment methods - many places only accept mobile payments

🌐 Overcoming the Language Barrier

✅ What Works Well

Star ratings (universal)
Food photos and videos
Price indicators (¥, ¥¥, ¥¥¥)
Location maps and addresses
User photo reviews

🔧 Helpful Tools

Google Translate camera feature
Screenshot menus for ordering
Point at photos when ordering
Learn basic Chinese food words
Ask hotel staff for recommendations

⚠️ Common Issues & Solutions

App is all in Chinese

Solution: Focus on visual elements like photos, star ratings, and price symbols. Use your phone's camera translation for important text.

Cannot make reservations

Solution: You may need a Chinese phone number for verification. Ask your hotel concierge to help with reservations for popular restaurants.

Restaurant doesn't exist or is closed

Solution: Check recent reviews and photos. Some restaurants change locations or close. Always call ahead or have a backup option nearby.

🎉 You're Ready to Explore!

You now know how to use Dianping like a local! Start with highly-rated restaurants near your location, use photos to overcome language barriers, and don't be afraid to try new cuisines. Happy dining! 好吃！(Hào chī - Delicious!)

📚 Related Guides

Back to Food Discovery Guide Mobile Payment Setup Guide