Create meetup in Hefeichevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Hefei Guides
bar_chart Trends in Hefei
Best Food in Hefei (2026)
Begin your food journey in the bustling Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street, where dozens of stalls serve local favorites like Luzhou Roast Duck and fried stinky tofu. For a sit-down mβ¦ π Where to Start
Begin your food journey in the bustling Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street, where dozens of stalls serve local favorites like Luzhou Roast Duck and fried stinky tofu. For a sit-down meal, try the famous Old Lu'an Restaurant at 188 Huaihe Road, open daily from 11am to 9pm, with most dishes under 50 RMB.
π₯ Must-Try Local Dishes
Hefei is known for Luzhou Roast Duck, a crispy-skinned duck slow-cooked with soy sauce and star anise, best enjoyed at Luzhou Roast Duck Restaurant (456 Changjiang Road). Another staple is Sanhe Rice Dumplings, sticky rice balls filled with pork or red bean paste, available at Sanhe Old Street stalls for 2-5 RMB each.
πͺ Street Food Hotspots
The night market on Wuhu Road comes alive after 6pm with vendors selling grilled skewers, scallion pancakes, and tanghulu (candied hawthorn). Don't miss the fried dough sticks at the corner of Suzhou Road and Huaihe Road, a popular breakfast spot open from 6am to 10am.
π² Best Evening Spots
For dinner with a view, head to the rooftop restaurant at the Swan Lake Hotel (111 Qianshan Road), which serves Anhui cuisine with lake views, mains from 80-150 RMB. Alternatively, the lively food court at Wanda Plaza (180 Ma'anshan Road) offers a variety of hot pot and barbecue options until 10pm.
π° Budget-Friendly Eats
You can eat well on a budget in Hefei. A bowl of beef noodles at the popular Lanzhou Noodle Shop (22 Jinzhai Road) costs just 15 RMB. For a filling meal, try the set lunch at Hefei University's canteen (open to public, 11am-1pm) for under 20 RMB.
π΅ Tea and Snacks
Take a break at the traditional Mingjiao Tea House (168 Mingjiao Road), where you can sip Huangshan Maofeng tea and sample local pastries like osmanthus cake. A pot of tea costs around 30 RMB, and the tea house is open from 9am to 9pm.
π Getting Around for Food
Hefei's metro lines 1 and 2 connect most food districts, with stations like Sanxiaokou (near Huaihe Road) and Wuhu Road (for the night market). Taxis are affordable, starting at 8 RMB, and ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely used.
π΄ Fine Dining Options
For a high-end experience, book a table at Anhui Cuisine Museum Restaurant (888 Qianshan Road), where traditional dishes are presented with modern flair, tasting menus from 300 RMB. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
solid guide, covers the main spots well. one thing i'd add is the breakfast scene around Xiaoyaojin park, there's a cluster of stalls on Shouchun road just west of the park entrance that do a really good jianbing (savory crepe) with a crispy fried wonton cracker inside, only 6 RMB and it's huge. most tourists miss it because they head straight to huaihe road
also the rooftop at swan lake hotel is nice for the view but honestly the food is just okay for the price. if you want anhui cuisine with actual depth, walk five minutes to the small restaurant tucked behind the hilton on qianshan road, it's called lao hefei weidao, no english sign but the braised pork belly with dried bamboo shoots is the best i've had in the city and it's like 45 RMB for a big portion
good call on the sanhe rice dumplings, the pork ones are definitely best fresh off the steamer. if you're making the trip out there, grab a few of the sweet red bean ones too and eat them while walking along the old canal, that stretch between the temple and the bridge has a nice breeze and hardly any crowds
one thing the guide missed is the stinky tofu at the night market on wuhu road isn't the best version honestly. there's a lady with a cart on the south side of suzhou road near the intersection with tongcheng road who fries hers darker and serves it with a chili vinegar dip that cuts through the oil way better. she's there from about 7pm until she runs out around 10, get the extra crispy batch if she's got it
the old lu'an restaurant tip is good but tbh the locals i know go to the original location further down huaihe road near the mingjiao road intersection, smaller place with a faded red sign and no english menu. they do a version of luzhou roast duck that's less greasy and the skin stays crispy longer, about 45 RMB for half a duck
also if you're into tea, skip mingjiao tea house on weekends it gets touristy and the service slows down. the tiny tea stall at the back of chengdu road flower market has better huangshan maofeng and the old lady running it will let you try three different grades before you buy, a pot there is like 15 RMB and she keeps refilling hot water for free
Hefei on a Budget: Tips 2026
Budget hotels near the city center start around 150-200 RMB per night, with hostels offering dorm beds for 50-80 RMB. For a quieter stay, consider guesthouses in the Shβ¦ π¨ Affordable Accommodation
Budget hotels near the city center start around 150-200 RMB per night, with hostels offering dorm beds for 50-80 RMB. For a quieter stay, consider guesthouses in the Shushan District, where prices are 10-20% lower than downtown.
π Eating on a Shoestring
Street food like jianbing and stinky tofu costs 5-15 RMB at night markets such as Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street. A filling meal at a local noodle shop runs 15-25 RMB, while a sit-down dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant averages 80-120 RMB.
π Getting Around Cheaply
Hefei's bus system charges a flat 2 RMB per ride, and the metro costs 2-5 RMB depending on distance. A day pass for unlimited metro rides is 15 RMB, available at station ticket machines.
π« Low-Cost Attractions
Many parks and temples are free, including Xiaoyaojin Park and the Mingjiao Temple. The Anhui Museum has free entry with a valid ID, while the Hefei Swan Lake area offers free scenic walks.
ποΈ Smart Shopping Tips
For souvenirs, head to the Hefei Wanda Plaza area where local markets sell items at negotiable prices. Avoid tourist-heavy spots near attractions, where prices can be 30-50% higher.
π‘ Money-Saving Hacks
Locals often use the Dianping app for restaurant discounts and group deals, saving 10-20% on meals. Carry small bills for street vendors, as many do not accept cards or mobile payments.
π³ Free Outdoor Fun
Dawangshan Forest Park and the Hefei Botanical Garden offer free entry and are perfect for a budget-friendly day out. Pack a picnic to avoid paying for overpriced snacks inside.
π² Bike Sharing Deals
Rent a bike from Hellobike or Meituan for as little as 1 RMB per 30 minutes via their apps. Monthly passes cost around 20 RMB and are ideal for exploring the city at your own pace.
Nice outline, I've been living in Hefei for about a year and a half and can vouch for most of this. One thing I'd add is that the metro day pass is only worth it if you're planning 5+ rides in a single day, otherwise just tapping your phone with Alipay is simpler and you only pay for what you use. Also, if you're near the old city wall area on Changjiang Road, there's a small park called Huancheng Park that runs along the moat, it's completely free and has these old stone bridges that most tourists walk right past. I've spent many afternoons there just sitting on a bench watching the locals fish.
good write-up, one thing i'd add is that the anhui museum's free entry is legit but the main building on huaihe road is smaller than the new one out in the government district. if you have time, the new branch has way better exhibits and still free, just need your ID. also for cheap eats, the food court under the wanda plaza on ma'anshan road has these steam-cooked baozi for like 8 rmb for six, way better than the tourist stalls on huaihe road imo
Something the guide doesn't mention is that most of the free parks like Xiaoyaojin have cheap morning tea houses tucked inside them. I paid 18 RMB for a pot of biluochun and sat by the lake for two hours watching the old guys play xiangqi. Also, if you're near the Swan Lake area around sunset, the light show on the government buildings is free and draws a decent crowd. It kicks off around 7 PM in summer and runs for about 20 minutes.