Zinc Cafe & Bar is a modern international-style establishment with a wide variety of drinks, snacks made with the finest ingredients and new music from all over the western world. They regularly hold special events.

Nice stylish cafe, good food, good music!

A favourite amongst expats living in Guangzhou, The Paddy Field is the one and only Irish bar in the city. It serves most kinds of imported beers (Guinness, of course, being available), as well as a good meal selection. Imported beers are expensive (around 50 for a Guinness), although food is reasonably priced.

Sleepingwood Bar & Restaurant is a relaxed earthy place located a few buildings up from the Holiday Inn.

Unlike most other bars in Guangzhou, Sleepingwood is not on a main street, and has a garden where you can sit in peace without hassle from traffic or pedestrians. The decor is akin to most Western style bars, with lots of ornamentation and pictures, and the food is a Chinese/Western collage. Prices are decent and there is a good selection of food and beers.

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China Box is more of a bar/club than a fully-fledged night club. They do have live music & dancing, and it does feel like a club, but it's not music focussed and there's very little space to dance.

This place is popular though, and always crowded. If you turn up early then you can usually get a table, otherwise make sure to reserve a spot in advance.

The restaurant ostensibly serves Latin-American styled food, although it borders on the generic American Italian. The prices are high and portions are small. Drinks, although available in a wide array of forms, are equally served in small quantities. Ask for a glass of wine and you’ll think yourself the butt of a joke; drink it fast otherwise the meagre serving will evaporate.

Guangzhou's only Russian restaurant has everything from vodka, music, and dancing, as well as its large menu of Russian cuisine. Perfect for Russian expats.

Although the quality of food is generally good, the staff are not friendly and do hover incessantly, to the point of outright watching you as you eat. It will help if you have a familiarity with Russian food as the menu gives you no help as to what combinations you should pick. Try and come later in the evening as before 8pm the place is dead and very uncomfortable.

One of our favourite Italian restaurants in Guangzhou, Anti-Pasto is tucked quietly away behind the Garden Hotel. Tastefully decorated in an interest round building, and serving good Italian food, it's the place to head to when you want some exclusivity from the usual pandemonium of Chinese restaurants.

The staff speak English and have learnt the most important rule of Western restaurants - don't hover around your customers.

Haveli is a very popular Indian restaurant in peaceful surroundings, with an outdoor area.

Food is good and prices are high.

The Sportsman's American Restaurant is another slice of America in Guangzhou. Spread across two floors not only does it provide a wide selection of authentic American food, but it has a well-stocked bar, along with many bar games and a large upstairs area appropriate for private gatherings.

Salads are great, and pizzas are large and well-stocked (the feta-cheese pizza is particularly good). Most ingredients are imported, and they even make their own homous. Portions are large and prices are very reasonable.