1949 The Hidden City — Restaurant in Beijing

You can’t really give less than five stars for a place that’s working so hard to impress you. I work to separate any nuanced complaints I have and compare them to - perhaps simply a lacking of my palette or even understanding of local dishes and preparation. For example, the Peking Duck was clearly impeccable. I doubt I will ever eat anything so special again. I hope I do! However the meat used for the curry and beef dish was incredibly fatty and at times tough. Maybe I am missing something, maybe this cut of meat is preferred by locals or tradition demands it? The pumpkin soup with beans was silky. It has little salt and somewhat muted but still very unique. The ambience is pretty impressive and service is excellent too. You’d hardly complain about anything here. The wine menu is substantial. It’s probably a bit more for tourists as the pricing is way out of line for local actual costs for a great meal. You pay for the assumed Michelin stars. Honestly, 4/5 stars but again I could be missing something. Everything was well prepared...

1949 The Hidden City is a destination restaurant that blends history, atmosphere, and cuisine into one memorable experience. Tucked away in a beautifully restored courtyard, it feels like stepping into a hidden world, making the dining journey as impressive as the food itself.

The signature Peking duck is one of the highlights — crispy skin, tender meat, and precise tableside carving, all paired with delicate pancakes and condiments that balance richness with freshness. It’s easy to see why this dish has earned the restaurant Michelin recognition.

For a more curated experience, the Black Pear Set Menu offers a thoughtful progression of flavors, highlighting refined takes on classic Chinese dishes. Each course is elegantly plated, with an emphasis on both...

The restaurant moved to another location near Jinbao Palace. We have ordered tenderloin beef from the menu….it was expected to see the beef alone… usually it should be steak …but they brought it cut with mushrooms ( 30% meat, 70% mushrooms on the plate) and the mushrooms that were not included in the food description!!!….the taste was nice but I did not want mushrooms, I wanted just a piece of good quality meat …the situation was slightly improved by the spicy radish and pumpkin, but the last one was served with…gnawed plum pit…i think this place does not worth its money, only service and interior...