Ma Wang Zi

Ma Wang Zi is the restaurant that proved Sichuan could go fine dining without going soft: a Michelin-listed kitchen inside Chengdu's Taikoo Li complex, serving dishes that balance the numbing heat of the region with the polish of a white-tablecloth room.

It is busy, glamorous, and endlessly quotable - the cold noodles and the signature fish pull in queues every evening. The menu has an English section and the staff move fast, so even a short visit delivers the full Sichuan experience. Book ahead or go early; this is the rare starred restaurant that locals also queue for.