If you want to pull out all the stops, go to Il Forno in the Shangri-La Hotel. This is one of Guangzhou’s best Italian restaurants, serving up fresh seafood, steaks, oven-baked pizza, pasta, antipasti, and soups. The dress code is smart casual so it’s wise to dress up a little before you swing by. The ambiance is pleasantly upscale, the staff is friendly and helpful, and there’s a non-smoking section. The wine selection is quite extensive, and the beef dishes come highly recommended; if you like good tenderloin, this is the place for you.
Getting there: Metro Line 2, Haizhu Square Station