Five Chongqing hotpot branches to fit your evening

Chongqing hotpot is a celebration of bold flavors, bubbling beef tallow, and social dining. Whether you want an intense downtown classic at Peijie, riverfront skyline views at Liu Yishou, or hundreds of illuminated tables on the slopes of Nanshan, each restaurant brings its own personality to the table.

Pick the right hotpot experience for your night

Hotpot in Chongqing is more than a dinner; it is an interactive feast. Authentic local broths use heavy beef tallow packed with red chilies and numbing Sichuan peppercorns. If you are new to the heat, order a split pot (yuanyang guo) with half spicy broth and half mild mushroom or tomato soup. Dipping your cooked food into sesame oil with garlic protects your palate and balances the spice. Match your venue to your evening schedule so you can relax and enjoy the meal without rushing.

Peijie Jiaochangkou: downtown beef tallow classic

Peijie Chongqing Hotpot, Jiaochangkou Branch (珮姐重庆火锅较场口直营店). Located at first floor, 5 Minsheng Road (民生路5号第一层), Yuzhong District, opposite Shancheng Lamb Restaurant. See the branch location.

Peijie is the quintessential downtown flagship for rich, punchy beef tallow broth. It is famous for signature dishes like crispy gongcai dried-vegetable pork meatballs (贡菜丸子), tender spicy marinated beef (麻辣牛肉), and fresh crunchy tripe. Check their official branch list and brand menu for current specialties. Because this branch is hugely popular, you can monitor wait times via their official WeChat contact channel or arrive before peak dinner hours.

Zhou Shixiong Jiefangbei: tender pork kidney and rich broth

Zhou Shixiong Hotpot, Jiefangbei Main Branch (周师兄大刀腰片火锅〔解放碑·全国总店〕). Located at 9 Minsheng Road, units 1-2, ground-floor shops of Sunshine Constellation Apartments (民生路9号1-2号阳光星座公寓底商). See the branch location. AMap listing.

Zhou Shixiong sits right down the street from Peijie, making it an outstanding downtown alternative if nearby lines are long. The kitchen specializes in masterfully sliced large pork kidney (dadao yaopian), flash-boiled in savory red broth for tender crunch. The brand says it uses strictly single-use fresh broth bases.

Liu Yishou Hongyadong: river views and split pots

Liu Yishou Hotpot, Hongyadong River View Branch (重庆刘一手火锅〔洪崖洞江景店〕). The branch address is 48 Cangbai Road (沧白路48号). See its location.

This branch offers front-row seats overlooking the illuminated river and stilt houses during a Hongya Cave evening. It is particularly welcoming for mixed groups, offering split pots from the brand’s broth menu that pair spicy beef tallow with refreshing tomato, mushroom, or duck soup. Call +86 23 61618555 via the official branch locator to request a river-facing table. Check our vegetarian and vegan guide and halal guide if you have specific meat or broth requirements.

Zhu Guangyu Times Paradise Walk: retro vibes and iced desserts

Zhu Guangyu Hotpot, Times Paradise Walk Branch (朱光玉火锅馆〔时代天街店〕). Located diagonally opposite Gate 9 of Times Paradise Walk Building D, on the ground floor of Shidai Hui Building 11 (时代天街D馆9号门斜对面，时代汇11号楼1楼). See its location. Official branch listing.

Zhu Guangyu blends energetic retro street-food aesthetics with modern dining comfort. Zhu Guangyu pairs spicy hotpot dishes with elaborate iced desserts, shaved ice treats, and milk teas that instantly soothe spicy palates. It is the perfect dinner stop after an afternoon of shopping.

Pipa Yuan Nanshan: glowing hillside hotpot village

Pipa Yuan Shiweixian Hotpot, Nanshan Main Branch (枇杷园食为鲜火锅〔南山总店〕). Located at Jinzhu Village, Laochang, Wenfeng Main Street, Nan'an District (南岸区文峰正街老厂金竹村). See its location.

Spanning an entire mountain slope, this hillside restaurant features hundreds of open-air tables set among lush trees and glowing red lanterns. Call +86 23 62483138 to check table availability. Treat this as a dedicated evening excursion: show the Chinese name and address to your ride-hailing driver, and book your return ride through the app from the entrance when you finish dining.

How to order and tame the heat

When your pot arrives, you can confirm fresh single-use broth by asking: 请问这锅是新做的一次性锅底吗？

To build a balanced starter meal for two, pick one signature meat (like beef slices or gongcai meatballs), one fresh vegetable, and one plate of root vegetables or mushrooms. Many restaurants offer half portions so you can taste more variety.

At the sauce station, fill your small bowl with sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped scallions. Dipping hot ingredients into this oil coats your food, eases the chili sting, and cools the bite down.

Check the broth cost and small table or sauce station fees on the printed menu. For food safety, use separate tools for raw ingredients and eating. Check our comprehensive hotpot ordering guide for dish names, cooking times, and etiquette.