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Ants Bistro (03) 9639 2908, 7 Corrs La, Melbourne - There is a wonderful sense of fun that prevails throughout the dining experience at Ants Bistro. Dishes are predominantly Northern Chinese.

Bamboo House 9662 1565, , 47 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A restrained and elegant experience is what dining at Bamboo House is all about.

Bokchoy Tang 9650 8666, , 3rd Floor, Federation Square, Swanston St cnr Flinders St, Melbourne - A hidden treasure. Great staff and service. The menu offers Chinese food with a difference. Outside terrace for warm weather.

Chine on Paramount (03) 9663 6556, Shop 9 & 10 Paramount Centre, 101 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Opposite the lions guarding the Chinese museum this restaurant attracts a largely business clientele.

Dahu Peking Duck Restaurant (03) 9663 3868, 171 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A first floor Northern Chinese restaurant overlooking the intersection of Russell and Little Bourke Streets.

Dragon Boat On The Yarra (03) 9629 8388, Holiday Inn, Flinders St cnr Spencer St, Melbourne - Part of the Dragon Boat group near the Casino. Cantonese cuisine.

Dragon Boat Palace (03) 9639 0888, 149 Lonsdale St, Melbourne - This Dragon Boat Palace is known for functions, a lot of weddings and also special entertainment evenings.

Dragon Boat Restaurant (03) 9662 2733, 203 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A large city Chinese restaurant which is open for suppers till 2am. It also does a daily yum cha.

Empress of China (03) 9639 7723, Level 1, 120 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - The Empress is the grand old lady of Chinatown. It is famous for incredibly attentive service and consistently good, traditional food.

Flower Drum (03) 9662 3655, , 17 Market la, Melbourne - A magnificent production that has now to be saved for a special treat. It's so hard to get a seat at Flower Drum. So plan ahead to enjoy impeccable service, food and Cantonese style.

Hutong Dumpling Bar 9650 8128, 14-16 Market La, Melbourne

Kim Sing (03) 9654 7889, Shop 10-12, 232 Flinders St, Melbourne

Ling Nan Restaurant (03) 9663 2347, 204 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Seafood is the speciality in this Cantonese cafe that's open until 3am. Big Chinese clientele.

Mask of China 9662 2116, , 115 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Melbourne's only, and one of few in Australia, Chiu Chow restaurant is presided over bythe very professional Albert Chan.

Oriental Bistro (03) 9663 9080, 195 Exhibition St, Melbourne

Pepper Chilli (03) 9662 9662, 1st Floor, 85 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Good Northern Chinese and Cantonese cuisine an a well run femine dining room. The restaurant is on the first floor.

Post Deng Cafe (03) 9663 9866, 214 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Stripped bluestone walls is not the norm in Little Bourke St, nor are Post Deng's Sezchuan dishes.

Post-Mao Cafe (03) 9663 6003, 113 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Shark Fin House (03) 9663 1555, 131 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A busy place for Yum Cha, queues, at the door and around the lift to get to one of the three levels of dining. The quality and variety of the yum cha selection is excellent.

Shark Fin Inn (03) 9662 2681, 50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A long-standing favourite of the industry for supper. Most regulars do not consult the menu but ask Vanessa what are the best dishes.

Sung's Kitchen (03) 9329 2636, 118 Franklin St, Melbourne

Supper Inn 9663 4759, 15 Celestial Ave, Melbourne - Supper Inn feed everyone - Chinese restaurateurs, their children, rock stars, actors and the rest of us until 3am. It's a Melbourne institution and with good reason.

Teahouse At Chinatown (03) 9639 2526, 11 Cohen Pl, Melbourne - Another of Lawrence Tse's excellent Tea Houses. Good Food, fine service and an excellent wine list.

The Jarrah Room 9629 5255, , NULL, 44 Spencer Street, Melbourne

Westlake (03) 9663 4265, 189 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A convenient place to meet and eat something quick in the centre of Chinatown.