Chez Xu

Noisy and crowded, with tables sandwiched together and large portions of food it’s hard not to guzzle and slurp down, this Chinese – along with its mother restaurant in Place du Tunnel – is a great place to go with a bunch of friends for a casual, cheerful and (very importantly in this city) cheap lunch or dinner. The vast menu includes Chinese classics that are authentic in flavour – lemon chicken, black bean dishes, noodle soups, a sweet and sticky crunchy beef, steamed and fried dumplings and a particularly head-spinning spicy beef (though you can ask for it less spicy, if you can’t take it). Portions are huge, so it’s best to order a few things to share, but if you do over-order you can ask for a doggy bag and take it home with you. Given the portion sizes, the low prices are remarkable. But take cash – they don't accept plastic.