Da Ge Fan is a popular dining restaurant in Guangzhou. It is renowned for its signature pigeon dish, a classic Cantonese delicacy. Must-Eat food in Guangzhou!
Da Ge Fan, or Dagefan (大鸽饭), is a paradise for pigeon enthusiasts and anyone seeking authentic Cantonese flavors. This Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized restaurant is renowned for its signature roast pigeon. The pigeons served at Dagefan are sourced from home-raised stock, ensuring their freshness. The meat is tender and flavorful, making it one of the top-rated restaurants in Guangzhou.
During one of our trips to Guangzhou, we visited Dagefan on Beijing Road to experience the renowned Dagefan cuisine. The dining experience offered a fresh perspective on Guangzhou’s food scene. Let’s dive into our Dagefan food review for the amazing pigeon dishes feast!
Da Ge Fan – Pigeon Specialized Restaurant
First opened in 2007, Da Ge Fan (大鸽饭) specializes in pigeon-themed dishes. The name “Dagefan” can be directly translated to “big pigeon rice.” Roasted pigeon is a century-old specialty of southern Chinese cuisine.
Be sure to indulge in this mouthwatering signature dish with its Cantonese origins!
Dagefan claims to have its own farm for raising pigeons and reported selling over 3.5 million pigeons in one year. Their flagship branch in Zhongshan has received a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an award given to restaurants that offer a quality dining experience at a reasonable price.
Dagefan has multiple locations across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hunan province. In Zhouzhou, you can find branches in Tianhe, Yuexiu, ZhongShan, Beijing Road, and more. The Beijing Road branch in Guangzhou is particularly busy, often resulting in long queues.
Da Ge Fan (大鸽饭)
Opening Hours: Daily from 11:00 to 21:30.
Address: Multiple branches across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hunan province.
Expected Cost: Approximately RMB 200-300 per person, depending on the food ordered.
Looking for accommodation nearby Beijing Road? We recommend staying at the Mercure Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street Hotel. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian street, with numerous restaurants and eateries nearby.
Our Visit to Dagefan Beijing Road
During our visit to Guangzhou, our group of six friends planned an early dinner on a weekday, anticipating a queue. However, when we arrived at 5pm, I was surprised by the large crowd, which was unexpected for a weekday.
The restaurant spans three floors and features a nostalgic Lingnan-style decor. The dining room was bustling with diners, and there was a modest line of people waiting. Although we plan to arrive early, still, we ended up waiting almost an hour and a half before we finally got a table.
We were given free snacks and drinks while waiting for our turn.
Dagen Food Guide: If your queue time is longer than 30 minutes, you get a free dessert or other food option (depending on branches). But if it’s longer than 1 hour, you receive a FREE roast pigeon!
Da Ge Fan Menu: What To Order
Although the waiting time can be quite long, the service is quick and efficient once you are seated. Ordering is simple; you can scan a QR code to access the menu, which highlights the top-rated dishes.
The pigeon dish is a must-try at Dagefan Restaurant. The most popular option is the crispy braised pigeon, but you can also choose the salt-baked pigeon, which is less oily. Each pigeon is carefully prepared, showcasing the kitchen’s mastery of both flavor and technique.
In addition to its signature pigeon dish, the restaurant offers a variety of Cantonese options, including seafood and Cantonese food dishes. The extensive menu makes it a popular choice for both casual dining and special occasions.
What We Eat at Da Ge Fan
After exploring the Dagefan menu, we opted for a la carte so we could focus on the pigeon dishes. We ordered two types of pigeon, both of which were crispy and delicious.
Dagefan promises food delivery within 30 minutes, or your meal is free. The staff will provide a glass timer and start counting after taking your order. If your meal is not served by the time the sand has completely fallen to the bottom, your meal will be free. A fun experience waiting for my pigeon meal!
Crispy Braised Pigeon (红烧鸽皇)
The signature dish, Crispy Braised Pigeon (红烧鸽皇), is simply heavenly! The skin is perfectly crispy, while the meat is tender and succulent. True to its name, each bite releases a burst of rich and flavorful pigeon juices.
Interestingly, a small glass of passion fruit and mango juice was served alongside the roasted pigeon, which we were encouraged to sip after enjoying the dish.
Salt-Baked Pigeon (盐焗鸽皇)
We also ordered the second most popular dish, Salt-Baked Pigeon (盐焗鸽皇). This classic version of pigeon features tender meat and crispy skin, making it highly recommended for anyone seeking the traditional flavors of Guangzhou.
The Dagefan’s Salt-Baked Pigeon has a perfect savory seasoning balance, making every bite enjoyable without being overly salty. Additionally, it is less oily than roasted pigeon but just as delicious.
Black Truffle Big Pigeon Rice (黑松露大鸽饭)
Another standout on the menu is the Black Truffle Big Pigeon Rice (黑松露大鸽饭). This signature dish features rice cooked in a flavorful pigeon and pork bone broth, resulting in a delicious taste and a crispy golden crust on the bottom.
The smoky, fragrant bowl of rice is topped with steamed pigeon meat and gizzards, enhancing its delightful aroma without overpowering the flavors.
A must for anyone craving Cantonese cuisine!
My Final Dagefan Food Guide Tips
For the best dining experience at Dagefan, here are our tips for the Dagefan food guide:
Getting Around while waiting in line: You can use Weixin to scan the waiting queue, which will alert you about your queuing number. We spent some time exploring the Dafo Temple while waiting for the table.
Getting Food Discount: When you place an order through the food apps Meituan or Dianping, you can choose from the two-person or four-person meal sets. These sets include a variety of dishes such as pigeon, claypot rice, main courses, and drinks, depending on the option you choose. Alternatively, you can receive the discount if you purchase a group coupon from Meituan or Dianping.
Recommended accommodation near Beijing Road: Although it is not necessary to stay nearby just to eat the Dagefan. For first-time visitors, we suggest staying in the Beijing Road Pedestrian Street area if you are looking for where to stay in Guangzhou. The reason is simple: its convenient location makes it easy to explore the surroundings. We recommended staying at the Mercure Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street Hotel. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian street, with numerous restaurants and eateries nearby.
Be sure to arrive early, as the queues get long and there is no option for online booking. Diners may have to wait for 2 to 3 hours just to enjoy the succulent roasted pigeon at Dagefan.
To ensure a smooth dining experience at Dagefan, planning ahead is essential. Dagefan may stop accepting diners if they cannot accommodate all guests. Additionally, the popular crispy roasted pigeon might sell out early.
Overall: Dagefan Food Review
All in all, we highly recommend dining at Dagefan (大鸽饭). All dishes were prepared promptly and offered a flavorful yet balanced experience, making the meal feel indulgent without being overwhelming.
Additionally, the prices were very reasonable. The service was impeccable. The staff inquired about any food allergies and ensured that the dishes were prepared to our liking. Their exceptional hospitality and attentive service reflect the high quality of the restaurant. In short, we had an excellent meal in Dagefan Guangzhou, and a 5-star review is well-deserved. High recommended!
Related Food blog:
- Guangzhou Food Guide: Where and What To Eat
- Guangzhou Xihua Road Food Guide: Authentic Local Street Food
Lastly, this Dagefan Food Review blog is part of our travel journey that includes Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Continue reading for more travel stories!
- Guangzhou itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Guangzhou: Best Areas and Hotels
- Shenzhen itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Shenzhen: Best Areas and Hotels
Travelling to Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou, be sure to check out our travel blog below:
- Shanghai itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Shanghai: Best Areas and Hotels
- Shanghai Food Guide: What and Where To Eat
- Day Trip Suzhou itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Hangzhou itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Hangzhou: Best Areas and Hotels
- Trip to West Lake: A Travel Guide Blog
- Trip to Wuzhen Ancient Water Town: A Travel Guide Blog
