NiHao

NiHao in Canton cranks out dishes at a speed that one could only describe as “manic,” which makes for a chaotically fun meal of excellent Sichuan dishes. Expect to reach over your friends with chopsticks to grab bites of eggplant with garlic sauce, popcorn chicken, and a satisfyingly crackly-skinned Peking Duck. It all happens in a renovated townhouse with a back patio that’s perfect for big parties if you make a reservation in advance. Come for lunch or dinner, and head to the Canton waterfront after for a walk along the harbor—depending on the time of year, you might spot menhaden, jellyfish, or a resident great blue heron.