Equal parts hectic and fun, Dàpái Dàng is decorated like a Qing-dynasty eatery, complete with waiters scurrying around in period garb and lanterns hanging overhead. There's a handy English menu for ordering Nanjing specialities such yánshuǐyā (salted duck), pork sticky-rice and mouth-watering duck dumplings.
The restaurant has numerous branches, all of which can get packed at mealtimes. If you arrive during a busy period, ask for a ticket and wait for your number to be called. There's another handy branch on the 5th floor of Friendship Plaza (Area C; Xinjiekou, Exit 21).