Kunming, the capital of the "backwater" Chinese province of Yunnan, is a go-to destination in Southwest China. It is surprisingly called home by scores of western cafés, downscale or upscale, though many locals have merely gotten used to traditional drink and food.

A guided quick tour to Kunming may not impress you very much for its western restaurants, no matter how many there are in the city, and how good they are. But exploring among the downtown streets, you will find yourself many a western café nestling in relatively silent corners of the city.

Shuncheng Shopping Center 
Shuncheng shopping center is where the city of Kunming is best skylined with glittering skyscrapers. One can find several western cafes in this area, such as the Starbucks Coffee. It is a snub of many locals, who are non-coffee drinkers, not to patronize coffee shops because tea plays the largest role in their diet. The luxurious shopping mall of Shuncheng has also led to the spring-up of a series of western cafés, such as Charlie Brown Café, and Papa Johns Pizza, with the latter hidden inside the concrete buildings not to be easily found.

(The American coffee shop, Starbucks Coffee, is prominent next to the 
Shuncheng Shopping Centre near the Nanping Street, downtown Kunming)

Wenlin Street 
The most famous area for western and exotic dining in Kunming is the Wenlin Street where it is a thriving bar and restaurant scene, especially the nightlife. It is a stomping ground for eaters who like authentic international cuisines, such as the Western, Thai, Korean, and Indian foods. This area is most likely the most-frequented by international students, foreign immigrants, and tourists as well. Famous restaurants are Salvador's Coffee and Kunming Korean Restaurant etc.

Jingxing Street (Qianwang Street) 
The Italian restaurant Pizza da Rocco is one of the earliest western restaurants in Kunming. Serving home style Italian pizza, the restaurateur Mr Rocco has enjoyed a wide reputation in Kunming. The restaurant has witnessed the reshuffle of the old quarter of Kunming in recent years. Formerly based nextdoor to the Former Residence of Mr. Nie're, who is a famous Chinese musician and the composer of the National Anthem of the PRC, it is now moved to the Qianwang Street, about 200 meters from the Jingxing Bird & Flower Market. Besides KFC and Dicos, the Qianwang Street has been home to a dozen bars, such as Café Kawana and Aomai's Kitchen, where you can take in views of evocative Chinese architectures.

Dongsi Street (East Pagoda)
Dongsi Street (East Pagoda) is another place for exotic dining-which highlights the Thai and Myanmar food. "Yao Li Hua" Thai Restaurant & Bar, and Mingalaba Myanmar Traditional Foods & Restaurant are two big treats for sightseers to the East and West Pagodas. Bella Italian Restaurant is also eponymous to the two.

Tongren Street (Near the Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Memorial Archways) 
Buildings around this small area are classical western style. Close-ups by photographers can make it the most "western" part of Kunming. In addition to Cantonese Porridge Restaurant, it is known for "Yao Li Hua" Thai Restaurant & Bar, whose chain store can be found in Dongsi Street; and Hong Kong Best Coffee.

(Tongren Street, as long as only 150 meters, might 
will be the most “western” part of Kunming)

If there are still “complaints” that there are still too few cafés for overseas visitors here, there are some other places you can go: 
Blue Bird Café, near the Green Lake Park, is on the opposite of Kunming Grandpark Hotel;
Golden Sun Italian Restaurant, at Dongfengxi Road and near the Green Lake Park;
SUKHOTHAI Thai Restaurant, at the south entrance of Daguan Trade City; 
Raindrops Café, near the Brilliant Plaza

(Blue Bird Café is the most patronized western restaurant by 
foreigners especially Westerners)