Dishes in Nanjing city City have always enjoyed the reputation of "Big Dishes around Jing & Su" (Capital & Jiangsu) which are derived and developed from Huaiyang Dishes (one of the 4 major types of dishes in China). The fact that Jiansu Province is surrounded by waters made the local dishes in Nanjing closely connected with aquatic produces like fish and ducks. The famous Famous dishes are Fengwei (phoenix tail) Shrimps, Chicken Boiled in Clear Soup, Marmite vegetables, Jinling Roast Duck, Salt-water-refined Duck, and Salt-water-refined Chicken, etc to name a few.

Nanjing local flavors, are often found in the restaurants and food stalls around the Confucius Temple area. They are Xiaolong Baozi (small steamer meat-filled buns), Vegetarian Baozi, Jellied Bean-curd, and Green-onion Cakes, etc.