If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in my years of traveling through Xinjiang and around China, it’s that travel books don’t catch everything. It would be impossible, I realize, but I still think it’s a shame that travelers miss some really cool gems. I’ve become friends with a few foreign small business owners and have come to appreciate the incredible red tape they have to overcome to open their cool cafes.

So in my effort to give these guys some free publicity and to help any travelers touring the Silk Road I’d like to share my top three favorite kinds of foreign small businesses: the café, the coffee house, and the ice cream shop.

Best Café: Urumqi’s Texas Café

I admit that I’m a little biased considering I hail from the great state of Texas, but Urumqi’s Texas Café really does offer some of the best Tex-Mex food in China. On the menu you’ll find enchiladas, burritos, and nachos as well as typical western dishes like pizza or hamburgers. Good coffee and homemade deserts top of a very reasonably priced meal. I know this sounds like a long commercial, but you can ask my wife – I love this place.

Also available is a decent-sized collection of books available for rent, buy or trade and free wifi. Jerrod, who is running the place, is a great guy who apparently went to school not even 10 minutes from my home. Who knew we’d be meeting up in the middle of Central Asia?

Name: 德克萨斯西餐厅 “The Texas Cafe”

Address: 马市小区 (ma shi xiao qu) along the grape trellis

Hours:  1pm to 11pm

Best Coffee House: Dunhuang’s Oasis Café

Opened in the last year, this coffee house blows away every other “café” in Dunhuang. That may be because it’s the only one that is run by foreigners, but I personally believe it’s because they focus on selling coffee, not camel tours. Currently their menu is only drinks but they tell me they plan to offer food sometime in the next year. Food can wait, though, cause their latte and milkshakes are incredible.

Travis and Kevin have created a nice atmosphere which includes free wifi, soothing music, and comfortable seating. They’re menu isn’t incredibly long, but their coffee is good quality.

Name: 绿洲咖啡馆 “Dunhuang’s Oasis Cafe”

Address: 商业街99号 (shang ye jie 99 hao)

Hours:  2pm to 12pm

Best Ice Cream: Ice Mountain Creamery

Live in China long enough and you’ll find that American brands like Blue Bell really can’t be beat. Chinese ice creams lack a certain…how do you describe it?  A creamy taste. So last year when the Ice Mountain Creamery opened up I was skeptical that their ice cream could be much better, but it is. It really is.

They have a small (very small!) window selling ice cream in the city center, but you can also get a bowl at the Texas Café. During the summer months a cup of the “Urumqi Snow” (cookies and cream) really hits the spot.

Name: 美国冰淇淋 “Ice Mountain Creamery”

Address: 乌市人民路车市 H9 (wu shi ren min lu che shi H9)

————————–

So there you have it. I don’t do advertisements much, but I think these guys deserve it. If you ever out in the area stop by and give them some business. You can tell them you heard it from me, but quite honestly they’d probably just laugh and say “Yea, I remember that Josh guy. He’s kind of weird but his wife is real nice.”

————————————————————-

Traveling to Xinjiang? Find out which China Travel Guide is best for YOU!