Listed number #2 on Tripadvisor, Jimmy Hornet is a well loved pub, restaurant and club that serves western food alongside oldies rock and jazz music with a funky atmosphere. Jimmy Hornet has a couple of chains dotted around central Zhongshan, but I visited the one by Fuwan South Road Shop.
The food menu may feel small compared to other restaurants in Zhongshan, but the quality of the food was good, though westerners will certainly notice the adaptations to their cult classics. Bangers and mash for example didn’t quite include what we Brits call ‘gravy’. The burritos were open ended, but still held good flavour. And the nachos were some of the best I’ve ever had, hands down.
Unfortunately, the menu may not suit Chinese friends and colleagues who might find the menu intimidating, as it does not seem to have any traditional Chinese food options or any seafood. Although there were a few Chinese ethnic people who were eating at Jimmy Hornet, we did see majority foreigner clientele, and our own Chinese friends did find it difficult to choose from the menu.
There are plenty of drinks on offer which meant finally, after several months I’ve been able to enjoy a good Captain Morgan’s rum. Cheers Jimmy Hornet!
Jimmy Hornet hosts special jazz events on Thursdays, and often invite guests for performances on certain days. But what I loved most about the place was that the music was very decent yet of a perfect volume. I could hear my friends and didn’t have to shout or even raise my voice to be heard. The tables were spaced out and the seating was comfortable. The lighting was also fantastic – It lit up everyone’s faces well yet still gave a nice shadowery/night feel away from the table. I plan to revisit Jimmy Hornet just for the atmosphere alone.
Jimmy Hornet is the best western restaurant I’ve been to so far. The service we received was absolutely incredible. Very polite waitering staff who knew English, we received our food in good time, and it was an excellent venue.
The toilets were weird though. That’s all I’m saying.
The Kite Flies 