Zhejiang cuisine is one of the eight famous culinary arts in China. The fresh, tender, soft, and smooth dishes accompanied by its mellow fragrance have won for itself widespread reputation in the culinary world. Hangzhou dishes, being the most important part of Zhejiang cuisine, are noted for its elaborate preparations, sophisticated way of cooking and its most refreshing taste. It is not only delicious but extremely elegant in appearance also. The local specialties include Beggar's Chicken (an entire chicken cooked in a ball of mud), West Lake Fish in Sweet Sour Source (vinegar coated fish from the lake), Dongpo Pork (braised pork) and Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea Leaves, and many others.
Louwailou Restaurant (Tower Beyond Tower) is the most famous restaurant located in Solitary Hill right at the heart of West Lake. It boasts a history of over 100 years of existence, and the most authentic restaurant in Hangzhou. You must not miss such a good opportunity to savor the superb Hangzhou cuisine while enjoying the awe-inspiring sight of West Lake. That is why you are most likely to wait for a table at dinnertime. The specialties include the West Lake Fish in Sweet Sour Source, the Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea Leaves, and the famous Beggar's Chicken.
Location: No. 30, Gushan Road, Hangzhou
Zhiweiguan Restaurant on Renhe Road is now the biggest and the most modern restaurant in Hangzhou. It has four stories of fine dining and top-of-the-line recreation facilities. Popular low-priced dishes are served on the first floor. The second floor serves seafood. The high and medium grade box area is on the third floor. The fourth floor consists of a Banquet Room, a Bar, a Chess Room and a KTV recreation area. You can take advantage of the great views of the picturesque West Lake from the restaurant.
Location: No. 83, Renhe Road, Hangzhou (Head Office)
We also recommend the following restaurants in relishing and sampling Hangzhou Cuisine at its finest:
Tianxianglou Restaurant is known far and wide for its excellent Hangzhou dishes.
Address: 447, Yanan Road, Hangzhou
Kuiyuan Restaurant is noted for its noodles called "Shrimp and Fried Eel". There is a saying that "You have not really understood Hangzhou if you have not eaten Shrimp and Fried Eel."
Address: 154, Jiefang Road, Hangzhou
Western Restaurants
Va Bene, Hong Kong's popular Italian restaurant is located at Xihu Tiandi that offers superb, authentic Italian cuisine set in a beautiful atmosphere of old Chinese mansion overlooking the lake.
Address: House 8, No.147 Nanshan Road, Xihu Tiandi
Haveli, an Indian food restaurant on the West Lake is now open. Entrees cost approximately CNY100.00 for fine dining both indoors and outdoors.
Address: No.77, Nanshan Road.
Valentino's Restaurant in the 6 floor of Radisson Hotel offers a new lunch menu, which feature an antipasto buffet and also tremendous Italian sandwiches, salads, pasta and pizzas.
Address: 333 Tiyuchang (stadium) Road, Hangzhou
Paulaner BBQ. Enjoy skewers of meat for approximately CNY58.00 per person. Sing and dance shows are scheduled every evening. You have to get there early or make reservation first if you want to dine at Paulaner BBQ, to avoid inconvenience.
Address: 21st floor, XinYu City Hotel, 315 Wen Hui Lu
Pizza Hut. There are several branches of this world famous fastfood chain in Hangzhou located at the following addresses:
Hubin Branch, No.2 Dongpo Road
Jiebai Branch, No.249 Jiefang Road
Ruifeng Branch, No.149 Qingchun Road
Xihu Shidai Branch, No.109-111, Dongpo Road
Wulin Square Branch, No.29 Tiyuchang Road
KFC. There are a total of 30 or so KFCs dotting Hangzhou, which have been very popular with both local and foreign customers. Following are some of the main locations:
Qingchun Branch, No. 70 Qingchun Road
Wulin Branch, No.380 Tiyuchang Road
Jiefang Branch, No.105 Jiefang Road
Caihe Branch, No.57 East Qingchun Road
Wenyi Branch, No.298 Wenyi Road
Travelers' Voices on Dining in Hangzhou
1.
Nov. 14,2009 07:02 Reply
Mr.ong(s'pore) said:
how is the food price in lou wai lou restaurant ?
any set meal ? i am not good in making order.
Nov. 17,2009 19:58
Mr.JAMESWONG(China) replied:
The food price is not cheap here, about 150RMB per person. It depends on what dishes you order. No se meal, I think, generally not a good idea to let the waitor order for you. There are some well spoken Hangzhou dishes here: Dongpo Pork (Dongpo Rou), West Lake Vinage Fish (Xihu Cuyu), Longjing shrimp (Longjiang Xiaren), Songsao thick fish soup (Songsao Yugeng), Beggar Chicken (strange name, right, it tasts good, called Jiahua Chicken).
2.
Aug. 3,2009 22:44 Reply
Mr.EdyCenna(Malaysia) said:
my friends and I would like to visit Hangzhou this december...
i want to know about halal food in Hangzhou...
can u give me the list of halal restaurant at hangzhou?
and can we booking the restaurant and food first?
Aug. 6,2009 20:13
Mr.Shan replied:
There are many halal restaurant in Hangzhou. The famous ones are Dong Yi Shun located at 99, Gaoyin Street, Shangcheng District, the Xinjiang Pamier Restaurant located at 9-5, Qiutao North Road, Jianggan District. No need to do reservation in advance~
3.
Jul. 28,2009 01:28 Reply
Mrs.lai(Malaysia) said:
where can i find vegetarian food?
please let me know whhich hotel provide pure vegetarian food?
Aug. 2,2009 23:13
Mr.Shan replied:
The most popular vegetarian restaurant in Hangzhou is Shou Kang Yong, located at 38, Yan'an Nan Rd, Shangcheng District. When you are visiting the noted Lingyin Temple, you could go to the Lingyin Temple Retaurant for vegetarian food, too.
4.
Jun. 30,2009 04:51 Reply
Mr.ananth(india) said:
whether south indian food available at Haveli, an Indian food restaurant on the West Lake .
5.
Mar. 26,2009 04:51 Reply
Ms.Karmen Jones(USA) said:
I just visited Hangzhou last week and had a wonderful time. I was guest at the green tea restaurant and had a great meal there. I was wondering if you could tell me the name of a dessert (and recipe for that matter) that me and my friends ate there. It was a square (looked like a loaf of bread) with bread cut in cubes in the center and with some melted sugar and butter. Ice cream topped this very delicious dessert. Do you think you tell me how to make it and/or where to get it in the US. I would very much appreciate it. Thanks in advance. karmen jones
Mar. 29,2009 23:43
Mr.Zhang(China) replied:
Hi Jones,
I'm local guy from Hangzhou,I hope I could help you.So would you please tell me the name/or the place of the restaurant you have guested?
as the dessert you mentioned may not the traditional food in Hangzhou.
good day!
Best regards,
Peter
6.
Feb. 26,2009 03:42 Reply
Ms.Lily Li said:
When we first went to Hangzhou, our friend lived in Hangzhou took us to a popular local restaurant called Wai Po Jia (Grandma's Kitchen). There were so many people waiting for seats at the dining time. But the dishes really gave us a surprise, so tasty and good-look. The price was also reasonable enough, a piece of Ma Po Tofu is just 3rmb, unbelievable~ Try Chaxiang Ji (red-cooked chicken with tea falvor )and the Shanhu Xia (shrimp with egg)!!!