Must-see restaurants in Zhejiang

  • Grandma’s Home

    Hangzhou

    There's no end to the hype about this restaurant, which now has branches across the whole country, with eager diners constantly clustering outside. It…

  • Xiánhēng Jiǔdiàn

    Zhejiang

    Xiánhēng Jiǔdiàn is a fantastic, if touristy, place to sample local food and drink. Dishes include dried broad beans stewed in fennel water (茴香豆, huíxiāng…

  • Green Tea Restaurant

    Hangzhou

    Often packed, this excellent Hangzhou restaurant, on the 3rd floor of Intime Mall, has superb food. With a bare-brick finish and rows of clay teapots, the…

  • Zhongshan South Road Food Street

    Hangzhou

    Hangzhou is spoilt for choice when it comes to foodie streets, and this stretch of Zhongshan Nanlu (starting at the Drum Tower) is an absolute delight…

  • Nánfāng Dà Bāo

    Hangzhou

    Who would have thought the humble bāozi could taste so good? The fluffy steamed buns served at this small corner stand near the Rénhé Hotel building are…

  • Carbon

    Hangzhou

    The crowd is super-stylish, the lakeside location is outstanding, and the chandeliers, gorgeous botanical arrangements and soft-wood decor make Carbon a…

  • Pho More

    Zhejiang

    Authentic Vietnamese food in a back alley of downtown Jinhua is not what you might expect, but the pho (beef stock noodle soup) at this tiny restaurant is…

  • Innocent Age Book Bar

    Hangzhou

    Enjoy snacks, cakes, tea and coffee on a glorious terrace overlooking the West Lake at this cafe set just down the slope of Baoshi Hill from Baochu Pagoda…

  • Zǎozǐshù

    Zhejiang

    Far more upmarket (and with prices to match) than a typical temple canteen, Zǎozǐshù serves up vegetarian delicacies like stir-fried tea mushrooms (干煸茶菇,…

  • Dōngyīshùn

    Hangzhou

    Specialising in food from China’s Muslim Hui minority, this busy Gaoyin Jie spot has lamb kebabs (羊肉串, yáng ròu chuàn; ¥10 for four), roast mutton (¥40)…

  • Yihe Zangxiang Beef Noodles

    Hangzhou

    A superb lunch stop, where the must-order beef noodles are done Lanzhou-style (read: magnificently fiery) and the meat is served separately to drop it in…

  • Yinshi Restaurant

    Hangzhou

    Yinshi's name literally translates as 'Hidden Stone Canteen' and indeed it's tucked away in a backstreet with unexpected retro charm inside with pewter…

  • Máocǎo Wū

    Hangzhou

    Near the China National Tea Museum, this restaurant serves traditional Hangzhou cuisine in a beautiful setting overlooking a pond and surrounded by tea…

  • Zhuàngyuánlóu

    Zhejiang

    One of Nanxun's local specialities is shuāng jiāo miàn (双浇面), a kind of long thin wheat noodle in a rich, dark soy broth. This is the most popular shop in…

  • Lóuwàilóu

    Hangzhou

    Founded in 1838, this is Hangzhou's most famous restaurant. The local speciality is xīhú cùyú (西湖醋鱼, sweet and sour carp) and dōngpō (braised) pork, but…

  • Moganshan Lodge

    Zhejiang

    Grab a book from the shelves (there are many in English) and curl up in one of the vintage armchairs here with a pot of tea. Should you decide to stretch…

  • Jiàndé Zhuàngyuán Pù

    Hangzhou

    This clean stand is perfectly placed near Ding'an metro station for some pre-travel snacks for breakfast or after a trip. Vegetarians can rejoice for…

  • Gāo Lǎotài Nǎiyóu Xiǎopān

    Zhejiang

    Shaoxing's custard tarts are different from the ones you find in Shanghai or Macau, with thin crisp shells, the lightest of custard and wispy caps of…

  • Shoukangyong Vegetarian Restauarant

    Hangzhou

    Classic banquet-style, Buddhist vegetarian dishes made for sharing. Solo diners who don't want to eat a whole plate of one vegetable or mock meat can opt…

  • Huiji Temple Vegetarian Restaurant

    Zhejiang

    The vegetarian canteen at hilltop Huiji Temple serves up humble but filling and healthy bowls of stewed vegetables, tofu and rice. Buy a ticket and help…

  • Puji Temple Vegetarian Restaurant

    Zhejiang

    A vegetarian canteen inside Puji Temple serving great value meals. Buy a ticket at the 'box office' and then grab a bowl.

  • Nóngjiā Tèsè Xiǎochīguǎn

    Zhejiang

    On the edge of South Pond look for this tiny eatery with the woman making wontons out front. A filling bowl of soup costs just ¥5 and you can eat outside…

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