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