5 Best Restaurants in Hangzhou, Eastern China

Back in 1848, this place was a simple fish shack. Business boomed, and it became the most famous restaurant in the province, focusing on Zhejiang cuisine and specializing in steamed lake perch served with vinegar sauce.

All day, lines form at the takeout window here, with people eager to order sesame-coated naan bread and plump, well-seasoned, skewered meats. Sit inside for a large picture menu of Western Chinese and Middle Eastern dishes.

This Himalayan café brews some of the city's best java. The eclectic space is outfitted with quilted tablecloths, comfy sofas, knit blankets, and walls stacked with books and knickknacks.

Trendy Hangzhou locals pack in at all hours for the inventive and exotic creations. The mango or durian pancakes filled with fresh whipped cream are especially yummy.

Inside the Temple of the Soul's Retreat (Lingyin Si), this restaurant has turned the Buddhist restriction against eating meat into an opportunity to invent a range of delicious vegetarian dishes. Soy replaces chicken and beef, meaning your meal is as benevolent to your health as to the animal world.