Carbon

Elegantly set directly on the West Lake, Carbon is a restaurant, café and bar that offers a fusion menu with a traceable emphasis on European (French, Italian and Spanish) cuisines. Although the restaurant is supervised by a Michelin one-star chef, the price is acceptable. Some signature dishes are Tuna Potato Lasagna, Périgord Black Truffle Risotto, and French Chicken Roti.

• Address:

  10 Beishan Jie, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8796 8775

• Opening hours:

  11h - 23h

• More info:

  Next to Biliantian Restaurant

Dong Yi Shun / 东伊顺

The Chinese restaurant with a, perhaps, rather uncharacteristic menu (it serves dishes typical of a local Muslim minority group), Dongyishun is the place to go for kebab (lamb, mutton and chicken), as well as yogurt, falafel and hummus. Picture menu available.

• Address:

  99 Gaoyin Jie, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8780 5163

• Opening hours:

  10h30 - 22h

Green Tea Restaurant / 绿茶

A very popular restaurant that is best visited at odd times to avoid rush hour crowds, this cosy eatery offers a unique ambiance, varied menu and affordable prices. Try the clay pot dishes and do not skip the guilty pleasure of delicate Cantonese dim sum for dessert, numerous kinds are offered, and everyone is a piece of art.

• Address:

  83 Longjing Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8788 8022

• Opening hours:

  11h - 22h

Haidilao Hot Pot / 海底捞

One of the many places offering hot pot-style dining, Haidilao has earned itself a reputations for impeccable service and cleanliness. The origionally spicey pot, which came from Sichuan, is adapted to the locals' taste. Select the desired ingredients (from a vast array of products that are normally very well-stocked) and create your very own hot pot mix. The restaurant is open 24/7, but might have long waiting time during rush hours.

• Address:

  135 YanAn Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8708 8050

• Opening hours:

  24/7

• More info:

  Yong Jin Plaza 5 Floor

JiangHu Qian Sushi / 江户前

One of Hangzhou's best picks when it comes to Japanese, the establishment prides itself on the top-notch quality of the ingredients used in meal preparation and attentive service. Buzzing even on an early Monday night, the restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine right by the scenic West Lake. Reservation required.

• Address:

  92 Xueshi Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8721 0517

• Opening hours:

  Mon - Fri 11h30 - 14h and 17h - 22 Sat, Sun 11h30 - 22h00

Lou Wai Lou / 楼外楼

Louwailou is located at the foot of Gushan, near the beautiful West Lake. More than 150 years old, Louwailou has served many famous persons in history including China’s most famous revolutionary, Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.

• Web:

  www.louwailou.com.cn

• Address:

  28 Gushan Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8796 9682

• Opening hours:

  10h30 - 14h30 and 16h30 - 20h30

Aurora

One of the city's most stylish venues, the Aurora Cocktail Lounge is celebrated as the place to be for cocktail connoisseurs. With fabled Jojo behind the bar, cocktails here are above par and live up to some of the most elevated expectations - choose from the menu or select a base alcohol to be worked with. I you like chill bar, this is the place to go.

• Address:

  86 East Huancheng Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8580 3206

• Opening hours:

  8h - 2h

Eudora Station / 亿多瑞站

Located on the scenic east bank of the lake, Eudora Station is an expats' darling that frequently hosts live bands and serves decent Western food. There is an airy outdoor terrace on the roof, from which an incredible view unfold before the party-goers.

• Address:

  101-7 Nanshan Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8791 4760

G+ Club

At G-Plus, the party is on every single night of the week with lively crowds filling the dance floor and letting loose to tunes spun by some of the hottest DJs. Expats and visitors frequent the establishment, so expect a very welcoming, potpourri public.

• Address:

  2 Baochu Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 2819 5888

• Opening hours:

  24/7

• More info:

  Next to Queen Club

Joy / 酒瘾

This rather standard bar features an extensive drink list. The staff and crowd are very welcoming of foreigners, even though the public here mostly consists of locals. It's a rather low-key establishment, so head elsewhere for some rowdier party vibes.

• Address:

  87 Nanshan Lu，Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8782 0753

• Opening hours:

  19h - 02h

• More info:

  Across from Linglong Town

Jz Club / 黄楼爵士俱乐部

Jz Club is the the venue for live jazz music. This place also serves food and holds regular jam sessions and concert series. Savor a cocktail or your drink of choice as music fills the air in this low-lit, laid-back venue by the West Lake waterfront.

• Address:

  6 Liuying Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8702 8298

• Opening hours:

  6h - 2h

• More info:

  The yellow house by the crossroad

Traveller Bar / 旅行者酒吧

The owner of this 3-storey, hip bar likes to travel around the world and has encrusted the establishment's walls with interesting artifacts from his trips. Regular live music shows are hosted. There is also a board for those interested to leave a message seeking travel companions.

• Address:

  176 Shuguang Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8796 8846

• Opening hours:

  7h - 2h

• More info:

  Next to Old Captain Bar

ASKA Guesthouse / 飞鸟集

ASKA Guesthouse is a Japanese style cat café 30 minutes away from the downtown. Their beans are generally Medium, City or even Italian roast. It is a quiet place to hang out with friends located in the best spot to observe the blooming sweet osmanthus.

• Address:

  1 Yangjiashan, Manjuelong

• Phone:

  +86 571 8646 0461

• More info:

  Take bus No.87 or No.87b, get off at Shuiledong Station (水乐洞站). The coffee is right off the road.

Fuquan Tea House / 福泉茶寺

This tea house is located inside a 1600-year-old temple. Surrounded by the woods, the place is separated from city. The temple has it's own tea farm and the monks themselves are in charge of the production. The water that's used for the tea is pumped from an on-site well behind the temple. It's a great place to get away from the noise and embrace Zen, finding tranquility within.

• Address:

  16 Fayun Alley, Lingyin Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8796 8993

• Opening hours:

  9h - 18h

• More info:

  Inside Yongfu Temple

Lan Shan Café / 蓝山咖啡馆

This establishment takes pride in its delicate care of the entire coffee-making process and is somewhat of a "classic" coffee house. Blue Mountain Café carefully chooses coffee beans, brewing methods and the right container that brings out the best in the drink.

• Address:

  56-58 Ding'an Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8701 8677

• Opening hours:

  10h - 2h

Song Pin Tea House / 宋聘茶书院

Founded in 1880, the tea-house has recently move into a renovated factory. The industrial design has become its signature. It is not only a high quality tea house, but also a museum where thousands of kinds of tea are exhibited, some even dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

• Web:

  www.songpinhao.com

• Address:

  139 Liuhe Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8800 0369

• Opening hours:

  10h - 18h

• More info:

  On the east side of Building No.30

Yi Shi / 一时

Yi Shi is a quiet tea house hidden in the city. Tea here is served in a traditional way, with the entire set of a tea ceremony performance and guiding explanations. Order a cup of tea and some traditional desserts, and enjoy some quality time with friends and family.

• Address:

  13 Tianzhu Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 571 8797 6811

• Opening hours:

  10h - 23h

• More info:

  30 Meters to the south gate of Lingyin Temple

ZidongWoxi Coffee / 资董窝玺coffee

Cafés that roast their own beans are few and far between, and Zidong Woxi is one of them. In-house roasting gives the coffee a unique signature flavor. Its reputation among coffee-lovers ensures a constant flow of customers. If lost amid their numerous choices, take a cup of White Flat, the signature coffee, with which one can never go wrong.

• Address:

  45 Dajing Alley, Qinghe Lu, Hangzhou

• Phone:

  +86 157 5710 8917

• Opening hours:

  11h - 22h, closed every Wednesday