Following the inaugural launch of the Michelin awards in Hangzhou in 2023, there has been a major uptick in fine dining in the region that highlights unsung Zhejiang tastes. Rooted in meticulous preparation and subtle, elegant flavors like fresh river fish, lotus root and bamboo shoots, Zhejiang cuisine is marked by its harmony with nature and its reflection of the region’s strong tea culture. 

Beyond the benbang classics – like braised and lacquered dongbo pork, Longjing shrimp stir-fried with Dragon Well tea leaves, beggar’s chicken, and West Lake fish in vinegar sauce – Zhejiang cuisine encompasses an array of historic dishes, with traditions passed down for generations.

This guide will take you through five Hangzhou fine dining establishments that are redefining Zhejiang’s evolving food culture, plus the best places around town to visit while preparing for your next meal.

Where to Splurge on the Best Food in Hangzhou

Jin Sha

A restaurant that has remained on the Michelin list since Hangzhou’s first guide, Jin Sha elevates traditional Zhejiang cuisine with an emphasis on seasonality to the nth degree. Following the ethos of the 24 Solar Terms (节气) (a calendar divided into 24 periods used to mark the changes in microseasons, climate, and phenology that’s commonly associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine) the dishes embody sustainability, to the very essence of its meaning.

“Every year I travel to a different place to be inspired – by the streets, restaurants of all stature, books, and conversations,” shares Executive Chef Wang Yong. And that inspiration finds its way to the dining table with menu items like seasonal Lake Fish & Clam Meatballs swimming in Cantonese-style double-boiled chicken broth. The addition of Nanjing-sourced chrysanthemum indicum (菊花脑), with its tender tips harvested only from late spring through early summer, imparts a peppery, sweet, and herbaceous finish that highlights this perennial green. 
5 Lingyin Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou

Ru Yuan

Ru Yuan is an amalgamation of ingredients, recipes, and memories gathered by founder and Executive Chef Fu Yueliang throughout his extensive China and global travels, celebrating the tastes of his childhood while also reworking lesser-known flavors into a fine dining setting. His Pagoda Braised Pork Belly is a prime example, one that’s hardly changed since its debut in 2004. Slick with homemade Cantonese XO sauce, the plate pays homage to Sichuan roots that trace back to the 1970s.

Yet Chef Fu's method of presentation and the use of seasonal produce lend a fresh perspective – chestnuts in autumn, gingko nuts and arrowroot in winter, smoked bamboo shoots in spring, and pickled orchids with white bamboo in summer. “Our primary intention is to inherit and reshape the classics," says Chef Fu, as he delicately presses 2mm-thick strips of pork belly inside a still steaming, dimpled pumpkin mantou bun. 
11 Yuquan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

Wild Yeast

Wild Yeast is another Michelin-starred restaurant that focuses on reimagining Chinese gastronomy, particularly spotlighting Taizhou cuisine. The newly appointed head chef and Taizhou native Xu Zhiqiang has been a part of the team since opening, further expanding on ex-Head Chef’s Lin Zihan’s “Tai-French” culinary philosophy that allows diners to simultaneously indulge in both the familiar and peculiar in ingenious form.

From Comte and Parmesan cheese-dusted Mixed Claypot Rice with dry-aged mullet and cured Wagyu beef cubes to USDA Prime Ribs marinated in Spanish sherry and a proprietary Chinese spice blend, dribbled with Japanese yuzu pepper sauce and flanked by a quenelle of Sichuan grilled chili chutney, Chef Xu’s unfettered cooking style pairs geographically disparate Chinese cuisines, augmenting them further through a mix of time-honored Chinese and Western preparations.
Unit 304-305, 3F, Building A, Zonia Tide Ginza, 2077 Binsheng Road, Binjiang, Hangzhou

Song 颂

A sanctuary to all things Zhejiang comfort food, with an emphasis on Ningbo legacy recipes, the newest one star Michelin restaurant in Hangzhou – Song 颂 – invites guests to dive deeper into an underrated Jiangnan micro-cuisine. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Neal Zeng, who worked with the renowned  Chef Wang of Hangzhou’s acclaimed Jin Sha for more than a decade, Song features the freshest seafood sourced from local waters to ensure each course is reflective of the region’s culinary landscape.

The restaurant’s signature Crispy Pigeon Leg, a staple protein in Zhejiang cuisine, is laced with a citrusy nip of heat owed to Sichuan peppercorns, paired with effervescent natural wine from Ningxia (to mimic the same palate cleansing effect of a frothy mug of Tsingtao). This cross-pollination of culinary styles results in a union that is separate from a Chengdu curbside street snack, but somehow still very much a part of it. 
493 Zhongshan N Rd, Xia Cheng Qu, Hangzhou

Sense

Tucked away in the stunning natural landscapes of south Hangzhou, Sense offers an eclectic menu under Chef Jay Zhao Yong, who takes a nuanced experimental approach, resulting in an enticing mishmash of cuisines that is not defined by one particular technique. These are dishes that diners eat with their eyes as much as their mouths, with emphasis placed on visual aesthetic that transcends the ordinary.

Chef Jay’s cooking ethos is influenced by his extensive travels and Michelin restaurant work, where he honed his craft and developed an understanding of transnational culinary cultures. His roster of dishes boasts over 300 diverse ingredients across more than 15 courses, reflecting the spirit of southeast China. Take, for example, the Jiangnan Wu Peng Boat, with aged Shaoxing wine-infused shrimp nestled in a pickled radish “boat,” evoking imagery of historical Jiangnan-style wooden boats that float on the city’s famed West Lake – an elevated rendition of the everyday ”drunken shrimp” from which this course owes its humble beginnings. 
An He Yin Shi Resort, X-Livin, 2077 Yuewang Road, Xiaoshan, Hangzhou

Bonus: Chimney Bar

Chimney (烟囱) is an award-winning cocktail bar situated in a renovated Republic of China-era loft. Founded in 2019 by Ellen Xu, Chimney is known for its community atmosphere and sophisticated, technique-driven drinks. The bar program utilizes predominantly local, seasonal, and traditional Chinese elements in its drinks, like Longjing tea, osmanthus, and Shaoxing wine. 

Xu is recognized in the Chinese bartending scene, winning Bartender of the Year (East) at the 2024 DRiNK Awards and being a World Runner-up in the 2024 Hennessy competition, bringing a philosophy influenced by Californian hospitality to her cocktail creations.

Pro tip: Do not miss Xu's newest concept, Bar Eg, a "bar within a bar" located on the second floor of Chimney.
524 Zhongshan Middle Rd, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou

Must-Visit Hangzhou Destinations

West Lake 西湖

West Lake, Hangzhou's top destination, is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning landscape of lakes, hills, and gardens, often described as paradise on earth. Covering roughly 6.5 km², the scenic area features three artificial islands, four causeways, and iconic sites like the Leifeng Pagoda and Broken Bridge. 

It has inspired artists and poets for centuries, offering picturesque scenery in all seasons: blooming flowers and willow trees in spring, colorful lotus blossom in summer, fragrant osmanthus trees in autumn, and serene snowscapes in winter. The lake can be explored on foot, by bike, or by boat.

Pro tip: Do not miss the nightly Impression West Lake light show.
Xihu District of Hangzhou

Longjing Tea Plantations

Longjing Tea Plantations, located in the hills west of Hangzhou's West Lake, are the birthplace of China's most famous green tea, Dragon Well tea. Beyond exploring the tea fields (which is at peak season before Qingming Festival in early April), visitors can head to Longjing Village to experience a sense of Hangzhou of yore. 

Meijiawu is a another scenic destination, replete with verdant, terraced landscapes, traditional tea houses, and opportunities to learn about the 1,500-year-old history of this top-tier Chinese tea.
West of West Lake in Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple, or "Temple of the Soul's Retreat," is a 1,700-year-old Buddhist monastery in Hangzhou located near West Lake and Feilai Feng (Peak Flown from Afar). As one of China’s largest, most influential temples, it's known for its exquisite carvings, expansive halls, cultural relics, and mountain backdrop scenery. Here, visitors regularly come to pray, give offerings, light incense, and relax in the tranquil atmosphere.

No. 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

Hefang Street

Located in the heart of Hangzhou near West Lake, Hefang Street is the city's best-preserved ancient street, reflecting its rich history and folk culture. This bustling pedestrian area is famous for traditional teahouses, unique handicrafts, local snacks, and historical shops.

Shangcheng District of Hangzhou

Xixi National Wetland Park

Xixi National Wetland Park is China’s first national wetland, a 1,150-hectare urban wetland established in 2005. Known as the "kidney of Hangzhou," it features extensive waterways, ponds, and rich biodiversity, including over 200 bird species. It combines natural scenery with 4,000 years of culture, offering boat rides, historic villages, and seasonal plum blossoms.

Tianmushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

Where to Stay

The Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre

The Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre is a premier luxury property located in the heart of the city, offering over 200 rooms, event space, a Sky Garden and close proximity to West Lake. With stunning views from every room, multiple dining outlets (particularly the aforemented Song and the daily afternoon lobby tea set), and premium amenities, it makes for a convenient and indulgent stay. For those wanting to immerse themselves in more nature, the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake is the sister property, and home to the renowned Jin Sha. 
493 Zhongshan N Rd, Xia Cheng Qu, Hangzhou

Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou

Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou, is a 5-star luxury hotel located in the city center within the Kerry Centre complex, just a 5-minute walk from West Lake. Featuring 400+ spacious rooms with city or lake views, it offers high-end dining (especially at the newly opened Wenzhou establishment Golden Silk), a spa, an indoor pool, and direct access to shopping.
445 Changtai Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou

Xianghu Liberty Manor (湘湖自由庄园)

A peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, Xianghu Liberty Manor (湘湖自由庄园) is situated south of downtown on the picturesque Xiang Lake. This scenic, upscale hotel mixes modern luxury with natural surroundings making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers seeking a lakeside retreat. It features 150+ rooms with private terraces, extensive, high-end meeting facilities, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a restaurant serving local, Chinese, and Western cuisine. Surrounded by quaint townships, tree-lined roads, and ancient bridges, this property feels like a nature getaway despite being so close to the comforts of the city. 
2192 Yuewang Rd, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou

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