5 Best Restaurants in Eastern China, China

Gang Ya Gou

$$ Fodor's choice

There's no better place to sample the city's famous tangyuan (multicolor sugar dumplings served in a bowl of syrup and eaten like soup) than Gang Ya Gou. To get here, look for the hard-to-miss logo depicting a dog and a duck fighting over a pot of rice—or simply follow the crowds.

Tianyi Sq., Ningbo, Zhejiang Sheng, China
0574-8908–1926
Known For
  • tofu pancakes
  • crabmeat dumplings
  • local favorite
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Daily 10:30 am–10 pm

Hangzhou Xiaolongbao

$ Fodor's choice

Thanks to its bright-red sign and big tower of steamers out front, this little hole-in-the-wall is easy to spot. Although the family who runs it doesn’t speak English, they will happily play charades in an effort to take your order for dishes such as steamed Hangzhou-style xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

26 Guanren Lu, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, China
No phone
Known For
  • standout among foodstalls on Guanren Lu
  • well-seasoned pork
  • friendly owners

Harbourview Restaurant

$$$ Fodor's choice

The Chinese chef at the rooftop restaurant in the waterfront Lujiang Harbourview Hotel prepares particularly good dim sum specialties like sweet pork buns and shrimp dumplings. The à la carte menu includes English descriptions and some pictures.

54 Lujiang Lu, Xiamen, Fujian, 361001, China
0592-266–1398
Known For
  • stellar bay views from terrace area (book ahead to dine here)
  • delicious seafood dishes
  • buffet-dining option
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential

Recommended Fodor's Video

Lebanese Restaurant

$$ Fodor's choice

On the eastern edge of Moon Lake, this Middle Eastern restaurant has consistently excellent food. One bite of the olive-oil-and-pine-nut-drizzled hummus, and you'll be hooked.

320 Zhenming Lu, Ningbo, Zhejiang Sheng, 315012, China
0574-8731–5861
Known For
  • favorite of the city's Islamic community
  • delicious lamb kebabs and fresh mint yogurt
  • English-language picture menu
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Daily 11 am–10 pm

Louwailou

$$$ Fodor's choice

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.

30 Gushan Lu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Sheng, 310002, China
0571-8796–9682
Known For
  • West Lake dining classic
  • renowned beggar's chicken (wrapped in lotus leaves and baked in a clay shell)
  • truly tender dongpo rou (pork slow cooked in yellow rice wine)
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted