PlayHome-Seeing the Soul's Retreat

Set in a luxury lakeside hotel, amid ponds and manicured gardens, this handsome restaurant is depicted by a classical Chinese vibe. The kitchen team sources seasonal ingredients from all over China to craft Zhejiang neo-classics with a modern twist. Meticulously sliced and perfectly textured, the braised pork belly is well worth the wait. The dim sum lunch is also popular: try crabmeat and roe xiao long bao or sticky rice roll.

Chinese

Set in a manicured Chinese garden by the lake, the traditionally furnished restaurant makes an impression with its grand and airy space. The smart Chinese attire of the service team is also part of the appeal. On the menu: nicely made Jiangzhe and Hangzhou fare. Try the fried shrimp cake with crunchy water chestnut and diced Chinese celery. The Hangzhou crisp fish is a cold appetiser of deep-fried fish braised in sweet soy – delicious.

The Zen-inspired, wood-rich room overlooks a serene Japanese rock garden. It serves an eclectic plant-based menu that draws on both Chinese traditions and global influences, featuring top-notch organic produce and combinations that spin with the seasons. In the open kitchen by the entrance, hearty soups are simmered over charcoal – try their hazelnut burdock soup. Dim sum like dark rye wontons are best enjoyed with silky hazelnut-brown rice milk.

Tucked away in a quiet alley, this restaurant in a Chinese garden with stone bridges and ponds only offers eight private rooms. The chef crafts nostalgic, poetically named Jiangnan dishes and shines the spotlight on local Zhejiang favourites. As a starter, diners are served freshly made sweet or savoury soymilk, flanked by a lineup of sides. The signature double-boiled duck soup with cordyceps chanhua is tasty and nourishing.

Serenity is the word that comes to mind to describe this restaurant deep in a bamboo forest. The kitchen delves into the unique flavours and terroir that set Zhejiang province apart, striking a balance between tradition and creativity. The seasonal menu changes monthly to showcase premium local produce. Mrs Song’s fish stew uses delicate, sweet yellow croakers. Finish your meal with a flourish of candied lotus root stuffed with sticky rice.

Close to Lingyin Temple and Amanfayun resort, this rustic-style restaurant has a serene vibe. On the menu, classic Jiangzhe dishes get a refined makeover with some creative and surprising combinations. The signature double-boiled deboned chicken with termite mushrooms is loaded with deep flavours. The signature rice cake in chopped crab sauce is another standout. House-brewed fruit wines, such as bayberry, plum and lychee, are also worth a try.