People line up for free laba porridge, a kind of rice mush with nuts and dried fruit, on Hefang Street, celebrating a past Laba Festival. Long Wei / For China Daily

Gaoyinxiang Food Street

Visitors can find traditional food and newly developed Hangzhou dishes on this street close to the Hangzhou train station. It is an ideal destination for people who have difficulty deciding where to eat.

Weizhai Restaurant and Huangfan'er Restaurant are two good dining choices.

Weizhai Restaurant is the upgraded version of century-old Zhiweiguan, which developed several brands to serve the demands of diners. Popular dishes in Weizhai include Dongpo-style brewed pork and West Lake Vinegar Fish.

It is said that Huangfan'er Restaurant obtained its name from Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Huangfan'er can be interpreted as a place where the emperor takes meals.

The restaurant remains popular in Hangzhou after serving local residents for centuries. Qianlong fish-head soup is a must-order dish of Huangfan'er.