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Hangzhou cafes from Grand Canal to Central Perk
By Xu Wenwen |
April 12, 2012, Thursday
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EXCELLENT coffee, a couch or armchair where guests can relax, a lamp for reading a book, pleasing decor that doesn't distract, maybe some background music. That's the least of what a good cafe is supposed to offer.
Of course, it should be welcoming and the service should be good. Nice snacks and Wifi are nice.
All these things, and many others, depend largely on the taste and determination of the owner or manager to run an inviting cafe that interests and relaxes customers.
These kinds of cafes are also the ones that tend to draw customers and make money, but for many owners money isn't the sole or the main objective.
In scenic Hangzhou, there's no shortage of attractive, independent cafes run by people who have made their reputation with their unique style.
Shanghai Daily recommends a few non-chain cafes.
Central Perk Coffee House
Sound familiar? Yes, it's the key setting of the American TV series "Friends," where the six people hang out a lot, where Rachel has worked and where Phoebe and Mike get married.
Central Perk Coffee House has inspired various imitations throughout the world, including a Hangzhou version (not an exact replica, but close), which features not only a complete cafe, but also upper-floor rooms decorated like apartments from the show.
The owner Leah Lin, a young woman who studied in the United States, opened the cafe last year after spending almost a year collecting reproductions, such as posters and paintings, from the show.
From the furnishings to the fixtures, it has the feel of the real thing and visitors may feel like extras.
It has a full coffee shop menu and items have names reminiscent of memorable scenes from the show, including Joey's Pizza, Monica's Dessert Combo, Chandler's Chicken Soup for the Soul and Ross' Sandwich.
Address: 307 Wen'er Road
Tel: (0571) 8893-1815
Shuyu Cafe
Next to a bridge crossing the Grand Canal, Shuyu Cafe is nestled in an old building in traditional Chinese style, offering a sweeping view of the canal.
The two-story structure is wood and stone, with a roof made of tile that turns up, Chinese-style, at the corners.
The cafe stands at the beginning of Qiaoxizhi Street, a historic strip along the Grand Canal.
The cafe offers pleasing views of the canal. Guests can take a table upstairs near the window overlooking the bridge and river or take a seat on the terrace right beside the river.
Run by local female poet Shu Yu, the cafe sometimes holds poetry readings and other cultural activities. Bookshelves on the first floor contain books of Shu's poetry and books by many other local writers and poets.
The menu provides coffee, snacks, steaks and main dishes. Every coffee drink is made by the cup and the barista has more than eight years of experience. The cafe offers a large selection of coffees, from Colombian to Blue Mountain. The signature house blend, Shu Yu coffee, is a bit sweet, pleasantly so.
Address: 1 Qiaoxizhi Street
Tel: (0571) 8809-0555
Me Too Cafe
Despite its uptown location, Me Too Cafe has become a rendezvous for young fashionable people since it opened in 2008, and its eight owners, most of whom worked in design industry, have made their stylish cafe a kind of landmark for creative types.
Situated in Silian 166 Creative Park, a former silk factory, Me Too Cafe is in a light-filled renovated workshop. The ceiling is high, there's a loft and there is still some old-fashioned equipment as well as exposed industrial pipes, fittings and ducts. French windows face south, the exposed brick walls are painted white, the floor, tables and chairs are made of wood dismantled from scrap furniture at flea markets.
The creative park contains a number of design studios and creative industry companies, so the cafe also stages live music and art exhibitions from time to time.
In addition to food, the menu offers Western food and Southeast Asian dishes, attractively presented.
Over one year ago, a new branch of Me Too Cafe opened in Binjiang District. It has a similar decor and ambience and offers the same menu.
Address: 166 Lishui Rd
Tel: (0571) 8801-9967
Address: 4309 Binsheng Rd, Binjiang District
Tel: (0571) 8661-1512
Shuicao Home (Waterweed Home)
This cafe is attached to Shuicao's Home Hostel downtown on Hushu Road S. Unlike many other hostels operating Chinese restaurants, this hostel provides guests and other customers a separate cafe that's less noisy than the usual Chinese eatery.
The owner Shuicao is in her early 30s and has traveled around China for a decade. Several years ago she decided to settle in Hangzhou and opened a hostel to welcome travelers from around the world.
Last year Shuicao renovated the hostel and carved out a large space for the cafe and restaurant, which seats more than 100 people.
The decor is green and white, and photos of Shui and her travel friends are hung on the walls. A small garden shaded by a large osmanthus tree beckons visitors in the fall when the flowers bloom.
The menu of Shuicao Home offers classical Western food, including steaks, spaghetti, salad, soups and breads.
Address: 407 Hushu Rd. S.
Tel: (0571) 8880-2077
Of course, it should be welcoming and the service should be good. Nice snacks and Wifi are nice.
All these things, and many others, depend largely on the taste and determination of the owner or manager to run an inviting cafe that interests and relaxes customers.
These kinds of cafes are also the ones that tend to draw customers and make money, but for many owners money isn't the sole or the main objective.
In scenic Hangzhou, there's no shortage of attractive, independent cafes run by people who have made their reputation with their unique style.
Shanghai Daily recommends a few non-chain cafes.
Central Perk Coffee House
Sound familiar? Yes, it's the key setting of the American TV series "Friends," where the six people hang out a lot, where Rachel has worked and where Phoebe and Mike get married.
Central Perk Coffee House has inspired various imitations throughout the world, including a Hangzhou version (not an exact replica, but close), which features not only a complete cafe, but also upper-floor rooms decorated like apartments from the show.
The owner Leah Lin, a young woman who studied in the United States, opened the cafe last year after spending almost a year collecting reproductions, such as posters and paintings, from the show.
From the furnishings to the fixtures, it has the feel of the real thing and visitors may feel like extras.
It has a full coffee shop menu and items have names reminiscent of memorable scenes from the show, including Joey's Pizza, Monica's Dessert Combo, Chandler's Chicken Soup for the Soul and Ross' Sandwich.
Address: 307 Wen'er Road
Tel: (0571) 8893-1815
Shuyu Cafe
Next to a bridge crossing the Grand Canal, Shuyu Cafe is nestled in an old building in traditional Chinese style, offering a sweeping view of the canal.
The two-story structure is wood and stone, with a roof made of tile that turns up, Chinese-style, at the corners.
The cafe stands at the beginning of Qiaoxizhi Street, a historic strip along the Grand Canal.
The cafe offers pleasing views of the canal. Guests can take a table upstairs near the window overlooking the bridge and river or take a seat on the terrace right beside the river.
Run by local female poet Shu Yu, the cafe sometimes holds poetry readings and other cultural activities. Bookshelves on the first floor contain books of Shu's poetry and books by many other local writers and poets.
The menu provides coffee, snacks, steaks and main dishes. Every coffee drink is made by the cup and the barista has more than eight years of experience. The cafe offers a large selection of coffees, from Colombian to Blue Mountain. The signature house blend, Shu Yu coffee, is a bit sweet, pleasantly so.
Address: 1 Qiaoxizhi Street
Tel: (0571) 8809-0555
Me Too Cafe
Despite its uptown location, Me Too Cafe has become a rendezvous for young fashionable people since it opened in 2008, and its eight owners, most of whom worked in design industry, have made their stylish cafe a kind of landmark for creative types.
Situated in Silian 166 Creative Park, a former silk factory, Me Too Cafe is in a light-filled renovated workshop. The ceiling is high, there's a loft and there is still some old-fashioned equipment as well as exposed industrial pipes, fittings and ducts. French windows face south, the exposed brick walls are painted white, the floor, tables and chairs are made of wood dismantled from scrap furniture at flea markets.
The creative park contains a number of design studios and creative industry companies, so the cafe also stages live music and art exhibitions from time to time.
In addition to food, the menu offers Western food and Southeast Asian dishes, attractively presented.
Over one year ago, a new branch of Me Too Cafe opened in Binjiang District. It has a similar decor and ambience and offers the same menu.
Address: 166 Lishui Rd
Tel: (0571) 8801-9967
Address: 4309 Binsheng Rd, Binjiang District
Tel: (0571) 8661-1512
Shuicao Home (Waterweed Home)
This cafe is attached to Shuicao's Home Hostel downtown on Hushu Road S. Unlike many other hostels operating Chinese restaurants, this hostel provides guests and other customers a separate cafe that's less noisy than the usual Chinese eatery.
The owner Shuicao is in her early 30s and has traveled around China for a decade. Several years ago she decided to settle in Hangzhou and opened a hostel to welcome travelers from around the world.
Last year Shuicao renovated the hostel and carved out a large space for the cafe and restaurant, which seats more than 100 people.
The decor is green and white, and photos of Shui and her travel friends are hung on the walls. A small garden shaded by a large osmanthus tree beckons visitors in the fall when the flowers bloom.
The menu of Shuicao Home offers classical Western food, including steaks, spaghetti, salad, soups and breads.
Address: 407 Hushu Rd. S.
Tel: (0571) 8880-2077
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