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March 12, 2015

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Studying best snacking spots around campus

By Xu Wenwen | March 12, 2015, Thursday | Print Edition

WHILE the prestigious Zhejiang University in Hangzhou nourishes students’ minds, the restaurants and cafes around the large campus provide nourishment for the stomach.

For decades, Xixi Road, the north part of which is home to Zhejiang University’s Yuquan campus, has been a food street and rendezvous of foreign students whose dormitory is nearby.

Restaurants on this strip are as diverse and international as the foreign students at Yuquan campus. Western, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese dishes can all be found there, while students gather at its cafes to discuss their classes over a cup of tea or coffee.

Teresa’s

A large yet still cozy cafe with 200 seats, Teresa’s has strong arty vibe and is the ideal place to while away a quiet afternoon. Many customers are foreign students and teachers coming from the Yuquan campus.

Warm tones and gentle music give the cafe a comfortable atmosphere and on the walls hang around 100 pictures — of customers and chef and co-owner Teresa Lu — all made by her artist husband and partner Lai Chenshan.

While Teresa cooks up the tasty fare, Lai looks after the business side of things.

Artist Lai brings his creative side to using curtains and lattices to make the surroundings more relaxed by creating cozy spaces. His taste can also be seen in the colors of the cushions and sofas. And to get the ambience just right, the lamps on the tables have dimmers.

Despite its large size, the cafe does not hire any chefs, only assistants to help Teresa. They make pasta dishes, baked rice, steak and homemade pizza — complete with yummy bubbles of cheese.

 

Address: 420 Xixi Rd

Tel: 135-8842-3040

U Need Coffee

While not as arty as its neighbor Teresa’s, many people like U Need Coffee for its affordable prices, good choice of dishes, stable Wi-Fi and relaxed vibe.

The staff obviously take much care over the menu, which features Italian, French and German dishes, among others.

And to wash them down, Mexican and European beers are available.

Another plus point is that — rare among local cafes — U Need Coffee offers breakfast and late night snacks, as it’s open from 10am to midnight.

 

Address: 418-15 Xixi Rd

Tel: (0571) 8657-9770

Panini

As you might just guess from the name, this eatery specializes in a certain Italian grilled sandwich snack.

And like most cafes on this narrow road it’s small yet cozy.

Its sunny, airy interior, wooden floor, cream-colored walls and yellow lighting create a warm feel. It is able to accommodate up to 30 people, and more than half of its walk-in customers are international students from the university.

Panini is of course the specialty here — filled with deli ingredients such as salami, ham and cheese. The most popular fillings are chicken with lemon, tarragon mayo and red grapes and tuna salad with avocado and cheese.

Coffees, milkshakes and cakes are also on offer. On the wall a notice assures customers that they only use olive oil and home-grown spices. An English menu is available.

 

Address: 418 Xixi Rd

Tel: (0571) 8515-8353

IFE Coffee

This cafe run by a South Korean graduate from Zhejiang University sits opposite the north gate of Yuquan campus, next door to Panini. It’s a small coffee place offering only a takeaway service, with coffee prices starting at 9 yuan (US$1.44).

Staple foods are hotdogs and sandwiches, priced from 20 yuan to 30yuan. The cheesecake and Korean-style honey-citron tea are recommended. On the shelves are Korean and English books and on the walls are details of students looking for language exchange partners.

 

Address: 418 Xixi Rd

Tel: (0571) 8512-2676

Hangzhou


 

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