Suzhou Restaurants

Suzhou Tianfuzhile Restaurant
Tianfuzhile Restaurant provides genuine Sichuan food in Suzhou, one of the most famous kinds of food in China. Shuizhuyu (literally water-boiled fish), the most popular dish, is actually fish fillets boiled in oil with chopped chili peppers, peppercorn and other assorted spices. The thinly sliced fish is tender, flavorsome, but not particularly spicy.
Other popular dishes are Paojiao Fengzhua (chicken feet with pickled peppers) and Maoxuewang (a dish of boiled blood curd and other stuff in a spicy sauce). Apart from the genuine Sichuan food, another attraction is the decoration, with its air of antiquity. The windows are carved with floral patterns in a Suzhou style. As many people love to eat there, the place is often quite noisy. Reservations suggested.
Address B Wenhua Guangchang (Culture Square), Shiquan Jie, Canglang District
Tel (0512) 6520 0887 Cuisine Chinese – Sichuan
Suzhou Tongrun Restaurant
As one of the eight famous cuisines in China, Hunan cuisine is characterized by its heat, freshness and fragrance. Tongrun is one of the few popular restaurants offering Hunan cuisine in Suzhou. In the middle is a bust of Chairman Mao, whose hometown was in Hunan province. The food most recommended is hongshaorou (Braised Pork), which was Chairman Mao’s favorite, duojiao yutou (Steamed Fish Head with Chili Pepper) and luobogan larou (Sauteed Preserved Pork with Dried Radish Peels). Though it is a little crowded and noisy due to its popularity, it’s a great place to have genuine Hunan food. Reservations recommended.
Address 7 Bifengfang, Guanqian Jie/56 Fenghuang Jie
How to get there Take bus No.529, 204,202 and get off at Cufangqiao stop.
Tel (0512) 6515 1719 / 6511 1916 Cuisine Chinese – Other

Yangyang Dumpling Restaurant
It is a small restaurant owned by a family from northeast China where dumplings are staple. Though not eye-catching, it provides hand-wrapped dumplings with different fillings and other Chinese home-style food.
Located on Shiquan Jie, a famous bar street popular with local expats, Yangyang has grown in popularity over recent years. It is open late, so head by and enjoy a midnight snack after a night on the town.
Address 420 Shiquan Jie
Tel (0512) 6519 2728 Cuisine Chinese – Other

Suzhou Runji Restaurant
The old Runji was the first restaurant providing genuine Cantonese food in Suzhou. If you’ve got a taste for Cantonese food, you’ll love it here. But be prepared to deal with a crowd—the locals love it too.
The food there is really attractive, with seafood, freshwater fish and livestock as its main ingredients. The most popular dishes are Shenjing shao’e (baked goose), baozaifan (clay pot rice) and guilinggao (tortoise jelly), which are said to be quite genuine there. Compared to other Cantonese food restaurants in Suzhou, the Runji provides a larger variety of dishes and different kinds of desserts. It doesn’t close until very late at night, so it is also a great place to have a midnight snack.
Address 2 Fenghuang Jie, Suzhou It is at the intersection of Fenghuang Jie and Shiquan Jie.
Tel (0512) 6511 7988

Blue Marlin Bar Restaurant
Of the few western restaurants in Suzhou, Blue Marlin is not a bad choice if you’ve got a taste for some German food. It’s a popular haunt for many of the local expats. Various European and American style dishes and more than 30 kinds of cocktails are available.
Classical, folk and rock music fills the whole restaurant, adding to the unique ambiance. Since 2001, Blue Marlin has been the exclusive agent for Erdinger Weissbeer in Suzhou. It’s happy hour everyday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., during which customers can enjoy half price beverages.
Address 261 Fenghuang Jie, Suzhou (six other locations in Suzhou)
. Tel (0512) 6511 8376
Lowenburg Brauerei and Restaurant
Located on Jinji Lake, this restaurant provides its guests with a stunning dining atmosphere. The restaurant has a wide selection of inhouse microbrews, an extensive wine list and fine German and European cuisine. A live band performs nightly, adding to the ambiance of this romantic restaurant.
Address Lakeside Building, Lakeside Boulevard
Tel (0512) 6762 8777/6878 8777
Gang guo Chuanqi Restaurant, Suzhou
It’s no surprise that this restaurant specializes in Ganguo—Chinese sizzling hot plate with chilies, heated while sitting in front of you at your table. The most popular dish here is the Ganguo Chicken, but there are other exotic meats such as bullfrog and rabbit’s legs for the more adventurous patrons. For vegetarians, there is a wide selection of bean curd and vegetable entrees which are just as delicious. These distinct dishes are slightly sour and spicy, delicious and filling. This restaurant is inexpensive and the food is delicious which makes it very popular. So get there early or make reservations.
Address 14 Caihuihetou, Guanqian Jie
Tel (0512) 6511 0007
Address 261 Fenghuang Jie, Suzhou (six other locations in Suzhou)
. Tel (0512) 6511 8376

Hainachuan Chinese Restaurant, Suzhou

Established in 2003, this restaurant provides a variety of different dishes typical of southern Chinese provinces. Hubei, Guangdong and Sichuan food are all well represented. The restaurant’s most popular dish is the bawangmao feiniu, made of imported American beef and prepared in spicy Sichuanese style. Another favorite is the jiaoyan xiaolongxia (lobster with spiced salt), a unique specialty of the Hainachuan. Beware, this food is spicy!
Address 126 Fenghuang Jie, Canglang District How to get there Take bus No.501, 204, 529 and get off at No.1 People Hospital. It is at the intersection of Fenghuang Jie and Shizi Jie. Tel (0512) 6522 7788