Houhai / Yandai Xiejie / Di'anmen-后海烟袋斜街地安门

A small but airy courtyard house with open-concept rooms – one of the few bars in the 'hood that has paid more attention to the space between its walls than space beside the lake.

Another brainchild from artist Fang Lijun, the mastermind behind South Silk Road. Serves Hunan-style cuisine (i.e. duojiao yutao, fish head with pickled chilis; hongshao rou, braised fatty pork) in a classically Chinese dining room with a nice view of Lotus Lane and Qianhai.

Gum-chewing staff begrudgingly preside over the wooden interior decorated with sofas. Film buffs take note: Loveshine screens two movies per night.

Between Heaven and Earth lies a wide variety of herbal teas, coffee, beer and cocktails as well as Chinese and western food. Also sports a newly attached Japanese mini-restaurant, free Internet and fine views. Live music at night.

Great terrace with views of Houhai on one side and the Drum and Bell towers on the other. Secure the table in the turret to drink in the scenery.

Offers traditional Chinese Medicine consultation and treatment. Specializes in treating diabetes and high blood pressure.

Offers traditional Chinese Medicine consultation and treatment. Specializes in treating diabetes and high blood pressure.

Serving Qingzhen (Muslim) cuisine to Beijingers since the Qing dynasty. Try their house speciality: barbecued lamb and steamed sesame buns.

With indoor and outdoor seating areas sheltered from the neighborhood's pedestrian and vehicular traffic, this upscale establishment is a fine place to contemplate the Qianhai waters and Lotus Lane over a cocktail or glass of wine.

This long running Houhai restaurant opened by the owner of the adjacent No Name Bar is housed in a historic building and boasts a prime lakeside location and a chic, French colonial atmosphere – complete with dim lighting, antique furniture, rickshaws and waitresses in stylish ao dai. The Vietnamese menu includes Caramelized Salmon with Tomato Mint Sauce, Lemongrass Pork Chops, Grilled La Lop Leaf Beef and Fresh Mint Shrimp Rolls. A 10% service charge applies to patio dining and drinking. Available for parties and events. Voted "Outstanding Vietnamese" in our 2009 Restaurant Awards.

Shuang'ou is clean and bright, stacked with DVDs and magazines, and comes off more like someone's living room than a bar. Coffee is the house specialty, so try a cup for RMB 25-35.