Most Hangzhou restaurants in Shenzhen serve the same rotation of dongpo pork and longjing shrimp in a dining room that could be anywhere. Manlong Shanfang is not that restaurant. It sits on the fourth floor of the Ping An Finance Centre in Futian, wrapped in greenery and mist machines, with a menu that treats Zhejiang cuisine as something worth taking seriously. We went for dinner on a weekday evening and left understanding why it topped Shenzhen’s private dining popularity chart.
The Brand Behind the Name
Manlong Shanfang (满陇山房) is the premium offshoot of Gui Man Long (桂满陇), a Hangzhou restaurant group that started in Shanghai in 2013 and became famous for spending upwards of eight million yuan decorating each location. The brand name references Manlong Guiyu (满陇桂雨), one of the ten scenic views of West Lake in Hangzhou. Gui Man Long made its name turning dining rooms into immersive environments, with each branch built around a different historical Chinese theme. Manlong Shanfang is the elevated version, positioned as a private dining concept with smaller rooms, higher-end ingredients, and a menu that draws from traditional Zhejiang cooking with modern presentation.
The Shenzhen branch opened at Ping An Finance Centre and quickly climbed to the top of the private dining trending chart on Dianping. The parent brand has branches across Shanghai, Nanjing, and several other cities, but the Shenzhen Manlong Shanfang is one of the few outside Shanghai. For Hong Kong visitors, the Futian location is particularly convenient since it is one metro stop from the border.
What sets Manlong Shanfang apart from the regular Gui Man Long branches is the ingredient quality and the attention to plating. Every dish arrives looking like it was styled for a magazine shoot, with spun sugar, edible flowers, and precise arrangement that would not be out of place in a fine dining restaurant. The difference in price between Gui Man Long and Manlong Shanfang is real, but so is the gap in execution.
What to Order
The menu is built around Zhejiang home-style cooking elevated with premium ingredients. Six dishes stood out during our visit.
The signature braised crab with rice cake (招牌家烧膏蟹年糕) is the dish most tables order first. A whole crab, shell cracked and simmered in a rich sauce, sits on a bed of soft rice cakes that have absorbed the crab juices. The rice cakes are chewy and sweet from the broth, and the crab meat is fresh and generous. This is the dish that made the restaurant famous.
Black truffle braised pork (招牌黑松露红烧肉) takes the Hangzhou classic and adds shaved black truffle on top. The pork belly is slow-cooked until it falls apart, glazed in a dark, slightly sweet sauce. The truffle adds an earthy layer without overpowering the pork.
The herbal chicken soup (招牌天麻火腿土鸡煲) is a slow-simmered pot of free-range chicken with tianma (a traditional Chinese herb) and Jinhua ham. The broth is deep and savoury, and the chicken is tender without being overcooked. This is comfort food done with care.
Crab roe soup dumplings (蟹粉大汤包) come one to a bamboo steamer, each the size of a fist. Pierce the skin with a straw and the crab-rich broth floods out. The wrapper is thin but holds together, and the filling is packed with real crab roe rather than the cornstarch filler you find at cheaper places.
The drunken seafood platter (话梅五粮液熟醉海鲜拼盘) marinates prawns, clams, and crab in preserved plum and Wuliangye baijiu. It arrives cold, the seafood firm and clean, the marinade sweet and boozy. This is a traditional Zhejiang preparation rarely seen done this well outside Hangzhou.
For vegetables, the lily bulb and lotus root stir-fry (冷韵飞花) is light and refreshing, with a gentle sweetness that works as a palate cleanser between the heavier dishes.
The Space
The interior is designed around Song Dynasty aesthetics with a modern edge. Green plants fill every corner, and mist machines spray a fine water vapour that drifts between the tables. The effect is somewhere between a botanical garden and a high-end restaurant, and it works. The lighting is low, the music is quiet traditional Chinese instrumental, and the overall atmosphere is calm and unhurried.
Private dining rooms are available for groups, and the main dining area has well-spaced tables that feel private even without walls. The restaurant is popular for business dinners and celebrations, and the environment suits both. If you are looking for a restaurant to impress a guest, this is a strong choice.
The service is attentive without being intrusive. Dishes arrive with a brief explanation, tea is topped up regularly, and the pace of the meal is well managed. Staff speak Mandarin, and some speak basic English. If your Mandarin is limited, the menu has photos of every dish, which makes ordering straightforward even without the language.
The tableware deserves a mention. Every table is set with hand-painted floral plates, patterned bowls, and crystal glassware that matches the botanical theme. It is a small detail, but it reinforces the feeling that this is a restaurant that cares about the full experience, not just the food.
Price and Payment
Expect to spend around 200 to 300 RMB per person for a full dinner with several signature dishes and tea. The tea service deserves a note: a pot of golden chrysanthemum tea costs 128 RMB, which is steep relative to the food, but the quality is genuine. Jasmine and longjing options are available at lower prices.
Payment is by WeChat Pay, Alipay, or cash. No international credit cards. If you are coming from Hong Kong, make sure your mobile payment is set up before you arrive. Our how to get to Shenzhen from Hong Kong guide covers the border crossing options.
How to Get There
Manlong Shanfang is on the L4 floor (North Tower, unit NL401) of the Ping An Finance Centre in Futian. The nearest metro station is Shopping Park (购物公园站) on Line 1, Exit D, which connects directly to the building. If you are crossing from Hong Kong, take the high-speed rail to Futian Station, which is one metro stop away from Shopping Park on Line 1.
The Ping An Finance Centre is also home to the Free Sky observation deck on the 116th floor, a Costco-sized PA Mall with international brands, and dozens of other restaurants. You can easily combine Manlong Shanfang with shopping or sightseeing in the same building.
For a full guide to the Futian area, see our Futian day trip from Hong Kong article. If you are planning a food-focused day trip, Manlong Shanfang pairs well with a morning coffee at one of the COCO Park cafes and a night market visit at Shuiwei. For more Shenzhen restaurant picks, check our best restaurants in Shenzhen guide.
Quick Info
| Chinese Name | 满陇山房 (平安金融中心店) |
| Address | 深圳市福田区益田路5033号平安金融中心L4层北塔NL401 |
| English Address | L4 North Tower NL401, Ping An Finance Centre, 5033 Yitian Road, Futian, Shenzhen |
| Map | Amap |
| Nearest Metro | Shopping Park Station (购物公园站), Line 1, Exit D |
| Hours | Daily 11:00 to 14:00, 17:00 to 21:00 |
| Phone | +86 133 9281 8556 |
| Budget | 200 to 300 RMB per person |
| Payment | WeChat Pay, Alipay, Cash |
