山外山 sits in the
玉泉 area near West Lake and traces back to 1848 (Qing Daoguang era). Its name comes from the Song poem by
林升 —
山外青山楼外楼 — paired with the nearby older
楼外楼 restaurant, forming the famous 'Louwailou, Shanwaishan' duo of classic
杭帮菜 houses.