Shanghai Restaurants

You'll notice that most Chinese restaurants in Shanghai have large, round tables. The reason becomes clear the first time you eat a late dinner at a local restaurant and are surrounded by jovial, laughing groups of people toasting and topping off from communal bottles of beer, sharing cigarettes, and spinning the lazy Susan loaded with food. Whether feting guests or demonstrating their wealth, hosts will order massive, showy spreads.

Shanghai's standing as China's most international city is reflected in its dining scene. You can enjoy xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) for breakfast, foie gras for lunch, and Korean barbecue for dinner. In many restaurants, it’s traditional to order several dishes to share among your party for family-style dining. Tipping is not expected, but more upmarket restaurants will tack on a 10%–15% service charge. Although you can eat at Chinese restaurants for less than Y50 per person, Western meals go for Western prices.

Some restaurants in Shanghai offer set lunches at a fraction of the dinner price. Check out the dining section of Time Out Shanghai, That's Shanghai or Smartshanghai.com, all of which list dining discounts and promotions around town.

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  • 1. A Da Scallion Oil Pancakes

    $ | French Concession

    The scallion-oil pancakes at this shop are incredibly popular, with long lines forming from the 6 am opening time until closing—around 3 pm, which is when the pancakes usually sell out. Indeed, demand for A Da's delicious take on this traditional Shanghai street food is so fierce that the owner has placed a limit on the number of pieces each customer can order.

    120 Ruijin Er Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    No phone

    Known For

    • Great craftsmanship
    • Long waits
    • Efficient service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
  • 2. Bird and Bitter

    $$ | French Concession

    A narrow driveway is all that separates this couplet of venues on a leafy lane. Bird, an intimate, relaxed wine bar and kitchen, has a changing menu of unfussy small-plate dishes with fusion twists and a list of wines with interesting stories. Neighboring Bitter, a café and bar with a living-room-like setting, is a great place to grab a coffee or apertif.

    50 and 58 Wuyuan Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    135-0172–6412

    Known For

    • Casual, welcoming environment
    • Creative menu
    • Great coffee
  • 3. Egg

    $ | French Concession

    Laptop-equipped freelancers and other trendy locals frequent this petite, friendly, Australian-style café. The menu focuses on breakfast/brunch fare; small plates, often featuring local ingredients; and, of course, delicious hot- or cold-brew coffees.

    12 Xiangyang Bei Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    No phone

    Known For

    • Avocado toast
    • Pumpkin spice latte
    • Meeting place for local creatives
  • 4. Ginger by the Park

    $ | French Concession

    Ginger is a Southeast Asian eatery with a strong European flavor. The food is excellent, and the intimate indoor space, the patio, and the relatively tranquil park-side setting make it a good place to enjoy quiet conversation over a meal or a cup of coffee.

    91 Xingguo Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200031, China
    021-3406–0599

    Known For

    • Laksa
    • Crispy honey-herbed chicken
    • Black cod with lemongrass

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 5. Jianguo 320

    $ | French Concession

    Locals and visitors alike are drawn to this restaurant for its relaxed, casual atmosphere; its home-style Shanghainese classics; and its no-MSG policy. It's often packed, so consider calling ahead, especially if you plan to order the signature "duck with eight delicacies" dish, which must be ordered in advance as it's limited to five per day.

    328 Jianguo Xi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    021-6471–3819

    Known For

    • Scallion-roasted yellow croaker
    • Scallion oil noodles
    • Hongshao rou (red-cooked pork)
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  • 6. Julie's

    $ | French Concession

    A wall of picture windows looks out onto leafy Anfu Lu, so you can watch passersby from this simply furnished dining room. Wash down your pickled mashed potatoes, ru bing (rectangles of panfried goat cheese), or other home-style Yunnan dishes with a Belgian beer or one of the house juices.

    45 Anfu Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200031, China
    021-5403–5266

    Known For

    • Jasmine scrambled eggs
    • Dry-fried potato threads
    • Vanilla-scented ribs

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 7. Liquid Laundry

    $$ | French Concession

    By day, this modern gastropub appeals to families with its crispy pizzas and other delicious lunch and brunch favorites. At night, house-brewed beer, good cocktails, and Friday and Saturday DJ events attract a trendy party crowd.

    1028 Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200031, China
    021-6445–9589

    Known For

    • Buzzing brunches
    • Rotisserie chicken
    • Inventive pizzas

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 8. Oha Eatery

    $$ | French Concession

    A meal at sleek, wood-adorned Oha is sure to introduce you to new flavors. Tucked behind a small coffee window, this intimate restaurant is easy to miss but well worth finding for its contemporary Chinese food—influenced heavily by Guizhou's regional cuisine, with some modern twists—craft cocktails, and natural wines.

    23 Anfu Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    136-2164–7680

    Known For

    • Fermented tofu salad
    • Lard rice
    • Pinewood smoked beans and pork
  • 9. Old Jesse

    $$ | French Concession

    The well-established Old Jesse is a must-try. Its unforgettable renditions of classic Shanghai dishes are widely considered the best in town; its brusk service and ramshackle dining room are merely part of its authentic charm.

    41 Tianping Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    021-6282–9260

    Known For

    • Scallion-oil noodles
    • Whole fish head with scallions
    • Hongshao rou (red-cooked pork)
  • 10. RAC

    $ | French Concession

    The tiny RAC empire occupies a courtyard at the juncture of Anfu Lu and Wukang Lu. Streetside, it has takeaway coffee and ice cream (summer only) windows; in the courtyard, it has a relaxed French eatery that serves delicious sweet or savory crepes, as well as other casual brunch and lunch fare.

    322 Anfu Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    No phone

    Known For

    • Avocado toast
    • Natural wine
    • Breton-style galettes
  • 11. Sober Company

    $$ | French Concession | Coffee

    This multilevel space offers several venues in one spot. The café has light, Asian-influenced fare, as well as good coffee and coffee or tea cocktails; the upstairs restaurant with New York–inspired decor touches serves modern dim sum and well-done fusion dishes; and the adjacent Sober Society bar features excellent cocktails as well as the Tipsy Room (a secret bar within the bar).

    99 Yandang Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
    021-5309–8261

    Known For

    • Uni ban mian (sea urchin noodles)
    • Foie gras "Snickers"
    • Inventive cocktails

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