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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 load
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 o
You'll notice that most Chinese restaurants in Shanghai have large, round tables. The reason becomes clear the first tim
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.
From the team behind local craft brewery Boxing Cat and American eatery Liquid Laundry comes this hip Southeast Asian fusion concept. Spread over two floors and tucked into a renovated shikumen on Xintiandi's main drag, the space is beautiful by day, when it's flooded with light, but you should come in the evening when you won't feel so bad sampling the excellent cocktails.
No. 19, Lane 181, Taicang Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200000, China
The scent of butter and brine waft from the kitchen of this lovely French restaurant, the brainchild of Californian banker-turned-restaurateur John Liu and set in a refurbished space that was previously his mother's Vietnamese restaurant. While seated in a brasserie chair at a marble- or wood-topped table, you can tuck into platters of seafood and slurp French onion soup; while seated at the bar, you can watch the frenetic concocting of cocktails.
29 Mengzi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200231, China
Perched on the sixth floor of the Ascott Residences, this modern American eatery has a lust-worthy terrace—complete with a sleek firepit—that looks onto a park and surrounding cityscape. Trendy young Chinese pack out the 1960s-inspired space; brunch is particularly popular.
282 Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200000, China
The soup dumplings here are arguably the best in town; once the kitchen runs out of them, the restaurant closes for the day. It's a proper local hole-in-the-wall, with orange plastic chairs and grimy tabletops and floors, but eating here is an authentic, delicious, not-to-be-missed experience.
90 Huanghe Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200003, China
It feels like old Nanjing at this restaurant—part of a Chinese chain—where glowing bamboo and paper lanterns swing from the ceiling, and food stalls are set against the walls. The authentic dishes are great, and though the menu's English translations leave something to be desired, the pictures will help muddle your way through ordering.
258 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200085, China
The black-lacquer woods and hanging red lanterns at this Cantonese restaurant recall old Wong Kar Wai flicks. The setting and the decent dim sum and roast-meat classics make this a good place for a lunch or dinner experience you won't get outside of China.
No. 8, Lane 181, Taicang Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200000, China
Locals love the spicy Sichuan food at this restaurant inside an office building (take the escalators or elevator to the third floor). Book ahead, or be prepared to wait 30 to 60 minutes for a table.
333 Chengdu Bei Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200041, China
021-5298–0438
Known For
Shuizhu yu ("water-boiled" fish)
Tea-smoked duck
Koushui ji ("mouthwatering" chicken)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards, Reservations essential
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