Café restaurants in Shànghǎi
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A
Element Fresh
Perennially popular, Element Fresh hits the spot with its tempting selection of healthy salads, pasta dishes (Western and Asian) and hefty sandwiches. Vegetarians may well faint with excitement at the roasted eggplant on ciabatta bread or the Italian tofu sandwich smothered in pesto. Then there are the imaginative smoothies (from Y22), big breakfasts (Y38–68), coffee and after-work cocktails.
reviewed
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B
Always Café
What draws the regulars here are the excellent value set-lunch specials with coffee (11am to 5pm), and the buy-one-get-one-free happy hour (5pm to 8pm). The food is a mix of Asian and Western, from Indonesian nasi goreng (fried rice) and Shànghǎi-style eel to bacon cheeseburgers and pasta. It’s a friendly place with chequered tablecloths and an old parquet floor which, along with the wi-fi access, makes it an easy place to while away an afternoon or evening. Fans of afternoon tea can find it here (Y48 for two).
reviewed
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C
Origin
Serving Shànghaǐ’s locavores, Origin is an upbeat Italian-run cafe that uses seasonal ingredients to create a clever menu of salads (crispy goose and mango), sandwiches (sweet potato and chèvre on focaccia), and, of course, pasta and homemade gelato. Not everything on the menu appears to come from within a 160km radius, but hey, they’re trying. Arrive early to stake out seats on the upstairs terrace.
reviewed
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Element Fresh
Perennially popular, Element Fresh hits the spot with its tempting selection of healthy salads, pasta dishes (Western and Asian) and hefty sandwiches. Vegetarians may well faint with excitement at the roasted eggplant on ciabatta bread or the Italian tofu sandwich smothered in pesto. Then there are the imaginative smoothies (from Y22), big breakfasts (Y38–68), coffee and after-work cocktails.
reviewed
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Element Fresh
Perennially popular, Element Fresh hits the spot with its tempting selection of healthy salads, pasta dishes (Western and Asian) and hefty sandwiches. Vegetarians may well faint with excitement at the roasted eggplant on ciabatta bread or the Italian tofu sandwich smothered in pesto. Then there are the imaginative smoothies (from Y22), big breakfasts (Y38–68), coffee and after-work cocktails.
reviewed
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D
Old Film Café
With the golden age of Shànghǎi cinema as its theme, this place makes for a pleasant pit stop if you’re touring the Duolun Rd area. Movie buffs will enjoy the photos of the vintage Chinese movie stars and the screenings of classic films from the ’30s. There’s a wide range of teas available and they serve alcohol, too.
reviewed
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E
Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse
Next to the entrance to the Yuyuan Gardens is the Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse, once part of the gardens and now one of the most famous teahouses in China, visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton among others. The zigzag causeway is designed to thwart spirits (and trap tourists), who can only travel in straight lines.
reviewed
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Wagas
Breakfasts are 50% off before 10am, the pasta is Y33 after 6pm, and you can hang out here for hours with your laptop and no one will shoo you away – need we say more? Wagas is the best and most dependable of the local cafes, with tantalising wraps, salads and sandwiches, perfect for a quick bite at any time of the day. Locations abound.
reviewed
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Wagas
Breakfasts are 50% off before 10am, the pasta is Y33 after 6pm, and you can hang out here for hours with your laptop and no one will shoo you away – need we say more? Wagas is the best and most dependable of the local cafes, with tantalising wraps, salads and sandwiches, perfect for a quick bite at any time of the day. Locations abound.
reviewed
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F
Wagas
Breakfasts are 50% off before 10am, the pasta is Y33 after 6pm, and you can hang out here for hours with your laptop and no one will shoo you away – need we say more? Wagas is the best and most dependable of the local cafes, with tantalising wraps, salads and sandwiches, perfect for a quick bite at any time of the day. Locations abound.
reviewed
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Café 85°C
This Taiwanese chain serves the cheapest coffee and tea in Shànghǎi – and it’s decent quality too. There are some truly bizarre pastries (from Y4) sold in the bakery section, if you want to experience a modern-day Chinese breakfast on the go. The only sore point here is that seating is limited. There are over 20 branches in the city.
reviewed
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G
Café Transat
With a big outdoor terrace at the front, a smaller garden area out back and a nice range of Asian and Western food, including great sandwiches served with chips (from around Y53), this is a popular place for breakfast and lunch or an afternoon coffee. They have Wi-fi access and also sell real coffee.
reviewed
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H
Dōnghǎi Kāfēiguǎn
A place with cheap food within reach of the Bund! If you're trekking up and down East Nanjing Rd on a budget, the Dōnghǎi is a real lifesaver. Downstairs serves decent coffee (and beer), while the set meals include soup, one main dish and rice. There are also Chinese pastries.
reviewed
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I
Boonna Café
Boonna is an excellent boho cafe with changing art exhibitions on the walls, a book exchange and cheap lunch sets (Y35). The coffee is thumbs up, as are the juices and shakes (Y25). A computer is available for use if you don’t have a laptop.
reviewed
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J
Ginger
Ginger guarantees on-the-spot release from Shanghai’s urban turmoil. Enjoy light meals (Asian, French and veggie options), coffee and tea. There are also two branches in the Taikang Road Art Centre.
reviewed
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K
Kommune
This popular Taikang Road Art Centre cafe offers a bank of internet terminals, big breakfasts and outside courtyard seating.
reviewed
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L
Reading Room Café
A good place for coffee.
reviewed