Restaurants in Shànghǎi
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Whampoa Club
This nouveau Shanghainese joint has a ‘wow’ interior, replete with gilded chairs, pastel-tinted room dividers and a ceiling-to-floor crystal chandelier. But while no one argues over the decor, not everyone agrees on the food. It’s audacious – almond and cocoa fried ribs (Y88), chrysanthemum and duck soup (Y48), chocolate curry ice cream (Y28) – but the kitchen can be inconsistent for such a high-class restaurant. Book ahead.
reviewed
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B
Xīnyǎ Àocàiguǎn
It's refreshing to see a Shanghai restaurant that has avoided the temptation to go all chic and minimalist. Xīnyǎ (Sunya in Cantonese) is a huge restaurant, dating from 1927, now adjoining the Ramada Plaza. The 2nd floor serves dim sum during the day, while other floors dish up à la carte Cantonese cuisine. Try the roasted crispy duck and the dependable beef in oyster sauce, or go for the stewed snake in a secret recipe. English menu.
reviewed
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Cheng Cheng’s Art Salon
Squeezed in alongside Donghu Road’s heavy hitters, Cheng Cheng distinguishes itself with a funky, colourful interior full of antique furnishings and large oil paintings (for sale). The food is mostly Shanghainese, with a few Sìchuān favourites thrown in to keep risk-averse lǎowài (foreigners) happy. There’s talk of Beijing-opera performances in the evenings, but they’ve yet to materialise. There’s a smaller, cafe-style branch on Nanchang Rd.
reviewed
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C
Le Garcon Chinoise
This lovely old wood-panelled villa down a winding lane off Hengshan Lu is one of Shanghai's most romantic venues. There are actually two restaurants: on the 1st floor the Spanish chef turns out simple, classic tapas, while on the second it's Vietnamese dishes. Try the superb Hanoi fish in tumeric and marinated with fresh herbs comes with glass noodles, the sour fish soup or the chicken with lemongrass. There are non-smoking sections. Reserve.
reviewed
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D
Sens & Bund
It probably won't make your list if you're in town for no more than a couple of days, but this outpost of the celebrated Pourcel twins' culinary empire is popular with visiting businessmen and moneyed locals. French chefs Jacques and Laurent remain true to form in Shanghai, combining local ingredients with time-tested southern French techniques. The seared foie gras and turbot with vanilla scented potato and baby artichokes will hit the spot.
reviewed
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E
Tapas Bar
Flamenco music, candles, tapas...how the heck did this place end up on Maoming Rd? This is the only venue on the block good for a date, unless your sole intention was for both of you to get smashed. It offers 54 different types of tapas, as well as a decent wine list. Sister establishment Las Tapas, in Hóngqiáo, has outdoor seating and a rather more salubrious vibe (6465 8345; House 33, Lane 3338, Hongmei Lu Entertainment Street).
reviewed
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F
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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Delifrance
Fans of the Hong Kong version might be a little disappointed with this one, but for Shanghai office workers and Huaihai Rd shoppers this brasserie-style coffee shop is a blessing (think gleaming brass and Edith Piaf on the stereo). Lunch specials include coffee, soup and sandwiches. It's also the only place in town to get a chicken curry baguette. There's another branch inside the Raffles City shopping mall (6340 3916; 268 Xizhang Rd).
reviewed
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H
Grape Restaurant
This long-standing expat fave from the 1980s has probably seen better days, but the Grape still serves up reliable and inexpensive Shanghainese in its bright premises beside the old Russian Orthodox church. Try the delicious yóutiáo chǎoniúròu ( 油条炒牛肉; dough sticks with beef; Y22), or any of the crab dishes – you won’t find them any cheaper than here.
reviewed
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I
Des Lys
The closest thing in Shànghǎi to a genuine bistro, young French expats flock here for the confit de canard (duck confit) in foie-gras sauce (Y98) and their adopted national dish, couscous royal (Y118). But it’s the desserts which really get the regulars salivating – the apple crumble and chocolate fondant are equally fantastic. You might have to try them both. The house wine is Y48 a glass.
reviewed
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Spice Market
Spice Market is a Who's Who of Asian dishes, from pad thai to nasi goreng, along with more interesting fare like the grilled whole fish with chilli, dry shrimps and coconut stuffing. Thai dishes are authentically fiery, with sweet tamarind sauce to cool the mouth, and there are lots of lime, coconut and satay tastes. The décor is divided into traditional Thai, Singapore and Malay seating.
reviewed
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K
Nam 1975
Debates rage over whether Shànghǎi will ever have an authentic Vietnamese restaurant, but unless you’re a serious connoisseur, you’ll probably find Nam to be a first-rate choice. Large bowls (Y39) of pho (rice noodles) and bun (vermicelli noodles) are the stars, though for an extra Y35, why not sample some of the spring rolls too? It’s lost down an alley off Middle Huaihai Rd.
reviewed
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L
Tsui Wah
The famous Hong Kong tea restaurant has finally set up shop in Shànghǎi, garnering instant acclaim not only among homesick Hong Kongers but pretty much everyone else in the ’hood. Notable dishes include Hainan chicken (Y42) and the Malaysian curries (Y35), but the menu skips from Cantonese to club sandwiches to Italian pasta without missing a beat. And what would a tea restaurant be without milk tea (Y11) ?
reviewed
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M
Va Bene
Xīntiāndì's northern end is packed with top-end eateries; this one puts the emphasis on basil and olive oil. The interior has an opera-set feel with lots of terracottas, yellows and browns, and there's nice conservatory seating. The set lunch is more manageable than the à la carte menu, where most mains are in the around Y150 to around Y300 range (but the tasty pizzas are Y138). Reserve in the evening.
reviewed
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People 6
Number 6 is more of a dining option than its sibling People 7, with café-style window seating or upstairs dining with a bird's-eye view down on to the bar. But the menu is a similar mix of reasonably priced Asian fusion cuisine. The tables and moody low lighting make it a good place for an intimate dinner. There's a nice bamboo-lined approach down a winding path, before you reach the Star Trek-like door.
reviewed
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Carrefour
This French chain is currently the only foreign supermarket that actually turns a profit and at nights and weekends the place is packed, largely because prices are the same as those in Chinese supermarkets. You can find everything from imported wines and French bread to cheap bikes and crockery. The Gŭběi branch has the widest range of Western food. There are currently nineteen branches in the greater Shànghǎi area.
reviewed
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Carrefour
This French chain is currently the only foreign supermarket that actually turns a profit and at nights and weekends the place is packed, largely because prices are the same as those in Chinese supermarkets. You can find everything from imported wines and French bread to cheap bikes and crockery. The Gŭběi branch has the widest range of Western food. There are currently nineteen branches in the greater Shànghǎi area.
reviewed
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O
Punjabi
The set lunch/dinner deals are the main reason to search out the Punjabi. The set dinner (around Y85) with all-you-can-drink Tsingtao beer makes this a decent place to start the evening. The set lunch (around Y49), including two curries, dhal, raita and dessert, is also a good deal. Despite the pukka Hindi music, the large hall is better suited to groups than couples. There are other branches in Pudong and Gubei.
reviewed
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Chinoise Story
A curvaceous beauty set in the Jinjiang Hotel complex, the Chinoise Story is a study in style, where art deco architecture meets Philippe Starck design. Shanghainese cuisine gets a reworking here and the dishes are every bit as stunning as the four dining areas: the wasabi smoked salmon is presented as rose petals (Y48) and even common fare like the lion’s head meatball (Y36) is given a touch of class.
reviewed
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Q
Malone's American Cafe
This American-style bar/grill has been around since the mid-90s and is still popular with those in search of beer and a wide range of decent burgers (there are 31 of them on offer with fries and coleslaw). There are also wraps, a range of Tex-Mex and China's only Philly cheesesteak. Big-screen sports, a pool table and live music of the Filipino cover-band variety (from 22:00) add to the frat-boy vibe.
reviewed
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Cantina Agave
It used to be that if you went out for a burrito in Shànghǎi, it would taste like cardboard and you’d pay up the wazoo, but no longer. Kelly Lee’s Cantina Agave has come to the rescue, and oh, what a rescue – flavour-filled chicken and salsa verde burritos, vegie or beef machaca soft tacos (Y20), an extensive list of margaritas (Y60) and a fresh salsa bar.
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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Xiǎo Nán Guó
Even with the smart banquet halls and classy presentation, this is still one of Shànghǎi’s more affordable (and delicious) chains. First-rate dishes include pork trotters braised for six hours (Y48–88), the crab clay-pot with glass noodles, deep-fried snake and the usual run of Shanghainese dumplings and noodles (Y12–38). It’s a good place for group meals. It’s also known as Shanghai Spring.
reviewed
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S
Xiǎo Nán Guó
Even with the smart banquet halls and classy presentation, this is still one of Shànghǎi’s more affordable (and delicious) chains. First-rate dishes include pork trotters braised for six hours (Y48–88), the crab clay-pot with glass noodles, deep-fried snake and the usual run of Shanghainese dumplings and noodles (Y12–38). It’s a good place for group meals. It’s also known as Shanghai Spring.
reviewed