Restaurants in Shànghǎi
-
A
Xindalu
Offering the city’s premier roast duck experience, this upscale hotel restaurant pulls out all the stops, importing necessary ingredients direct from the capital in order to make your Peking duck as authentic as possible. It also serves up fine Zhejiang cuisine, such as beggar’s chicken (order in advance). Reserve.
reviewed
-
B
Fu 1039
Set in a three-storey 1913 villa, Fu attains an old-fashioned charm uncommon in design-driven Shanghai. The succulent smoked fish starter and stewed pork in soy sauce are recommended, with the sweet-and-sour Mandarin fish coming in close behind. The entrance, down an alley and on the left, is unmarked. Little English is spoken.
reviewed
-
C
M on the Bund
The first to pitch up on the waterfront in the closing years of the last millennium, Michelle Garnaut’s winning M on the Bund restaurant remains as crisp as its white linen. The food is Continental (crispy suckling pig, magret de canard), complemented by a gorgeous art-deco interior and 7th-floor terrace. Reserve.
reviewed
-
D
Factory
Shanghai really needs more places like this – it’s fun (there’s a recording studio and art gallery on-site), the food is delicious and it’s a promising cultural nexus. Dig into creations such as the k-pao chicken salad or peppercorn-crusted scallops. Check the website for events and exhibits.
reviewed
-
E
Làokè Lè
In Shanghainese, the name of this friendly and clean noodle stop translates as 'upper middle class'. That's stretching the truth, but they do offer a selection of good and cheap noodle dishes, as well as solid smoothies (from around Y16). It's a convenient place for lunch if you're touring the area. Picture menu.
reviewed
-
F
Blue Frog
There are seven Frogs around Shànghǎi, and their mix of burgers, sports TV and four-hour happy hours (4-8pm) mean they’re perennially popular. On Tuesday nights drinks are Y25, but if you can down all 100 of the shots they list, then you’ll get a free one every day for life and your name on their wall of fame.
reviewed
-
Dongbeiren
It's lost a shot of vim, but this busy eatery still assures a fun night out. The convivial Northeastern lasses are still on the ball and for those missing north China, their pǔtōnghuà (Mandarin) is a delicious treat. Dishes actually resemble their idealised photo menu counterparts, so that's a first.
reviewed
-
G
Pamir Restaurant
Excellent lamb kebabs, nan bread and Central Asian noodles (try the suoman - fried noodle squares with tomatoes and green peppers) make for a refreshing change of tastes at this no-frills Uighur restaurant. Wash it down with a bottle of Xinjiang Black Beer or a pot of kok chai (green tea).
reviewed
-
H
Itoya
Itoya is a popular chain offering solid lunch specials and other set meals - from grilled eel to sushi and sukiyaki - all served with salad, miso soup, pickles and snacks. Wherever there are Japanese offices, you can be sure there's an Itoya branch nearby, such as in the Kerry Centre and the Maxdo Centre.
reviewed
-
I
Fēngyù Shēngjiān
Don’t let the Stalinist service and lack of English put you off at this nondescript canteen, as it turns out popular shēngjiān ( 生煎; fried dumplings) for a bargain Y3, in addition to a range of cheap noodle dishes (Y6). Pay at the entrance and then join the queue.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Zen
The swish Plaza66 shopping mall may give mere mortals the heebie-jeebies, but Zen, arched around the horseshoe-end of the 5th floor, is a delectable surprise. Cantonese favourites include the sautéed chicken with ginger and spring onion in clam sauce (half/whole serve Y55/108) and baked spare ribs (Y58).
reviewed
-
Indian Kitchen
One of Shànghǎi’s growing number of Indian restaurants, this is a popular place, especially with expat Brits yearning for a taste of their national cuisine. All the classics are on the menu, from kormas to vindaloos and they deliver too. The set lunch, which isn’t available at weekends, is a good deal.
reviewed
-
J
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
-
Jíshì Jiǔlóu
Jíshì specialises in packing lots of people into tight spaces, so if you tend to gesture wildly when you talk, watch out with those chopsticks. This is Shanghainese home cooking at its best: crab dumplings, Grandma’s braised pork and plenty of fish (carp cream soup Y28), drunken shrimp (Y10) and eel.
reviewed
-
K
Jíshì Jiǔlóu
Jíshì specialises in packing lots of people into tight spaces, so if you tend to gesture wildly when you talk, watch out with those chopsticks. This is Shanghainese home cooking at its best: crab dumplings, Grandma’s braised pork and plenty of fish (carp cream soup Y28), drunken shrimp (Y10) and eel.
reviewed
-
L
Jishi Jiulou
For Shanghainese home cooking at its best, try out this jam-packed restaurant. Popular choices include crab dumplings, Grandma’s braised pork, and plenty of fish, drunken shrimp and eel. This is the original; branches around town go by the name Xinjishi ( 新吉士 ). Reserve.
reviewed
-
M
Ooedo
Ooedo is one of the nicest Japanese restaurants in Shanghai, with little touches like the kimono-clad wait staff and open sushi bar setting it apart from many competitors. There are sashimi sets for around Y150, but nearly everyone opts for the Y200 all-you-can-eat sushi, tempura and sake buffet.
reviewed
-
N
Pinchuan
Even though Pinchuan has hit the upscale button repeatedly in the past few years, this revamped villa is still a fine place to experience the peculiar tongue-tingling sensation of Sichuan cuisine. Try the sliced beef in spicy sauce, baked spare ribs with peanuts, or spicy chicken. Book ahead.
reviewed
-
O
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
-
P
Donglaishun
Hotpot king Donglaishun enjoys a reputation among locals as highly burnished as its brass hotpots. Perfect for one of those clammy, frigid Shanghai winters, but any season will do. There’s no English menu so hand gesticulations are in order, or point at the characters in this book.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Q
Ye Shanghai
Ye offers sophisticated, unchallenging (ie few internal organs are on the menu) Shanghainese cuisine in classy 1930s-style surroundings. The drunken chicken and smoked fish are an excellent overture to mouthwatering main dishes, such as the crispy duck with pancakes. Reserve a table.
reviewed
-
R
Shanghai Grandmother
This packed home-style eatery is within easy striking distance of the Bund and perfect for a casual lunch or dinner. You can’t go wrong with the classics here: the fried tomato and egg, Grandmother’s braised pork and three-cup chicken will ease you into Shanghai dining.
reviewed
-
S
Dragon Gate Mall
True, eating in a mall isn’t quite the same as wandering amid the chaos of the Yuyuan Bazaar, but if you’ve had enough of the push and pull of the crowds, the selection of restaurants here is a lifesaver. The enormous dragon-arch fountain marks the entrance.
reviewed
-
T
Haiku
The wackiest maki rolls in town: try out the Ninja (shrimp, crab and a killer spicy sauce), the Clayton (shiitake mushrooms, snow crab and scorched white tuna), the Sweepee (sweet potatoes, avocado and sesame seeds) or, for the indecisive, Pimp My Roll (everything). Book ahead.
reviewed
-
U
Noodle Bull
Far cooler than your average street-corner noodle stand (minimalist concrete chic and funky bowls), MSG-free Noodle Bull is also flat-out delicious. It doesn’t matter whether you go vegetarian or for the roasted beef noodles, it’s hard not to find satisfaction.
reviewed