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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.
Part of the renovated Columbia Circle complex, the carousing spot for American expats in the 1930s, Blackbird features different spaces on three levels. The chic first-floor lounge serves contemporary cocktails and Chinese-influenced small plates and casual mains; the fine-dining Table Black, one level up, has a regional-Chinese tasting menu; and the lovely rooftop space is complete with an outdoor bar and an herb garden that supplies the downstairs kitchens.
This branch of Brut Eatery is a good choice if you're staying near Century Park and/or are traveling with children. The casual café offers a good selection of Western-inspired dishes, with the occasional Asian touch, and has a large play area where kids can run about while you relax and sip coffee.
Though the decor here is thoroughly modern, it still evokes old Canton, with gorgeous tiled floors and painted murals of women in qipao dresses. The classic Cantonese dishes have been refined, elevated, and updated to perfectly match the stunning contemporary view of the Pudong skyline.
3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200000, China
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
Hong Kong "Demon Chef" Alvin Leung does playful, inventive, excellent takes on Hong Kong street food at this casual-concept restaurant, where a dimly lit interior features neon signs and pumping music. If you're feeling flush with funds, book a seat at Leung's upscale Bo Shanghai speakeasy (it's hidden behind an unmarked wall), for a fine-dining tour of regional cuisines remixed with Western flair.
5 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200000, China
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
Outfitted to evoke 1920s Shanghai, Fuchan regularly appears on lists of the city's best soup-dumpling restaurants. This branch was renovated in 2018, making it a particularly pleasant place to soak up a retro atmosphere over breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
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
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
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
Open into the wee hours, chef Paul Pairet's Bund-side eatery features not only satisfying modern French dishes but also a lengthy list of wines by the glass. If you're not a night owl, come for lunch or brunch, when the terrace views of Pudong's skyine are especially gorgeous.
18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200002, China
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.
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).
Helmed by Bina Yu, a young Korean chef who trained under Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Together typifies Shanghai's contemporary dining scene—a sleek but casual setting serving unfussy but interesting food. Developed and co-owned by the Neri & Hu design firm, the space is brilliant, as is Yu's thoughtful blend of French and Korean flavors.
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