Din Tai Fung
The star attractions at this Taiwanese chain are the delicate, impeccably folded xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Be sure to try the particularly delectable pork and black truffle version.
4 Best Restaurants in Old City, Shanghai
Narrow and crowded, the Old City is all that's left of Old China in Shanghai. Although it's home to the impressive Yu Garden and is a good place to find traditional street food, the area is changing thanks to government initiatives that are tearing down older buildings and revamping older streets. Adventurous diners should explore the side streets around Fangbang Lu in search of authentic Chinese snacks. At this neighborhood's eateries, with no English menu, many sellers are going to charge you the foreigner price. Unless you speak Chinese and can ask for and understand the price, be prepared to pay more than the locals. Make sure you know the price before you take a bite, even if that means for it to be written down.
Lu Bo Lang
A popular stop for visiting dignitaries, Lu Bo Lang makes for a great photo op: the three-story Chinese pavilion with upturned eaves sits next to the Bridge of Nine Turnings in Yu Garden. The food is good, with a recommendation from Michelin Guide Shanghai.
Wujie Shanghai The Bund
The name of this refined, upscale restaurant translates roughly to "vegetables without bounds," so expect inventive meat-free dishes. This branch, on the southern part of the Bund near the Old City, is the flagship location, so you can also expect a peaceful setting and excellent service.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Yang's Dumplings
Yang's, which has 150 branches around town, specializes in the highly addictive shengjianbao (meaty soup dumplings panfried on one side and sprinkled with sesame seeds), which come in sets of four or six. Like all the other shops, this one is a casual, in-and-out, fast-food-style place, where you order at the counter under harsh neon lights.
