2 Best Restaurants in Old City, Shanghai

Background Illustration for Restaurants

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.

Din Tai Fung

$$ | Lujiazui

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.

168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, Shanghai, 200120, China
021-5047–8883
Known For
  • Good service
  • Very family-friendly
  • About 10 locations around town

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Yang's Dumplings

$ | Old City
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.
489 Henan Nan Lu, Shanghai, 200000, China
021-6333–0212
Known For
  • Extremely popular chain
  • Classic shrimp- or pork-filled shengjianbao
  • No-fuss approach to service

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