Old Jesse
The well-established Old Jesse is a must-try. Its unforgettable renditions of classic Shanghai dishes are widely considered the best in town; its brusk service and ramshackle dining room are merely part of its authentic charm.
43 Best Restaurants in Shanghai, China
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.
Paradise Dynasty
While written off as gimmicky by some, this Singaporean chain's playful eight-color, eight-flavor take on xiaolongbao draws a steady stream of locals. Steamers of the soup dumplings come with small cards identifying each variety—from black truffle to garlic to foie gras.
RAC
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.
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Raw Eatery and Wood Grill
If you've tired yourself out on the city's excellent Chinese food and just want a steak, head to this often-packed but laid-back Spanish eatery. It relies on incredibly high-quality ingredients and a Josper charcoal oven to make the magic happen.
Sense 8
The black-lacquer woods and hanging red lanterns at this Cantonese restaurant recall old Wong Kar Wai flicks. The setting and the decent dim sum and roast-meat classics make this a good place for a lunch or dinner experience you won't get outside of China.
Sober Company
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).
Sumerian Specialty Coffee
As the bags of beans sitting out, the variety of offerings, and the high prices indicate, coffee is serious business here. But the expertly prepared hot or cold brews are served without a hint of pretension, as are the salad bowls, sandwiches (on house-made bagels), and baked goods.
Taian Table
For a treat, head to Stefan Stiller's Michelin-starred Taian Table, where most seating is at a bar that wraps around a truly open and impressively orderly kitchen. The meticulously prepared dishes on the (mandatory) eight-course tasting menu change regularly and can be supplemented with equally well-made classic dishes and seasonal specials from an à la carte menu.
Together
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.
Ultraviolet
To reach this Paul Pairet (of Mr & Mrs Bund fame) restaurant, you board a minibus bound for a secret, 10-seat location, somewhere near Suzhou Creek, where you're served several courses, each one paired with customized video projections, songs, and aromas. Several different dining experiences are offered, but all of them are as pricey (seats start at Y4,000) and exclusive (deposits and reservations accepted three months out) as they are unique.
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.
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.
Yu Xin Chuan Cai
Locals love the spicy Sichuan food at this restaurant inside an office building (take the escalators or elevator to the third floor). Book ahead, or be prepared to wait 30 to 60 minutes for a table.
