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$$$ | Xintiandi |
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
Known For
- Chicken and waffles
- Red velvet sundae
- Slow-roasted beef rib rack
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$ | City Center |
The soup dumplings here are arguably the best in town; once the kitchen runs out of them, the restaurant closes for the day. It's a proper local hole-in-the-wall, with orange plastic chairs and grimy tabletops and floors, but eating here is an authentic, delicious, not-to-be-missed experience.
90 Huanghe Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200003, China
Known For
- Local feel
- Crab xiaolongbao
- Century egg and seawood soup
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, No credit cards
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$ | French Concession |
Locals and visitors alike are drawn to this restaurant for its relaxed, casual atmosphere; its home-style Shanghainese classics; and its no-MSG policy. It's often packed, so consider calling ahead, especially if you plan to order the signature "duck with eight delicacies" dish, which must be ordered in advance as it's limited to five per day.
328 Jianguo Xi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Scallion-roasted yellow croaker
- Scallion oil noodles
- Hongshao rou (red-cooked pork)
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$ | French Concession |
A wall of picture windows looks out onto leafy Anfu Lu, so you can watch passersby from this simply furnished dining room. Wash down your pickled mashed potatoes, ru bing (rectangles of panfried goat cheese), or other home-style Yunnan dishes with a Belgian beer or one of the house juices.
45 Anfu Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200031, China
Known For
- Jasmine scrambled eggs
- Dry-fried potato threads
- Vanilla-scented ribs
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards
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$$ | French Concession |
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
Known For
- Buzzing brunches
- Rotisserie chicken
- Inventive pizzas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | French Concession | Chinese
38 Gaoyou Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200031, China
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$$ | Old City |
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.
115 Yuyuan Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200010, China
Known For
- Osmanthus cakes
- Crab soup dumplings
- Traditional Chinese atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$ | Hongqiao |
Mall shoppers appreciate this mid-range, sit-down Chinese chain for its expansive menu of excellent contemporary dishes inspired by flavors from across the country.
100 Zunyi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Roast duck
- Fried rice cake with pork and shepherd's purse
- Braised pork with cuttlefish
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$$$$ | The Bund |
Prolific restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten's namesake restaurant has delighted Shanghai for quite a few years now, but Mercato is a whole different animal—one where the kitchen really shines with its smaller plates and pizza. Also polished is the industrial chic interior featuring iron, steel, reclaimed wood, and black-leather and wooden chairs that celebrate form and function.
17 Guangdong Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200002, China
Known For
- Black-truffle pizza
- House-made ricotta with fruit compote
- Classy but unfussy atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$$ | The Bund |
Open into the wee hours, chef Paul Pairet's Bund-side eatery features not only satisfying modern French dishes but also a lengthy list of wines by the glass. If you're not a night owl, come for lunch or brunch, when the terrace views of Pudong's skyine are especially gorgeous.
18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200002, China
Known For
- Late-night bites
- Romantic setting
- Locally renowned chef
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | City Center |
It feels like old Nanjing at this restaurant—part of a Chinese chain—where glowing bamboo and paper lanterns swing from the ceiling, and food stalls are set against the walls. The authentic dishes are great, and though the menu's English translations leave something to be desired, the pictures will help muddle your way through ordering.
258 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200085, China
Known For
- Palace chicken with pickled peppers
- Nanjing Impressions potstickers
- Celestial roast duck dumplings
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$$ | French Concession |
A meal at sleek, wood-adorned Oha is sure to introduce you to new flavors. Tucked behind a small coffee window, this intimate restaurant is easy to miss but well worth finding for its contemporary Chinese food—influenced heavily by Guizhou's regional cuisine, with some modern twists—craft cocktails, and natural wines.
23 Anfu Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Fermented tofu salad
- Lard rice
- Pinewood smoked beans and pork
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$$ | French Concession |
The well-established Old Jesse is a must-try. Its unforgettable renditions of classic Shanghai dishes are widely considered the best in town; its brusk service and ramshackle dining room are merely part of its authentic charm.
41 Tianping Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Scallion-oil noodles
- Whole fish head with scallions
- Hongshao rou (red-cooked pork)
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$ | Pudong |
While written off as gimmicky by some, this Singaporean chain's playful eight-color, eight-flavor take on xiaolongbao draws a steady stream of locals. Steamers of the soup dumplings come with small cards identifying each variety—from black truffle to garlic to foie gras.
501 Yincheng Zhong Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Eight-color soup dumplings
- Fun, family-friendly spot
- Great lunch option near Shanghai Tower
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$ | French Concession |
The tiny RAC empire occupies a courtyard at the juncture of Anfu Lu and Wukang Lu. Streetside, it has takeaway coffee and ice cream (summer only) windows; in the courtyard, it has a relaxed French eatery that serves delicious sweet or savory crepes, as well as other casual brunch and lunch fare.
322 Anfu Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Avocado toast
- Natural wine
- Breton-style galettes
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$$$ | Jing'an |
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.
98 Yanping Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Foie-gras terrine
- Chilean Wagyu beef tartare
- Josper-oven steaks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | Xintiandi |
The black-lacquer woods and hanging red lanterns at this Cantonese restaurant recall old Wong Kar Wai flicks. The setting and the decent dim sum and roast-meat classics make this a good place for a lunch or dinner experience you won't get outside of China.
No. 8, Lane 181, Taicang Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200000, China
Known For
- Over-the-top interior
- Old-school teahouse atmosphere
- Upscale, polished Cantonese experience
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$$ | French Concession | Coffee
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).
99 Yandang Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Uni ban mian (sea urchin noodles)
- Foie gras "Snickers"
- Inventive cocktails
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$ | Jing'an |
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.
415 Shaanxi Bei Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200040, China
Known For
- Laid-back environment
- Bulletproof coffee
- Great selection of cakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$$ | Changning |
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.
No. 161, Lane 465, Zhenning Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
Known For
- Sea urchin on sourdough
- Lobster royal
- Roasted cauliflower with beef cheek