The best places to eat in Shanghai

Ding Te Le Zhou Mian Guan

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

To the passer-by, this simple shop hidden in an alley on Huaihai Road looks pretty much like any other. What sets it apart, however, are the authentic noodles it serves. It is particularly famous for its shredded pork noodles with scallions, its…

Gong De Lin (West Nanjing Road)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

When you see that sweet and sour pork and fried shredded eel are on the menu you may doubt if the food is truly vegan but fear not – all the mock-meat and fish is made with either veggies, soy product or mushrooms. This institution of Shanghainese…

Lu Bo Lang

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

After a makeover in 2019, the room now boasts wavy silvery panels on the ceiling and recessed lights emitting a subtle green glow. Despite the update in décor, the menu stays the same so expect food that is as tasty and reasonably priced…

YongFoo Élite

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Fine Dining

YongFoo Élite is a one-Michelin-star Shanghainese restaurant set in a restored 1930s villa with a lush courtyard garden, praised for its period interiors and signature braised pork with pu'er tea. Visitors consistently praise the setting and certain…

Lao Xing Xian (Huangpu)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

Xian, or umami, is the fifth core flavour of food; it also means “fresh” in Chinese. At Lao Xing Xian, the owner aims to serve the freshest seafood, caught by his own fleet in the East China Sea that is deftly crafted with a knockout umami kick. The…

Numata Sou

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

The famed tempura institution in Osaka, Japan, opened its first overseas outpost in Shanghai. Chef Numata checks in every couple of months on Chef Sakata, his protégé for 15 years, who is in charge of the kitchen. Changing every month, the single…

Scarpetta

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

This two-storey restaurant takes its name from the act of using bread to mop up the last bit of sauce left on the plate. Homemade pizza and pasta, such as pizza vongole, and other specialities like Wagyu carpaccio topped with shaved black truffle…

Bai Rong

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

Bai Rong – peony – is the floral emblem of Shandong Province. Naturally, this modern restaurant generously adorned with lush greenery focuses on Shandong cuisine, especially live seafood shipped from Jiaodong Peninsula. Order the Jiaodong cold…

Kanpai Classic (Huangpu)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

Chaimen Hui (Pudong)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

This outpost of its famed namesake in Chengdu operates in a sleekly furnished space – the centrepiece is no doubt the oversized starburst sculpture over the circular counter. The kitchen is run by a team from the parent restaurant, and their Sichuan…

Yu Ge Zhanjiang (Jingan)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

Open until 2am, this restaurant specialising in regional dishes from the Cantonese city of Zhanjiang is a popular choice for a late-night supper. Free-range chicken shipped from the city is steamed or deep-fried for juicy flesh and intense flavour…

De Xing Guan (Guangdong Road)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Casual Dining

Founded in 1878, this two-storey noodle shop is something of a local landmark thanks to its gilded sign and elaborate façade. Chefs start work at 4am, making noodles and dim sum from scratch. The ground floor serves 20 different noodle and rice…