Where To Eat in Shanghai
a restaurant listography sharing the places we dined at, food flat lays, & our culinary experience ✨
As I was recapping my trip to Shanghai, I realized that the topic of “what is the restaurant scene like” needed its own post. How was the restaurant experience and vibe? What did we order and do we recommend anything? Is the place overall worth going to?
I didn’t want to tack the topic of “where to eat” onto the end of the Chinese cuisine guide or the Shanghai Travel Guide and have it be half-baked (since both of these posts are novella-length already 😆 and I wasn’t trying to make it a Novel!). So my solution is…another novella! Courtesy of my desire to include too much 😘 after all, 80% of Cathzine’s constitution is made up of food flat lays and restaurant atmosphere pics, so I have to stay true to my brand.
In this Where To Eat guide, I’ll include the food we ordered, the restaurant location’s address, and a little blurb on how the experience was. Like other travel guides I’ve published, I’ll be using a key and symbols to denote favorites and other fun notables. Whether you’re reading this to learn or to pass the time or to plan your own trip, I hope you find this guide enjoyable!
a key, a legend
✅ Recommended—these restaurants won’t disappoint you. Include this on your bucket list because you don’t want to miss it!
🈸 Shanghai classic—restaurants selling traditional, indigenous, Shanghai-style dishes/eats that my parents grew up on; also known as “Shanghai-style” (上海特色, shànghǎi tèsè) or (本帮菜, běn bāng cài); p.s., the Chinese character 申 (shēn) is another name for Shanghai, and I can’t believe there’s an emoji for it!
❤️ My favorites—a restaurant I wish were down the street from my house always
💕 My husband’s favorites—a restaurant my husband really enjoyed and would love to eat at every day
🌸 Michelin Bib Gourmand—a rating invented by Michelin in 1997 to denote restaurants offering high-quality cuisine at a reasonable price
💯 Century-old store (百年老店, bǎinián lǎo diàn)—restaurants that have been around for 100+ years and have become woven into the fabric of the culture
table of contents
street food // (小吃, xiǎochī) a street vendor stall or a casual eatery; these are places where the service is fast and the food is takeout/grab-n-go friendly
Chan San Chi
Chunfeng Songyue Tower [✅💯💕]
Da Fu Gui [💯]
Da Hu Chun [💯]
Huxi Old Alley Noodle House [✅🈸]
Jia Jia Tang Bao [✅❤️💕]
Jin Mama: Shanghai Alley Snacks [🈸]
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Laoma Ji
Lu Bo Lang [✅🌸]
Niu Jiu Jiu
Old Shanghai Scallion Pancakes
Ronghuaji Cafeteria [✅🈸💕]
South Sujiang [💯]
Tai Tong He [✅🈸💕]
Tianjin Big Bao King [❤️💕]
Xiao Yang’s Fried Dumplings [✅❤️]
Zhang Ji Youtiao [❤️]
schnackos // (点心, diǎnxīn) defined as any place selling pure nibbles, packaged treats, or desserts (甜点, tiándiǎn); a place the responsible adult in you probably wouldn’t solely go to when looking for a meal but wish it could be
Azabuya [✅❤️💕]
Cha of Yulian [✅❤️]
Coconut Farmer [✅❤️💕]
Dal Cuore Gelato From the Heart
French-style bakeries
Gelato Di Natura
Peace Bakery [✅💯]
Shen Da Cheng [✅💯]
Tang Xiaozhu [✅❤️]
White Magnolia Food
YE GELATO
food food // (饭菜, fàncài) a sit down & order restaurant where you’re waited on; a place you don’t go to on the daily because prices are on the higher end or its vibes makes your meal feel like a whole ordeal
Cou Cou Hotpot
Hao Yan Shi Jia [🈸💕]
Hide THE SMOKED ROOM
Mao Long [✅🌸🈸]
Shunfeng Harbor Revolving Restaurant [✅🈸❤️💕]
Xinghua Lou [💯]
bevvies // (饮料, yǐnliào) a storefront specializing in products that you drink through a straw or sip through a drink lid; their sole goal is to sell you anything that semi-quenches thirst yet is tasty and bordering on qualifying as a schnacko
Auntea Jenny [✅]
Blueglass Yogurt [✅❤️]
Bu Ye
Changchun Tang | Drinks of the Seasons
HEYTEA
MollyTea
TEAMAKER [💕]
street food (小吃, xiǎochī)
a street vendor stall or at a casual eatery; these are places where the service is fast and the food is takeout/grab-n-go friendly
Chan San Chi
馋三尺 (chán sānchǐ) translates to “Three Feet of Greed.” I was totally won over by influencers from rednote (小红书, xiǎohóngshū) to come here…the footage of the crab roe noodles had me drooling! (which were good, but not life changing) The address: 500 Xizang Middle Road, Suite 102-B4, B5, 1F, Siyuan Commercial Building, Huangpu District (黄浦区西藏中路500号思源商厦1楼102-B4, B5室)
(#1) Ground pork soup dumplings (鲜肉小笼, xiānròu xiǎolóng)
(#2) Large vegetable & ground pork wontons (菜肉大馄饨, cài ròu dà húntún)
(#3) Rice cake soup (汤年糕, tāng niángāo)
(#4) Shanghai-style sweet and sour ribs (糖醋排骨, tángcùpáigǔ)
(#5) Spring roll (春卷, chūnjuǎn)
(#6) Crab roe noodles (蟹粉拌面, xièfěn bànmiàn)
(#7) 100% crab roe soup dumplings (纯蟹小笼包, chún xiè xiǎolóngbāo)
(#8) Crab roe and ground pork soup dumplings (蟹粉小笼包, xièfěn xiǎolóngbāo)
Chunfeng Songyue Tower [✅💯💕]
春风松月楼 (chūnfēng sōngyuè lóu) is a famous vegetarian restaurant near Jing’an Temple (静安寺素菜餐厅, jìng'ān sì sùcài cāntīng). The dishes here are all vegetarian spin-offs from classics that use meat, but you can’t even tell! Address: 1618 Nanjing West Road, Floor 1, Suite 101, Jing'an District—near Yuyuan Road outer corridor (静安区南京西路1618号S101—1楼外围过道靠近愚园路)
left pic:
(#1) Vegetarian-style hot and sour fish noodle soup (素酸辣鱼面, sù suānlà yúmiàn)
(#2) Red bean bao (豆沙包, dòushā bāo)
(#3) Shumai (骚麦, sāo mài)—this one is vegetarian with shiitake mushroom!
(#4) Vegetable bao (菜包, cài bāo)
(#5) Wheat gluten (面筋, miànjīn)
right pic:
(#1) Dry radish and edamame stir fry (萝卜干毛豆, luóbogān máodòu)
(#2) Hot sauce topping (辣酱浇头, làjiàng jiāotou)—specifically, a vegetarian version of “traditional Shanghai-style hot sauce topping”
(#3) Vegetarian crab roe (素蟹粉, sù xièfěn)—on top of wheat noodles
(#4) Osmanthus sweet lotus root (桂花糖藕, guìhuā táng ǒu)
Da Fu Gui [💯]
大富贵 (dàfùguì) opened in 1881 with their flagship store located on the first three floors of Jinnan Building (锦南商厦, jǐnnán shāngshà). They offer fancier dining on the third floor while the first floor is a casual, canteen-style eatery with a walk-up window that sells street food (小吃部, xiǎochī bù). Address: 1409 Zhonghua Road, Huangpu District (黄浦区中华路1409号)
(#1) Fried glutinous rice sesame balls (芝麻球, zhīma qiú)
(#2) Savory pork mooncakes (鲜肉月饼, xiānròu yuèbǐng)
(#3) Seasoned ground pork pan-fried buns (鲜肉生煎包, xiānròu shēngjiān bāo)
(#4) Soup dumplings (小笼包, xiǎolóng bāo)
(#5) Fried wheat gluten tofu skin soup (面筋百叶汤, miànjīn bǎiyè tāng)
Da Hu Chun [💯]
大壶春 (dàhúchūn) has been open since 1932, and is known as one of *the* places to get pan-fried buns (生煎包, shēngjiānbāo). I thought it was mildly overhyped…while the 生煎包 (shēngjiānbāo) were good, they weren’t the best I had in Shanghai. They have multiple addresses, but we went to this one: 89 Yunnan Rd (S), Huangpu, China, 200021 (黄浦区云南南路 89 号)
(#1) Large vegetable & ground pork wontons (菜肉大馄饨, cài ròu dà húntún)
(#2) Seasoned ground pork pan-fried buns (鲜肉生煎包, xiānròu shēngjiān)
(#3) Big shrimp & ground pork pan-fried buns (大虾鲜肉生煎, dàxiā xiānròu shēngjiān)
(#4) Small shrimp & ground pork wontons (虾肉小馄饨, xiāròu xiǎohúntún)
(#5) Vinegar (醋, cù)
(#6) Chili oil (辣油, làyóu)
Huxi Old Alley Noodle House [✅🈸]
沪西老弄堂面馆 (hùxī lǎolòngtáng miànguǎn) has a super homey atmosphere, with the vibes of a school cafeteria (i.e., you can just expect to be sharing tables with strangers). This is one of top popular noodle houses to go to, and it’s known for comfort classic noodle dishes. Something cool about their menu: for every noodle dish you can pick between having it as a soup noodle (汤面, tāngmiàn) or as a dry noodle (拌面, bànmiàn) where the toppings are ladeled on top and you have to mix it in. Address: 500 Guangdong Road, World Trade Building, 1F, Room 2, Huangpu District—near Fujian Middle Road Gate (黄浦区广东路500号世界贸易大厦1楼2室—近福建中路门)
Shredded potato, pickled mustard, and pork noodles (洋山芋榨菜肉丝面, yángshānyù zhàcài ròu sī miàn)
Shredded celery, beef, and pressed tofu noodles (芹菜牛肉豆腐干面, qíncài niúròu dòufu gān miàn)
Pickled vegetables, edamame, and shredded pork noodles (咸菜毛豆肉丝面, xiáncài máodòu ròu sī miàn)
Jia Jia Tang Bao [✅❤️💕]
佳家汤包 (jiā jiā tāngbāo) has been around since 1986. Their motto/slogan/thing-they’re-super-proud-of is they always make everything to order, so while your wait may be longer, their soup dumplings are absolutely delicious. These were my favorite soup dumplings from this trip! Address: Stall A46, Floor LG2, Century Plaza, 1192 Century Avenue, Shanghai’s 1192 Street (世纪大道1192号世纪汇广场LG2 层A46)
(#1) Crab roe and ground pork soup dumplings (蟹粉鲜肉汤包, xièfěn xiānròu tāngbāo)
(#2) Ground pork soup dumplings (鲜肉汤包, xiānròu tāngbāo)
(#3) Salted egg yolk and ground pork soup dumplings (蛋黄鲜肉汤包, dànhuáng xiānròu tāngbāo)
Jin Mama: Shanghai Alley Snacks [🈸]
金妈妈: 沪上弄堂小吃 (jīn māmā: hùshàng lòngtáng xiǎochī) is located off of Nanjing Road (南京路, nánjīnglù). This was the product of one of our desperate meal moments on a Nanjing Road exploration day where we were hungry but not willing to pay for overpriced food, so we decided to try this place out! It wasn’t bad, but also not great; I wouldn’t recommend you go out of your way for this place. Address: 18 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu District (黄浦区南京东路街道18号)
(#1) Fried pork chop with rice cake (排骨年糕, páigǔ niángāo)
(#2) Preserved vegetables & shredded pork noodles (咸菜肉丝面, xiáncài ròusīmiàn)
(#3) Fried pork cutlet (炸猪排, zházhūpái)
(#4) Rice with salted pork and greens (青菜咸肉饭, qīngcài xiánròu fàn)
(#5) Scallion oil noodles (葱油拌面, cōngyóu bànmiàn)
Kentucky Fried Chicken
肯德基炸鸡 (kěndéjī zhá jī) is also known as “KFC” for short (as we all know). This was one of the first American chains that came to China and it absolutely BLEW up with the locals (for example, it is still a favorite for my cousin!). KFC is on the list because my brother and I wanted to experience it again just for kicks, but it’s also just fun to see how chains tweak their menu for a different culture!
Spicy chicken burger (香辣鸡腿堡, xiāng là jītuǐ bǎo)—the chicken was flavorful and juicy, while still having a good crisp; definitely better than Chick-Fil-A and Popeyes! (rating as a fast food chain crispy chicken sandwich: 9/10)
Spicy fried chicken wings (香辣鸡翅炸鸡, xiāng là jīchì zhá jī)—these would easily be a great option to satisfy any of my fried chicken cravings (rating: 8/10)
New Orleans-style grilled chicken wings (奥尔良烤翅, ào'ěrliáng kǎo chì)—good flavor, I was surprised I loved this so much since I’m not into barbecue, but it wasn’t too sweet! (rating: 8.5/10)
Small French fries (小薯, xiǎo shǔ)—pretty standard, I felt neutral about these…probably better a little warmer/fresher out of the fryer? (rating: 6/10)
Laoma Ji
老马记 (lǎomǎ jì) is a super low-key restaurant chain in Shanghai, we went to the one in 真如 (zhēnrú) neighborhood, Putuo District (普陀区, pǔtuó qū). My mom took us here because it was one of her favorite spots near my grandmother’s home! And actually…I was shocked to find the food was pretty good, since it looked like such a hole-in-the-wall from the outside. For example, the soup dumplings here are better than—dare I say it—the ones from Da Fu Gui?! 👀 Address: 24-1 Wuning Road, Zhenru West Village, Putuo District (普陀区武宁路真如西村24-1号)
Lu Bo Lang [✅🌸]
绿波廊 (lǜbōláng) is located in Yuyuan Market (豫园商场, yùyuán shāngchǎng); and has the best savory meat mooncakes that I’ve had in Shanghai this trip! They also have a formal dining/sit-down location connected to this street stall. Address: 115 Yuyuan Street, Yuyuan, Huangpu District (黄浦区豫园街道豫园路115号)
Niu Jiu Jiu
牛究究 (niú jiū jiū) is a random food court stall that we stumbled upon after our wedding photoshoot, and it caught my eye because it served “sizzling pepper steak,” which I had for the first time in Los Angeles at Pepper Lunch (a super affordable casual place I highly recommend btw) and it was SO good that I haven’t forgotten it since. Funnily enough though, this franchise actually specializes in Chongqing-style one person hotpot (重庆牛油冒菜, chóngqìng niúyóu màocài), and the sizzling pepper steak option was secondary! Address: No. 28, Floor B1 Xianfancheng Shangkun Center, Minhang District (闵行区上坤中心先番城B1-28号)
Old Shanghai Scallion Pancakes
老上海葱油饼 (lǎoshànghǎi cōngyóubǐng) is a general chain, and the scallion pancakes here weren’t that good honestly. But here’s the address anyway: ~110 meters east of Wenhua Lane, Yuyuan New Street, Huangpu District (黄浦区豫园新街文化弄小区东侧约110米)
Ronghuaji Cafeteria [✅🈸💕]
荣华基饭堂 (rónghuá jī fàn táng) is a canteen-style restaurant chain where homestyle dishes are either (1) in warming trays and served to you or (2) laid out in small plates and you get to grab which ones you want to add to your dining tray. I’ve always enjoyed this kind of dining style in China, because you get a nice variety without having a lot of leftovers, and at a bang-for-your-buck price! Address: 359 Changli Road, Building 1 Ground floor, Pudong New District (浦东新区昌里路359号1幢底层)
(#1) “Secret recipe” braised pork belly (秘制红烧肉, mìzhì hóngshāo ròu)
(#2) Pickled mustard greens with sliced pork belly (梅干菜烤肉, méigān cài kǎoròu)
(#3) Sweet & sour popcorn chicken (糖醋鸡米花, tángcù jī mǐhuā)
(#4) Edamame with chicken giblets (毛豆鸡杂, máodòu jīzá)
South Sujiang [💯]
蘇江南 (sūjiāng nán) is a super-casual-eatery-type restaurant chain. The interior is sort of food court style, where there are multiple counters you can order at. I enjoyed this place for its pan-fried beef buns, which I didn’t see anywhere else! We went to the one at this address: 121 Yangsi Road, Pudong New District (浦东新区杨思路121号)
Tai Tong He [✅🈸💕]
泰同和 (tài tónghé) is a traditional Shanghainese-style noodle shop (本帮面店, běnbāng miàndiàn) that also sells street-style snacks and homestyle dishes. My cousin and her husband took us here to share some of their favorite comfort foods; it’s also a place they frequently come to when they’re too busy to cook! Address: 201 Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui District (徐汇区天钥桥路201号)
(#1) Spicy pork noodles (辣肉汤面, làròu tāngmiàn)
(#2) “Whole family fortune” old duck vermicelli soup (全家福老鸭粉丝汤, lǎoyā fěnsī tāng quánjiāfú)
(#3) Red noodle soup (红汤面, hóng tāngmiàn)
(#4) Stir-fried yellow beef (小炒黄牛肉, xiǎochǎo huángniúròu)
(#5) Small seasoned ground pork wontons (鲜肉小馄饨, xiānròu xiǎohúntún)
Tianjin Big Bao King [❤️💕]
天津大包王 (tiānjīn dàbāo wáng) is hilariously not even in Dianping yet?! Are we that hip?! I’m just kidding, but really though, this is one of my family’s OG spots for steamed buns with filling (包子, bāozi). Borne mostly out of convenience since this is in the same neighborhood as my extended family, but this vendor is really good at her craft (come here for the best black sesame bao). Address: 212 Lingyan South Road, Yangsi (杨思区灵岩南路212号)
Xiao Yang’s Fried Dumplings [✅❤️]
小杨生煎 (xiǎoyáng shēngjiān) has been open since 1994 and also goes by “Yang’s Dumplings.” They are mainly known for their pan-fried buns and soup noodles, and I concur—this place won first place as my favorite for pan-fried buns! They have such crispy bottoms, with really tasty filling and lotsa broth. Address: 567 Fuzhou Road, Nanjing East Road, northeast side of 1st floor, Huangpu District (黄浦区南京东路街道福州路567号1楼东北侧)
(#1) Pan-fried buns two sampler (生煎双拼, shēngjiān shuāngpīn)
(#2) Sautéed Chinese broccoli (芥蓝, gàilán)
(#3) Soup noodle (汤面, tāngmiàn)
(#4) Pan-fried buns three sampler (生煎三拼, shēngjiān sānpīn)
Zhang Ji Youtiao [❤️]
张记油条 (zhāng jì yóutiáo) is a general chain that I have a special affection for because it was a one-stop-shop for me to try most of the breakfast street food items on my bucket list—especially the rice flour pancakes (米饭饼, mǐfàn bǐng), which were somehow very difficult to find 🥲 Address: 305 Lingyan South Road, Yangsi (杨思区灵岩南路305号)
(#1) Fried rice cake (粢饭糕, cīfàn gāo)
(#2) Deep fried dough stick (油条, yóutiáo)
(#3) Savory tofu pudding (豆腐脑, dòufu nǎo)
(#4) Stuffed sticky rice roll (饭团, fàntuán)
schnackos (点心, diǎnxīn)
a storefront known for their nibbles, packaged treats, desserts, etc.
Azabuya [✅❤️💕]
麻市屋 (máshìwū) was founded in Japan in 2016. This is a fast-casual chain with a goal to spread Japanese food culture across East Asia. While Azabuya has a normal food food menu at some locations, we’ve only tried their gelato (which is OUT OF THIS WORLD). Their gelato does a great job showcasing East Asian flavors! Address featured in pics below: 1599 Wuzhong Road, L112C, Floor 1 Shanghai MixC Mall, Minhang District, next to the northwest gate (闵行区吴中路1599号上海万象城1楼L112C 西北门旁)
Cha of Yulian [✅❤️]
裕莲茶楼 (yùlián chálóu) literally translates to “Abundant Lotus Tea House.” The location we went to was a stall in a mall. I found their menu interesting, as they mainly sold tea beverages…but also these really good egg tarts? Funnily enough, it was the egg tarts that we came for, since they’re my cousin’s favorite and now mine too! Address: Stall 18B, 2F, Metro City Mall, 1111 Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District (徐汇区肇嘉浜路1111号美罗城2楼18B)
Coconut Farmer [✅❤️💕]
椰农椰浓 (yēnóng yēnóng) was probably #1 on my bucket list going into this trip. I first heard of the “清补凉” (qīng bǔ liáng) concept from rednote (小红书, xiǎohóngshū), and was so intrigued. I had never had anything like it before, but it looked so up my alley that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t had anything like it before?! After some extensive searching, I found Coconut Farmer, which seemed like the best place to order my first 清补凉 because of its young & hip aesthetic, classic menu, and emphasis on quality ingredients (they extract the coconut milk on site, fresh!). Sharing what we got below 👇 and the address we went to: 173 Taixing Road, Jing'an District (静安区泰兴路173号)
(#1) Taro, lotus seed, sago (香芋莲子西米落, xiāngyù liánzǐ xīmǐluò)—close up pic included in 清补凉 section
(#2) Frozen coconut with fresh fruit (鲜果椰子冻, xiānguǒ yēzǐ dòng)
(#3) Hainan-signature refreshing coconut milk soup (海南特色椰奶清补凉, hǎinán tèsè yēnǎi qīngbǔliáng)—close up pic included in 清补凉 section
Dal Cuore Gelato From the Heart
达可芮 (dá kě ruì) is one of the top gelato shops that Nomfluence recommends on her blog, in the article The Best Ice Cream & Gelato in Shanghai, so of course that piqued my interest! And we went! And it was good, but still doesn’t beat Azabuya for me (but mostly because the flavor options lean more Western, with flavors like salted caramel, burrata, mascarpone fig, etc., which you would expect to see in a gelato shop in America or Europe). Address: Stall 9, 600 North Shaanxi Road, Jing'an District (静安区陕西北路600号-9室)
French-style bakeries
For example, a viennoiserie, etc. I’m making this a general category because I didn’t get to go to many, but saw some reoccurring storefronts! There are definitely options in Shanghai, and boy are the pastries gorgeous-looking through the glass.
Gelato Di Natura
带娜朵拉 (dài nà duǒ lā) is not a place I’d recommend, but we only had it once so maybe it was an off day? The texture of the gelato was like hand-dipped ice cream (versus smooth like what you’d expect), and the flavors were unremarkable…not potent enough for me. Address: 228 Nanjing East Road, New World Department Store, B2 Floor, Huangpu District (黄浦区南京东路228号新世界大丸百货店B2楼)
Peace Bakery [✅💯]
和平食礼 (hépíng shílǐ) is the bakery of the famous Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and also one of the top brands for traditional old-fashioned Western pastries (i.e., pork floss puffs, shortbread cookies, etc.). The Chinese literally translates to “Peace Food Gifts,” and we got to try some courtesy of my cousin! Address: 720 Nanjing Road, Shanghai First Food Hall Floor 1, Huangpu District (黄浦区南京路720号第一食品商店一楼)
Shen Da Cheng [✅💯]
沈大成 (shěn dàchéng) has been open since 1875, and are known for their glutinous rice sweet dumplings (specifically the green mochi with red bean filling; 青团, qīng tuán)! We went to the one in Yuyuan Market, address: 64-1 Yuyuan Old Street, Huangpu District (黄浦区豫园老街64-1号)
Tang Xiaozhu [✅❤️]
唐小主 (tángxiǎozhǔ) is a Chinese-style yogurt (酸奶, suānnǎi) shop from Beijing; they are known for using fresh milk to make yogurt! The flavor here is super milky and delicious, and the thick, scoopable kind you can order has the texture of spreadable butter ✨ Address: 103 Fuyou Road, Yuyuan Shopping Mall, Huangpu District (黄浦区豫园商城福佑路103号)
White Magnolia Food
白玉兰食品 (báiyùlán shípǐn) has been open since 1987. They are known for their homestyle dishes, street-food-esque eats (like steamed buns with filling, pan-fried buns, etc.), but also Western-style baked goods, like shortbread cookies! They call themselves a “sweet honey shop” (甜乐蜜店, tiánlè mì diàn), which, not sure what that means, but sounds cute. Address: TK30 Xujiahui Road, B2F ASE Center, Taikang, Huangpu District (黄浦区徐家汇路日月光中心泰康区B2层TK30号)
YE GELATO
野人先生 (yěrén xiānsheng) is located in the subfloor of a luxury mall, and we stumbled upon this one night after dinner on a mission to satisfy a sweet tooth. The gelato was the priciest out of all of the ones we had this trip, but I’ll give them points for cute aesthetic, the gelato’s super smooth & creamy texture and its true-to-namesake flavors! Address: Floor B1-Stall K06, 268 Xizang South Road, Huangpu District (黄浦区西藏南路268号B1-K06室)
food food (饭菜, fàncài)
a restaurant where they have private party rooms and you sit down with large physical menus and order; the tables typically have a “Lazy Susan,” but not always.
Cou Cou Hotpot
湊湊火锅 (còu còu huǒguō) is another rec from my cousin, this is her and her husband’s go-to hotpot spot! I’m not a hotpot connoisseur, so it just met the mark for me and didn’t blow my mind (i.e., the sauce bar was extensive, but somehow didn’t have peanut butter?), especially with the menu being pricier. Address: 618 Xujiahui Road, ASE Center, Huangpu District (黄浦区徐家汇路618号日月光中心)
Hao Yan Shi Jia [🈸💕]
好宴世家 (hǎoyàn shìjiā) translates to “Happy Family Feast.” My cousin chose this place for one of our family dinners, and I loved that the menu offers a lot of Shanghainese options! Address: 3041 Shangnan Road, Pudong New District—Expo Store) (浦东新区上南路3041号—世博店)
Shikumen braised taro with sauce (石库门烤汁香芋, shíkùmén kǎo zhī xiāngyù)[✅💕]—we absolutely loved this!
Hide THE SMOKED ROOM
Which also goes by “Hide (餐厅)” (cāntīng). I went here with friends and it was surreal…I associate the Shanghai food scene with hole-in-the-walls, so seeing this “other” side of the city, where there are cool, hip, chic, elevated restaurants with “hidden” doors you need to press a button to activate, was cool (Shanghai’s all grown up 🥹). The menu has an underlying Chengdu-style theme, but each dish is a fusion of different Chinese regions. Address: 1331 Xiaxing Middle Road, Blackstone Apartment, Building 3, 2nd Floor, Room 201, Xuhui District (徐汇区夏兴中路1331号黑石公寓3幢2层201)
Yunnan-style tomato & berry burrata (云南番茄莓果布拉塔, yúnnán fānqié méi guǒ bù lā tǎ)
Chinese-style grilled chicken wings (中华烤鸡翅, zhōnghuá kǎo jīchì)—deboned and on skewers
Sichuan edamame (川麻毛豆, chuānmá máodòu)
Dual fig & smoked foie gras (双重无花果烟熏鹅肝, shuāngchóng wúhuāguǒ yān xūn é gān)
Perilla green grape mocktail (紫苏青提, zǐ sū qīng tí)
Guangxi-style smashed cucumber salad with cashews (广西腰果拍黄瓜, guǎngxī yāoguǒ pāi huángguā)
Yanji-style spicy mayo skate wing (延吉辣酱美乃滋鳐鱼翅, yánjí làjiàng měinǎi zī yáo yúchì)
Cream cake from a cartoon (少女漫画奶油蛋糕, shàonǚ mànhuà nǎiyóu dàngāo)—literal translation is “female manga milk cake”
Mao Long [✅🌸🈸]
茂隆餐厅 (màolóng cāntīng) has been open since 1989 and is a small restaurant with about 4-5 tables that can each sit 3-4 people (so be prepared to wait!). Their menu strictly serves Shanghainese homestyle dishes, which makes it a great place to hit up if you want to sample everything I’ve labeled in my Guide to Chinese Cuisine as Shanghai-style! Address: 134 Jinxian Road, Huangpu District, near Maoming South Road (黄浦区进贤路134号, 近茂名南路)
Shunfeng Harbor Revolving Restaurant [✅🈸❤️💕]
顺风港湾旋转餐厅 (shùnfēng gǎngwān xuánzhuǎncāntīng) is also called: “Golden Era Shunfeng” (金时代顺风港湾, jīnshídài shùnfēng gǎngwān). This is a restaurant chain founded in 1992 known for their Shanghainese menu. Expect their (1) food to be beautifully plated and deliciously executed, and (2) the dining experience (on their 360 degree revolving floor with the city view through their floor-to-ceiling windows) on level 38 (!!!) to be unbeatable! My dad heard about this place through a friend, and I have to say, it was definitely a meal to remember 💥 Address: 1 Liulin Road, 37-39F, Lansheng Building, Huangpu District (黄浦区柳林路1号兰生大厦37-39楼)
Xinghua Lou [💯]
杏花楼 (xìnghuālóu) was founded in 1851 and was originally a Cantonese teahouse that has now grown into one of Shanghai’s most famous Cantonese cuisine-style restaurants. Since 1993, it has even been recognized as a “Chinese time-honored brand” by the city and country! We didn’t order too much here because the prices are a little scary, but the food is delicious. Address: 343 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District—near Shandong Middle Road (黄浦区福州路343号—近山东中路)
Lychee wood-roasted goose (荔枝果木烧鹅, lìzhī guǒmù shāo é)—something you can only get at a fancy restaurant with talented chefs. Never have had anything like this! (rating: 10/10)
Beef chow fun (牛肉炒河粉, niúròu chǎo héfěn)—an oldie but goodie, had to try this classic dish executed by Chinese chefs! Honest review: it was good, but not outstanding; would’ve liked more beef, but what else is new from #meatgirl? (rating: 7/10)
bevvies (饮料, yǐnliào)
a storefront specializing in products that you drink through a straw or sip through a drink lid; their sole goal is to sell you anything that semi-quenches thirst yet is tasty and bordering on qualifying as a schnacko
Auntea Jenny [✅]
沪上阿姨 (hùshàng āyí) opened its first store in People’s Square, Shanghai in 2013; being the first to pioneer fusing grains with milk tea. Now, it’s one of the top three mid-priced freshly brewed tea brands in China! What I love most about this brand is their play off of the word “auntie” and their east-meets-west logo with the bell-shaped hat. So chic. Location pictured: 569 Jinling East Road, Huitong Building Floor 1, Huangpu District (黄浦区金陵东路569 号汇通大厦1楼)
mango pomelo sago (杨枝甘露, yángzhīgānlù)
Blueglass Yogurt [✅❤️]
阿秋拉尕酸奶 (Ā qiū lā gǎ suānnǎi) was founded in 2012, and is a franchise from Beijing that specializes in high quality yogurt drinks, bowls, etc. that use locally sourced ingredients. The menu has a huge variety of products, from more dessert-y options, to Greek-style, to dairy-free options too! I was obsessed the moment I laid eyes on the storefront…but I just really love yogurt 🤪 Address we went to: 63 Taikang Road, Huangpu District (黄浦区泰康路63号)
Bu Ye
不椰 (bù yē) literally translates to “no coconut.” This is a bubble tea shop in a subfloor food court on Nanjing Road. The drinks were mid…would rate them: 6.5/10 while others were easily 8/10+.
Changchun Tang | Drinks of the Seasons
长春堂 | 顺时而饮 (chángchūn táng | shùn shíér yǐn) is a franchise originating from Beijing. The location pictured was a stall located inside the Shanghai Book City (上海书城, shànghǎi shūchéng)! Half of the menu features teas, and there are some herbal “healing soups” too. I’d describe the drinks here as delicately and intentionally crafted to nourish the body, a modern twist on traditional Chinese medicine. This is not your traditional bubble tea shop where you can add “toppings.” Address: 465 Fuzhou Road, Shanghai Book City 3rd Floor, Room 301-2, Huangpu District (黄浦区福州路465号上海书城三楼301-2室)
Almond osmanthus with pudding (杏仁豆腐桂花茶, xìngréndòufu guìhuāchá)
Shanghai classic taro orchid (老上海芋艿兰花茶, lǎoshànghǎi yùnǎi lán huāchá)
Buffalo milk tea (驴打滚牛乳茶, lǘdǎgǔn niúrǔ chá)
White pear blossom herbal soup (梨花白, lí huābái)
HEYTEA
喜茶 (xǐ chá) was founded in 2012 in Guangdong Province, by Neo Nie. This brand was the first to create the concept of “cheese tea” (when a cold tea bevvie is topped with a cheese foam), which was a product born out of the founder’s frustration with milk tea using non-dairy powder instead of fresh milk, and the “blended tea slushie” product that combines tea with real fruit juice and pulp.
MollyTea
茉莉奶白 (mòlì nǎi bái) was founded in 2020, originating from Guangdong and now branching out internationally! This is a beverage franchise whose menu focuses on all things Jasmine tea, yielding a very floral-leaning, curated list of drink offerings that seek to let the natural aroma of Chinese teas shine through.
TEAMAKER [💕]
淡马茶坊 (dànmǎ cháfāng) is also known as “Tanma Tea House.” This is a tea franchise founded in 2019, local to the greater Shanghai region. Their menu aims to highlight fresh fruit from niche regions. This is my cousin’s favorite tea shop ✨ Address: 618 Xujiahui Road, ASE Center Floor 2, Taikang, Huangpu District (黄浦区徐家汇路618号日月光中心泰康区B2层)
Hainan wax apple (海南莲雾, hǎinán lián wù)—scientific name: Syzygium samarangense
Shantou oil orange (汕头油柑, shàntóu yóu gān)—scientific name: Phyllanthus embilica; tastes first a little bitter bitter, then sweet
Minnan guava (闽南红心芭乐, mǐnnán hóngxīn bā lè)—specifically the red heart variety; scientific name: Psidium guajava
Chaozhou yellow peel (潮州黄皮, cháozhōu huáng pí)—Chinese wampi/wampee, scientific name: Clausena lansium; tastes like a citrus-y apple
& that’s a wrap
Thank you for reading, as always. I hope you enjoyed this novella 🤪 do you keep your own restaurant listographies? What do you care about in a restaurant experience? Let me know in the comments or send me a DM!
would you like more on Shanghai and traveling China? See also:
The Shanghai Travel Guide I Wish I'd Had
Where I share key places to see, from the notable landmarks to the hidden local gems, and fun facts & digestible pieces of history when applicable. Plus a self-illustrated map! As the name suggests, this is everything I wish I had to navigate this beautiful city. ✨
Eat Like a Local: a Guide to Chinese Cuisine
The unabridged answer to the question, "How was the food?!" Also known as, a bucket list of food you need to try when you're in Shanghai, but really probably any big city in China. Come check out this menu resource I've put together for you 😊
Preparing for China: Not as Tough as It Seems
Preparing for a trip to China can feel daunting, so I put together something to alleviate that anxiety and stress that comes from not knowing. From getting a visa, to packing, to the flight, I hope that sharing how the travel prep process went for me will help you a little bit!
Wait the emoji key is GENIUS!! It’s so fun to see all the different category a place would achieve!
Absolutely amazing. Want to try it all asap. Maybe sometime you can do a behind the scenes of how you kept track of all the details to compile this guide! That's a feat in of itself!