Simply put, Shanghai is the most populated city in China. Sprawling over a vast area, it overflows with food vendors that honour Chinese flavours. We selected six to add to your restaurant wish list.
Cover photo: Lufang Cao
#1: Old Jesse Restaurant
At Old Jesse, one of the most iconic spots in the city, traditional cuisine is served with a slight twist. To sample as many flavours as possible, be sure to share several starters and dishes – especially the crab noodles and the braised pork. If you don’t reserve in advance (which we highly recommend doing), you can enjoy a glass at the wine bar across the street while you wait for your table.
41 Tianping Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Photo: @baoitoeibt
#2: Mercato
Perched on the sixth floor of a downtown building, this gastronomic restaurant sets an elegant tone, with some rustic touches provided by wooden tables and wildflowers. A perfect backdrop for the mainly Italian food. Chef Nikolai Grigorov draws inspiration from Mediterranean flavours to put together a gourmet menu. Warning: you’ll want to order everything!
6/F, Three on the Bund, No.3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai
Photo: Mercato
#3: Linlongfang Dumpling
Although not exactly “Instagrammable”, this restaurant is well worth a visit. As its name indicates, the speciality is soup dumplings. All the dishes on the menu are made on-site and promise excellent value for money.
10 Jianguo Rd (E), Huangpu, Shanghai
Photo: @belleaccent
#4: Fu He Hui
Who said vegetarian dishes had to be boring? Certainly not chef Tony Lu. In a peaceful Zen décor, he transforms the local tastes of his childhood into gastronomic dishes. All this in a traditional setting with a focus on noble materials.
1037 Yuyuan Rd, Changning District, Shanghai, China, 200085
Photo: @fuhehui
#5: DUFOUR
DUFOUR’s motto, “coffee, cocktails and vibe”, says it all. Basically, this is a unique space in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the city, a great place to walk around, between a coffee and a cocktail. Follow their Instagram account to stay on top of upcoming events.
6C6W+VC9, Wulumuqi Rd (M), Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 200031
#6: Obscura
Opened by one of the best chefs on the continent, DeAille Tam, Obscura offers much more than a fine dining menu. After passing through a wooden gate, you step inside a villa spread over three floors. To maximise the experience, ask for a seat around the open kitchen.
Tangxiang Cultural Space, 538 Xikang Road, Shanghai
Photo: @obscura_shanghai
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