Shanghai is home to some delicious authentic Chinese dishes. But, being the international hub that it is, it also has some incredible options for Western food, and in particular, cafes. Think beautiful French-inspired cafes, Asian-fusion cafes, Australian-inspired coffee shops and more. After spending two months in Shanghai, here are our picks for the best cafes in Shanghai China. We also include the best coffee shops in Shanghai and the best bakeries in Shanghai, because they all create that same morning magic.
CONTENTS
The Best Cafes In Shanghai China Video
Where To Find The Best Cafes In Shanghai China Map
RAC
Rye & Co
O’Mills Artisan Bakery
Cafe del Volcan
%Arabica
Brut Eatery
Baker & Spice
Pain Chaud
Avec Toi
More Options For Best Cafes In Shanghai
The Best Cafes In Shanghai China Video
Where To Find The Best Cafes In Shanghai Map
Here is our Shanghai Cafes Map pinpointing all of the best places for cafes, coffee shops and bakeries in Shanghai. At the end of the post, you can download a printable Best Cafes In Shanghai Map to save to your phone or print out and take with you for your trip to Shanghai, China.
RAC
RAC is one of the best cafes in Shanghai, for sure. Located in the Former French Concession, with its beautiful tree-lined streets, on the corner of Anfu Lu and Wukang Lu. It’s set back off the road in a courtyard, making it super peaceful and cosy. The design is industrial French with its green metal window and door frames and gold printed logo. It’s pretty but gutsy at the same time.
We went in winter so sitting outside on the beautiful bench-like area was not an option (although one man did brave the conditions and happily ate his galette outside). We went on a weekend, which is notoriously busy, and had to wait about 30 minutes to get a table.
Once inside and the thawing-out process had kicked in, I was very happy that the interior was just as stunning as the outside. We sat on a wooden table with another couple, a bunch of pretty flowers and the wine bar behind us. Here you can sit on long communal tables, smaller round tables like ours, or along the interior bench section looking out the window. All options are equally pleasant.
The staff were so friendly and the atmosphere was warm and cosy. We ordered the Far West Gallete (98 RMB), which came with cheese, pancetta, egg, mushrooms and cream and was so tasty.
We also ordered breakfast in a bun (45 RMB), which was a brioche bun with scrambled eggs, onion jam, cheese and chilli mayo. Another delicious meal, the onion jam was a highlight.
For drinks, Chris got a flat white (35 MRB) which he loved. And I ordered one of the best chai lattes (35 RMB) I have ever had. So creamy, thick yet fluffy and just the right amount of spice. The only downside was that it was a little more than I am used to paying at $7 AUD, but it was so good, I don’t even care.
Address | 322 Anfu Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 AM to 6 PM
Cards accepted | We paid with Visa. Alipay and cash are also accepted. Apple pay is accepted but with local cards only.
Rye & Co
Rye & Co is brought to you by the same people behind The Nest and The Cannery. Although it’s located in a mall (Xintiandi Plaza), its earthy glam design and views over the city still make Rye & Co a beautiful venue. The staff here are so friendly and we loved the service. The menu here is nordic inspired and I thought the dishes were quite unique.
My favourite dish was the Aubergine Tartine (38 RMB), which had lentils, yoghurt, smoked aubergine and mint oil on toasted sourdough bread. Everything worked together so well and it was full of flavour. I could seriously have this dish every day, and it seemed super healthy too.
Chris had the scramble in a jar (38 RMB), which was scrambled eggs with the creamiest mashed potato in a jar with some sourdough bread on the side. The eggs were tasty but fairly standard, but the addition of the creamy mash potato really made this dish. My only gripe was how small the serving of sourdough bread was, it looked like someone had cut up one slice of bread and all but one bit fell off the plate on the way to our table. I really felt this dish would have been way better with more sourdough bread.
We ended up buying an entire loaf of sourdough (38 RMB) to take home as the bread was that delicious.
For drinks, Chris had a flat white (25 RMB) which was really nice. And I had a chai latte which was also delicious and at a great price of 25 RMB (about $5 AUD).
Rye and Co has a few sections and is both a cafe, restaurant and bar. Our review here is on Rye and Co cafe.
Rye & Co
Address | 6-7/F, Xintiandi Plaza, 333 Huaihai Zhong Lu, Xintiandi, Huangpu, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Every day from 10 AM to 10 PM
Cards accepted | We paid with Visa. WeChat and AliPay are accepted.
O’Mills Artisan Bakery
So much more than a bakery, O’Mills Artisan Bakery not only has amazing baked goods but is a delicious multi-level cafe.
We absolutely loved their sourdough pizzas (88 RMB). They had a light and fluffy base with a really nice flavour. We also loved the poached eggs on avocado with bread (58 RMB). As for drinks, the coffee (30 RMB for flat white) and fresh juices (39 RMB for sunshine juice) were good. We couldn’t resist, so also got an almond croissant to go (20 RMB).
The space was absolutely beautiful spread out over two main levels and an additional loft level. Definitely one of the best cafes in Shanghai China.
Address | 110 Yongjia Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 AM to 5 PM + 6 PM to 10.30 PM
Cafe del Volcan
Cafe del Volcan is a tiny little specialty coffee shop in the Xuhui district of Shanghai. From the outside, it looks like a pretty French-inspired coffee shop and from the inside, it feels a little more unique and edgy.
Here they have freshly roasted beans onsite, and they have some of the best coffee in Shanghai. There are only a couple of tiny tables inside, so it’s mostly suited to takeaway coffee or a quick stop.
We loved the flat white (36 RMB) and luckily one of the tables was free so we could sit in and enjoy.
Address | 80 Yong Kang Road (Yongkang Lu), Xuhui District, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Monday to Friday from 8 AM To 8 PM + Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 8 PM
%Arabica
Arabica is a coffee shop that started in Kyoto, Japan and is spreading throughout the world. It has a beautiful minimalist design and most importantly, great coffee. The only negative is the price of the coffee, which is definitely getting up there at 45 RMB for a single origin caffe latte. And they also serve their coffee in takeaway cups only.
Arabica has 6 locations throughout Shanghai, but the address listed below is for a stunning location in a restored historic building.
Address | Associate Mission Building, No.169, Yuanmingyuan Road, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 8 PM + Friday to Sunday from 8 AM to 9 PM.
Brut Eatery
Brut Eatery has two locations in Shanghai, we visited the one on Yuyuan Lu. Here they have a cosy inside section with tables and also an area to sit outside on the stairs and people watch.
If you come here for food, Brut Eatery has a take on a fusion between American and Asian food. For drinks, we loved the Aussie flat white (28 RMB) and the crystal clear juice with carrot, apple and ginger (35 RMB). They have really friendly service and very cute cups.
Brut Eatery
Address | 698 Yuyuan Lu, Jingan District, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 AM to 10 PM
Baker & Spice
Another beautiful cafe in Shanghai located on Anfu Lu (although there are multiple locations throughout Shanghai). Baker & Spice had a buzzing morning energy and was super busy when we went. There are two sections of tables, at the front and back of the shop.
When you first walk in you will be tempted with their amazing pastry display. We enjoyed the sunny days wrap, with bacon, avocado, omelette and tomato jam (68 RMB), as well as the almond croissant (15 RMB – how can you resist an almond croissant?!).
The flat white (27 RMB) was great and the chai latte (38 RMB) was nice but I don’t love drinking chai with clove spices floating in the drink, I need to concentrate and be careful drinking it, but the flavour was nice.
Address | 195 Anfu Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Every day from 6 AM to 10 PM
Pain Chaud
Pain Chaud is a cute little bakery slash cafe on Yongkang Lu. It is a nice small space with seating. Here you can get pastries and sweets, sandwiches, bread, coffee and fresh juices.
We enjoyed the lemon meringue tart and almond croissant although would have loved more sweet almond filling. The chai latte was nice but perhaps a little clove-heavy.
Although we enjoyed our time at Pain Chaud, if you’re only in Shanghai for a short time, we would probably recommend visiting some of the others on this list first.
Address | 41 Yongkang Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Every day from 7.30 AM to 9.30 PM
Avec Toi
Avec Toi was our little local boulangerie near where we were staying. It’s a small place with friendly service. There is not a lot of room to sit, but sitting along the window sill was nice, or you can get takeaway.
We often walked to Avec Toi in the morning and started our day with the onion quiche and almond croissant, that is, when we could drag ourselves away from the amazing street food breakfast places in Shanghai. Definitely worth a look if you are in the area.
Avec Toi
Address | 73 Tianping Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM
More Options For Best Cafes In Shanghai China
The ones we didn’t get to try but looked great…
Seesaw Coffee Shanghai | Small Arms Big Heart Coffee Shanghai | Sumerian (bagels and coffee) | Egg | Diner | T12 Lab | Manner Coffee | Bread Etc
Your Printable Best Cafes In Shanghai Map (PDF)
Get your free printable Best Cafes, Coffee Shops and Bakeries In Shanghai Map (PDF) to take with you on your trip to Shanghai.
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