We decided to spend two months in Shanghai for many reasons, but being able to eat never-ending amounts of dumplings, noodles, bings, Shanghai street food and other Chinese dishes was definitely one of the most alluring reasons. Eating our way through Shanghai exceeded our expectations. In our Shanghai food guide, we will show you our picks for where to eat in Shanghai China, including our picks for the best restaurants in Shanghai, the best places for traditional Chinese dishes, explore food markets, rooftop bars and of course dessert.
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Where To Eat In Shanghai China Video
Best Places To Eat In Shanghai Maps
Best Restaurants In Shanghai
Best Hot Pot In Shanghai
Best Dumplings In Shanghai
Best Noodles In Shanghai
Best Breakfast Street Food In Shanghai
Best Cafes In Shanghai
Muslim Market In Shanghai
Best Rooftop Bar In Shanghai
Best Desserts In Shanghai
Best Bubble Tea In Shanghai
Food Delivery In Shanghai
Where To Eat In Shanghai China Video
Best Places To Eat In Shanghai Maps
We have done quite a few articles on the best places to eat in Shanghai, from the best noodles in Shanghai to the best cafes in Shanghai to the best Sheng Jian Bao In Shanghai. And each of these has its own Shanghai map to show you where to go. We will link to all the articles here:
The Best Sheng Jian Bao In Shanghai China + Map + Video
The Best Noodles In Shanghai China + Map + Video
The Best Xiao Long Bao In Shanghai China + Map + Video
The 9 Best Cafes In Shanghai China + Map + Video
The Best Breakfast Street Food In Shanghai China + Map + Video
Best Restaurants In Shanghai
Lost Heaven (On The Bund)
Lost Heaven is a very popular restaurant, especially with the ex-pat crowds. Lost Heaven is a Yunnan Restaurant, although we would say that it’s more of a modern take on Yunnan food and probably tailored more to the western palate rather than being strictly authentic. We visited the flagship location near The Bund, but they also have another location in the Xuhui district. It is quite an impressive looking restaurant, very large with beautiful moody lighting and decor. It’s a little bit fancy without being fine dining. They also have a rooftop bar here which is quite nice. As it’s quite popular, it’s best to make a booking online beforehand.
They have quite a big menu so it can be hard to choose what to eat. But we loved all of our dishes here, including the sauteed cauliflower with tomato (58 RMB), the Da Li Style Chicken with chilli and green onions (86 RMB) and the Lijiang Style Stir Fry Pork (88 RMB).
17 Yan’an East Road, Shanghai
Every day from 11.30 AM to 2 PM + 5.30 PM to 10.30 PM
Old Jesse
If you’re looking for a restaurant to try the best Shanghainese food then Old Jesse is a great pick. Old Jesse is one of the best Shanghainese restaurants in Shanghai. It has decor that feels steeped in history whilst still being quite simple. We ate upstairs and loved the atmosphere. It is not too big, so feels quite intimate. As it’s quite small, its best to make a booking in advance. We lived nearby during our two months in Shanghai so just popped in during the day to make a reservation for a week later. Old Jesse is located on a beautiful street in the Xuhui District or French Concession Area.
We definitely wanted to try some classic Shanghainese dishes here, so of course ordered the Hong Shao Rou, which is a red braised pork belly dish with hard-boiled egg, braised in soy sauce and sugar (88 RMB). It is on the English menu here as braised pork with egg in brown sauce. We also enjoyed the dates stuffed with glutinous rice (xintailuan) and vegetable rice. It was at Old Jesse that we actually had one of our favourite Scallion Oil Noodles. Such a delicious flavour and the noodles were divine. The total cost of our meal for two with a pot of tea was 163 RMB.
Old Jesse
41 Tianping Road, Xuhui, Shanghai
Every day from 11.30 AM to 2.30 PM + 5.30 PM to 11 PM
Jian Guo 328
Jian Guo 328 is a super cosy restaurant in the Xuhui district of Shanghai. They are known here for not adding MSG to their dishes. The restaurant feels like what a Shanghainese restaurant should feel like, a little quirky, small and cosy, and hectic yet somehow calming at the same time. With a large glass window frontage, the main seating area is downstairs, whilst there is a quieter seating area upstairs.
We loved getting simple plates of vegetables to balance out all the dumplings and bings we had been eating in Shanghai, like the sauteed broccoli with garlic (32 RMB). We also had to try their noodles in scallion, oil and soy sauce (18 RMB) which was delicious. The deep-fried spare rib with spice was a really nice flavour and very tender (42 RMB). And it’s always nice to get the Shanghai fried rice (28 RMB) to round out the meal.
Jian Guo 328
328 Jianguo Xi Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Every day from 11 AM to 9.30 PM
Hengshan Cafe
Hengshan Cafe is a Cantonese restaurant in Shanghai, with a nice interior and service. Here we had long beans with pork mince and black peppered beef with stuffed tempura zucchini. They are also known for their roasted meats.
Hengshan Cafe
308 Hengshan Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Every day from 11 AM to 3.30 AM
More Options For Shanghai Restaurants
Even after spending two months in Shanghai, there were so many more restaurants we wanted to try. We will list all the ones that looked great below so you can check them out.
More Options For Fancy Shanghai Restaurants – Hakkasan, Mercato Italian, El Willy Spanish, Fu 1088, Mr and Mrs Bund, Dashu Wujie, Ultraviolet
More Options For Chinese Restaurants In Shanghai – Haosheng Restaurant, BenLai ChuanCai, YuXinChuanCai, Lan Xin Restaurant, Ye Shanghai, Canton 8, YuanYuan, Xibo, Lotus Eatery, Sichuan Citizen.
More Options For Western Cuisine Restaurants in Shanghai + More – The Commune Social, Pirata, OHA Eatery, The Nest, Sober Company
Best Hot Pot In Shanghai
Elixir Health Pot
Shanghai has some excellent hot pot restaurants, and Elixir Health Pot definitely stood out as one of the best places for hot pot in Shanghai. It’s located in a beautiful building in the Xuhui district of Shanghai. Here we had the twin pot (half and half pot), which was incredibly good. One side is a white colour which is made from pork bones and has added herbs and things like ginseng roots. The red/dark side is made from chilli oil and red peppers amongst other things, although it’s not too spicy. You can get a range of meats and vegetables to cook in the hot pot. If you’re looking for a fun way to spend dinner, this was a great experience.
Elixir Health Pot
2 Hengshan Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Every day from 11 AM to 2 AM
More Options For Hot Pot In Shanghai
Shanghai is home to some delicious hot pot restaurants. Here are some more options: Hai Di Lao | Holy Cow | Qimin Organic Hot Pot
Best Dumplings In Shanghai
There are so many different types of dumplings in Shanghai and delicious places to eat them that we wrote separate articles on the best Sheng Jian Bao in Shanghai, the best Xiao Long Bao in Shanghai and the best breakfast street foods in Shanghai. Below we will show you some places to eat Jiaozi and wontons in Shanghai.
Dongbei Four Seasons Dumpling King
Dongbei Four Seasons Dumpling King has a few locations in Shanghai but we love the one on Huaihai Xi Lu. It’s a cosy feeling restaurant with a nice atmosphere and service. Here we loved the cabbage and pork dumplings (Jiaozi), fried rice and the spicy cauliflower dish which came out sizzling in a pan over a flame.
Dongbei Four Seasons Dumpling King
1791 Huaihai Xi Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Er Guang Wonton
This is a long-standing wonton restaurant that has definitely mastered the wonton. Here we tried the pork and shepherds purse wontons with peanut sauce and chilli oil which were really delicious. They had silky smooth skins and a punchy sauce. This is a small restaurant with a few long tables. There was no English menu but the service was friendly.
Er Guang Wonton
109 Huangjiaque Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Every day from 9 AM to 3.30 AM
Read More:
The Best Sheng Jian Bao In Shanghai China + Map + Video
The Best Xiao Long Bao In Shanghai China + Map + Video
7 Types Of Chinese Dumplings In Shanghai China: Dumpling Guide
Best Noodles In Shanghai
There are so many amazing noodle shops in Shanghai that we wrote an entire article on them. But if you are short on time, here are two of our absolute favourites.
Chuan Noodles
Chuan Noodles is a nice casual local restaurant that has some of the best noodles in Shanghai, China. Here, they actually serve Sichuan food.
We absolutely loved the Dan Dan Noodles (担担面), a spicy Sichuan pepper noodle dish with pork and many other delicious things. But the stand out noodle dish was the tian shui mian (甜水面), or on the English menu, brown sugar noodles, although I believe it literally translates to sweet water noodles. This was unlike any other noodle dish we have ever tried. These thick chewy noodles are hand made and cut with textured edges. They come with a sweet and spicy sauce made from Sichuan peppercorns, chilli, sugar and a sprinkling of peanuts amongst other things. We had read that you cannot get these noodles before 1.30 pm.
Chuan Noodles
419 Xinhua Lu, Changning District, Shanghai
Wei Xiang Zhai
Wei Xiang Zhai is an iconic noodle shop in Shanghai, perhaps best known for their spicy sesame noodle dish, ma jiang main. When the majiang mian arrives the sesame sauce is draped across the top of the noodles, and what looks and tastes like a chilli oil is on the side. Mix it all together and eat it sooner rather than later as it becomes gluggy as time passes.
Wei Xiang Zhai
14 Yandang Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Read More: The Best Noodles In Shanghai China + Map + Video
Best Breakfast Street Foods In Shanghai
I have to say that breakfast in Shanghai quickly became a highlight with all the amazing breakfast street foods available.
Some of the breakfast street foods you can eat include Jianbing (煎饼 – Chinese Crepe), Youtiao (油条 – fried dough stick) And Dòujiāng (豆浆 – soy milk), Da Bing (大饼 – Shanghai Sesame Pancake), Congyoubing (葱油饼 – Scallion Pancake), Qiancengbing (千层饼 – Thousand Layer Pancake), Baozi (包子 – Steamed Buns), Guotie (锅贴 – Potstickers), more dumplings and noodles.
Click through to our Best Breakfast Street Food In Shanghai article to see all of our favourite places to get them.
Best Cafes In Shanghai
Shanghai may have some incredible traditional Chinese food to try, but they also have some beautiful cafes to experience. Click through to see our article on The 9 Best Cafes In Shanghai. But if you’re short on time, one of our absolute favourite cafes in Shanghai is RAC Coffee.
Muslim Market In Shanghai
Shanghai has a couple of Muslim Markets which are held every Friday held by the Uyghur community in Shanghai. We visited the Pudong Muslim Market. This market is full of delicious Xinjiang food lining the road in front of the mosque. It has an incredible bustling atmosphere and is a great place for all food lovers to explore. Here we loved trying the Naan (Náng) bread and the lamb kebabs. The pumpkin dumplings and pilaf also looked great.
Pudong Muslim Market
375 Yuanshen Lu, Pudong District, Shanghai
Every Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM
Best Rooftop Bar In Shanghai
Flair
Shanghai is home to some incredible rooftop bars, the perfect place to have a sunset drink and look over the iconic Shanghai skyline. So, during our stay in Shanghai, we visited Flair rooftop bar located at the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai. This is on the Pudong side of Shanghai, and you have both indoor and outdoor seating. You can see across to the bund, Huangpu river and also great views of Pearl Tower.
We absolutely loved our time here, the service was friendly and the atmosphere was nice without being too stuffy. We chose Flair over the other rooftop bars in Shanghai as you could also go outside and not just see the view through glass windows, and we loved the vantage that Flair had.
Flair Rooftop Bar, Ritz-Carlton Shanghai
8 Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai
Best Desserts In Shanghai
Flying Flamingo Ice Cream
Flying Flamingo Ice Cream is a tiny little window located on Wukang lu in the Xuhui district of Shanghai. We loved the ice cream here, which come in a few flavours of vanilla bean, salted caramel, raspberry or chocolate. The price of one scoop is 28 RMB and two scoops are 40 RMB.
Flying Flamingo Ice Cream
Wukang Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Buco Gelato
Another great place for gelato in Shanghai is Buco Gelato. Buco is another little window spot to get your gelato, attached to the restaurant Gemma. We loved the Pistachio ice cream here.
Buco Gelato
20 Donghu Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Every day from 11.30 AM to Midnight
De Medici
If you are looking for great gelato near the bund, De Medici is a great choice. A small shop with some great flavours.
De Medici
17 Yan’an East Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Every day from 11 AM to 11 PM
Lillian Bakery
You will find Lillian Bakery scattered all over Shanghai. Our absolute favourite thing to have here is their cheese tart (8 RMB), but they also have a great Portuguese egg tart too.
Tianyaoqiao Rd, Xujiahui, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Best Bubble Tea In Shanghai
Bubble Tea (milk tea) is definitely a popular thing in China and we absolutely loved getting bubble tea during our time in Shanghai. We tried Happy Lemon and Coco and enjoyed them both, although Happy Lemon was our favourite. Hey Tea is also another popular place for bubble tea in Shanghai. You can find them all throughout Shanghai.
Food Delivery In Shanghai
Although we had the apps downloaded and ready to use, we didn’t actually end up using any food delivery services in Shanghai, but they are good to know if you’re going to spend a little longer in Shanghai. Sherpa’s is very popular amongst the ex-pat crowds as they have an English delivery app. Ele.me is also very popular.
Read More:
The Best Breakfast Street Food In Shanghai China
7 Types Of Chinese Dumplings In Shanghai: Dumpling Guide
The Best Xiao Long Bao In Shanghai, China
The Best Sheng Jian Bao In Shanghai China
Things To Know Before Visiting China For The First Time
The 9 Best Cafes In Shanghai China + Video + Map
The Best Noodles In Shanghai + Video + Map