Quick answers — eating in Shanghai
- Best restaurant overall
- Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet
- Best value
- A Da Scallion Pancake (CNY 10-20 / USD 1-3)
- Strongest cuisines
- Chinese, French, Vegetarian & plant-based
- Dishes to try
- Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings), Shengjian Mantou (Pan-Fried Pork Buns), Hongshao Rou (Braised Pork Belly), Cong You Ban Mian (Scallion Oil Noodles)
- Booking window
- Book 2-4 weeks ahead for most starred restaurants, especially for weekend evenings. Ultraviolet requires booking months in advance, often on specific release dates, due to its limited seating and high demand.
Bookings for MICHELIN-starred restaurants are essential, often needing weeks or months in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Dress codes typically range from smart casual to formal, with jackets sometimes required for gentlemen. Tipping is not customary in mainland China, but service charges (often 10-15%) are common in upscale establishments. Dinner hours generally run from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Chinese
Best Chinese restaurants in Shanghai
Chinese fine dining is regional: Cantonese seafood and dim sum, the chilli and numbing pepper of Sichuan, the delicate soups of Shanghai. Larger tables see more of the menu.
Canton 8 (Ruijin Road)
Two MICHELIN StarsCantonese · Luwan · CNY 800-1,500 / USD 110-210
Renowned for its exquisite and authentic Cantonese cuisine, Canton 8 delivers classic dishes with meticulous execution. The dining room offers an elegant, understated setting, allowing the premium ingredients and refined cooking techniques to take center stage. Their dim sum is particularly celebrated for its delicate flavors and craftsmanship, making it a favorite among discerning diners.
Order: Crispy Roasted Pork Belly; Baked Barbecued Pork Buns
Imperial Treasure Fine Dining (Bund)
Two MICHELIN StarsCantonese · Bund · CNY 1,000-2,000 / USD 140-280
Offering a refined take on classic Cantonese dishes, Imperial Treasure on the Bund provides a sophisticated dining experience with stunning river views. The kitchen prioritizes premium ingredients and traditional cooking methods, resulting in dishes that are both familiar and elevated. Expect impeccable service in a luxurious setting, ideal for special occasions and business dinners.
Order: Peking Duck; Crispy Roasted Duck; Steamed Crab with Glutinous Rice
Ji Pin Court
Two MICHELIN StarsCantonese · Xuhui · CNY 800-1,800 / USD 110-250
Ji Pin Court is celebrated for its precise and authentic Cantonese fare, meticulously prepared from high-quality ingredients. The restaurant offers a tranquil and elegant environment, perfect for enjoying delicate dim sum during lunch or expansive à la carte dishes for dinner. Its commitment to traditional flavors and sophisticated presentation consistently impresses diners seeking genuine Cantonese excellence.
Order: Stir-fried Lobster with Ginger and Scallions; Superior Bird's Nest Soup
Xin Rong Ji (Nanyang Road)
Two MICHELIN StarsTaizhou / Chinese · Jing'an · CNY 800-1,800 / USD 110-250
Xin Rong Ji excels in bringing refined Taizhou cuisine to Shanghai, focusing on fresh seafood and subtle, nuanced flavors. The elegant interiors and attentive service create a comfortable yet luxurious dining atmosphere. Dishes are prepared with precision, showcasing the natural quality of ingredients, making it a top choice for those seeking authentic and high-end regional Chinese gastronomy.
Order: Roasted Goose; Steamed Yellow Croaker
Da Dong Roast Duck (IFC Mall)
One MICHELIN StarPeking Duck / Chinese · Pudong · CNY 500-1,000 / USD 70-140
Dong Zhenxiang
Da Dong elevates the Peking duck experience with its signature 'super-lean' roast duck, celebrated for its crisp skin and tender meat. The restaurant offers a modern, spacious setting, and the menu extends beyond duck to include a range of innovative Chinese dishes. It’s a consistently popular choice for both locals and visitors seeking a refined take on classic Chinese fare.
Order: Signature "Super-Lean" Roast Duck
Lei Garden (IFC Mall)
One MICHELIN StarCantonese · Pudong · CNY 500-1,000 / USD 70-140
Lei Garden delivers consistently high-quality Cantonese cuisine in a spacious and bustling environment. Famous for its excellent dim sum and traditional dishes, the restaurant maintains a high standard of classic cooking. It's a reliable choice for families and business gatherings, offering a taste of authentic Hong Kong-style Cantonese food with efficient service.
Order: Crispy Roasted Pork; Steamed Chicken with Chinese Ham and Mushrooms
Din Tai Fung (Shanghai Centre)
One MICHELIN StarTaiwanese / Dim Sum · Jing'an · CNY 200-400 / USD 30-55
World-renowned for its exquisitely crafted xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung offers a consistent and delightful dining experience. The transparent kitchen allows guests to watch chefs meticulously fold dumplings. Beyond soup dumplings, their menu includes a variety of Taiwanese dishes, all served in a clean, family-friendly setting, making it a global dim sum benchmark.
Order: Pork Xiao Long Bao; Shrimp and Pork Wontons in Spicy Sauce
French
Best French restaurants in Shanghai
French cooking is still the backbone of fine dining almost everywhere — expect sauce work, butter, precise service and set lunch menus that cost a fraction of dinner.
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet
Three MICHELIN StarsInnovative French · Bund · CNY 6,000-10,000+ / USD 830-1,380+
Paul Pairet
An unparalleled immersive dining experience, Ultraviolet pushes boundaries with multi-sensory technology complementing a singular, avant-garde French tasting menu. Each dish is a meticulously crafted surprise, paired with visuals, sounds, and scents, creating a journey that transcends mere food. It’s a benchmark for experimental gastronomy globally.
Order: All dishes are part of a fixed, evolving menu; 'Tomato Mozzarella' is a classic Pairet deconstruction.
Vegetarian & plant-based
Best vegetarian and plant-based restaurants in Shanghai
Vegetable-led tasting menus are no longer a side option. These kitchens build whole menus from produce, and most will happily go fully vegan with notice.
Fu He Hui
One MICHELIN StarVegetarian · Changning · CNY 800-1,500 / USD 110-210
Fu He Hui offers a sophisticated and artistic vegetarian dining experience, presenting plant-based cuisine with extraordinary elegance and creativity. The tranquil, minimalist setting enhances the focus on seasonal ingredients and intricate preparation. Each dish is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, making it a standout destination for both vegetarians and those seeking a refined culinary adventure.
Order: Fixed tasting menus; dishes change seasonally
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Shanghai
Yang's Fried Dumplings (various locations)
A Shanghai institution, Yang's is famous for its Sheng Jian Bao – pan-fried pork buns with a crispy bottom, fluffy top, and juicy, soupy filling. A portion of four is a satisfying and authentic local bite. Rough price: CNY 15-25 for 4 pieces.
Jianbing Stand (street vendors)
Look for street vendors making Jianbing, a savory Chinese crepe for breakfast or a snack. It's typically filled with egg, crispy crackers, scallions, and various sauces. Freshly made to order, it's a quintessential Shanghai street food experience. Rough price: CNY 8-15.
Xiaolongbao at local eateries
Beyond Din Tai Fung, numerous local eateries like Jia Jia Tang Bao offer excellent, affordable xiaolongbao. Expect flavorful pork soup dumplings, often alongside other Shanghainese specialties. These spots provide an authentic, bustling local dining atmosphere. Rough price: CNY 20-35 per basket.
Lanzhou La Mian
Seek out Lanzhou La Mian noodle shops for freshly hand-pulled noodles served in a clear beef broth with thinly sliced beef, cilantro, and chili oil. It's a hearty, aromatic, and incredibly satisfying meal, prepared to order right before your eyes. Rough price: CNY 20-35 per bowl.
Wonton Soup (local vendors)
Enjoy a comforting bowl of classic Shanghainese wonton soup. These delicate dumplings, typically filled with pork and shepherd's purse, are served in a light broth, often with a sprinkle of chopped scallions. It’s a simple, heartwarming, and inexpensive local staple. Rough price: CNY 15-25 per bowl.
Local dishes
What to eat in Shanghai
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)
These delicate steamed dumplings are filled with savory pork and a rich, hot broth. Best enjoyed by first biting a small hole, sipping the soup, then consuming the dumpling. Nanxiang Mantou Dian in the Yu Garden Bazaar is a renowned spot for this Shanghainese classic, though many local eateries excel.
Shengjian Mantou (Pan-Fried Pork Buns)
A delicious contrast to xiaolongbao, these buns are pan-fried to a crispy bottom, filled with pork and a small amount of soup, and topped with sesame seeds and scallions. They offer a delightful textural experience. Yang's Fry-Dumpling is a popular chain widely available, known for its consistent quality.
Hongshao Rou (Braised Pork Belly)
This quintessential Shanghainese dish features succulent pork belly slow-cooked in a rich, caramelized soy sauce until incredibly tender and flavorful. It’s often served with hard-boiled eggs. Jesse Restaurant (Jishi Jiujia) on Tianping Road is highly regarded for its authentic rendition, embodying homemade comfort.
Cong You Ban Mian (Scallion Oil Noodles)
A deceptively simple yet profoundly satisfying dish, these springy noodles are tossed in fragrant scallion-infused oil and dark soy sauce, sometimes with crispy fried scallions. It’s a humble, comforting, and incredibly addictive staple. A Niang Mian in the former French Concession is famous for its perfect balance.
La Mian (Hand-Pulled Noodles)
These freshly made wheat noodles are a versatile base for many dishes, served in rich broths with various toppings like beef, lamb, or vegetables. The texture is springy and chewy. Many small, unassuming eateries around the city, particularly in Muslim quarters, offer excellent hand-pulled noodle soups.
Dazhaxie (Hairy Crab)
A highly prized seasonal delicacy (typically autumn), these freshwater crabs are famous for their rich roe. They are steamed whole and enjoyed with vinegar and ginger tea. Wang Bao He Restaurant, with a long history, specializes in hairy crab dishes, offering a sophisticated experience.
Ci Fan Tuan (Sticky Rice Roll)
A popular breakfast or snack item, this is a dense roll of sticky rice filled with various ingredients like preserved vegetables, pork floss, fried dough stick (youtiao), and sometimes a hard-boiled egg. It's hearty and flavorful. Look for street vendors or small breakfast shops, particularly in the mornings.
Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)
These small, glutinous rice balls are often filled with black sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanuts, and served in a sweet soup. They symbolize togetherness and are particularly popular during festivals. Many dessert shops and traditional restaurants offer this comforting sweet treat year-round.
How to book a table in Shanghai
- · Book 2-4 weeks ahead for most starred restaurants, especially for weekend evenings. Ultraviolet requires booking months in advance, often on specific release dates, due to its limited seating and high demand.
- · Be aware that many high-end establishments require a non-refundable deposit or full pre-payment to secure your reservation, particularly for tasting menus or private rooms. Always confirm their cancellation policy when booking.
- · Consider dining for lunch at starred restaurants. Many offer more accessible set lunch menus that provide an excellent opportunity to experience the cuisine and ambiance at a significantly lower price point than dinner.
- · Strict no-show and late arrival policies are common. Arriving late without notice can result in your table being given away or cancellation fees being applied. Communicate any delays proactively with the restaurant.
FAQ
Shanghai restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Shanghai?
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Bund is the benchmark table — Innovative French, led by Paul Pairet, three michelin stars, around CNY 6,000-10,000+ / USD 830-1,380+ per person. Order the All dishes are part of a fixed, evolving menu; 'Tomato Mozzarella' is a classic Pairet deconstruction.
Where is the best Chinese restaurant in Shanghai?
Canton 8 (Ruijin Road) in Luwan is the Chinese table to book in Shanghai (CNY 800-1,500 / USD 110-210 per person). Other strong options: Imperial Treasure Fine Dining (Bund), Ji Pin Court, Xin Rong Ji (Nanyang Road).
Where is the best French restaurant in Shanghai?
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Bund is the French table to book in Shanghai (CNY 6,000-10,000+ / USD 830-1,380+ per person).
Where is the best vegetarian and plant-based restaurant in Shanghai?
Fu He Hui in Changning is the vegetarian and plant-based table to book in Shanghai (CNY 800-1,500 / USD 110-210 per person).
Where can I eat well in Shanghai without spending a fortune?
A Da Scallion Pancake is the best-value table on this list at roughly CNY 10-20 / USD 1-3 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Yang's Fried Dumplings (various locations), Jianbing Stand (street vendors), Xiaolongbao at local eateries.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Shanghai?
Book 2-4 weeks ahead for most starred restaurants, especially for weekend evenings. Ultraviolet requires booking months in advance, often on specific release dates, due to its limited seating and high demand. Be aware that many high-end establishments require a non-refundable deposit or full pre-payment to secure your reservation, particularly for tasting menus or private rooms. Always confirm their cancellation policy when booking.
What food is Shanghai famous for?
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings), Shengjian Mantou (Pan-Fried Pork Buns), Hongshao Rou (Braised Pork Belly), Cong You Ban Mian (Scallion Oil Noodles), La Mian (Hand-Pulled Noodles) — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. These delicate steamed dumplings are filled with savory pork and a rich, hot broth. Best enjoyed by first biting a small hole, sipping the soup, then consuming the dumpling. Nanxiang Mantou Dian in the Yu Garden Bazaar is a renowned spot for this Shanghainese classic, though many local eateries excel.
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