Shanghai Restaurant Tips by cheezecake_deli Top 5 Page for this destination

Zhi Wei Guan: Hangzhou food... yum...

Zhi Wei Guan is a local chain of restaurants serving classic Hangzhou cuisine. It is popular with the Shanghainese for its good-quality food and affordable prices. I've been to the Changshou Lu branch a couple of times for lunch, when it was bustling with diners. Service was efficient and surroundings were pleasant, though nothing to write home about. Appropriately, the cooking takes centre stage... Hangzhou cuisine is similar to Shanghainese cuisine, though it has a number of signature dishes (see below).

Favorite Dish: Longjing xia ren (Prawns with Longjing tea leaves), Hangzhou cu yu (Hangzhou vinegared fish), to name a few...

Address: 4F Hitech Plaza, 831 Changshou Lu

Comparison: about average

Directions: Nearest metro: Jing'an Temple (though you need a cab from the station).

Phone: +86 21 57575777

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Charme Restaurant: Good Cantonese restaurant with great views

Lujiazui, the new financial district of Shanghai in Pudong, is not particularly endowed with good places to eat outside of hotels. Fortunately then, there is Superbrand Mall with its plethora of restaurants and cafes. Charme restaurant (Gang Li Canting in Mandarin) has a branch located on the 7th floor, with panoramic views across the Huangpu river to the Bund. It serves innovative Cantonese food in pleasant surroundings and with good service at a reasonable price. What more can you ask?

Address: 7F08A, Superbrand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Road

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Nearest metro station: Lujiazui (Line 2).

Phone: +86 21 68877888

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Website: http://www.superbrandmall.com

Honeymoon Dessert: All things sweet...

Honeymoon Dessert is a Hong Kong chain specialising in, well, desserts. Actually, Chinese-style desserts. So you won't find cakes or pastries here; rather sesame soup, red bean soup, almond tea, fruit salad, glutinous rice and the like. Prices are very reasonable. Branches are found throughout the city, particularly in some of the large malls. I've tried branches in Superbrand Mall (Lujiazui) and in Jiubai (Jing'an).

Favorite Dish: Probably the Thai black glutinous rice and mango in coconut juice...

Comparison: about average

Directions: Superbrand Mall branch nearest metro: Lujiazui (Line 2).
Jiubai branch nearest metro: Jing'an Temple (Line 2).

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Dessert

Website: http://www.honeymoon-dessert.com/en_us/

Nanxiang Mantou Dian: Shanghai dumplings galore! Nanxiang Mantou Dian Review

This is the place for xiao long bao (delicious Shanghainese dumpings), though I didn't think it was the very best xiao long bao I've had. Still, it is extremely popular. You can't miss it in Yu Bazaar - there are loads of people queue-ing either to get in or to take away dumplings. It can seem a bit showy - you can watch the chefs at work behind glass panels. The dumplings themselves are v large and quite delicious...

Favorite Dish: Xiao long bao - that's all they do, largely.

Address: 85 Yu Yuan Road

Comparison: about average

Phone: 021 63554206

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Website: http://www.yuyuantm.com.cn

Stalls along the Bund: Candied fruit...

Vendors along the Bund sell candied fruit (bing tang hu lu), a traditional snack (and an acquired taste for most I think). Each stick costs RMB5. They also generally sell steamed corn and coconut juice.

Favorite Dish: Candied fruit.

Address: The Bund

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Nearest metro: Nanjing Dong Lu.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Street Vendor

Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse: The most famous teahouse in Shanghai

Smack in the middle of a pond in bustling Yu Bazaar, the Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse (Huxinting) is Shanghai's most famous teahouse, visited by everyone from Bill Clinton to Hu Jintao when in town. The first few times I came here, it was too crowded to get in, but on a rainy Monday afternoon, it was surprisingly empty and peaceful. We sat upstairs by a window overlooking Yu Gardens, and service was prompt. The tea selection is not exhaustive but quality was good. Prices are a bit high (from RMB50 upwards) but you get titbits included with your tea.

Favorite Dish: Various teas.

Address: Yu Bazaar

Directions: Nearest metro: People's Square.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Whampoa Club: Shanghainese fine dining...

The only Chinese restaurant in the uber cool playground of Three on the Bund, Jereme Leung's Whampoa Club packs a strong visual punch, with bold colours and sleek Art Deco touches. The food is modern Shanghainese, the service impeccable, and the price surprisingly not astronomic given its location (if you stay away from seafood, that is). A place to impress a date or a business partner.

Favorite Dish: Food quality generally excellent.

Address: 5/F Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongsan Dong Yi Lu

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Nearest metro: Henan Zhong Lu. Entrance on Guangdong Lu.

Phone: +86 21 63213737

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Website: http://www.threeonthebund.com

Mei Long Zhen: A Shanghai institution Mei Long Zhen Review

Established in the 1930s, Meilongzhen is a Shanghai institution, having been visited by countless foreign dignitaries, as is evident from the photos on the walls. It serves Shanghainese and Sichuanese cuisine. Food quality is okay and service so-so.

Favorite Dish: The Shanghainese dishes are fine, but I've had better elsewhere.

Address: Lane 1081, 22 Nanjing Xi Lu

Comparison: about average

Directions: Nearest metro: Jing'an Si.

Phone: +86 21 62566688

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Ye Olde Station: An historical restaurant...

Ye Olde Station (Shanghai Lao Zhan) is situated in an old villa in Xujiahui. The interior has been preserved with original fixtures, and seating is arranged in the many rooms of the villa, with a main dining room and several private rooms. Seating is also available in a train carriage located in the garden of the villa - this was the carriage originally used by Song Qingling, wife of the founder of the Republic of China, for travels throughout the country.

The food served is traditional Shanghainese - and excellent! The menu is quite exhaustive and every sort of Shanghainese dishes seems to be available. As it is the norm with Shanghainese cuisine, cold dishes are particularly strong. Prices are reasonable, and there is a minimum charge if you book a private room (varies depending on size). Reservation is recommended.

Favorite Dish: The classic Shanghainese dishes, though simple, are the best.

Address: 201 Caoxi Bei Lu, Xujiahui

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Nearest metro: Xujiahui. One of the metro station exits brings you directly to the front door of the restaurant (see map in metro station). The restaurant is right next to Jianguo Hotel.

Phone: +86 21 64272233

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Xin Ji Shi / Xin Tian Di Restaurant: Classic Shanghainese food at reasonable prices Xin Ji Shi / Zin Tian Di Restaurant Review

Xin Ji Shi (New Jesse) has several branches throughout the city. The Xintiandi branch is popular and you may have to queue to get in during weekends and evenings. The menu is classic Shanghainese, with a particularly good selection of cold dishes. Food quality is excellent and portions good. Seating is spread over two floors - it is slightly crammed on the ground floor. Prices are slightly higher than similar establishments, but actually reasonable considering its Xintiandi location.

Favorite Dish: The classic dishes, e.g. kaofu, salty chicken and the "village" chicken soup.

Address: 9 Xintiandi Complex, Taicang Road

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Xintiandi North Block.

Phone: +86 21 63364746

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Website: http://www.xinjishi.com