Rediscovering the Magic of Shanghai
After three long years of COVID-related travel restrictions, we finally returned to Shanghai- one of our favorite places in Asia. The buzzing city is back in full swing and there are plenty of old and new spots to check out. As one of China’s oldest, largest, and most international cities, Shanghai is the perfect place to get a taste of China’s past, present, and future. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite restaurants, bars, and things to do to make planning your next trip to Shanghai a breeze.
Eat + Drink
Villa Le Bec - Bistro 321
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Address: 321 Xinhua Lu, near Dingxi Lu, Changning District, 新华路321号，近定西路
Villa Le Bec is a mainstay in Shanghai and a truly unique experience. The restaurant has great French food and occupies an old colonial villa, so the atmosphere is homey and intimate. We recommend the truffle parmesan pasta and chicken with morels.
RAC
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Address:
1. Bldg 14, 332 Anfu Lu, near Wukang Lu, Xuhui District, 安福路322号14幢, 近武康路
2. Lane 319 Jiaozhou Lu, Building 30, room 301, near Xinzha Lu, Jing'an District 胶州路319弄30号301号, 进新闸路
RAC has multiple locations and all of them exceed expectations. The wine selection is good and not intimidating and the indoor/outdoor dining options make it a great place for sundowners. The food is equally good.
Shanghainese Street Food Classics near IAPM
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If there’s one thing you need to try in Shanghai it’s the Xiao Long Bao and the best place to get them is at a street-side, humble establishment like the shop across the street from IAPM Mall. While you’re there you should also try the pan-fried buns, potsticker dumplings, and noodles. Go wild and thank us later.
Shanghainese Shao Mai
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Shao Mai is another Shanghainese street food classic. It’s a great snack and quick breakfast food that people pick up on their way to work. Many street food vendors sell this delicious snack but a spot we’ve frequented over the years is a shop on the corner of Middle Huaihai Road and South Shaanxi Road.
Blaz
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Address: 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu, Xuhui District, 东湖路20号, 近淮海中路
As you can probably tell by now, we’re suckers for dining experiences in historical buildings and Blaz does not disappoint. The bistro serves up classic french/winebar fare and we’re here for it.
Egg
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Address: 12 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu, Jing'an District, 襄阳北路12号, 近巨鹿路
Egg is a cafe that has stood the test of time. As a smaller, independent cafe, it can be difficult to stay afloat but the fact that they’re still around is a testament to the quality of food, coffee, and service.
Soif
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Address: 550 Wuding Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu, Jing'an District, 武定路550号105室, 近陕西北路
Soif’s fantastic selection of wines (including a very interesting natural wine selection) and great food make it a welcome addition to the Shanghai restaurant scene. There’s something magical about their bread
Cejerdary Crab Noodles (蟹家大院, 外滩店)
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Address: 59 Guangdong Lu, near Sichuan Zhong Lu, Huangpu District, 广东路59号, 近四川中路
You can tell a lot about a restaurant if: they have do dish (or variations of one main dish) and they do it well, they have a wall of photos of celebrities dining there, and they’ve been around for a long-ass time. Cejerdary ticks all of these boxes and since you’re probably going to see the Bund while you’re in town anyway, it’s a convenient place to stop for a bite.
Hakkasan
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Address: 5/F, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu, Huangpu District, 中山东一路18号5楼, 近南京东路
Hakkasan has an international reputation that speaks for itself. The food is consistently solid and they have locations around the world. We try not to include global chains in our restaurant recommendations but there’s something special about eating at Hakkasan (one of the world’s most iconic Chinese restaurants) in Shanghai on the Bund (one of China’s most iconic areas).
Bastard
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Address: 319 Jiaozhou Lu, near Wuding Lu, Jing'an District, 胶州路319号30弄102号，进武定路
Bastard is the new kid on the block in Shanghai. The restauranteurs behind Bastard wanted to breathe new life into classic Chinese dishes but knew that all too often, critics would call this “bastardizing” the cuisine. Their name pokes fun at this but there’s nothing funny about how good the food is.
Things to do
The Bund + The Peace Hotel
Address: Huangpu, Waitan, 南京东路20号
A stroll along the Bund and an afternoon drink at the iconic Peace Hotel in Shanghai feels like going back in time. The waterfront promenade offers a glimpse into the city's past as a thriving international trading hub. The Peace Hotel, a magnificent Art Deco masterpiece, has welcomed countless dignitaries and celebrities throughout its storied history.
The French Concession
Once a designated area for the French colonial community, this district showcases well-preserved architecture and streets that bear witness to a bygone era. Explore its storied past, experience the lasting legacy of French influence, and appreciate the historical charm that still permeates the neighborhood today.
M50
Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene of Shanghai by visiting M50, a thriving creative district in the city. Located in the Moganshan Road area, M50 is a hub for contemporary Chinese art galleries, studios, and cultural spaces.
Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
The Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum tells a remarkable story of compassion and resilience. Located in the Hongkou district, this museum chronicles the history of Jewish refugees who found sanctuary in Shanghai during World War II. Through compelling exhibits, photographs, and personal accounts, visitors gain insight into the lives of those who sought refuge and the unique multicultural environment that flourished. The Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum is a poignant testament to the power of humanity and a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts.
Nightlife
Shanghai’s nightlife scene is famous the world over. This reputation is nothing new, in fact, Shanghai’s jazz club scene was also quite famous in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with many people referring to Shanghai as the “Paris of the East”. While there are many clubs sprinkled throughout the city, there are three in particular that we want to highlight.
Club Roza
Address: 298 Xingfu Lu, near Pingwu Lu, 幸福路298号， 近平武路
Disco revival has been sweeping the world and Shanghai is no different. Adorned with disco balls, you can live out our 80s fantasies and dance the night away at Club Roza with various DJ lineups each weekend putting their fresh, 21st-century spin on disco music.
La Fin
Address: 6/f, 109, Yandang Lu,near Sinan Lu, 雁荡路109号6楼
If nightlife is your thing and you ever visited Shanghai before 2020, it’s more than likely that you went to Le Baron (maybe more than once). Unfortunately, they closed down in 2021 but La Fin is a new club that fills the Le Baron-shaped hole in our hearts. It’s frequented by celebrities so it fills up quickly but it’s *the* club to go to if you’re wanting to get a table and “ball out” for the evening.
Elevator
Address: B1/F, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Lu, Xuhui District, 南丹东路265号B1楼， 近漕溪路
Elevator gets its name from, well, the old location and the extremely small elevator that would take you up to the club. It’s now moved to a new spot which is more aligned with its underground vibe because it’s literally in the basement. The electronic music is just as good as before and they frequently host DJs from overseas.
Shopping
In the Park
Addresses:
1. in the PARK anfu, N0.6-601,322 Anfu Rd.,SHH
2. in the PARK mall, Rm.102,98-1Yanping Rd.,SHH
3. in the PARK Regular, Rm.01,B1,777 Tianfu 777 2nd St.,CTU
In the Park is a boutique with an epic, curated selection of chic brands like Paloma Wool, Baserange, and Sophie Buhai, as well as lesser-known Chinese and Asian designers. The stores have everything from activewear to homeware and even a vintage store-within-the-store by Rare Ware at their “mall” location on Yanping Road. Rare Ware is one of the best-curated vintage selections we’ve seen in Asia, with reasonably priced designer finds.
