Best Restaurants in Shanghai 2025
Explore the culinary scene of Shanghai - from local favorites to fine dining.
Shanghai is China's largest city and a global financial hub, where gleaming skyscrapers tower over historic colonial-era buildings along the iconic Bund waterfront. A dynamic metropolis blending East and West, Shanghai offers world-class dining, vibrant arts and culture, and remarkable contrasts between ancient gardens and futuristic architecture.
Shanghai's cuisine (Hu Cai) is characterized by rich flavors using soy sauce, sugar, and Shaoxing wine, with an emphasis on freshness and seasonal ingredients. The city is famous for xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), red-braised pork belly (hong shao rou), smoked fish, drunken hairy crab (seasonal in autumn), and pan-fried buns. Beyond local specialties, Shanghai has evolved into one of Asia's premier international dining cities, with exceptional French, Japanese, Italian, and Southeast Asian options, plus the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in mainland China.
Must-Try Dishes
These iconic dishes define the culinary identity of Shanghai.
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)
Thin-skinned steamed dumplings filled with pork and a pool of hot broth — Shanghai's most iconic food. Bite carefully from the side to sip the broth first.
Shengjian Bao (Pan-fried Pork Buns)
Shanghai's other legendary dumpling — pan-fried until crispy on the bottom, then steamed to create a juicy pork filling inside. Topped with sesame and scallion.
Hong Shao Rou (Red-braised Pork Belly)
Meltingly tender pork belly braised in soy sauce, rice wine, and rock sugar — a classic Shanghainese comfort dish found in every local restaurant.
Drunken Hairy Crab (Seasonal)
Female hairy crabs marinated in Shaoxing wine and served raw — a prized autumn delicacy available October-December. Rich, creamy roe is the highlight.
Shengdi (Deep-fried Pork Cutlet on Noodles)
Shanghai-style fried pork cutlet served over thick wheat noodles in a savory broth — a beloved local lunch dish found at hole-in-the-wall noodle shops.
Complete Food Guide
100+ restaurants, local recipes, and dining recommendations for Shanghai.
Top Restaurants
Our handpicked recommendations for the best dining experiences.
Nanxiang Mantou Dian
Founded in 1900, this legendary dim sum restaurant in Yu Garden Bazaar is famous for inventing the xiaolongbao soup dumpling. The original upstairs restaurant has queues that start before opening, but the ground floor takeaway counter offers the same dumplings to go.
Din Tai Fung
The world-renowned Michelin-starred dumpling chain is arguably the best place to eat consistent, high-quality xiaolongbao in Shanghai. The kitchen is visible through glass — watch chefs pleat exactly 18 folds per dumpling.
Mr & Mrs Bund
Paul Pairet's acclaimed modern bistro on the Bund is one of Shanghai's most beloved restaurants, combining playful French cuisine with stunning Lujiazui views. The Late Night Menu served from 10:30PM is a popular option after a night out.
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet
The world's most unique dining experience: a single 10-person table with a 20-course tasting menu synchronized with 360-degree projections, scent diffusion, and custom soundscapes. Widely considered one of Asia's best restaurants with three Michelin stars.
Fu 1088
Hidden inside a labyrinthine collection of restored 1930s French Concession villas, Fu 1088 serves refined traditional Shanghainese cuisine in extraordinary private dining rooms. The experience recreates the elegance of Republican-era Shanghai entertaining.
Lost Heaven
A beautiful restaurant in a restored heritage building near People's Square serving the spicy, aromatic cuisine of Yunnan Province with Southeast Asian influences. The striking tribal-inspired decor and lively atmosphere make it one of Shanghai's most atmospheric dining experiences.
Yongfoo Elite
Set inside the former British Consulate in the French Concession, Yongfoo Elite serves exquisite Shanghainese dishes in elegant heritage rooms filled with antiques and art. Dining here feels like stepping into 1930s Shanghai high society.
T8 Restaurant
Located in the North Block of Xintiandi in a beautifully restored shikumen building, T8 serves refined contemporary cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere with an excellent wine cellar. A benchmark of the Xintiandi dining scene since 2001.
Restaurants by Cuisine
Find restaurants that match your taste preferences.
Shanghainese Cuisine
Nanxiang Mantou Dian
Fu 1088
Yongfoo Elite
Yang's Fry Dumplings (Yang's Dumplings)
Nan Xiang Xiao Long Restaurant
Taiwanese/Shanghainese Cuisine
Din Tai Fung
French Modern Cuisine
Mr & Mrs Bund
Multi-sensory French Cuisine
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet
Yunnan / Southeast Asian Cuisine
Lost Heaven
Modern European Cuisine
T8 Restaurant
Street Food & Markets
The best local flavors at affordable prices.
Jianbing (Chinese Savory Crepe)
Thin wheat crepe spread with egg, hoisin sauce, chili, and crispy wafer — the most popular breakfast street food throughout China.
Tanghulu (Sugar-coated Fruit Skewers)
Hawthorn berries or other fruits dipped in hardened sugar syrup on bamboo skewers — a traditional winter snack popular at Yu Garden Bazaar.
Rou Jia Mo (Chinese Pork Burger)
Slow-cooked pork belly stuffed into a toasted flatbread bun — often called China's answer to the hamburger. Popular at lunch carts near office areas.
Egg Waffles (Hong Kong Style)
Golden bubble waffles made to order and folded around ice cream or eaten plain — a popular sweet street snack spreading from Hong Kong cafes.
Food Markets
Yunnan Southern Road Food Market
A local wet market in the old city neighborhood serving the community with fresh produce, live seafood, tofu, and breakfast snacks in an authentically local atmosphere.
Sinan Mansions Farmers Market
Weekly organic and artisan food market on Sundays in the gardens of Sinan Mansions, featuring local produce, homemade preserves, and specialty foods from small producers.
Fuyou Road Antique and Snack Market
A weekend antique market near Yu Garden with street food stalls selling traditional Shanghai snacks like smoked fish, turnip cake, and rice wine.
Dining Etiquette & Tips
Navigate the local food scene like a pro.
Download Dianping (Chinese Yelp) for the most current local restaurant recommendations
For popular restaurants, queue systems are common — get a queue number at the door and wait
Many restaurants require WeChat Pay or Alipay — have cash as a backup for street food
Hairy crab season (October-December) is the best time to try premium Shanghainese cuisine
Breakfast is a cultural experience — visit a local market for jianbing, youtiao, and warm soy milk
Ask for 'bu yao la' (no spice) if you can't handle heat in Sichuan or Hunan restaurants
Dietary Information
{'vegetarian': 'Increasing number of vegetarian options at modern restaurants; Buddhist temple restaurants (Jade Buddha Temple) offer excellent vegetarian Chinese cuisine; the Zao Zi Shu chain is fully vegetarian', 'halal': 'Halal restaurants available near Xiaotaoyuan Mosque in Huangpu; Muslim-majority areas in Hongkou have halal options', 'gluten_free': "Difficult due to widespread use of soy sauce; communicate clearly with staff — say 'wu mai fen' (no wheat flour); Japanese restaurants often have gluten-free soy sauce options"}
Food Budget Guide
What to expect at different price points.
Taste the Best of Shanghai
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