From steaming baskets of dumplings to sleek riverside restaurants, The BEST Food Spots in Shanghai offer an incredible mix of old-school flavours and modern dining experiences. Whether you’re a street food wanderer, a brunch enthusiast, or someone who plans their travels entirely around where to eat, Shanghai has something to satisfy every craving.
The beauty of Shanghai’s food scene lies in its contrasts. It’s a city where you can enjoy a bowl of hand-pulled noodles in a lively laneway in the morning, then finish the evening with wine and a nine-course tasting menu overlooking The Bund. Every corner seems to offer something delicious, from humble neighbourhood kitchens to Michelin-starred restaurants led by world-class chefs.
Shanghai’s dining culture reflects its character: fast-paced, creative, and constantly evolving, yet deeply rooted in tradition. To help you explore Shanghai’s food, here’s a guide to 12 of the best food spots in Shanghai, a carefully chosen mix of must-try local favourites, Michelin-recognised spots, and modern eateries that showcase this vibrant city’s ever-evolving love affair with food.
Pro Tip: Check this list of exciting things to do in Shanghai, too!
1. Ren He Guan
If you want a true taste of old Shanghai, Ren He Guan is the place to start. Hidden within the leafy streets of the French Concession, this restaurant is famous for bringing nostalgic Shanghainese cooking into the modern dining scene. Loved by locals and recognised by Michelin, it’s known for authentic dishes that taste like they’ve been passed down through generations.
Signature plates like sweet plum shrimp and red-braised pork belly (hong shao rou) represent the rich, slightly sweet flavours Shanghai is known for. The space is small and warmly lit, often filled with chatter and the clinking of tea cups. It’s the kind of restaurant that makes you feel instantly at home.
2. Jia Jia Tang Bao
There are few culinary experiences more quintessentially Shanghai than a steaming basket of xiaolongbao, and Jia Jia Tang Bao does it best. This unassuming dumpling shop has built a cult following among both locals and travellers for its delicate soup dumplings, filled with rich pork and crab roe.
The setting is simple: fluorescent lights, wooden tables, and a queue that often spills onto the street. But the food? Unforgettable. Each dumpling is handmade and perfectly balanced between thin dough and savoury broth. You’ll find yourself wanting “just one more basket” every time.
3. Yang’s Fry Dumplings
A few steps from Jia Jia Tang Bao sits another Shanghai icon: Yang’s Fry Dumplings. Here, the star is the shengjianbao, a cousin to the xiaolongbao that’s fried instead of steamed. These dumplings are golden and crisp on the bottom, pillowy on top, and bursting with hot soup inside, a local favourite for breakfast, lunch, or a quick afternoon bite.
Yang’s has grown from a humble stall to a citywide chain, but the flavour remains true to its roots. Grab a plate, a cup of soy milk, and join the locals enjoying their dumplings standing at the counter. It’s affordable, authentic, and an essential part of the Shanghai experience.
4. The Fire
If you’re craving something more international, The Fire in Jing’an offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes served in a relaxed, stylish space. It’s known for its wood-fired cooking, creative cocktails, and weekend brunches with skyline views, a favourite among Shanghai’s expat crowd and food-savvy locals alike.
Expect refined comfort food: perfectly charred pizzas, slow-cooked lamb, and bright, fresh salads. The atmosphere is effortlessly chic without being pretentious, and the open kitchen adds a sense of theatre to every meal. Come for brunch, stay for sunset drinks, it’s one of those places where time seems to slow down.
5. Bizy Boy
A cafe by day and a pasta bar by night, Bizy Boy perfectly captures Shanghai’s creative, ever-evolving food scene. The daytime vibe is casual and bustling, with regulars ordering pastrami sandwiches the size of their heads and flat whites to go. When the sun sets, the space transforms into a candlelit pasta bar serving inventive dishes that blend global influences with local flair.
What makes Bizy Boy stand out is its sense of community, it’s beyond a trendy spot. It’s where locals meet, chat, and linger long after finishing their meals. The energy is infectious, and the food more than lives up to the hype.
6. Meet the Bund
Sitting proudly on the waterfront, Meet the Bund offers one of Shanghai’s most elevated dining experiences. Recently ranked as the top restaurant in China on Asia’s 50 Best list, it’s a celebration of Chinese cuisine done with refinement and precision.
From their delicate plating to the locally inspired flavours reimagined for modern palates. The restaurant’s panoramic river views add to the sense of occasion, making it ideal for special dinners or when you want to splurge on something truly memorable.
7. Uni Sushi
For sushi lovers, Uni Sushi is one of Shanghai’s best-kept secrets. This intimate omakase restaurant has earned a loyal following for offering premium Japanese dining at surprisingly approachable prices. The chefs source the freshest seafood daily and prepare each piece with precise, careful technique that highlights their dedication to quality.
The cosy counter seating lets diners watch the artistry unfold, from the slicing of tuna to the delicate shaping of rice. It’s beyond a meal, it’s a quiet, immersive experience where every detail matters. From buttery sea urchin to perfectly seasoned rice, each bite celebrates balance, freshness, and the beauty of simplicity done exceptionally well.
8. Atica
Atica brings a rich slice of Spain to Shanghai’s rooftops. Known for its lively atmosphere, authentic tapas, and occasional flamenco nights, it’s the kind of spot that feels effortlessly fun. Locals and travellers gather here for shared plates, good wine, and long, chatty evenings under the open sky.
The menu focuses on bold, traditional Spanish flavours, think crispy patatas bravas, smoky grilled octopus, and generous portions of paella. Combined with warm service and rooftop views, Atica has become a go-to spot for anyone wanting a relaxed night out with great food and even better company.
9. Lost Heaven on the Bund
Few restaurants capture Shanghai’s cosmopolitan spirit quite like Lost Heaven on the Bund. Inspired by Yunnan’s rich culinary traditions, the restaurant serves beautifully spiced, aromatic dishes in an elegant, dimly lit setting that feels both romantic and adventurous.
Every detail, from the carved wooden interiors to the gentle background music, creates a dining experience that’s as much about atmosphere as flavour. The menu showcases Yunnan’s distinctive ingredients, from lemongrass and chilli to earthy mushrooms and herbs sourced from China’s southwest.
10. Old Jesse
Rounding out the list is Old Jesse, a beloved institution and a true local favourite. This small, often crowded restaurant has been serving classic Shanghainese dishes for decades, with recipes that haven’t changed in years, and for good reason.
The flavours here are rich, comforting, and unmistakably authentic. Dishes like braised pork and drunken chicken are must-orders, each bite transporting you straight into the heart of Shanghai’s home-style cooking. There’s nothing fancy about it, but that’s exactly why it’s perfect, it’s Shanghai on a plate.
11. Fu He Hui
A standout in Shanghai’s fine dining scene, Fu He Hui takes vegetarian cuisine to extraordinary heights. This Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on creativity, purity, and the beauty of ingredients. Each course is artfully presented, highlighting seasonal produce and delicate flavours that make even the most dedicated carnivores pause in admiration.
Located in a minimalist space in Changning District, dining here feels like a peaceful escape from the city’s pace. The tasting menu changes regularly, ensuring that every visit offers something new and inspiring. It’s a quiet, elegant reminder that plant-based food can be both luxurious and deeply satisfying.
12. Baker & Spice
For something more casual yet equally memorable, Baker & Spice is a staple in Shanghai’s café culture. With several locations across the city, it’s the go-to spot for quality coffee, fresh pastries, and all-day brunches. It’s also one of those places where travellers and expats gather to work, chat, or simply people-watch with a croissant in hand.
Their bread and baked goods are consistently excellent, and the breakfast menu, from smashed avocado toast to eggs Benedict, makes it the perfect stop before a day of exploring. Simple, comforting, and consistently good, Baker & Spice embodies modern Shanghai’s love for global flavours done well.
Shanghai is one of those cities where you could eat three meals a day for a month and still only scratch the surface. From hole-in-the-wall dumpling joints to Michelin-starred restaurants with skyline views, the city’s dining scene perfectly mirrors its character, fast, creative, and constantly reinventing itself. Food here isn’t just a part of the experience; it is the experience.
Whether you’re wandering through laneways in search of street food or dressing up for dinner on the Bund, every dish offers a little insight into what makes Shanghai so endlessly fascinating. That is why Shanghai remains one of the world’s most exciting food destinations because when it comes to flavour, culture, and creativity, Shanghai truly has it all.