Written by
Anthony
Shanghai blends its rich history, modern flair, and diverse international influences into one of Asia’s most vibrant dining scenes. Based on authentic customer reviews from Dianping, Meituan, and Ctrip, this guide helps you discover Shanghai’s best food spots — from old-school street eats to Michelin-starred luxury.
Cuisine: Shanghainese (Benbang) Cuisine
Specialties: Braised pork intestine, oil-braised shrimp, shrimp roe sea cucumber, spicy eight treasures
Price: CNY 35-50 per person
Location: Huangpu District, 8-min walk to People’s Square, near Metro Lines 1/2/8
Highlights: 100-year-old brand, authentic rich sauces, English menu with dish origins
User Rating: 4.6 stars (Dianping); praised for “authentic flavors, especially the pork intestine.”
Awards: China Time-Honored Brand, Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Cuisine: Shanghai Snacks
Specialties: Pork chop with rice cake, chicken bone sauce, curry beef soup
Price: CNY 20-40 per person
Location: Huangpu District, 5-min walk to Dashijie, near Metro Line 8
Highlights: 24-hour old Shanghai snack shop, crispy pork chop, chewy rice cakes
User Rating: 4.7 stars (Ctrip); praised for “classic childhood taste, unbeatable value.”
Awards: 2025 Dianping Shanghai Snacks Top 10, A Bite of China featured.
Cuisine: Shanghai Dim Sum
Specialties: Fresh pork mooncake, crab soup dumplings, eight treasure rice, osmanthus porridge
Price: CNY 40-60 per person
Location: Jing’an District, 10-min walk to Jing’an Temple, near Metro Lines 2/7
Highlights: 100-year-old brand, freshly baked mooncakes, gift boxes available
User Rating: 4.8 stars (Dianping); praised for “must-try mooncakes, comforting desserts.”
Awards: China Time-Honored Brand, Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Cuisine: Benbang Cuisine
Specialties: Braised pork, oil-braised shrimp, soy sauce duck, pan-fried pomfret
Price: CNY 120-180 per person
Location: Huangpu District, 10-min walk to Huaihai Road, near Metro Line 1
Highlights: Michelin Bib Gourmand, home-style service, retro décor
User Rating: 4.7 stars (Meituan); praised for “perfect braised pork, authentic Shanghai alley vibe.”
Awards: 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand (5 years running).
Cuisine: Benbang Cuisine
Specialties: Crispy chicken, scallion pork chop, oil-braised shrimp, vegetable rice soup
Price: CNY 150-200 per person
Location: Huangpu District, 8-min walk to iAPM, near Metro Line 10
Highlights: Trendy local favorite, open kitchen, popular among younger diners
User Rating: 4.8 stars (Ctrip); praised for “crispy chicken and perfect comfort food.”
Awards: 2025 Dianping Shanghai Benbang Top 5.
Cuisine: Ningbo Cuisine
Specialties: Ningbo rice balls, yellow croaker with pickled greens, raw crab roe, seaweed twists
Price: CNY 280-350 per person
Location: Hongkou District, North Bund Raffles, near Metro Line 12
Highlights: Michelin Plate, ocean views, affordable offshoot of Michelin-star Yongfu
User Rating: 4.8 stars (Dianping); praised for “incredible raw crab and perfect soup balls.”
Awards: 2025 Michelin Plate, Black Pearl nominee.
Cuisine: Benbang Cuisine
Specialties: Black pepper beef cubes, pan-fried cod, wine-scented shepherd’s purse, braised pork
Price: CNY 450-600 per person
Location: Xuhui District, 15-min walk to Xujiahui, near Metro Line 10
Highlights: Michelin 1-star, heritage mansion setting, private rooms
User Rating: 4.9 stars (Ctrip); praised for “perfect beef cubes, attentive butler-like service.”
Awards: 2025 Michelin 1-star, Black Pearl 1-diamond.
Cuisine: Innovative Haipai Cuisine
Specialties: Lime oil shrimp, crispy smoked fish, marinated pigeon, wagyu abalone rice
Price: CNY 458 per person (set menu)
Location: Huangpu District, 10-min walk to The Bund, near Metro Line 4
Highlights: National heritage chef, fusion flavors, rooftop Lujiazui views
User Rating: 4.8 stars (Ctrip); praised for “bright flavors, aromatic wagyu rice.”
Awards: 2025 Black Pearl 1-diamond, Haipai Culinary Heritage Base.
Cuisine: Chaozhou Cuisine
Specialties: Chilled flower crab, double-boiled sea snail soup, goose head, crystal rice cakes
Price: CNY 500-800 per person
Location: Jing’an District, Swissotel 2F, near Metro Lines 2/7
Highlights: Michelin 1-star, traditional tea service, elegant courtyard design
User Rating: 4.9 stars (Dianping); praised for “life-changing crab, five-star service.”
Awards: 2025 Michelin 1-star, Asia’s 50 Best nominee.
Cuisine: Zen Vegetarian
Specialties: Snow swallow fruit, black truffle vegetarian goose, mountain sea treasures
Price: CNY 800-1200 per person (set menu)
Location: Changning District, 10-min walk to Zhongshan Park, near Metro Line 2
Highlights: Michelin 2-star, custom tableware, ingredient storytelling
User Rating: 4.9 stars (Ctrip); praised for “exquisite presentation and stunning flavors.”
Awards: 2025 Michelin 2-star, Black Pearl 2-diamond, Asia’s 50 Best #19.
Cuisine: Benbang Cuisine
Specialties: Foie gras scallion pancake, black truffle braised pork, wine-braised oxtail
Price: CNY 800-1200 per person
Location: Xuhui District, 5-min walk to Hengfu Museum, near Metro Line 10
Highlights: British consulate mansion, private dining services
User Rating: 4.9 stars (Meituan); praised for “European castle vibe, amazing red wine pairing.”
Awards: 2025 Michelin Plate, Shanghai Historic Landmark.
Cuisine: Benbang Cuisine
Specialties: Oil-braised shrimp, scallion carp, stir-fried eel, bamboo pork stew
Price: CNY 800-1000 per person
Location: Huangpu District, 8-min walk to Fuxing Park, near Metro Line 13
Highlights: Shikumen architecture, old Shanghai alley experience
User Rating: 4.8 stars (Ctrip); praised for “nostalgic 90s Shanghai vibe.”
Awards: 2025 Michelin Plate, Benbang Cuisine Heritage.
Alley Food Experience
Hongling Restaurant: CNY 80, secret Shanghainese comfort food
Weixiangzhai (Yandang Road): CNY 35, sesame noodles & beef soup
Bund View Dining
Mr & Mrs Bund (Bund 18): CNY 450, modern Shanghai fusion with Bund views
Zhoushe Haipai: CNY 458, rooftop skyline experience
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Shenda Cheng (Nanjing East Road): CNY 30, rice balls & sticky cakes
Nanxiang Steamed Bun (Yu Garden): CNY 40, soup dumplings
Vegetarian Culture
Dashuwujie (Bund 18): CNY 380, high-end veggie dining
Jujube Tree (Jing’an): CNY 120, affordable vegetarian chain
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Hi there!
Just a quick heads-up — a helpful user named Volker let me know that some of the non-English content on this site may not be accurate.
This site is a one-person project I run part-time. I research and publish all the content myself, and the translations are currently done by machine (Google Translate). Balancing accuracy and accessibility across multiple languages is a real challenge.
If you spot any errors, I recommend switching to the English version using the button at the bottom left. I’ll continue working to improve the translations over time.
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— Anthony 2025.6.18
