Guidebook for Shanghai
Food Scene
Sushi'O
The popular Sushi restaurant and delivery service has move operations from their Yanqing Lu location to a much larger Yongkang Lu location, this time with indoor seating and a larger menu. Specializes in California-style rolls, with a few pages of sushi and sashimi, plus some tonkatsu and rice dishes, all at very reasonable prices. Huge bottles of saki go from about 300rmb
21 Yongkang Rd
Sushi'O
The popular Sushi restaurant and delivery service has move operations from their Yanqing Lu location to a much larger Yongkang Lu location, this time with indoor seating and a larger menu. Specializes in California-style rolls, with a few pages of sushi and sashimi, plus some tonkatsu and rice dishes, all at very reasonable prices. Huge bottles of saki go from about 300rmb
Small, cozy, cheap and cheerful Cantonese restaurant. Rather than the extravagant exotica the cuisine of this province is better known for, Yisheng does the more rustic home-style variety. The focus is on simple steamed and stir-fried dishes with fresh ingredients. Clay pot cooking also plays prominently on the menu. Being as small as it is, Yisheng fills up quickly and stays that way for most of the evening.
Yongkang Rd, 132号-1
132 永康路Small, cozy, cheap and cheerful Cantonese restaurant. Rather than the extravagant exotica the cuisine of this province is better known for, Yisheng does the more rustic home-style variety. The focus is on simple steamed and stir-fried dishes with fresh ingredients. Clay pot cooking also plays prominently on the menu. Being as small as it is, Yisheng fills up quickly and stays that way for most of the evening.
This specialty coffee boutique on Yongkang Lu deals in single-origin whole bean coffees from growing regions like Ethiopia, Yunnan, Indonesia and Guatemala. All coffees on offer are roasted on the premises and ground to order. The space is about the size of a sugar cube, but there are a few tables available for sit-down sipping, and they'll gladly brew you a cup to go.
80 Yongkang Rd
80 永康路This specialty coffee boutique on Yongkang Lu deals in single-origin whole bean coffees from growing regions like Ethiopia, Yunnan, Indonesia and Guatemala. All coffees on offer are roasted on the premises and ground to order. The space is about the size of a sugar cube, but there are a few tables available for sit-down sipping, and they'll gladly brew you a cup to go.
Yongkang Rd, 41号-43
Yummy patisserie
A mod-ish French Bakery opened at 500 Xiangyang Lu. They start with freshly baked bread served in bountiful piles in baskets right when you walk in the door. From there, they unfold into cafe, cocktails, pizza, and more. An ambitious project, in addition to a massive on-site kitchen and bakery, they've got a big, open concept dining area plus patio setting. The bakery does loafs, buns, croissants, and pastries, and from there their offerings delve into a range of dine-in options: salads (70rmb-100rmb or so), pizzas (65rmb-95rmb), hot & cold sandwiches (around 30rmb for half; 55rmb for a whole), brunch egg dishes (75rmb-95rmb), including bourikas and Shakshouka (around 75-100rmb), a range of
Xiangyang S Rd, 500号-102
A mod-ish French Bakery opened at 500 Xiangyang Lu. They start with freshly baked bread served in bountiful piles in baskets right when you walk in the door. From there, they unfold into cafe, cocktails, pizza, and more. An ambitious project, in addition to a massive on-site kitchen and bakery, they've got a big, open concept dining area plus patio setting. The bakery does loafs, buns, croissants, and pastries, and from there their offerings delve into a range of dine-in options: salads (70rmb-100rmb or so), pizzas (65rmb-95rmb), hot & cold sandwiches (around 30rmb for half; 55rmb for a whole), brunch egg dishes (75rmb-95rmb), including bourikas and Shakshouka (around 75-100rmb), a range of
The Xiangyang Lu branch of the Beef & Liberty empire. They do hamburgers. Pretty much exclusively. You're going for the burgers. Their house style is beefsteak homage, with house-ground Tasmania beef, served on a custom baked white roll. Gourmet style. But very simple as well. The menu offers just 7 variations of meat between buns, with straightforward names: "Hamburger, Cheese, Bacon Cheese, Felafel, Black Pepper, The Notorious P.I.G. (the pulled pork), The Little Pecker (the chicken burger)". Priced between 80rmb to 98rmb.
K. Wah Properties
1010 淮海中路The Xiangyang Lu branch of the Beef & Liberty empire. They do hamburgers. Pretty much exclusively. You're going for the burgers. Their house style is beefsteak homage, with house-ground Tasmania beef, served on a custom baked white roll. Gourmet style. But very simple as well. The menu offers just 7 variations of meat between buns, with straightforward names: "Hamburger, Cheese, Bacon Cheese, Felafel, Black Pepper, The Notorious P.I.G. (the pulled pork), The Little Pecker (the chicken burger)". Priced between 80rmb to 98rmb.
Drinks & Nightlife
Chef and restaurateur Austin Hu of Madison and Yao Lu (formerly of Alchemist and The Public) combine forces for this cocktail lounge. Yao Lu contributes a list of inventive original cocktails and old-timey classics. Expect lots of stiff drinks with liberal lashings of bourbon, brandy and homemade infusions.
9 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Union Trading Company Bar
64号 Fen Yang LuChef and restaurateur Austin Hu of Madison and Yao Lu (formerly of Alchemist and The Public) combine forces for this cocktail lounge. Yao Lu contributes a list of inventive original cocktails and old-timey classics. Expect lots of stiff drinks with liberal lashings of bourbon, brandy and homemade infusions.
As one of Shanghai's most popular bars, Zapata's holds court over the entire Hengshan Lu nightlife scene from their outdoor terrace and multiple venue complex. Usually packed any given night of the week, especially their Wednesday ladies night, crowds groove to commercial rock, pop, and hip-hop hits while bartenders pour tequila shots into the mouths of anyone willing to dance on top of the bar. A Tex-Mex menu in its upstairs Hacienda restaurant rounds out the bar's theme.
11 Dongping Rd
11 东平路As one of Shanghai's most popular bars, Zapata's holds court over the entire Hengshan Lu nightlife scene from their outdoor terrace and multiple venue complex. Usually packed any given night of the week, especially their Wednesday ladies night, crowds groove to commercial rock, pop, and hip-hop hits while bartenders pour tequila shots into the mouths of anyone willing to dance on top of the bar. A Tex-Mex menu in its upstairs Hacienda restaurant rounds out the bar's theme.
Kartel
Well-designed, casual French bar and lounge with a great rooftop that has one of the best views in town. The place is warm, with wooden floors, exposed bricks, and long, communal tables. Wine is the focus, though there's a substantial menu of French food. Don't get put off by the sketchy elevator -- the place is really nice. A good bet for happy hour on the roof in the warmer months.
1 Xiangyang N Rd
1 襄阳北路Kartel
Well-designed, casual French bar and lounge with a great rooftop that has one of the best views in town. The place is warm, with wooden floors, exposed bricks, and long, communal tables. Wine is the focus, though there's a substantial menu of French food. Don't get put off by the sketchy elevator -- the place is really nice. A good bet for happy hour on the roof in the warmer months.
Constellation was a "hidden gem," prized among expats for its finely conceived and exhaustive selection of cocktails -- but now everybody "knows about it" and it has "lost its charm" apparently. Take that for what you will. Basically everything ever mixed since the glorious dawn of alcohol is available, and Constellation is up there with the top three or four places to get a proper drink in Shanghai. Its reputation precedes it, and it can get a little crowded -- it is a smaller venue, and this editor has seen people turned away, which doesn't happen often (if ever) in a bar in Shanghai. Show up earlier to ensure booth seating if you're with a larger party.
86 Xinle Rd
86 新乐路Constellation was a "hidden gem," prized among expats for its finely conceived and exhaustive selection of cocktails -- but now everybody "knows about it" and it has "lost its charm" apparently. Take that for what you will. Basically everything ever mixed since the glorious dawn of alcohol is available, and Constellation is up there with the top three or four places to get a proper drink in Shanghai. Its reputation precedes it, and it can get a little crowded -- it is a smaller venue, and this editor has seen people turned away, which doesn't happen often (if ever) in a bar in Shanghai. Show up earlier to ensure booth seating if you're with a larger party.
Parks & Nature
Though on the smaller side, this newly-renovated park won't hold much for nature-seekers, but it's a nice dash of green in the midst of the Xuhui business district. Its tree-lined promenade is a favorite for evening dances, often packed out with couples doing the tango, foxtrot or even the occasional waltz. It's also got a decent sized lawn (which you can't go on), a fountain and a central pavilion that hosts in musicians and cultural performances. Plus, they finally knocked down that fence, which means it's free and open 24/7. It's busy, but it's convenient and it's just nice to have around, honestly.
16 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Xiangyang Park
Though on the smaller side, this newly-renovated park won't hold much for nature-seekers, but it's a nice dash of green in the midst of the Xuhui business district. Its tree-lined promenade is a favorite for evening dances, often packed out with couples doing the tango, foxtrot or even the occasional waltz. It's also got a decent sized lawn (which you can't go on), a fountain and a central pavilion that hosts in musicians and cultural performances. Plus, they finally knocked down that fence, which means it's free and open 24/7. It's busy, but it's convenient and it's just nice to have around, honestly.
Sightseeing
Shanghai Conservatory of Music （East Gate）
20 Fen Yang LuA special little spot in Shanghai. ost of the mansions there were built in the 1920s and 30s and housed Shanghai’s elite – including the political figures of Sun Yatsen and Zhou Enlai. In fact, Sinan Mansions is located right around Zhou Enlai’s house. This is a nice place to spend a few hours at restaurants or the shops. The Starbucks is located in one of the old homes so it is an easy way to check out the inside! The gardens are lovely and sheltered from the sun with waterfalls and ponds so it is worth making a trip here
Sinan Mansions
507号 Fu Xing Zhong LuA special little spot in Shanghai. ost of the mansions there were built in the 1920s and 30s and housed Shanghai’s elite – including the political figures of Sun Yatsen and Zhou Enlai. In fact, Sinan Mansions is located right around Zhou Enlai’s house. This is a nice place to spend a few hours at restaurants or the shops. The Starbucks is located in one of the old homes so it is an easy way to check out the inside! The gardens are lovely and sheltered from the sun with waterfalls and ponds so it is worth making a trip here
Tianzifang is a tourist shopping and cafe area in Shanghai in the Old French Quarter. Unlike the better known Xintiandi area nearby, the area retains an “organic and original” feel because the area hasn’t been markedly reconstructed in recent years. Instead you’ll see buildings, alleys and streets of the old French Quarter with later Chinese additions piled on.
88 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Тяньцзифан
210弄 Tai Kang LuTianzifang is a tourist shopping and cafe area in Shanghai in the Old French Quarter. Unlike the better known Xintiandi area nearby, the area retains an “organic and original” feel because the area hasn’t been markedly reconstructed in recent years. Instead you’ll see buildings, alleys and streets of the old French Quarter with later Chinese additions piled on.
The chic Ferguson Lane courtyard fills up in the blink of an eye with boutique browsers, latte lovers and brunch fanatics. Centered around a 1920s villa, the small art deco complex houses an art gallery, a couple of shops and a few tempting eateries including the Coffee Tree, Azul and Farine. It sits on historic Wukang Rd and is a lovely place to wander.
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ferguson Lane
The chic Ferguson Lane courtyard fills up in the blink of an eye with boutique browsers, latte lovers and brunch fanatics. Centered around a 1920s villa, the small art deco complex houses an art gallery, a couple of shops and a few tempting eateries including the Coffee Tree, Azul and Farine. It sits on historic Wukang Rd and is a lovely place to wander.