Did you know that the historic Park Hotel has a bakery? No, not the Park Hyatt, the Park Hotel: that towering Art Deco surprise that has overlooked People’s Square since, well, since way back when Nanjing Xi Lu was called Bubbling Well Road and there were race tracks where ... Read More
One of the things we look forward to most about summer is eating xiaolongxia (小龙虾). The crayfish, a Shanghai specialty, come out as the mercury rises, and we’ve capped many a night down on Shouning Lu with Tsingtao, sauce-covered hands and several jin of the addictive suckers. Street food ... Read More
As our latest cover story suggests, it’s prime al fresco dining season right now. We chose to focus this year on hidden spots—ones that are new or still otherwise undiscovered—but one we left off for the sake of giving it its just dues here in the dining ... Read More
Prime al fresco dining season may be coming, but like so many other office jockeys in Shanghai, we’re still restricted to dining al desk-o. Luckily, we’ve had lots of practice ordering delivery this last winter, and Urban Soup Kitchen’s served us especially well—especially after we discovered ... Read More
Since it opened, Sunflour has been one of our favorite breakfast spots. It’s got friendly service, an open, welcoming space and, of course, some great eats. They make a mean smoothie to go (try the “Banana Republic,” RMB35), consistently solid classic breakfasts for dining in and an impressive selection ... Read More
One of the great things about Shanghai is that there’s always a new noodle shop to explore, no matter how long you’ve lived here or how well you think you know an area. That’s why we were ecstatic to stumble upon Ding Te Le (顶特勒粥面馆), a tiny ... Read More
Jimmy’s Kitchen is Shanghai’s original Western restaurant, so it’s only natural that we include its signature baked Alaska in our Fatty Issue. The dish is a full-circle kind of deal though—Jimmy’s came to fame in the ’20s for its European fare, but its most popular ... Read More
We’ve long had a hankering for some good bites on Yongfu Lu. Yes, there’s that noodle shop around the corner, and that hot dog truck that sometimes pulls up outside, but those are only stopgap options—you’d expect a lot more on a street that rages all ... Read More
Chef Brad Turley told us it was happening in his column last issue, so I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. Shanghai’s dining scene is currently being fleshed out by a whole host of entrepreneurial foodies looking to share their finest wares, and The Sailors, on the booming section ... Read More
After a banner year, Goga doesn’t need any extra coverage, but just like with some of the items from chef Brad Turley’s new menu, we can’t help ourselves. The San Francisco native has created a new menu of smaller bites to launch Hai by Goga, the seventh-floor ... Read More
It’s difficult to genuinely recommend a coffee shop in Shanghai. Ultimately, they all do the same thing. Are you really going to tell someone to brave Shanghai traffic or roll across the bridge just for a cup of coffee? Yes, this time we are. Coffee Bus undoubtedly produces some ... Read More
Like everyone else, we like rooting for the small guy. That’s why we loved Tonkatsu Hamachan, a hidden little hole in the wall on Jiaozhou Lu that was widely recognized as one of the top spots in town. But Ginza Bairin has arrived, and as much as we hate ... Read More
Where would cuisine be without the humble egg? They are poached and swaddled in hollandaise sauce for eggs Benedict, flicked and swished into airy omelettes, coddled for a Caesar salad or simply fried to shine in sunny perfection. They are also the resilient supporting cast for kitchen performances—think meringues ... Read More
We’ll admit it: hairy crab isn’t the most accessible dish in the world. It’s messy and it takes coaching to eat it right. But this year, instead of putting the season to the back of your mind, jump in the deep end and get the full experience ... Read More
We probably shouldn’t even be writing about this insanely popular Japanese hot pot restaurant as we already have trouble getting reservations there, but we’re generous and can’t keep such a delicious secret to ourselves. For RMB99 per person, you can order as much off the menu as ... Read More
Issimo’s been around for years now, and it’s done remarkably well considering that it is almost completely unmarked from the outside, tucked onto the second floor of the JIA Hotel, itself hidden away in plain sight just off Nanjing Xi Lu. A mini-renovation this year saw the lounge ... Read More
Chef Gerhard Passrugger is high when he cooks–literally, of course. He runs the kitchen at the Park Hyatt’s Dining Room—on the 87th floor of the SWFC—but he’s high in the figurative sense too; he adores absolutely everything about food. Whether he’s talking about his ... Read More
We’ve been to more Italian restaurants than we can remember here in Shanghai, and the majority of them insult our intelligence with mops of noodles in sweet sauce. There is art in a good marinara sauce, but inexperienced restaurant owners tend to look past that to the money. When ... Read More
We love chicken wings. We’ve tried them all over the city, from Saizeriya’s RMB6 set (not bad for the money) to City Shop (great value if you get them hot) to Bubba’s gorgeous, drumstick-only baskets of barbecued goodness. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of Chinese entrants ... Read More
In a city like Shanghai, it’s easy to succumb to the all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunches, lunches and dinners around town. If you’ve been involved in one too many gorgefests lately, take a trip to one of Shanghai’s best health havens, Anna Maya. Founder Kazu Koikeda hails from Japan, and ... Read More
Sandwiches have a cult following all over the world. There’s a British Sandwich Association, an Australasian Sandwich Association and countless other similar well-attended groups all over the world. We’re not quite fanatical enough to join a club, but a good sandwich is still a real taste of home ... Read More
There are a lot of upscale dining options in Shanghai, and all of them are fussy to different degrees. But more and more, things are trending the opposite way. Diners are wanting to get closer to chefs, and that in turn has freed chefs to do more creative things. Table ... Read More
Dong Bei Ren has long been one of our favorite group dining spots in Shanghai. It’s a little rough around the edges–service is sketchy on the best of days–but the enthusiastic song and dance performances and the affordable, hearty Dongbei fare have us coming back time and ... Read More
Shanghai is a city that loves flash, dash and all things trendy, so it’s surprising that the nose-to-tail dining trend hasn’t yet caught on here yet. But it will if Apothecary has any say about it. The bar’s management team is quick to point out that its ... Read More
Have you ever wondered where the average Shanghainese hangs out at night as spring turns into summer? Then check out this obscure hole-in-the-wall just a few blocks away from Xintiandi. The hidden wonton shop comes complete with outdoor seating and an open kitchen, but it only starts serving after sunset ... Read More