Shanghai is one of China’s most exciting cities for food, coffee, and neighborhood discoveries. From soup dumplings and local noodles to international dining, Michelin-starred restaurants, hidden cafés, night markets, and street-side favorites, every stop offers a new flavor and a fresh look at local life beneath the skyline.

Local Food

Start with Shanghai’s classic local flavors. Try xiaolongbao, pan-fried buns, noodles, sweet treats, and home-style dishes served in neighborhood restaurants, old-school eateries, and busy street-side spots.

Local Foodie Picks: Xiaolongbao

Qiao Ai Lai Lai Xiao Long: No.506 Tianjin Road, Huangpu District

A popular soup dumpling spot near People’s Square.

Wan Shou Zhai: No.123 Shanyin Road, Hongkou District

An old-school local favorite for xiaolongbao and wontons.

Jia Jia Tang Bao: No.127 Huanghe Road, Huangpu District

A long-running shop known for crab roe soup dumplings.

Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant: No.87Yuyuan Road, City God Temple / Yuyuan Garden, Huangpu District

A classic xiaolongbao name in the Yuyuan Garden area.

Wu You Xian: Room 103, No.7 Maoming South Road, Huangpu District

A refined spot for freshly made crab-focused soup dumplings.

Local Foodie Picks: Shengjian Bao

Da Hu Chun: No.136 Sichuan Middle Road, Huangpu District

A classic Shanghai shengjian shop with old-school flavor.

Yang’s Dumpling: No.93 Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui District

A popular choice for quick, juicy pan-fried buns.

Dong Tai Xiang Shanghai Dim Sum: No.188 Chongqing North Road, Huangpu District

A central Huangpu spot for Shanghai-style shengjian bao.

Guang Tou Sheng Jian: No. 1, Ruijin South Road, Huangpu District

A neighborhood shengjian shop in Xuhui.

Luo Chun Ge: No. 425, Zhejiang Middle Road, Huangpu District

A historic Shanghai shengjian brand with renewed local attention.

Local Foodie Picks: Old-School Noodles

Wei Xiang Zhai: No.14 Yandang Road, Huangpu District

A beloved old noodle shop famous for sesame paste noodles.

Yun He Noodle Restaurant: No.344 Changle Road, Huangpu District

A local noodle restaurant known for Shanghai-style toppings.

Ding Te Le Congee and Noodle Restaurant: No.22, Lane 494 Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District

A lane-side congee and noodle shop near Huaihai Middle Road.

Xiao Tao Noodle Restaurant: No.222 Jiashan Road, Xuhui District

A noodle spot known for scallion oil noodles and generous toppings.

Local Foodie Picks: Pork Chop Rice Cakes

Xian De Lai: No. 290-292, Ninghai East Road, Huangpu District

A time-honored Shanghai snack shop famous for pork chop rice cakes.

Jiang Zhang Gui: No. 1793, Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District

A local pork chop rice cake spot in Xuhui.

Huxi Lao Longtang Noodle Restaurant: 1F, World Trade Building, No.500 Guangdong Road, Huangpu District

A local noodle shop where fried pork chop is a popular order.

Nong Xiao De Pork Chop Rice Cakes: No.9 Yandang Road, Huangpu District

A small local stop near Huaihai Road for pork chop rice cakes.

Lao Sheng Xing Soup Dumpling Restaurant: No.227 Yanping Road, Jing’an District

A long-running Shanghai-style chain for local snacks.

Local Foodie Picks: Shanghainese Cuisine

Shanghai Classic Restaurant (Yuyuan Garden Branch): No. 242 Fuyou Road, Huangpu District

A time-honored restaurant founded in 1875, known for classic Shanghainese dishes and old Shanghai charm.

Ren He Guan (Xuhui Branch): No. 407 Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District

A well-known Shanghainese restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide and the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide.

Lan Xin Restaurant (Jinxian Road Main Branch): No. 130 Jinxian Road, Huangpu District

A Michelin Bib Gourmand pick and local favorite for traditional, home-style Shanghainese cooking.

Hu Gong Guan (The Bund • Yuyuan Garden Branch): 2F, Bund 22, No. 22 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, Huangpu District

A popular spot for Shanghainese cuisine with views of the Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Yuan Yuan Restaurant: 2F, Lippo Plaza, No. 222 Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District

A long-running Shanghainese restaurant known for its polished setting and signature red-braised pork.

Global Cuisine

Shanghai’s dining scene goes far beyond local classics. From global fusion and fine dining to Michelin-starred restaurants, the city brings international flavors together with stylish interiors, creative menus, and skyline views.

Local Foodie Picks: Michelin Dining

Meet the Bund: No. S301, 3rd Floor, South Zone, BFC Bund Finance Center, 600 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, Huangpu District

A Fujianese fine-dining restaurant with polished regional flavors and Bund-area views.

Ling Long: Room 105, 1F, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, No.2 Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District

A contemporary Chinese fine-dining restaurant inside a landmark Bund hotel.

Fu He Hui: No.1037 Yuyuan Road, Changning District

A celebrated vegetarian fine-dining restaurant with a calm, refined setting.

102 House: 5F, The House of Roosevelt, Bund 27, No.27 Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District

A Cantonese fine-dining restaurant focused on seasonal menus and Bund-side hospitality.

La Bourriche 133: 1F, Aharon Plaza, Opposite No. 49 Huqiu Road, Huangpu District

A modern seafood restaurant in the Rockbund area.

Coffee Culture

Coffee is part of everyday life in Shanghai. Find cafés hidden in leafy lanes, tucked inside heritage buildings, set along riverside paths, or sitting beneath skyscrapers. A quick coffee stop can easily turn into a neighborhood stroll or a skyline-view break.

Local Foodie Picks: Shanghai Coffee Spots

Manner Coffee (North Bund / Guoke Binjiang Branch): 60 meters south of SIPG Tower, Taiping Road, Hongkou District

A riverside Manner branch with Huangpu River views and a strong North Bund city vibe.

Captain George Flavor Museum Coffee Roaster: No.236, Taiyuan Road, Xuhui District

A specialty coffee space led by a World Brewers Cup champion.

O.P.S. CAFE (Taiyuan Road Branch): No.1, Lane 177, Taiyuan Road, Xuhui District

A local favorite known for creative seasonal coffee drinks.

One Step Garden Guangfulin Branch: Buildings 01–03, Jixianfang, Lane 3260, Guangfulin Road, Songjiang District

A laid-back café stop near Guangfulin with coffee, food, and Jiangnan-style surroundings.

THE VESSEL: 7F, Somekh Building, No.194 East Beijing Road, Huangpu District

A rooftop café and bar inside a historic building near the Bund.

Night Markets

When evening arrives, follow the lights, crowds, and street food aromas. Shanghai’s night markets bring together snacks, local bites, drinks, desserts, and a lively after-dark rhythm.

Local Foodie Picks: Shanghai Night Markets

Sijing Night Market: Sanxiang Commercial Plaza, No. 2 Sibao Road, Songjiang District

Shanghai’s largest open-air night market, packed with street food, snacks, and late-night energy.

⏰ Open: 4:30 PM–12 AM daily; until 2 AM on weekends

Daxue Road Night Market: Intersection of Daxue Road and Zhixing Road, Yangpu District

A creative neighborhood night market surrounded by cafés, restaurants, shops, and a lively street scene.

⏰ Open: Daily after sunset

Shangyuan Road Night Market: Shangyuan Road Shared Zone, Lingang Special Area

A budget-friendly night market popular with local university students, with affordable snacks and a casual late-night atmosphere.

⏰ Open: 8 PM–12 AM

Wusong Noah Night Market: Noah Xintiandi Plaza, Baoshan District

A family-friendly night market with food stalls, evening entertainment, and an easygoing setting for visitors with children.

⏰ Open: 4 PM–11 PM

Neighborhood Life

Some of Shanghai’s best flavors come with a sense of place. Wander through local streets, cafés, markets, small restaurants, bakeries, and stylish corners to experience the city through its everyday neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Picks: Local Life in Shanghai

Xintiandi:

A polished lifestyle district set among restored shikumen buildings, with upscale shops, cafés, restaurants, and a stylish city atmosphere.

Changle Road:

A tree-lined street filled with independent fashion stores, vintage shops, bars, and youthful neighborhood energy.

Wujiang Road:

A lively food street just behind West Nanjing Road, known for casual restaurants, local snacks, and an easygoing street scene.

Daxue Road:

A vibrant university neighborhood where cafés, restaurants, outdoor seating, and a young local crowd create a relaxed place to eat and hang out.

Gate M West Bund Dream Center:

A former industrial waterfront transformed into a lifestyle destination with museums, a skate park, riverside paths, open spaces, and stylish restaurants.