Shanghai

Lester Amara: Visit this place for authentic Shanghainese fare (if you like a balance of sweet, salty or oily food). The Scallion noodles and Hong Shao Rou are the local favorites. Strict NO MSG in food policy!

Lester Amara: JZ Club is slowly and steadily making its way into the good books of Shanghai's jazz critics. Entertaining band and good cocktails to jazz the night away. 100 RMB cover charge before 11 PM for all.

Lester Amara: One of my favorite places for the freshest Burrata and Beef Tartare in town. They don't mess with the quality of the meat for their steaks. Perfect for a date night or casual dinner with friends.

Lester Amara: Head here to to experience local hot pot with high quality ingredients and no frills. English menu available for foreigners and hot pot newbies, literally " Holy Cow". Try the Beef and Tomato broth.

Lester Amara: Lunch and dinner both served here. Healthy and tasty vegetarian options to cleanse your gut from all the grease of the local food. Quinoa patties and Tofu Cheesecake are a must try. Good service!

Lester Amara: Shanghai's premium clubs that will impress out-of-towners too! Music is mostly house and at times themed parties are hosted. Strict dress code and no sandals (gents only). Cover charge 100 RMB

Lester Amara: Hakkasan is Cantonese at heart. Great place to head to for a weekend brunch and pamper yourself. Dim Sum basket+black pepper beef+stir fried asparagus+lemon tart for dessert = FOOD COMATOSE!

Lester Amara: Mickey and Mini made it to Shanghai! YAY! You must must ride Tron, Pirates of the Caribbean, Soaring over the Horizon and visit the largest castle in the world. Cheesecake Factory did it for me :-D

Lester Amara: Built in 247 BC, this Buddhist temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Shanghai. Entry fee of 50 RMB gets you a view of the 3 main halls and historical relics. Great for photos at night!

Lester Amara: If you are into museums and urban development, this place is a must visit. The center features a large scale model of urban Shanghai, showcasing existing and future buildings.

Lester Amara: Fancy an "Avant garde" chocolate indulgence? Zotter's is a must visit for chocoholics and a great place to satisfy all your chocolate cravings. Make your own chocolate creation to take home!

Lester Amara: The most loved place by locals and expats to get some souvenir and gift shopping done. Metro Line 2 gets you straight into the market. Great place to spend an afternoon. Market closes by 6 PM.

Lester Amara: Great place for a weekday lunch, dinner or brunch. Try their classic Bacon Cheese and Black Pepper burgers. Spiked Milkshakes add to the experience. BOGO every Mondays from 3 PM. RSVP needed.

Lester Amara: If you thought there was not enough beer in the world to taste, this place will make you think twice. Beer Lady features a plethora of world beers (5000+) to guzzle down and very reasonably priced.

Lester Amara: Missing the pizza from back home? Head to Homeslice. Located on 158 Julu Lu, Found 158, it is an institution for pizza lovers. Try the Spicy Sausage pizza, White (Ricotta) pizza and Pepperoni. YUM!

Lester Amara: Yes! It is the same pizza joint from the Big Apple. Simple by-the-slice pizza joint in the West Nanjing area offering classic NY style pizza. Caprese and Pepperoni are favorites. Open till midnight.

Lester Amara: Cantonese fare at its best with the ambience of old Hong Kong style diner. Sweet sour pork, pork buns and milk tea are guaranteed taste-bud pleasers. Expect long waiting times or share a table.

Lester Amara: Escape the hustle and bustle of Shanghai by visiting this temple. It hosts two jade Buddha statues imported from Burma and other cultural relics. Monks can be seen and heard conducting ceremonies.

Lester Amara: A lively residential area once designated for the French, it is popular with tourists and expats. This area boasts of some of Shanghai's best cafes, bars and restaurants. Accessible all day and night.

Lester Amara: Get atop of the world’s 3rd tallest TV and radio tower for a jaw dropping view of the city. Avoid weekends as it can get extremely crowded. Try walking on the glass deck for some adrenaline rush!

Lester Amara: Take a walk down the Bund to experience picturesque views of the Shanghai skyline. Great place for taking photos. Watch the lights turn on at 7 PM daily.

Lester Amara: Breathtaking from outside as well as inside. The 100th floor is the highest observatory in the world! World class architecture on display here. Inquire about the exclusive tour for all 3 floors.

Lester Amara: This is the location of the site of the first congress of the Communist Party of China. Great place to hangout for a drink, shop and experience luxury malls in Shanghai. Home to Shanghai's elite.

Lester Amara: I love the look of this place at night. You can buy everything touristy here, from Chinese tea to antiques and other souvenirs. Make sure to bargain hard!

Lester Amara: The Power Station of Art is the first state-run museum dedicated to contemporary art in mainland China. Locating it easy, search for the tallest thermometer in Shanghai!

Lester Amara: Located in the East Tower of the Hyatt on the Bund, Xindalu boasts of Peking duck that some swear is better than Beijing and a dish called Pyramid Pork.Full value for your buck and wonderful service.

Lester Amara: Fantastic for a group dinner. The cumin spiced pork ribs will leave you lip-smacked. The deep fried lotus root and eggplant are highly recommended. Beware the spice quotient is high. Beer helps!

Lester Amara: Lost Heaven offers fusion Yunnan, Thai and Burmese cuisine that will leave your tastebuds tingling. Start with a refreshing Yunnan Mule followed by the Tea leaf salad and Roast Pork. RSVP recommended.

Lester Amara: The entrance to this bar is a secret door 🤫 Once you’re in, it’s 3 floors of absolute mixology and ambience. Try the Negroni Negro and Benton’s Old Fashioned. My 2 favourites to get the evening going

Lester Amara: Styled to look like old American bar, Senator Saloon offers some of the best cocktails in the city. I love the Boulvardier and Bee's Knees. Confused? ask the bartender. Open till 2 am all days.

Lester Amara: This place is full of life with amazing live bands. Great atmosphere, food and boozy concoctions make this place worth a visit. Beef carpaccio and short ribs are yum yum. Live music starts 9.30 PM

Lester Amara: Right now this is the biggest roastery in the world! A must visit for all coffee and tea-tottlers. Avoid weekends as the lines get really long.

Lester Amara: Undoubtedly my favourite Italian restaurant in Shanghai. The Eggplant Parmigiana, Beef Carpaccio and Porcini Risotto are a must try! Seating is limited so reservations 24 hours in advance are a must.

Lester Amara: An iconic “Old Shanghai-NY” style bar. Great ambience and live jazz make the experience even more euphoric. Indulge in some fine champagne and caviar. Located at Lobby Level 2 of WA Shanghai Hotel.

Lester Amara: Good service and ambience. Food and drinks are a bit pricey, however the location and picturesque view of the skyline at night make up for it. Reservations are a must if you wish to be seated outside.

Lester Amara: The chef here whips out a fantastic fusion of Western and Chinese cuisine. The Fried Chicken n Waffles are my absolute favorite, and yes, the Spicy Granny Manwich, too!

Lester Amara: Once a traditional residential area, Tian Zi Fang is now home to boutique shops and restaurants. Its a great place to visit to experience the old world charm of Shanghai in the French Concession area.

Lester Amara: I head here when I really miss home food. There are a lot of places in Shanghai that serve Indian, this place however is the best! Try the Palak Paneer, Chicken Tikka Masala and Biriyani.

Lester Amara: Coffee at its best! Warm, cozy place to spend a lazy afternoon with a great brew. Crafted coffees, espresso to single origin, they have it all. Great place to try bagels, if you fancy a quick bite.

Lester Amara: One of the few hidden gems in Shanghai to devour a lip smacking grilled cheese sandwich. Seating is limited and expect a wait on a weekend. Try the No. 2/5/9/12 from the menu. Co cheese, yes please!

Lester Amara: My go to place to satisfy Mexican food cravings. Nestled in one of Shanghai’s upscale areas, it will leave you wanting more Nachos and Queso Fondido. Wash the calories down with refreshing Margaritas!

Lester Amara: Whether brunch, lunch or dinner, The Cannery guarantees a gastronomical experience. The Charred Reuben and KFC are my absolute favorites. The dinner menu offers more choice. Bone Marrow on toast, YUM!

Lester Amara: Pie Society will leave your tastebuds "Hap(pie)". Classic British fare, open all day and pies baked fresh. Try the EastEnder and Hen Hao pies. All pies come with gravy and mash. Good portion size!

Lester Amara: Hands down the best Ceviche in Shanghai. Authentic Peruvian and Argentinian fare that is very reasonably priced. Steaks and Sangria are the staples here!

Lester Amara: Soothe your sore muscles after all the walking in this city by visiting Dragonfly. Cleanse away those toxins, rejuvenate and pamper yourself with a facial and full body massage. Booking is required.

Lester Amara: My French colleagues swear by the authenticity of the Galletes they roll out. Try the nos 28/280/32, these are savory and if you still have room for more, try the nos 65 and 78. C'est la vie!

Lester Amara: My favorite Spanish restaurant here in Shanghai. Start your Tapas with the Charcuterie board, patatas bravas, salmon TNT 2.0 and some Sangria to cleanse your palette :-D The weekend brunch is a steal!

Lester Amara: This place offers everything from coffee, wine, brunches to cocktails. Their Avocado toast hits the spot! Galettes and crepes are good too. Open until 6 PM daily. Overseas cards accepted.

Lester Amara: Most Favorited Venue of 2016 in Shanghai. This place offers classic tapas and great portion sizes. The grilled mackerel, seared scallops and venison ragu are crowd pleasers. No RSVP needed here.

Lester Amara: Lebanese cuisine at its best! Reasonably priced and true to the taste of the Middle East. Falafel wrap, Fattoush salad and mixed grill platter are the staple for my visits. Expect a wait on weekdays.

Lester Amara: The tower is the second tallest building in the World, with 632m of world class architecture and new age design. It also has the World record for the highest observation deck and fastest elevator.

Lester Amara: The aroma from this bakery will mesmerize you and before you know it, you are stuffing your mouth with warm cinnamon goodness in a swirl, topped with cream cheese and caramel frosting. Yummy-licious!

Lester Amara: Viva has clearly embedded itself on my palette for authentic Portuguese cuisine. Try the Prawns with garlic, cod fish cakes, roast chicken, Francesinha and egg tarts! Owner Andre is a great host

Lester Amara: The food and drinks here compliment each other to the fullest. Probably one of Shanghai's best places to do brunch or dine. In-house brews available and a great selection of booze to choose from.

Lester Amara: Bored of the same old cliched cocktail bars? Head down to Logan's for the wackiest and unheard of cocktails that you can try. The Welcome Note on the menu will have you cracked up. RSVP needed.

Lester Amara: Fancy a late night binge on some hotpot? Look no further. All Hai Di Lao outlets are open till 5 AM and service is top notch. Try the spicy beef or tomato broth. Overseas cards accepted. Bon appetit!

Lester Amara: The best and juiciest dumplings to devour in an atmosphere where you can see the chefs almost bionically make dumplings. Known for their cleanliness and top notch service, DTF will blow your mind!

Lester Amara: 3 storeys of porcelain, bone china and zisha clay art, all very reasonably priced. From dinnerware to chopsticks, tea sets and cobblestone bowls, Spin Ceramics has it all. Artisan works at its best!

Lester Amara: Nestled in the centre of the city, this park is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai. Great park to spend a day or organise a picnic with friends and family. You can rent a bike.

Lester Amara: Once known as "The Grandest Cathedral in the Far East" this cathedral is home to locals and expats who pay their devotion every Sunday noon at mass/service. Strict dress code for entry. No Photos.

Lester Amara: Yes, Zapata's does serve good Tex-Mex, and in addition is a great dive bar to shake a leg! Great place for Shisha, margaritas and pinacoladas. Open till 2.30 am on weekdays and 5 am on weekends.

Lester Amara: The best Hainanese chicken in Shanghai. Ambience not that great, however the chicken rice and soup make up for it completely. Come here on an empty tummy.

Lester Amara: A great way to explore Shanghai from a bus rooftop. The bus takes you to all scenic and iconic spots in the city. Audio guides available in more than 30 languages. Hop on or hop off tickets available.

Lester Amara: A terrace bar on the 30th floor that boasts an impressive, relaxed outdoor viewing area and a sweeping view of The Bund waterfront. Be prepared for an entry charge to access the viewing deck.

Lester Amara: This place was featured on Anthony Bourdain's travel show. Expect long lines if you want takeaway. For seated service, head up to the 3rd floor. Crab Roe dumplings are a must-try. Cash is preferred.

Lester Amara: The Shanghai Maglev Museum highlights the history of the Maglev Train. Opened in 2007, it is located at the Longyang Rd Station. Ride the Maglev train at 430km/h enroute to the Pudong airport.

Lester Amara: 3rd tallest in Shanghai and still an iconic landmark in Shanghai's skyline and history. The tower has an observation deck on the 88th floor and the service is "Wander in the Clouds", totally worth it!

Lester Amara: Zhujiajiao Water Town, aka Zhujiajiao Water Village, is well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1,700 years. The little fan-shaped town is regarded as Shanghai's Venice.

Lester Amara: One of Shanghai’s famous fabric markets for both locals and expats. Be advised to carry along cash, in case card machines don’t work.

Lester Amara: A new fun spot for expats and locals to socialize. Great new restaurants, bars, lounges, live music venues and a pretty decent pizza place (Homeslice). Weekends are crowded and reservations needed.