This Nanjing homestyle restaurant is sometimes inconsistent, but has standout pork dishes. Try the pork dumplings (12RMB/three), which have an unusually sweet filling studded with coriander. Read more.
Though the restaurant may feel like a bit of a Lost Heaven knockoff, the food is genuinely good, especially the mashed potato dish (16RMB) heaping with scallions and tangy flavor. Read more.
With 60 options on rotation, you never know what you’ll get at this salads ‘n’ sides canteen – but one excellent constant is their signature Brussel sprouts, hazelnuts, lemon and Parmesan side (20RMB) Read more.
Many of the office workers dining at this packed alleyway Shanghainese lunch spot are so loyal that they rarely miss a day’s meal here. Luroufan (pork belly rice) is the top dish (28RMB). Read more.
De Refter went through 12 varieties of potato and 30 different recipes before they perfected their Belgian fries (35RMB), but perfect them they did - eat them quick, before your table-mates do. Read more.
The star of the starters is the fried squid (35RMB) – some of the crispiest, tastiest calamari we’ve had. Linguini with seafood (88RMB) is served in an easy, no fuss style. Read more.
It’s not just the nice prices that have made this tiny Yongkang Lu restaurant an instant hit – it’s the high quality of their fish and chips (35RMB). Read more.
At Molokai, the shrimp wontons (36RMB) illuminate why the dish is a signature pride of the Cantonese table – silky packages float in a light broth that doesn’t sting the tongue with MSG. Read more.
This bright and breezy arts hangout offers a menu full of delightful choices, our favorite of which is the Cajun chicken sandwich (38RMB) served on floury, firm ciabatta. Read more.
This tiny Xintiandi spot serves up a variety of Spanish classics as well as a small range of Italian risottos, including the must-order ham and mushroom risotto (38RMB). Read more.
This homey Shanghainese dining room is known to have a fan base for its no-MSG quality cooking. We never skip the deep-fried duck leg (38RMB), with its crispy skin and chewy-tender meat within. Read more.
Ceviche is the only authentic Peruvian kitchen in town. The house signature ceviche (40RMB) is the perfect refreshing summer dish. Read more.
Franck Pecol’s artisan bakery serves up a croque monsieur (40RMB) so delicious that despite the high price, we find ourselves going back for it again and again. Read more.
The house made tofu (42RMB) at Awana could convert even the most ardent bean curd skeptic. Made fresh every day in-house, the golden brown blocks have a delicate exterior and a silken interior. Read more.
This casual Yongkang Lu eatery has remedied Shanghai’s dearth of poutine with their excellent rendition (45RMB): crispy thin-cut French fries smothered in cheddar and lip-smacking gravy. Read more.
Try the delicious meat-free take on the hongshao rou (48RMB) which features large cubes of tofu, which wobble in a thick dark soy sauce with a layer of konjac (vegetarian gelatin) for the ‘fat’. Read more.
One of the best bargain breakfasts in the city, we particularly like the savoury-sweet blueberry pancakes with bacon, eggs and bottomless coffee (49RMB). Read more.
This popular retro-furnished restaurant serves up a fresh take on Zhejiang chicken with their spicy chicken with pickled peppers (58RMB), which soaks in chillis and oil overnight to infuse the meat. Read more.
We’re particularly impressed with the chicken with seaweed (jiqiu) (68RMB), thin sheets of chicken coated in Sichuan peppercorn powder served with fried seaweed. Read more.
This Italian restaurant serves up a spectacular stracciatella bruschetta (75RMB), with toast charred to a fine crunch and topped with stracciatella cheese, pomegranate seed, walnuts and herbs. Read more.
Try the delicate but delicious rendition of lamb korma (78RMB), and round off with the quirky banana and chocolate samosas for dessert - you won’t be sorry. Read more.
Chef Lee Zandong’s Chaozhou cuisine is by in large delicate and oil-free; however, the house specialty, deep friend mashed duck and taro (88RMB), is a delicious departure from the norm. Read more.
This back alley Japanese/Italian bistro’s assorted sashimi carpaccio (98RMB) offers a variety of fish strewn with a mix of colours and textures. It’s like a seafood version of a gourmet beef tartar. Read more.
The pizzas that are the real reason to head over to this Lujiazui location. Our favorite is the materdei (108RMB), with fresh mozzarella, a few basil leaves and imported salami. Read more.
Yes, Capo is all about the steaks, but for those who balk at the huge sums needed for a decent serving of their beef, we recommend the fantastic trio of home-crafted pork fennel sausages (128RMB). Read more.
This romantic, country-chic Italian dining room serves a fantastic salsiccia pizza (128RMB), with house-made sausage, mushrooms, red onions and Parmigiano Reggiano. Read more.
The Michelin-starred Italian doesn’t disappoint, especially the pappardelle with lamb ragout (130RMB), heaped with slow-cooked lamb infused with rosemary and fresh porcini. Read more.
Don’t let the awkward location stop you from eating here. Try the sultan sarma (134RMB), sliced minced beef and lamb balls wrapped in crispy shells and covered with tomato sauce and Turkish cheese. Read more.
The hunkar begendi (160RMB) is one of the standouts on a menu of pricey dishes. The surprisingly light blend of shredded, pinkish lamb on a bed of charcoal-grilled aubergine mash, is smoky and tender. Read more.
The standout dish of this pricey menu is the Thai-style mussels (138RMB), flown in fresh from Norway and swimming in a broth of coconut milk, Thai basil, Chilli, coriander and cherry tomatoes. Read more.
Chef Ishibashi Kenji serves distinctly Japanese-informed French cuisine, and his confited duck leg (140RMB) is a small masterpiece. Read more.
This restaurant’s hotpot (158RMB) is served with unlimited pork and vegetables from the owner’s own farm. Pair your food with the three housemade dipping sauces for a unique flavour profile. Read more.
This revered Tokyo brand’s first Shanghai location uses citruses and rare salts in flavouring. Try the sushi set (160RMB) for an eight piece meal featuring a revolving selection of fish and meats. Read more.
Mercato’s lobster ravioli (178RMB) are six perfect little packages handmade every day, bursting with a luscious mix of homemade ricotta, mozzarella, Canadian lobster and locally sourced shrimp. Read more.
Y2C2’s attention-grabbing presentation of a whole turbot (198RMB) is half-sautéed and half deep-fried dish. Look out for the little porcelain fisherman who comes perched on the plate. Read more.
The cuisine is studied and meticulous - in particular, the farm-raised piglet (238RMB) has a juicy, chewy centre which is enriched by its bed of creamy polenta and the accompanying roasted mushrooms. Read more.
Serving the finest ingredients we’ve seen on an unlimited Japanese menu, Wan Dao impressed us with their botan shrimp (350RMB) – in fact, the sweet-fleshed variety is one of the best we’ve eaten. Read more.
Our favourite course is the chef’s own secret eat, the truffle burnt soup bread. Guests sit surrounded by a 360-degree video projection of a forest and the scent of cigar smoke as they enjoy the dish. Read more.
