Xujiahui's malls and the West Bund's riverside galleries, with Hengshan Road villas and residential streets full of local restaurants.
Old Jesse on Tianping Road in Shanghai has served Shanghainese home cooking in a packed lane house since 2004, the original of several Old Jesse rooms.
OrderOrder the hongshaorou red-braised pork belly, plus the cod fish head braised with green onions if pre-ordered.
TipThe scallion oil noodles round out a table; in hairy crab season, add the crab roe mixed with rice if it is on the menu.
Hao Sheng on Guangyuan Road in Shanghai serves home-style Shanghainese cooking with no fixed menu, letting the chef choose dishes by what is fresh that day.
OrderSauteed river shrimp and the blanched pork liver.
TipCall ahead; the kitchen manages its own bookings and does not take walk-ins reliably.
Ren He Guan on Zhaojiabang Road in Shanghai, here since 2014, holds one Michelin star for hong shao rou and crab dishes from a brand over 200 years old.
OrderHong shao rou, red-braised pork belly cut into neat cubes with a braised egg.
TipDim yellow lights, 1930s memorabilia and singers in qipao set the room; book ahead or expect to wait.
The Union Trading Company has poured seasonal cocktails in Shanghai since 2014, first on Fenyang Road, now on Hengshan Road; a past Asia's 50 Best Bars pick.
DrinkCocktails from the Snapshot of the Time menu, spanning 19th-century classics to contemporary minimalism
FoodAmerican-style bar food from chef Austin Hu
TipAsk about the Snapshot of the Time menu; each drink is tied to a specific bartender's own story.
Yatai Ramen is a permanent wooden ramen cart tucked into a quiet lane in Shanghai's Xuhui district, styled after a Fukuoka curbside food stall.
TryEr-Lang Ramen, a tonkotsu broth with thick egg noodles, bean sprouts and thick-cut chashu
TipGrab a terrace table if the counter seats are full; the cart itself only fits a handful of diners.
Wuzhong Market is a renovated Xuhui wet market in Shanghai where vegetable and fruit stalls sit beside small food and beverage counters over two floors.
Cuivre on Huaihai Middle Road in Shanghai, run by chef Michael Wendling since 2011, serves a weekend brunch of classic hearty French cooking.
OrderThe goat cheese salad with house bacon, or the eggs Benedict with porchetta from the brunch list.
TipThe terrace suits a casual al fresco brunch and is dog-friendly.
Bella Vita Bistro inside a historic Hengshan Fang villa in Shanghai pours a free flow weekend brunch set of pasta, eggs and Italian dessert.
OrderThe tagliatelle al ragu from the pasta course of the fixed brunch set.
TipAsk for the 24-seat rooftop terrace when you book; the villa also has dining rooms on two floors below it.
Private tour · 4 hours
Start your Shanghai trip calmly with Tony, an English-speaking Shanghai local host. Get practical help with Alipay, WeChat, local transport, food, and a flexible city route.
Experience a 5D dining experience on the Shanghai Bund. Enjoy a 7-course meal led by Panda Chef Cheng, with 270° panoramic projections, AR tables, and 360° surround sound.
Water activity · 4 hours
Discover Shanghai on a night tour with a river cruise and food tasting. Stroll along Suzhou Creek, explore shikumen lanes, and taste local snacks before cruising the H...
