Must-Try Authentic Shanghai Eateries: 5 Hidden Gems Adored
From xiaolongbao to crab roe noodles, and braised pork and duck, we share five Shanghai restaurants offering authentic local flavours
China’s food delivery system is renowned for its sophistication and cost-effectiveness, yet for Shanghai’s residents, there’s no substitute for the charm of a neighborhood eatery where dishes are prepared to order, service is attentive, and the ambiance is warm and inviting.
As the mercury begins to dip following one of the most sweltering summers Shanghai has ever experienced, it’s the perfect moment to consider dining out.
Discover five local culinary gems—ranging from a renowned crab haven to a tranquil vegetarian retreat nestled beside a Buddhist temple—that no visitor with a taste for genuine Shanghainese flavors should miss.
1. Cejerdary
Cejerdary, or “Xiejia courtyard”, remains one of Shanghai’s top crab restaurants, having survived the Covid-19 pandemic that put many rivals out of business. The restaurant, which started small in the less central Changning district of the city, now operates at three locations – in Xuhui, Pudong and on the Bund. The latter two are more popular thanks to their proximity to the Huangpu River.
“Xiejia” translates to “home of crabs” and the restaurant is named for the multitude of ways it serves crab.
Its most beloved dishes are crab roe noodles and rice and “drunken” (for which read wine-soaked) hairy crab. Diners enjoy unlimited noodle refills free of charge.
A typical one-person set, which includes a bowl of crab roe noodles, a cup of ginger tea and fruit, costs around 300 yuan.
Multiple locations in Shanghai
2. Lyceum Restaurant
Nestled on Jinxian Road in the bustling Huangpu district, the 37-year-old Lyceum Restaurant, known locally as Lan Xin, is a culinary institution that spans a mere 420 meters yet boasts an impressive array of dining and drinking hotspots.
This unpretentious gem specializes in traditional Shanghainese cuisine that feels like a warm embrace from a grandmother’s kitchen. Dishes like succulent braised pork, tender duck, crabmeat sauteed with egg white, and the sweet and tangy yellow croaker are complemented by a range of soul-warming soups that resonate with the flavors of home, only more robust.
Since its debut in the Michelin Guide Shanghai in 2018, the Lyceum has become a must-visit, so be prepared for a bit of a wait and the possibility of sharing one of the five intimate tables with other culinary enthusiasts.
While the Lyceum has expanded to several branches in Shanghai’s premier shopping malls, offering expanded menus and enhanced service, the true essence of the restaurant—the kind that occasionally manifests in the servers’ playful impatience with the less decisive diners—can be savored exclusively at its original location. It’s this authenticity that keeps the locals coming back for more.
130 Jinxian Road, Huangpu, Shanghai
3. Qing Chun Pu Men
A 30-minute-plus wait is normal at this vegetarian restaurant on the roof of the Taikoo Li Qiantan shopping centre.
Those looking to indulge in clean eating with elegant decor should pay a visit. The interior, styled like a Japanese garden and resembling a typical courtyard in Kyoto, is spotlessly clean.
Qing Chun Pu Men’s best-loved dishes include black truffle fried rice (56 yuan), osmanthus-soaked taro purée, vegetarian chicken nuggets and rice cake. The average cost per person is 150 yuan to 200 yuan for a filling meal.
4. Nu Xiang Mu Dou
Nu Xiang Mu Dou in the buzzing Xintiandi shopping district is the pricier sister of the century-old Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, which is named after the town in Shanghai’s northwest that is the birthplace of the world-famous xiaolongbao dumplings.
Founded in 1900 during the reign of Qing dynasty emperor Guangxu, the restaurant has branches across the country and beyond, including in Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
Its popularity rocketed among Shanghai’s fashion lovers after a recent collaboration with the fashion house Balenciaga, which hosted an over-the-top catwalk show in the city in June and released a series of customised delicacies with Nu Xiang Mu Dou.
Visitors should try not only its steamed buns, but also fusion dishes like the charcoal-grilled beef and scallion pancakes with pistachio and foie gras sauce. The average spend per person is around 200 yuan (US$28).
338 Zizhong Road, Huangpu, Shanghai
5. Xiang Chun Story
Xiang Chun Story, a charming ode to the delicate, edible shoots of the Chinese mahogany tree, offers a delightful respite for those seeking moderately-priced vegetarian fare. Conveniently located just a stone’s throw from the Jingan Temple metro station and adjacent to the serene Jingan Temple, or the Temple of Peace and Tranquility, this eatery is a hidden gem amidst the vibrant retail and culinary scene.
Despite its prime location in a bustling commercial area, Xiang Chun Story’s Buddhist-inspired ambiance often guarantees a welcoming seat for patrons seeking a moment of tranquility.
The cuisine at Xiang Chun Story is a delightful fusion of traditional vegetarian dishes and innovative creations. Classic comfort food such as fried tofu and mushrooms shares the menu with the inventive hawthorn-wrapped avocado drops, a popular starter that delights the senses. Other standout favorites include the salted egg yolk-fried pumpkin, which offers a rich, savory experience, and the ginger-matsutake-seaweed rice, a harmonious blend of flavors that dance on the palate. Each dish is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to creating memorable, plant-based meals.
3rd floor, Jing’an Fuhui Building, 151 Yuyuan Road, Jing’an, Shanghai
Power By tripichina.com