10 Iconic Shanghai Restaurants Every First-Time Visitor Should Bookmark

Expect to Spend: 125 RMB/person

Authentic Sichuan hot pot flavor, unique spicy pot base, fresh and rich soup base and rich ingredients match, providing an authentic Sichuan hot pot experience for diners who love spicy food. The spiciness here is full of flavor, but not too exciting, perfect for those who like to try spicy flavors.

 Signature must-try: 

Tender tripe

Fresh Beef

Crispy Pork

Expect to Spend: 195 RMB/person

Restoring the most authentic Chaoshan flavor, the beef here is selected with the utmost care, and the meat is tender with excellent taste. There are many types of beef, including beef shoulder, beef tenderloin, and beef tongue, each of which is carefully cut to ensure the best texture and flavor.

Signature must-try:

Hand-beaten Beef Balls

Hanging Dragon

Signature Deep Fried Roti

Artemisia House (Huaihai Parkson) 106 RMB/person

A top-class Cantonese restaurant in Shanghai, located in the core business district of Xujiahui, this classic restaurant originated from Xiguan in Guangzhou and is famous for its handmade freshly made tea time snacks. The quality of shrimp dumplings, red rice sausage, barbecued pork buns and other dim sum is stable, and the tea drinking culture of “one cup, two pieces” in Lingnan is restored.

Signature must-try: 

Artemisia's Shrimp Dumplings with Bamboo Shoots

Traditional handmade red rice sausage

Steamed Phoenix Claws with XO Sauce and Peppers

Expect to Spend: 230 RMB/person

Shanghai's long-established local cuisine restaurant is famous for its braised pork, which is regarded as “the first braised pork restaurant in Shanghai”. At the same time, it combines modern elements with traditional Shanghai flavors to bring you a different taste experience. The restaurant has become the first choice of many diners for its authentic traditional Shanghai cuisine, exquisite dishes, elegant environment and first-class service.

Signature must-try:

Braised Pork in Yuan Yuan Restaurant

Crispy Pigeon

Braised Bean Curd with Crabmeat

Expect to Spend: 152 RMB/person

If you're a fan of xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung is definitely a restaurant you don't want to miss. The restaurant's signature steamed dumplings are known worldwide for their paper-thin skin, flavorful soup and delicate meat filling. With its elegant environment and first-class service, it is the perfect place for you to enjoy your meal.

Signature must-try:

Specialty Xiao Long Bao

Shrimp Scramble in Red Oil

Crabmeat Xiao Long Bao

Expect to Spend: 27RMB/person

When you come to Shanghai, you can't miss the authentic Pan Fried Dumplings. As one of the representatives of Shanghai's local cuisine, Xiao Yang's pan-fried buns are thin-skinned, stuffed with rich fillings, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the soup overflowing when you bite into it. With stores all over Shanghai, every one of them is crowded and you are guaranteed a hot and flavorful meal.

Signature must-try:

Xiao Yang's Pan Fried Dumplings

Duck Vermicelli Soup

Garcinia Cambogia Prawn Shengjian

Expect to Spend: 480 RMB/person

As a high-end river view restaurant on the Bund, Avalon Dutton not only offers exquisite cuisine, but also combines the beautiful Huangpu River view with a romantic dining atmosphere, making it an ideal place to enjoy the charm of Shanghai. The restaurant is located in a prime location on the Bund in Shanghai, with unrivaled views of the Huangpu River. The restaurant's modern yet elegant design and floor-to-ceiling windows allow every diner to immerse themselves in the beautiful view of the Bund.

Signature must-try :

M7 Tomahawk Steak

Beef Tongue and Wild Mushroom Risotto with Italian Rice

Expect to Spend: 157 RMB/person

Located near the Bund, Lost Heaven is a fusion of the traditional flavors of Yunnan and the modern art of dining, and its name is inspired by Yunnan's unique culture and mysterious and beautiful natural landscapes. Yunnan's natural environment is rich in natural ingredients, and the restaurant combines these natural ingredients with traditional Yunnan cooking techniques to offer healthy, flavorful dishes. Using fresh wild mushrooms and natural spices, most of the restaurant's dishes are rich in flavor and nutrition.

Signature must-try:

Yunnan Wild Vegetable Cake

Dali Style Chicken with Onion & Pepper

Expect to Spend: 108RMB/person

Conveniently located in the center of Shanghai, the environment is simple yet rich in local characteristics. The restaurant specializes in Crabmeat Noodles and other traditional Shanghai snacks. All ingredients are carefully selected, striving to bring out the most authentic Shanghai flavors in every bowl of noodles. Whether you are a first time visitor to Shanghai or a resident, this is the place to go to experience authentic Shanghai noodle dishes.

Signature must-try:

Crabmeat Noodles

Crabmeat Soup Buns

Crab Roe Xiao Long