Restaurants at a Glance
Shanghai
Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine
Founded in Singapore in 2004, this is the Imperial Treasure Group’s first foray outside its home base. Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine in Yi Feng Gallery is one of Shanghai’s most popular restaurants. It’s advisable to book well in advance. There are several reasons for it being always full. The first is the high quality of the Cantonese cuisine. The second is its location. The Yi Feng Gallery is very near the Bund and is just in front of the Peninsula Hotel. The third reason is the loyalty of its clientele.
- Near the Bund, in front of the Peninsula Hotel
- Top quality Yue or Cantonese cuisine
- Reservation highly recommended
L402-403, Yi Feng Gallery, 99 Beijing Dong Lu, Huangpu
86 21 5308 1188
Lao Kele
Lao Kele, the restaurant chain, pays homage to this elegant Shanghainese man of another era. It does so not only by offering Shanghainese but also in the décor of that bygone time. To complete the nostalgia, there is of course the music. There are various interpretations of the meaning of “kele”. What is not in contention, though, is “lao” which means old. The mystery only surrounds as to what is kele. What and who is this person? Find out in 100!
- “Kele” means “clerk” in local dialect
- Shanghainese cuisine with a twist
- Décor of the 1920s
288 Nanjing West Road, L2 Chong Hing Finance Center, Huangpu District
86 21 6122 1577
Lu Ya (Top 10)
The clientele is almost all local Shanghainese. Friends and families make up the bulk of the customers. That’s a telling sign that Lu Ya serves authentic Shanghainese food. The restaurant is very accessible from downtown Puxi. It’s not so far from the Bund. Lu Ya has fluorescent lighting, and is bright, noisy, very crowded and not the place to go on a date. If, on the other hand, you want to be introduced to Shanghainese fare, you can’t do better.
- Local Shanghai restaurant
- Not far from the Bund
- Allows BYO, but without wine glasses
Nanling
Nanling offers Huaiyang cuisine with Shanghainese influences. The restaurant is as popular with foodies as it is with Chinese opera lovers and is regularly packed. Restaurant – now in a bustling shopping mall – was originally in an old building where one such star, ZHOU Xinfang (14 January 1895 – 8 March 1975), once lived. The name of the restaurant is a tribute to Zhou as he was regarded as the foremost Peking opera artist of southern (nan) China, “ling” being translated here as “star”.
- Huaiyang cuisine with Shanghainese influences
- Restaurant name is a tribute to ZHOU Xinfang
- Popular among Chinese opera lovers
Jing’an Kerry Centre Southern District Shopping Mall, 1228 Yan’an Middle Rd, Jing’an, Shanghai, China
86 021 6467 7381
Old Jesse
There is in Jesse, the Shanghai restaurant, literally, the Old and the New. At the last count, there were eight branches of New Jesse which, we understand, are either joint-ventures or franchises. Old Jesse originated in 1995 and is the one we are recommending. The restaurant is small, crammed, and full of character. Not only can you see what your neighbours are eating, you can hear their conversation without even having to eavesdrop.
- Popular among Hong Kongers, even movie stars
- Located in the old French Concession
- Small, crammed and full of character
Seventh Son, Shangri-La Pudong (Top 10)
This was the first Seventh Son restaurant in China. Having said that, some clarification is needed. When it was inaugurated on 1 October 2004, the restaurant was then known as Fook Lam Moon, and represented the first foray into China for the famed Hong Kong gastronomic icon. In 2013, fifth brother Chui Pui Kun and youngest seventh brother Chui Wai Kwan decided to go their separate ways. Elder sibling Chui Pui Kun retained the original Fook Lam Moon in Wanchai and the branch in Tsim Sha Tsui, while the younger Chui Wai Kwan created a new chain called Seventh Son in September 2013.
- Cantonese cuisine
- The first foray into China for the group
- View of the shimmering Huangpu River and the Puxi skyline
Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai, 33 Fu Cheng Road, Shanghai
86 21 5877 3786
T’ang Court, Langham Shanghai
Chef Justin TAN hails from Guangdong and from a family of chefs. He started his culinary journey at just 16 years young. In 2013, Tan joined as executive chef of Ming Court, the contemporary Cantonese restaurant of Langham Place Ningbo. From that sister property, he came to T’ang Court where he was appointed Chinese executive chef. The main dining room of the Cantonese restaurant has just six tables. With a total seating capacity of 18 people. Fortunately, T’ang Court has nine other private rooms to satisfy other insatiable appetites.
- Only six table in main dining room
- Nine other private rooms
- Cantonese cuisine
5th Floor, Langham Shanghai, Xitiandi, 99 Madang Road, Xintiandi
86 21 2330 2430
The Peacock Room
The Peacock Room is very lavish and sumptuous. It is certainly one of the most visually striking restaurants your eyes will experience. As with the décor of the restaurant, the dishes are presented for visual impact. Food is also good in taste. The restaurant offers Sichuan cuisine that is less “fire and brimstone”. Executive Chef Sam ZHANG is Malaysian but the kitchen team are mostly from Sichuan. Name of restaurant is inspired by a story from real life. Situated in a swanky new district of Shanghai.
- Less “fire and brimstone” Sichuan cuisine
- Lavish and sumptuous dining room
- Dishes emphasize visual presentation
HKRI Taikoo Hui, Southern Tower S301, No. 288 Shimen Yi Road
86 21 5239 1999
Xindalu - China Kitchen, Hyatt on the Bund
The best Peking Duck in Shanghai is now served at Xindalu – China Kitchen in the Hyatt on the Bund. It’s one of the most authentic tasted outside Beijing. The skin is crisp, has a nice sheen, and not too dry. It’s a relatively young duck, between 40 and 60 days, and the meat has just the right pitch of taste without being too “ducky”. Xindalu offers not only local Shanghainese fare, but other regional Chinese cuisines such as Sichuan, Huaiyang, even Hangzhou. And Peking Duck of course.
- Best Peking Duck in Shanghai
- Various Chinese cuisines
- Open kitchen format
East Tower, Hyatt On The Bund, 199 Huang Pu Road
86 21 6393 1234 ext 6318
Xin Rong Ji
Xin Rong Ji was founded in October 1995 by ZHANG Yong in Zhejiang province. From that humble, hometown beginning the group now has a portfolio of more than 30 restaurants. In January 2018, Xin Rong Ji inaugurated its first restaurant in the China Overseas Building in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The recommended Xin Rong Ji outlet is in the new Bund Finance Center. Situated at the top end of the historic Shanghai Bund. Restaurant – wrapped in glass on one side – has spectacular views of the Huangpu.
- Stunning views of the Huangpu River and the Bund
- Reasonably priced wine list
- Open-kitchen concept
