76+ Best Restaurants in Shanghai for Authentic Chinese Cuisine

Welcome to the ultimate food lover’s guide to Shanghai Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned local, Shanghai’s dynamic culinary landscape is guaranteed to delight your senses. From the bustling street stalls of Huanghe Road to high-rise fine dining experiences along the Bund, Best Restaurants in Shanghai the city offers a mouthwatering journey through the very heart of Chinese cuisine.

Top Authentic Chinese Restaurants in Shanghai You Must Try in 2025

In 2025, Shanghai continues to redefine what it means to eat well. With its rich fusion of regional Chinese flavors—from the delicate dim sum of Canton to the bold spices of Sichuan and Hunan—this sprawling metropolis is home to some of the most iconic and diverse restaurants in Asia. You’ll find Michelin-starred establishments, secret neighborhood gems, high-tech dining spectacles, and everything in between.

🥟 Dumplings, Buns & Local Street Restaurants in Shanghai

Experience Shanghai’s most famous street delicacies—from steaming xiaolongbao to crispy shengjianbao.

1. Din Tai Fung – Globally acclaimed for their delicate xiaolongbao

2. Jia Jia Tang Bao – Legendary for their crab meat soup dumplings 🦀

3. Yang’s Fry Dumplings – Famous for juicy, pan-fried shengjianbao

4. Fu Chun Xiao Long – Small and cozy, with flavor-packed pork buns

5. Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant – Century-old original XLB near Yuyuan Garden

6. A Da Cong You Bing – Iconic scallion pancake vendor in a hidden lane

7. Shandong Dumpling King – Homemade dumplings with dozens of fillings

8. Da Hu Chun – Historic eatery known for pan-fried pork pies

🥢 Traditional Shanghainese Cuisine Restaurants in Shanghai

Dive into the soul of Shanghai cuisine—sweet, savory, and slow-cooked to perfection.

9. Old Jesse – Legendary for braised pork belly and yellow croaker

10. Xiao Nan Guo – Modern take on Shanghainese home-style cooking

11. WangBaoHe Restaurant – Famous for hairy crab and traditional dishes

12. Lao Shanghai Restaurant – Brings back old flavors in a nostalgic setting

13. Ye Shanghai (Xintiandi) – Elegant experience with rich local taste

14. Chun Restaurant – Limited seating but unforgettable dishes

15. Cheng Long Xing Xiefen Xiaoguan – Known for crab and seafood-based dishes

16. Chuan Yue Lou – Hidden gem offering smoked fish and tofu skin rolls

🔥 Spicy Sichuan & Hunan Flavors in Shanghai

Craving heat? These restaurants serve tongue-numbing delights that pack a punch.

17. Yuxin Sichuan Cuisine – Colorful, spicy, and incredibly flavorful

18. Sichuan Citizen – Offers spicy cocktails and fiery hotpots 🌶️

19. South Memory (Xiangcunji) – Rustic Hunan dishes with authentic spice

20. Ba Guo Bu Yi – Traditional decor and unforgettable mapo tofu

21. Spicy Joint – Bold flavors, funky vibe, and long lines

22. Chongqing Chicken Hotpot – Dry, spicy, and loaded with flavor

23. Mala Yuanyang – Twin-pot hotpot with custom spice levels

24. Haidilao Hot Pot – The ultimate hotpot experience with noodle dancers

🍚 Cantonese & Dim Sum Delights in Shanghai

These restaurants bring the refinement and delicacy of Cantonese food to Shanghai’s bustling dining scene.

25. Lei Garden (IFC Mall) – Michelin-starred dim sum and roasted meats

26. Jin Xuan (Ritz-Carlton Pudong) – Classy setting, crispy roast duck 🍽️

27. The 8 – Affordable dim sum with old-school vibes

28. Yi Long Court (The Peninsula) – Elegant Cantonese cuisine with Bund views

29. Lao Guangzhou – Crispy pork belly and authentic stir-fry

30. Tim Ho Wan – Budget-friendly dim sum from Hong Kong

31. Xin Dau Ji – Perfect for claypot rice and seafood

32. Tao Tao Ju (Xintiandi) – Perfect for group dim sum outings

🍷 Elegant & Fine Dining Chinese Restaurants in Shanghai

When you want to dress up and dine in style, these refined venues deliver luxury, flavor, and ambiance.

33. Fu He Hui – Vegetarian tasting menu with artistic flair

34. Da Dong Roast Duck – Famed for lean Peking duck and stunning interiors

35. Taian Table – Three Michelin stars for Chinese-fusion creativity

36. The Pine – Minimalist aesthetic with bold flavor profiles

37. Jing’an Shangri-La’s Summer Palace – Known for dim sum and tea service

38. Cheng Long Hang Crab Palace – Luxe crab feasts near the Bund

39. No. 1 Shui Zhong Xian – Live seafood and traditional methods

40. Yong Fu – Seafood-driven cuisine from Ningbo

🌇 Restaurants with Skyline Views & Riverfront Dining in Shanghai

These restaurants combine incredible cuisine with jaw-dropping views of the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline.

41. M on the Bund – Mediterranean-Chinese fusion with Bund views

42. Pop American Brasserie – Bold dishes and rooftop bar vibes

43. Maison Lameloise Shanghai – Refined French-Chinese fare with a view

44. CHAR Bar & Grill – Premium steaks and seafood with riverfront dining

45. Heavenly Jin (J Hotel) – Highest restaurant in China 🏙️

46. The Cupola at Three on the Bund – Private domes with personalized service

47. Kathleen’s Waitan – Fusion menu and peaceful rooftop setting

48. Vue Restaurant (Hyatt on the Bund) – Glass bathtubs and skyline views

🍛 Hidden Gems & Neighborhood Favorites

Authentic, budget-friendly, and loved by locals—these spots are off the radar but worth the hunt.

49. Babi Mantou Shop – Steamed buns with sweet and savory fillings

50. Hong Chang Xing Mutton Hotpot – Old-school hotpot from the 1800s

51. Yu Xin Tangbao – Neighborhood joint with soup dumplings galore

52. Feng Yu Zhou – Local noodle shop with spicy beef broth

53. Lanzhou Lamian King – Hand-pulled noodles in under a minute 🍜

54. A Niang Mian Guan – Known for yellow croaker noodle soup

55. Wei Xiang Zhai – Cold sesame noodles and spicy wontons

56. Chongqing Chicken Alley – A spicy secret among food lovers

🌿 Regional Specialties from Across China

These restaurants bring diverse flavors from across China to Shanghai’s food lovers.

57. Lotus Eatery – Colorful Yunnan dishes with fresh herbs

58. Xibo – Modern Uyghur cuisine in a stylish setting

59. Dong Bei Ren Jia – Homestyle comfort food from Northeast China

60. The Silk Road – Northwest flavors with hand-pulled noodles and lamb skewers

61. Gui Hua Lou (Okura Garden Hotel) – Jiangnan classics in a historic setting

62. Yunnan Cross Bridge Noodles – Must-try local Yunnan dish

63. Ming Ting – Rare Guangxi-style rice noodles and broth

64. Jiang Nan Chun – Suzhou- and Hangzhou-inspired fine dining

🍽️ Contemporary & Creative Chinese Fusion

For adventurous palates, these spots offer creative takes on traditional Chinese flavors.

65. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet – Immersive, multi-sensory dining experience 🌌

66. The Commune Social – Tapas-style fusion in a trendy neighborhood

67. Mr. & Mrs. Bund – French bistro with Chinese ingredients

68. Heritage by Madison – Chinese-American fusion dishes

69. Shake – Retro jazz bar with soulful small plates

70. T8 Restaurant – Artistic dishes and a moody, romantic vibe

71. Wujie on the Bund – High-end plant-based fusion menu

72. Maison Papillon – Modern Shanghai tastes with Western techniques

🍴 Street Eats & Food Courts for Quick Bites

Fast, flavorful, and satisfying—perfect for a quick foodie fix.

73. Global Harbor Food Street – A mall-based paradise for dumplings and BBQ

74. Super Brand Mall Food Court – Budget eats near the Lujiazui towers

75. Yuyuan Bazaar Snacks Lane – From sticky rice to stinky tofu

76. Huanghe Road Food Strip – Casual eateries with deep-fried crab claws

77. Ding Te Le – Late-night go-to for locals and students

🧾 Tips for Eating in Shanghai in 2025

✔️ Reserve ahead for fine dining and Bund-side restaurants
✔️ Most places prefer WeChat Pay or Alipay, but cards work in tourist areas
✔️ Try local soy milk and fried dough for breakfast like a local
✔️ Avoid tourist traps—look for long queues of locals instead
✔️ Be adventurous—pig trotters, duck neck, or spicy intestines might surprise you!

🍜 Ready for a Shanghai Food Tour?

With this curated list of 76+ authentic Chinese restaurants, your tastebuds are in for the adventure of a lifetime. Whether you’re exploring regional Chinese food or chasing the best dumpling in town, Shanghai in 2025 is a gourmet paradise waiting for you. 🌟