Top 10 Restaurants in Shanghai

What is it? Fu 1088 sits on Zhenning Road, roughly a twenty-five-minute walk from the Shanghai Exhibition Center. This traditional Chinese restaurant holds a Michelin star.

Why we love it: While many restaurants in the city prioritize spectacle, Fu 1088 leans into a refined, romantic atmosphere that justifies its premium price point. It manages to balance the intimacy of fine dining with the strict requirements of a traditional menu, earning a 4.68 rating from diners who favor precision over trend-chasing.

Good to Know: The formal, smart and elegant dress code at Fu 1088 is strictly observed; leave the casual wear at the hotel if you plan to secure a table for dinner.

What is it? Vue Bar sits on Huangpu Road in the Hongkou District. It offers contemporary international cuisine and carries a 4.42 rating from 141 reviews.

Why we love it: While many venues along the river lean into heavy formality, Vue Bar leans into its fine dining roots without losing the utility of a casual terrace. It hits a price point that keeps the floor busy, yet the proximity to The Bund keeps the experience grounded in a specific, high-traffic corner of the city.

Good to Know: The terrace at Vue Bar provides the best vantage point for navigating the stretch between the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum and the bustling crowds of Nanjing Road.

What is it? Yi Long Court sits at 32 Zhongshan Rd (E-1) in the Waitan district. This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in Chinese and contemporary Asian cuisine.

Why we love it: It earns its place as a high-end destination by balancing fine dining with a clear view of the surrounding waterfront. With a guest rating of 4.75 from 12 reviews, the restaurant maintains a consistent standard that separates it from the busier, more tourist-heavy spots a short walk away.

Good to Know: Given its status as a fine-dining establishment just 500 meters from The Bund, Yi Long Court strictly enforces a smart and elegant dress code for all guests.

What is it? Xin Rong Ji (West Nanjing Road) sits on the second floor of 688 Plaza on Nanjing Road (W). This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in contemporary Chinese seafood and holds a spot on the 2024 La Liste ranking.

Why we love it: While the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street crowds surge just a six-minute walk away, this dining room remains a quiet, refined anchor for those seeking a formal approach to seafood. The price point reflects its status as a destination for high-end, contemporary Chinese cooking rather than casual fare.

Good to Know: Given the emphasis on high-quality seafood, pair your order with a light white wine or a crisp tea to balance the traditional preparation methods found at this West Nanjing Road address.

What is it? Hakkasan sits at 18 Zhongshan Rd (E-1) in Shanghai. The restaurant holds a Michelin star and serves modern Chinese fusion cuisine within a fine dining setting.

Why we love it? This venue offers a rare combination of high-end, romantic atmosphere and a Michelin-starred standard of cooking that stands out among the options near the Bund. With a guest rating of 4.60 across over 200 reviews, it balances the exclusivity of its location with a consistent, performance-driven approach to modern Chinese flavors.

Good to Know: The Hakkasan dress code is smart and elegant, so plan your attire accordingly for a night out just a fifteen-minute walk from the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center.

What is it? Jade on 36 is a fine dining restaurant located at 33 Fucheng Rd in the Lujiazui district of Pudong. It sits a fifteen-minute walk from the Shanghai World Financial Center and roughly a twenty-minute walk from the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on French and contemporary creative cooking, standing out in an area dominated by commercial mall dining. Its 4.20 guest rating reflects a commitment to a luxury experience that prioritizes the terrace for a distinct vantage point over the Lujiazui skyline.

Good to Know: The formal, smart and elegant dress code at Jade on 36 is strictly enforced, so leave the sneakers at your hotel before heading over from the nearby IFC Mall.

What is it? Barbarossa sits at 11 Nanjing Rd (W) in Shanghai. It is a restaurant and bar located a four-minute walk from the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.

Why we love it: The kitchen manages a distinct fusion of French and seafood techniques within a fine dining framework. With a guest rating of 4.62, it attracts a crowd that values a refined atmosphere over the bustling tourist energy found just a few blocks away. The pricing reflects its status as an upscale venue, positioning it as a destination for those seeking a quiet setting near the city’s major transit arteries.

Good to Know: The terrace at Barbarossa provides a necessary reprieve from the nearby Nanjing Road crowds, so secure a table outdoors to pair your seafood selection with a view of the surrounding district.

What is it? Sir Elly’s Terrace sits on Zhongshan Rd (E-1), a five-minute walk from The Bund and roughly ten minutes from Nanjing Road. This fine dining destination blends contemporary fusion and international influences within a space defined by its terrace and expansive outlook.

Why we love it: It earns a 4.81 rating because it manages to pair a premium, high-price-tier atmosphere with a setting that feels distinctly removed from the transit hubs at the Shanghai Museum. The terrace provides the rare vantage point required for a truly quiet meal along the riverfront, offering a scale of privacy that the more frantic venues nearby cannot replicate.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s approach to international fusion at Sir Elly's Terrace requires a smart and elegant wardrobe to match the pace of the room.

What is it? The Nest sits at 130 Beijing Rd (E), a ten-minute walk from Nanjing Road. This contemporary restaurant offers a fusion menu within the Huangpu district, drawing a clientele that supports its 4.77 guest rating.

Why we love it: It separates itself from the high-traffic tourist flow near The Bund by offering a precise, luxury-minded approach to Asian fusion. The space provides a rare vantage point for a quiet, romantic meal that feels removed from the density of the nearby People’s Park area.

Good to Know: The Nest enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual layers for your afternoon walk near Nanjing Road and opt for something sharper to match the terrace setting.

What is it? Fu He Hui sits on Yuyuan Road in the Changning District, approximately a twenty-five-minute walk from the Jade Buddha Temple. This fine dining restaurant holds a Michelin star and is currently ranked as the best restaurant in mainland China by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, while also appearing on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Why we love it: It manages to elevate Asian vegan cuisine into a luxury category that feels deliberate rather than restrictive. With a strong guest rating of 4.89, the restaurant proves that a strictly plant-based menu can compete at the highest tier of global dining without relying on traditional proteins.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Fu He Hui strictly avoids animal products, so expect your fine dining progression to highlight seasonal produce and regional fungi rather than the meat-heavy classics found elsewhere in the city.