In this past year, there have been many hot projects hitting the Shanghai restaurant scene. Here are the hottest ones now, where if you plan on going bring a chair.
Queues at these 20 popular restaurants can sometimes feel like it can lasts for days (fine, not for days although with a growling tummy it may feel that way). Be ready to get in line because baby, it's so hot it's sizzling!
Tims Coffee House
The queues at Tims Coffee House, has never stopped since it first opened in Shanghai lasting at least 3 hours long.d
Their 「Double-Double」 is no stranger to all. It is a beverage made with freshly brewed coffee and 2 servings of milk and sugar each. The beverage is so popular that it officially became a term in the Oxford dictionary - used to describe the drink.
Tims Coffee House
Address: No. 2 1/F Central Plaza, 227 Huang Pi Bei Lu
Tel: 021 6333 7751
Hours: Monday to Friday 7:00-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 8:00-10pm
How much: RMB 50
Shake Shack
The legendary New York brand opened its latest store at Xintiandi on 24 January this year. The opening day saw queues of up to 3 hours for their RMB 200 burger.
Their classic ShackBurger is what many come here for, and while it is a fast food brand, diners have to be ready to wait up to 30 minutes to try the food due to the large crowd.
Shake Shake
Address: 10 Xin Tian Di , 181 Tai Cang Lu
Tel: 021 5301 8139
Hours: 11am-11pm
How much: RMB 105
GLACIEL
Glaciel has been increasingly popular in the city, and currently only accepts reservations.
Their colorful design and signature ice-cream cakes appeal to the female crowd. And to uphold their quality, the brand chooses the best seasonal fruits and adopts a French pastry making method with Japanese flavors to present their work.
GLACIEL
Address: Unit 104, 159 Ma Dang Lu
Tel: 021 5301 0100
Hours: 11am-11pm
How much: RMB 189
LeTAO
The legendary Hokkaido dessert brand is a pioneer in Japanese cheesecake and one of the 3 must-try items when visiting LeTAO.
Their classic double layer Cheesecake is the reason why we love LeTAO and why the brand has opened 4 stores in the city.
LeTAO
Address: Unit 103, 159 Ma Dang Lu
Tel: 021 6330 6830
Opening hours: 11am-11pm
How much: RMB 126
Yuxingji Noodle Restaurant
Both residents in Suzhou and Shanghai love their noodles, which is why Yuxingji Noodle Restaurant is such a huge hit here. For RMB 128, get their yellow oil noodles, made from 3 female and 3 male crabs, which is a must-have especially during the crab season now.
Yuxingji Noodle Restaurant (Nanjing Xi Lu Branch)
Address: 830 Wei Hai Lu
Tel: 186 0166 8883
Hours: 7:30am-8pm
How much: RMB 66
Yuxingji Noodle Restaurant (Zhang Hong Lu Branch)
Address: 94 Zhang Hong Lu
Tel: 021 6219 6393
Hours: 10am-2pm, 4:30pm-9pm
How much: RMB 74
GROM
Known for their signature blue cup, the gelato brand has been taking the city by storm since it first opened on Nanjing Xi Lu.
Apart from their classic pistachio flavor, the brand also has limited edition gelato desserts, and a dining area for those who want to dine in. Do not worry - many often take away and there isn’t much of a queue these days, so you』ll be lucky to get your gelato pretty quickly!
GROM
Address: 772 Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel: 021 5298 0278
Hours: Daily,10am-10pm
How much: RMB 48
Hao Noodle
Recommended by the New York Michelin Guide, Hao Noodle blew the city away after its great feature and return back to Shanghai.
Their New York style signature beef hotpot noodle, tomato soup with Longli fish noodle, and red wine with beef cheeks are some of the must-try items here. When here, expect to also check delicious food from all over the world.
Hao Noodle
Address: 5/F Shi Ji Hui Plaza, 1192 Shi Ji Da Dao
Tel: 021 5856 8616
Opening hours: 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm
How much: RMB 88
PS.Cafe
Having been in Singapore for the past 20 years, with fans including celebrities like Stephanie Sun, the brand branched out to Shanghai last year.
As part of their Shanghai opening, the store introduced limited edition dishes, as well as cult favorites like the PS Ginger and Date Pudding.
PS.Cafe
Address: Room 3 - 11, 3/F, Xintiandi Mall, 333 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Tel: 021-6151 1321
Hours: 10am-10pm
How much: RMB 147
Shangyin Seafood Buffet Restaurant
The seafood buffet restaurant has been seeing long queues since it first opened, as diners start coming in from around 3 -4pm till late night.
At slightly over RMB 200 per pax, diners will be treated to large Mudan shrimp, over 10 different types of sashimi, king crab, and more.
Shangyin Seafood Buffet Restaurant
Address: L7-R4-5 Parkson Mall, 918 Huai Hai Zhong Lu
Tel: 021 6418 1690
Hours: 11:30-2pm 5pm-9pm
How much: RMB 308
Diantaixiang Hotpot
The hotpot brand rose to fame in just 1 year, and queues span up to 4 hours here during the weekends. To cope with the reservations, go online and get a queue number before coming down here.
Try out their signature items like the tender beef, duck blood, and egg rice cake. While it is from Chengdu, the soup base is more Chongqing style, and we recommend getting a bottle of Chrysanthemum tea before heading down to cool off from the heat.
Diantaixiang Hotpot (New Shop)
Address: 235 Guang Xi Bei Lu
Tel: 021 6333 8388
How much: RMB 143
Hours:Monday 11am - 3pm 4pm-1:30AM, Tuesday to Sunday 11am -1:30AM
Diantaixiang Hotpot (Hong Kou)
Address: 444 Dong Jiang Wan Lu
Tel: 021-31606473
How much: RMB 143
Hours: Monday 11am-3pm,4pm-1:30am; Tuesday to Sunday 11am -1:30am
Nanmen Meat in Hotpot
A Beijing classic, the brand sees long queues and often requires reservations to be made 2 weeks in advance for just the 4:30pm slot.
Almost hard to go wrong, the meat here are well marinated and fresh to provide a quality dining experience for all.
Nanmen Meat in Hotpot (Shibo Branch)
Address: 450 Shibo Da Dao
Tel: 021 2025 7779
Hours: Monday to Friday 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-10pm
How much: RMB 136
Nanmen Meat in Hotpot (Main Branch)
Address: LM05, Area 1 River Mall, 1368 Shi Po Da Dao
Hours: 11am-10pm
How much: RMB 131
Naruto Ramen
With queues of up to 2 hours that snake to the train station, Naruto Ramen is truly the winner when it comes to great and popular food.
Their interior is decorated with Naruto elements. You will be greeted by Kakashi Hatake, Naruto, and Sakura Haruno when you first enter! The brand serves traditional Japanese ramen, of which their most famous bowl is the Tonkotsu ramen.
Naruto Ramen
Address: B2, 3300 Zhong Shan Bei Lu
Tel: 021 6067 0978
Hours:10am-10pm
How much: RMB 71
Xiao Dadong
As one of Dadong group’s more economical brands, Xiao Dadong often sees a queue of 2 hours, and many diners come here for their duck and foie gras, which can be seen across all Dadong menu.
For just RMB 199, get a full duck, and while waiting, get a candied hawthorn treat to fill up the stomach first.
Xiao Dadong
Address: No. 24 5/F LuOne Mall, 268 Xu Jia Hui Lu
Tel: 021 6377 7817
Hours: Weekdays 11:30am-9:30pm, Weekends 11am-9:30pm
Xinhuo Barbecue
Bursting to fame with their 15-level barbecue meat on Douyin, the place has become the go-to Japanese barbecue place to visit. Reservations have to be made around 1 week in advance, so do take note of that.
Their 15-level sliced meat is an enticing treat, and is more than enough to feed 2 grown men. It includes various beef parts like the tongue, intestine, ribs, brain and more.
Xinhuo Barbeque
Address: 3/F, Block C No. 1 Shopping Center, 800 Nanjing Dong Li
Tel: 021 6333 6673
Opening hours: 11am-10pm
How much: RMB 356
Mother’s House
Featuring local delights, this place feels like home, which is why many often come to get their home-cooked food fix. Waiting time can get up to 2 hours!
Have their signature salt and pepper pan fried wonton, hairy crab nian gao, marinated carrots, borsch soup and more.
Mother’s House
Address: No. 4, 548 Xu Jia Hui Lu
Tel: 021 5466 6173
Hours: 11am-1:30pm, 5pm-9pm
How much: RMB 83
Ho Hung Kee
From Hong Kong to Shanghai, this 1-Michelin star brand sees long queues at any time of the day and any day of the week.
Their signature menu items include steamed ribs, chicken feet, prawn dumplings, and other traditional dim sum delights.
Ho Hung Kee
Address: L324 HKRI Taikoo Hui, 288 Shi Men Yi Lu
Tel: 021 5218 8019
Hours: 11am-10pm
How much: RMB 115
Ri Shi Ji
Opened on Nanjing Lu, the brand is one to look out for, and is known for its delicious noodles. Their four popular noodles include red braised beef noodle, beef noodle, char siew noodle, and scallion noodles. Every afternoon, the working crowd will often come here for a quick lunch fix of the mouthwatering noodles.
Ri Shi Ji
Address: L319, Shi Mao Plaza, 829 Nanjing Dong Lu
Tel: 021 63113 9585
Hours: Monday to Thursday, Sunday 10am-10pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-11pm
FOMO Pancake
Known for their souffle style pancakes, founder Jimoto Ya opened his new store in Xintiandi basement.
Slightly different from the rest of their branches overseas, the Shanghai branch has different flavors including sweet and savory options. If you come, expect a wait of 15-30mins.
FOMO Pancake
Address: B2-17 Xintiandi Plaza, 333 Zhun Hai Zhong Lu
Hours: 11am-9pm
How much: RMB 51
Papa Frying
This place has a waiting time of around 4 hours due to the long queues, but is quickly becoming one of the most popular hotpot places in town.
Image from Dianping user @Sidailalala
Their signature beef ribs have well cooked and tender meat that peels off easily. Another must try dish here includes the golden chicken feet, which is simply yummy.
Papa Frying (Huai Hai Zhong Branch)
Address: 1-2/F H1 Mall, 1 Huai Hai Zhong Lu
Tel: 021 6386 8988
Hours: 11am-2pm 5pm-Midnight
How much: RMB 114
Papa Frying (Shi Ji Hui Branch)
Address: 178 Wei Fang Lu
Tel: 021-5718 5777
Opening hours: 11am-2pm 5pm-Midnight
How much: RMB 112
6 Chome Asakusa
While it is an old Sukiyaki brand, it continues to charm with queues of at over 1 hour every day, and reservations being required in advance.
Try out the RMB 88 beef Sukiyaki hotpot, which serves quality beef with their rich soup broth. The restaurant also serves fried and barbecue food, but the sukiyaki hotpot is still the star of the show here.
6 Chome Asakusa
Address: 286 Feng Xian Lu
Tel: 021 6218 5100
Opening hours: 11am-2pm 5pm-12:30am
How much: RMB 139
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