Shanghai Restaurant Guide 2026: 18 Must-Eat Local Spots & Amap Locations

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China

Shanghai Restaurant Hotlist

All text & photos © Lisa

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If you're traveling to Shanghai, the culinary capital of China,

you absolutely need a solid list of authentic places to eat.

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Today, I'm sharing

the most memorable spots from my countless trips to Shanghai.

These are 100% my personal, out-of-pocket recommendations.

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I'll be dropping reservation hacks, discount tips, waitlist strategies, and Amap (Gaode Maps) locations, so make sure to bookmark this page for your 2026 itinerary!

In this post, we'll cover:

✔️ The ultimate must-visit Shanghai restaurant list

✔️ Amap (Gaode Maps) addresses for easy navigation

✔️ Pro-tips for beating the waitlists and booking tables

Let's dive in!

1. Essential Shanghai Foodie Spots

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Whether you're obsessed with numbing mala flavors

or you love exploring bold spices,

these Shanghai gems will blow your mind.

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From fiery, authentic Sichuan flavors

to mild, comforting dishes for spice-intolerant eaters,

there's something here for everyone.

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For those in a rush, here is my master list of top-ranked restaurants

along with their Amap search names.

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* Click the restaurant names for menu recommendations, prices, and detailed reviews! :)

Restaurant	Category	Location / Amap (Gaode) Name
Henjiu Yiqian	Lamb Skewers	East Nanjing Rd, Tianzifang / 很久以前羊肉串
Niu New Sukiyaki	Hot Pot	East Nanjing Rd, People's Square / 牛New寿喜烧
Haidilao	Hot Pot	East Nanjing Rd, The Bund / 海底捞火锅(外滩店)
Lillian Bakery	Egg Tarts	East Nanjing Rd / 莉莲蛋挞
Heytea	Milk Tea	Multiple Locations / 喜茶
Da Hu Chun	Dumplings	The Bund, Yuyuan / 大壶春
Red Lips Malaban	Malaban	East Nanjing Rd / 味爱自助百汇
Yang's Dumplings	Dumplings	Multiple Locations / 小杨生煎
Starbucks Reserve Roastery	Cafe	West Nanjing Rd / 星巴克臻选·上海烘焙工坊
Dongsheng Buffet	AYCE Buffet	East Nanjing Rd / 東盛自助料理
Banzhuo Barbecue	Skewer Pub	East Nanjing Rd / 半酌烧烤小酒馆
Ah Ma Handcrafted Milk Tea	Milk Tea	Xintiandi, Disneyland / 阿嬷手作
FASCINO	Bakery	Xintiandi / FASCINO
Wei Xiang Zhai	Sesame Noodles	Xintiandi / 味香斋
Shanghai Grandmother	Dongpo Pork	The Bund / 上海姥姥家常饭馆
Jia Jia Tang Bao	Crab Soup Dumplings	People's Square / 佳家汤包
Ye Shanghai	Peking Duck	Xintiandi / 夜上海
Dian Dou De	Dim Sum	Oriental Pearl / 点都德·德小馆

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2. The Ultimate Classic: Henjiu Yiqian

⏰ Hours : 11:00 AM - 03:00 AM

📍Locations : People's Square / Tianzifang

📌Must-Order : Lamb skewers, potatoes, stir-fried suancai, toast

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If you came to Shanghai

and didn't eat at Henjiu Yiqian, did you even visit?

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Henjiu Yiqian is an iconic lamb skewer joint

that is wildly popular with both

locals and international tourists.

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Because it's so famous, expect a wait.

I recommend visiting during off-peak hours (like 8 PM) or

using the WeChat app to join the virtual queue before you arrive.

How to book Henjiu Yiqian on WeChat

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The meat has absolutely no gamey taste, and the staff cooks everything for you at your table, making it a super relaxing experience.

The seasoning is mild and universally appealing,

making it perfect for lamb beginners and those who can't handle spicy food.

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They have multiple locations across the city.

Just search ​很久以前羊肉串 on Amap

and head to the closest one.

3. Hot Pot Heaven: Niu New Sukiyaki

⏰ Hours : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM / 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM

📍Locations : East Nanjing Rd / People's Square

📌Must-Order : Basic AYCE menu / Shrimp paste balls

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This is a true local favorite: Niu New Sukiyaki.

It's an all-you-can-eat hot pot restaurant,

where you can feast on endless authentic hot pot for only ~$23 per person.

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If you love spicy food and numbing Sichuan peppercorns, you will be 100% satisfied.

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Forget the standard hot pot buffets you might be used to.

The quality here is next level with freshly sliced beef and lamb. Beyond the premium meats and veggies, alcohol, soft drinks, desserts, and even Häagen-Dazs ice cream are all unlimited!

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Niu New Sukiyaki also has several branches,

with the People's Square and East Nanjing Road spots being the most convenient for tourists.

Waitlists are inevitable here too,

but I've shared my insider tips for bypassing the line in the post below.

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+ Plus how to get a discount! ✅✅

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Shanghai Local Hot Pot AYCE Guide: Niu New Sukiyaki

4. The Original Cheese Tea: Heytea

⏰ Hours : 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

(Varies by location)

📍Locations : People's Square, Yuyuan, Oriental Pearl, etc.

📌Must-Order : Very Grape Cheezo, Brown Sugar Boba Milk

(It tastes completely different from overseas branches. Much richer!)

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I know Heytea has expanded globally recently,

so you might wonder why you should get it in China.

Trust me, the depth of flavor here is on another level.

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(I've tried Heytea in multiple cities abroad,

but nothing compares to the People's Square branch!)

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Keep in mind, Heytea operates heavily on Alipay mini-programs

for viewing the menu and placing orders,

so make sure your Alipay is set up before you go! :)

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The People's Square location is super close to Henjiu Yiqian, Lillian Bakery, and Niu New Sukiyaki, making it a perfect dessert stop.

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5. Michelin-Rated Dumplings: Da Hu Chun

⏰ Hours : 11:00 AM - 03:00 AM

📍Locations : The Bund / Yuyuan

📌Must-Order : Crab roe pan-fried buns, shrimp buns, wonton soup

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If you've looked up Shanghai food, you've probably seen those incredible buns filled with rich, savory broth and sporting a perfectly crispy, golden-fried bottom.

That's Shanghai's famous Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns),

which offer a totally different texture experience than Xiaolongbao.

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While there are many Shengjianbao spots in the city,

Da Hu Chun stands out as a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner for 8 consecutive years.

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Shanghai is famous for its hairy crab,

so the crab roe Shengjianbao at Da Hu Chun

is an absolute must-try.

(Skip it if you're very sensitive to seafood flavors, though!)

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Da Hu Chun has locations near The Bund (East Nanjing Rd) and Yuyuan Garden, but The Bund location is much more spacious and, in my opinion, tastes better.

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Go in the morning to skip the line

and you'll get to experience the lively atmosphere of locals grabbing their breakfast.

Highly recommend making time for this! :)

6. Upscale Peking Duck: Ye Shanghai (Xintiandi)

⏰ Hours : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM / 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

📍Location : Xintiandi

📌Must-Order : Peking duck, Xiaolongbao, Crab roe noodles

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My final recommendation is

Ye Shanghai, located in the chic Xintiandi district.

They serve incredible Peking duck with shatteringly crisp skin and juicy meat,

earning them a spot in the Michelin Guide.

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Unlike the more casual local joints on this list,

this place has a very elegant, upscale vibe, making it perfect if you're traveling with parents or celebrating a special occasion.

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A quick heads-up: if you don't book ahead, you will be waiting a long time.

Reservations are essential, and you'll need to download the Dianping app to make one.

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The booking process isn't too complicated,

but I've created a step-by-step guide in the post below to help you secure a table!

How to make a reservation at Ye Shanghai

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Honestly, I was never a huge fan of Peking duck before,

but the difference in quality here is staggering compared to what I've had back home.

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Zero gamey flavor, and the skin is pure crispy perfection.

A similar meal in Western cities could easily run you well over ~$77,

but here, a massive feast for 3 people only cost us about ~$46.

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Whether you're a Peking duck aficionado or trying it for the first time,

you have to add this to your Xintiandi itinerary.

7. Final Thoughts

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That wraps up my essential Shanghai restaurant guide.

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The master table at the beginning only includes places

I've personally visited and absolutely loved.

The spots I highlighted in detail

are the true non-negotiables you must try when visiting Shanghai.

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With tourism booming in Shanghai right now,

wait times are getting longer.

Make sure to click through to the detailed posts for my reservation and waitlist hacks

so you can spend more time eating and less time standing in line!

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Share this guide with your travel buddies,

and have a delicious trip to Shanghai!

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One last tip: Ordering and paying at almost all of these restaurants

is done exclusively via mobile QR codes.

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Losing internet access during your trip is a nightmare,

so check out my review of the Shanghai eSIM I personally used below!

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I've even included some discount info, so take advantage of it.

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🔻click!🔻

Best Unlimited VPN eSIM for Shanghai Travel (My Honest Review)

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