Shanghai Restaurant Guide 2026: 18 Must-Eat Local Spots & Amap Locations
Planning a foodie trip to Shanghai? From sizzling lamb skewers to Michelin-starred Peking duck, here are 18 must-visit restaurants for your 2026 itinerary.
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Shanghai Restaurant Hotlist
All text & photos © Lisa
If you're traveling to Shanghai, the culinary capital of China,
you absolutely need a solid list of authentic places to eat.
Today, I'm sharing
the most memorable spots from my countless trips to Shanghai.
These are 100% my personal, out-of-pocket recommendations.
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
Whether you're obsessed with numbing mala flavors
or you love exploring bold spices,
these Shanghai gems will blow your mind.
From fiery, authentic Sichuan flavors
to mild, comforting dishes for spice-intolerant eaters,
there's something here for everyone.
For those in a rush, here is my master list of top-ranked restaurants
along with their Amap search names.
* Click the restaurant names for menu recommendations, prices, and detailed reviews! :)
Restaurant | Category | Location / Amap (Gaode) Name |
Lamb Skewers | East Nanjing Rd, Tianzifang / 很久以前羊肉串 | |
Hot Pot | East Nanjing Rd, People's Square / 牛New寿喜烧 | |
Hot Pot | East Nanjing Rd, The Bund / 海底捞火锅(外滩店) | |
Egg Tarts | East Nanjing Rd / 莉莲蛋挞 | |
Milk Tea | Multiple Locations / 喜茶 | |
Dumplings | The Bund, Yuyuan / 大壶春 | |
Malaban | East Nanjing Rd / 味爱自助百汇 | |
Dumplings | Multiple Locations / 小杨生煎 | |
Cafe | West Nanjing Rd / 星巴克臻选·上海烘焙工坊 | |
AYCE Buffet | East Nanjing Rd / 東盛自助料理 | |
Skewer Pub | East Nanjing Rd / 半酌烧烤小酒馆 | |
Milk Tea | Xintiandi, Disneyland / 阿嬷手作 | |
Bakery | Xintiandi / FASCINO | |
Sesame Noodles | Xintiandi / 味香斋 | |
Dongpo Pork | The Bund / 上海姥姥家常饭馆 | |
Crab Soup Dumplings | People's Square / 佳家汤包 | |
Peking Duck | Xintiandi / 夜上海 | |
Dian Dou De | Dim Sum | Oriental Pearl / 点都德·德小馆 |
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
If you came to Shanghai
and didn't eat at Henjiu Yiqian, did you even visit?
Henjiu Yiqian is an iconic lamb skewer joint
that is wildly popular with both
locals and international tourists.
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
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.
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
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.
If you love spicy food and numbing Sichuan peppercorns, you will be 100% satisfied.
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!
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.
+ Plus how to get a discount! ✅✅
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!)
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.
(I've tried Heytea in multiple cities abroad,
but nothing compares to the People's Square branch!)
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! :)
The People's Square location is super close to Henjiu Yiqian, Lillian Bakery, and Niu New Sukiyaki, making it a perfect dessert stop.
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
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.
While there are many Shengjianbao spots in the city,
Da Hu Chun stands out as a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner for 8 consecutive years.
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!)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
That wraps up my essential Shanghai restaurant guide.
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.
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!
Share this guide with your travel buddies,
and have a delicious trip to Shanghai!
One last tip: Ordering and paying at almost all of these restaurants
is done exclusively via mobile QR codes.
Losing internet access during your trip is a nightmare,
so check out my review of the Shanghai eSIM I personally used below!
I've even included some discount info, so take advantage of it.
🔻click!🔻
Best Unlimited VPN eSIM for Shanghai Travel (My Honest Review)
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