Top 20 Shanghai Cuisines Restaurants

1. Shanghai Classical Restaurant
Chinese name: 上海老饭店 (shàng hǎi lǎo fàn diàn)
Formerly known as Rongshun Restaurant, it has been in operation since 1875. Being located near the Old City God Temple, it attracts many tourists. It serves authentic and traditional local food, including duck stuffed with eight treasures, Fried Prawn, and eight treasures in chili sauce.
Average cost per person: CNY170
Location: No.242, Fuyou Road, Huangpu District

2. Lv Bo Lang Restaurant
Chinese name: 绿波廊 (lǜ bō láng)
As one of the top 20 Shanghai cuisines restaurants, this is an old restaurant near Yu Garden. Famous for delicious Shanghai Cuisine and dim sum, it is favored by many foreign leaders and visitors. Steamed crab stuffed bun, crab bean curd and crispy fried cake in eyebrow shape are its signature dishes.
Average cost per person: CNY170
Location: No. 115, Yuyuan Road, in Yu Garden, Huangpu District (near Jiuqu Bridge)

3. Lao Zheng Xing
Chinese name: 老正兴 (lǎo zhèng xīng)
This is one of the oldest Shanghai Cuisine restaurant and also one of the Shanghai must eat restaurants, with two branches. With simple and elegant decor as well as traditional local dishes, it is popular with local senior citizens. Fried prawn, stir-fried eel and eight treasures in chili sauce are recommended.
Average cost per person: CNY140
 Fuzhou Road Branch
Location: No.556, Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District (near Middle Zhejiang Road)
 Xuhui Branch
Location: No. 230, Ruiping Road

4. Club Jinmao
Chinese name: 金茂俱乐部 (jīn mào jù lè bù)
This is the highest local authentic Shanghainese restaurant, located on the 86th floor. Day or night, diners get to appreciate the charming scenery of Pudong. It has a nice environment and there are many recommended dishes, such as the seafood soup.
Average cost per person: CNY700
Location: 86F, Grand Hyatt Hotel, No.88, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area (near Dongtai Road)

5. Wang Bao He Shanghainese Restaurant
Chinese name: 王宝和大酒店 (wáng bǎo hé dà jiǔ diàn)
The time-honored Wang Bao He is one of the must eat restaurants to enjoy crab banquet. It is usually crowded during the crab season in autumn (usually from Sep. to Nov.). Dazha Crab, steamed crab stuffed bun and the yellow wine are worth trying.
Average cost per person: CNY370
Address: No. 555, Jiujiang Road

6. Noble House
Chinese name: 名轩 (míng xuān)
This is a high-class Shanghainese restaurant with all its branches delicately decorated. It mainly serves abalone and crabs; consequently, prices are a little steep.
Average cost per person: CNY500 - CNY700
 Xuhui Branch
Location: Building no. 1, Anting Villa, No. 46, Anting Road, Xuhui District (near Yongjia Road)
 Pudong Branch
Location: No. 679, Shangcheng Road, Pudong New Area (at intersection with Century Avenue)
 Radisson Branch
Location: 3F, Radisson Hotel, No. 88, West Nanjing Road, Huangpu District (near Middle Xizang Road)

7. The Yongfoo Elite
Chinese name: 雍福会 (yōng fú huì)
It is regarded as one of the places to eat authentic Shanghai food. The Yongfoo Elite is decorated in a European motif which embodies the old customs and flavor of Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s. The old fittings and ornaments captivate many celebrities, foreign officials and visitors. The food mainly focuses on delicate authentic Shanghai cuisine.
Average cost per person: CNY760
Address: the former U.K. Consulate, No. 200, Yongfu Road, Xuhui District (near Hunan Road)

8. Whampoa Club
Chinese name: 三号黄浦会 (sān hào huáng pǔ huì)
This is a famous luxury restaurant on the Bund. The chef here adds many novel ingredients to traditional cuisine to enhance the flavor. The smoked fish and the fried shrimp balls are recommended. The decor and the tableware are dainty. The service is satisfactory.
Average cost per person: CNY650
Address: 5F, No. 3, the Bund, East Zhongshan 1st Road, Huangpu District (near Guangdong Road)

9. Ye Olde Station Restaurant
Chinese name: 老站 (lǎo zhàn)
Becoming one of the top 20 Shanghai cuisines restaurants, it is renowned for the two special old train carriage converted to dining halls in the garden. One carriage is from the special train for Empress Dowager Cixi in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The other is from the special train for Soong Ching-ling, the wife of Mr. Sun Yat-sen. Dishes here have an authentic Shanghai flavor.
Average cost per person: CNY250
 Xujiahui Branch
Location: No. 201, North Caoxi Road
 Pudong Branch
Location: No. 1177, Biyun Road
 Baoshan Branch
Location: No. 88, Gongxing Road

10. Shanghai Min
Chinese name: 小南国 (xiǎo nán guó)
This restaurant is renowned for serving traditional local food. Vegetable salad, crab bean curd, and chicken stewed with yellow rice wine are highly recommended. There are a number of branches.
Average cost per person: CNY200 - CNY250
 Super Brand Mall Branch
Location: 9F, Super Brand Mall, No. 168, West Lujiazui Road, Pudong New Area (near West Yincheng Road)
 Zhongshan Park Branch
Location: 4F, Zhaofeng Plaza, No. 999, Changning Road, Changning District
 Huamu Road Branch
Location: 2F, Kerry Parkside, No. 1378, Huamu Road, Pudong New Area (near Fangdian Road)

11. Yè Shanghai
Chinese name: 夜上海 (yè shàng hǎi)
Many authentic food to eat in Shanghai served here are delicious, including shrimp balls, sliced duck and drunken chicken.
Average cost per person: CNY370
Location: No. 338, South Huangpi Road

12. Cui Ting Xuan
Chinese name: 翠蜓轩 (cuì tíng xuān)
It has a Southeast Asian style decor. Dishes served here are mainly enhanced local Haipai Cuisine (Shanghai-style cuisine). Diners should try the crab bean curd and baked fish.
Average cost per person: CNY300
Location: 2F, Haili Building, No. 88, Dapu Road, Huangpu District (at intersection with Xietu Road)

13. Jade Garden
Chinese name: 翠园 (cuì yuán)
It mainly serves authentic Shanghai dishes and food with Jiangsu and Zhejiang flavors. The braised fish and fried prawn are delicious. It has a number of branches.
Average cost per person: CNY300
 Hongkou Branch
Location: No. 895, Dalian Road, Hongkou District (near Feihong Road)
 Xuhui Branch
Location: 1-2F, Huatai Building, No. 388, Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District (near Taiyuan Road)
 South Maoming Road Branch
Location: No. 127, South Maoming Road, Huangpu District (near Middle Huaihai Road)
 Dongfang Branch
Location: No. 877, Dongfang Road, Pudong New Area (near Weifang Road)
 Jing'an Temple branch
Location: No .1121, Middle Yan'an Road, Jing'an District (near Changshu Road)
 Hong Kong Plaza Branch
Location: 3F, the south building of Hong Kong Plaza, No. 283, Middle HuaihaiRoad, Luwan District (near South Huangpi Road)

14. Xi'an Qiang Fang
Chinese name: 鲜墙房 (xiān qiáng fáng)
It reflects the impression of 1930s Shanghai. The furnishings have the 'old' look and waiters wear old gowns of the 1930s. Dishes are mainly local specialties, including smoked duck, spicy chicken and seafood soup. Another feature is the local opera and Suzhou Pingtan performance from 20:00 to 21:00.
Average cost per person: CNY300
 Hongqiao Branch
Location: No. 1468, Hongqiao Road, Changning District (near Gubei Road)
 Pudong Branch
Location: 4F, No. 660, Shangcheng Road, Pudong New Area (near North Nanquan Road)
 Yong'an Hotel Branch
Location: 4-5F, Yong'an Hotel No. 600, Jiujiang Road, Huangpu District (near Middle Zhejiang Road)

15. Sincere Restaurant
Chinese name: 致真逸品 (zhì zhēn yì pǐn)
It serves both local and Cantonese dishes. Prawn dishes are worth trying. The dining environment is good and the Pudong branch even has outdoor seats.
Average cost per person: CNY160
Location: 4F, Ruihong Shopping Mall, No. 188, Ruihong Road

16. Lynn
Chinese name: 琳怡 (lín yí)
Lynn has a very pleasant environment and is typically popular with foreigners, becoming one of the must eat restaurants in Shanghai. The signature dish Wuwei Rensheng is worth trying.
Average cost per person: CNY220
Location: 1F, Jing'an Gymnasium, No. 99-1, Xikang Road, Jing'an District

17. Lang Yi Fang
Chinese name: 廊亦舫 (lǎng yì fāng)
It serves authentic Shanghai dishes at reasonable prices. The crab bean curd, smoked fish and duck with eight treasures are its signature dishes. Various snacks like Ge Dan Yuan Zi, and Rice Cake with Sweet Osmanthus are appetizing. The branch at Super Brand Plaza has an advantageous location for views of Huangpu River.
Average cost per person: CNY130 – CNY200
 Super Brand Mall Branch
Location: 5F, Super Brand Plaza, No. 168, West Lujiazui Road, Pudong New Area (near West Yincheng Road)
 Jinqiao Branch
Location: No. 1757, Jingao Road, Pudong New Area (near Jiajing Road)
 Nanhui Branch
Location: No. 188, Chengxi Road, Huinan Town, Pudong New Area (near West Renmin Road)

18. 1221 Restaurant
With the decor resembling Chinese restaurants in America, 1221 Restaurant is typically favored by foreigners. Local dishes served here cater to the taste of westerners. The crispy duck and Steamed Glutinous Rice with Eight Treasure are recommended.
Average cost per person: CNY160
Location: No. 1221, West Yan'an Road, Changning District (near Panyu Road)

19. Baochuan Vista Grand Hotel
Baochuan means precious ship. It was designed by an American designer to resemble a magnificent ship. Local dishes served there have been blended with Cantonese and Southeast Asian flavors. The tasty bouillon is a must when you dine here.
Average cost per person: CNY120 – CNY170
Location: No. 336, Qingyu Road, Putuo District

20. Polo
It looks dull on the outside but exquisite and exciting inside. It serves authentic Shanghai dishes. The steak, lima-bean paste and fried stuffed buns are recommended.
Average cost per person: CNY100
Location: No. 271, Fumin Road, Jing'an District (near Changle Road)

Further Reading: Fu He Hui: The Most Expensive Vegetarian Restaurant in Shanghai