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Best Restaurants in Shanghai (2026)

Shanghai's food scene runs from tiny dumpling shops to some of the most awarded dining rooms in Asia. Start with the local classics: xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant by Yu Garden or Jia Jia Tang Bao near People's Square, and crisp-bottomed shengjian at Da Hu Chun near the Bund. For benbang, or Shanghainese home cooking, Lao Zheng Xing has been serving yellow croaker and river shrimp since 1862, Lan Xin is known for its red-braised pork, and Ren He Guan adds live old Shanghai songs to Michelin-starred cooking.

At the top end, Taian Table is the only three-star restaurant in the 2026 Michelin Guide Shanghai, Canton 8 offers two-star Cantonese cooking at modest prices, and Yong Fu serves Ningbo seafood shipped in daily. Lost Heaven brings Yunnan flavours to the Bund. Book the starred restaurants well ahead, as many manage their own reservations by phone or messaging app, and expect queues at the famous dumpling houses, which open early and are easiest at breakfast. Most local restaurants are built for sharing, so order several dishes for the table. Mobile payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay is widely accepted, and a translation app helps with menus in smaller places.

10 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 restaurants in Shanghai

  1. Lao Zheng Xing Classic Shanghainese, People's Square, HuangpuA Shanghainese restaurant trading since 1862 and holding a Michelin star, known for yellow croaker in wine lees sauce and stir-fried river shrimp.
  2. Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant Xiaolongbao, Yu Garden, HuangpuThe Yu Garden xiaolongbao house founded in 1900, a China Time-honoured Brand and Michelin Bib Gourmand known for pork and crab roe soup dumplings.
  3. Taian Table Innovative tasting menu, ChangningChef Stefan Stiller's counter restaurant in Changning, the only three-Michelin-star restaurant in the 2026 Shanghai guide, serving a seasonal tasting menu.

Restaurant

1. Lao Zheng Xing

Classic Shanghainese$$People's Square, Huangpu

A Shanghainese restaurant trading since 1862 and holding a Michelin star, known for yellow croaker in wine lees sauce and stir-fried river shrimp.

View details — Lao Zheng Xing

Restaurant

3. Taian Table

Innovative tasting menu$$$$Changning

Chef Stefan Stiller's counter restaurant in Changning, the only three-Michelin-star restaurant in the 2026 Shanghai guide, serving a seasonal tasting menu.

View details — Taian Table

Restaurant

5. Da Hu Chun

Shengjian (pan-fried pork buns)$The Bund, Huangpu

A shengjian shop dating from 1932, a Michelin Bib Gourmand near the Bund known for its clear-style pan-fried pork buns with a crisp base.

View details — Da Hu Chun

Restaurant

7. Ren He Guan

Shanghainese$$Xuhui

A Michelin-starred Shanghainese restaurant on Zhaojiabang Road with 1930s decor, live old Shanghai songs and fish and crab dishes at moderate prices.

View details — Ren He Guan

Restaurant

8. Canton 8

Cantonese and dim sum$$Old City, Huangpu

A two-Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant on Runan Street run by a Hong Kong chef, known for handmade dim sum and classic dishes at modest prices.

View details — Canton 8

Restaurant

9. Yong Fu

Ningbo seafood$$$Former French Concession, Huangpu

A Michelin-starred Ningbo restaurant high in the Jin Jiang Hotel's Cathay Building, serving wild-caught seafood shipped daily from Ningbo.

View details — Yong Fu