The TOP 10 Fine Dining Restaurants in Shanghai

What is it? Fu 1088 sits on Zhenning Road and holds a Michelin star. It is a traditional Chinese restaurant that pairs high-end service with a refined, residential atmosphere.

Why we love it: While many restaurants on this scale aim for modern minimalism, Fu 1088 leans into the charm of a classic villa setting. With a guest rating that reflects consistent attention to detail, it serves as a quiet, romantic alternative to the heavy traffic near the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Fu 1088 specializes in traditional, complex Chinese recipes that demand a formal, smart and elegant dress code to match the room's mood.

What is it? Vue Bar sits on Huangpu Road in the Hongkou District. It functions as a fine dining destination, offering a mix of contemporary and international cuisines within a luxury setting.

Why we love it: While many venues in the area lean into the tourist bustle near the Bund, this space relies on its terrace and panoramic sightlines to command attention. The high-end price point and guest rating of 4.42 reflect a commitment to the finer details of service, separating it from the more casual spots found closer to Nanjing Road.

Good to Know: Given the strict smart and elegant dress code, Vue Bar is best suited for an evening where you want to lean into the polished atmosphere while overlooking the city skyline.

What is it? Yi Long Court sits at 32 Zhongshan Rd (E-1), just off the Bund. This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in Chinese, contemporary, and Asian cuisine.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a position near the Bund that makes it a natural destination for travelers already touring the waterfront. Its consistent quality—evidenced by a 4.75 rating—distinguishes it as one of the more reliable fine dining rooms in the Huangpu district, particularly for those who prefer the romantic, luxury end of the local dining spectrum.

Good to Know: Yi Long Court enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual layers for your afternoon walk toward the nearby Yu Garden.

What is it? Xin Rong Ji (West Nanjing Road) sits on the second floor of 688 Plaza on Nanjing Road (W). This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in contemporary Chinese seafood and remains one of the few locations recognized as no. 50 on the latest La Liste.

Why we love it: The restaurant manages a refined consistency that justifies its price point, offering a sharp alternative to the tourist-heavy dining options just a short walk from the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. It provides a formal, quiet setting for contemporary seafood that manages to feel distinct from the surrounding Jing'an district bustle.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Xin Rong Ji (West Nanjing Road) highlights its contemporary Chinese seafood repertoire, so expect the menu to favor seasonal marine catches that demand a smart and elegant dress code for the evening.

What is it? Hakkasan is a Michelin-starred restaurant located at 18 Zhongshan Rd (E-1), on the Bund. It sits a twelve-minute walk from Nanjing Road and roughly fifteen minutes from the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center.

Why we love it? The restaurant balances modern Chinese fusion with the formal weight of a Michelin-starred kitchen, distancing itself from the more casual dining options nearby. It trades on the density of the Bund for a high-end, refined atmosphere that feels intentional.

Good to Know: Given the strict smart and elegant dress code, Hakkasan remains a primary choice for formal evenings when looking for a polished, romantic environment.

What is it? Jade on 36 is a fine dining restaurant located at 33 Fucheng Rd in Pudong. It sits a fifteen-minute walk from the Oriental Pearl Tower and roughly twenty minutes from the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on a creative fusion of French and contemporary techniques, carving out a niche for guests who prioritize a rigorous culinary approach in the Lujiazui district. With a guest rating of 4.20 from 35 reviews, the restaurant remains a reliable, high-end option for those seeking a quiet setting near the IFC Mall.

Good to Know: The terrace at Jade on 36 is the primary draw for those looking to pair French-inspired small plates with an outdoor vantage point, though the interior’s smart and elegant dress code applies to all sections of the dining room.

What is it? Barbarossa sits at 11 Nanjing Rd (W) in Shanghai. It is a restaurant and bar offering a blend of French and fusion seafood, located a three-minute walk from the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.

Why we love it: While many venues in the area lean toward the frantic pace of the nearby Pedestrian Street, Barbarossa leans into a formal rhythm. Its fine dining approach and steady 4.62 guest rating make it a calculated choice for a higher-end meal away from the heavy tourist foot traffic near the Bund.

Good to Know: The terrace at Barbarossa provides a necessary outdoor counterpoint to the French and fusion seafood menu, which is best navigated with a reservation given the venue's smart and elegant dress code.

What is it? Sir Elly’s Terrace sits on Zhongshan Rd (E-1), a five-minute walk from The Bund. It offers contemporary fusion cuisine within a formal, fine-dining setting.

Why we love it: The venue balances a significant guest rating of 4.81 with an expensive price point, proving that its reputation for luxury holds up under scrutiny. Its proximity to the Nanjing Road crowds makes it a measured, intimate choice for those who want to be near the city’s major landmarks without being caught in them.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Sir Elly's Terrace is strictly enforced, so plan your attire to match the terrace environment.

What is it? The Nest is a restaurant on Beijing Road (E), located roughly a ten-minute walk from Nanjing Road. It caters to a formal crowd, requiring guests to adhere to a smart and elegant dress code.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on a fusion of contemporary and Asian influences, placing it firmly in the upper tier of the city’s dining landscape. With a 4.77 rating from 26 reviews, it balances a luxury environment with a calculated approach to service that feels suited to its proximity to The Bund.

Good to Know: The Nest offers an expansive terrace, making it the most sensible choice for diners looking to pair their meal with a view of the surrounding district.

What is it? Fu He Hui sits on Yuyuan Road in the Changning District, approximately a twenty-minute walk from the Jade Buddha Temple. It is a fine dining restaurant focused on vegan Chinese cuisine that holds a Michelin star and is currently ranked among The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Why we love it: While many high-end establishments in Shanghai rely on heritage proteins, Fu He Hui earns its place as the best restaurant in mainland China according to the 2024 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list by proving that a vegetable-forward menu thrives in a luxury setting. Its 4.89 guest rating reflects a precision in execution that makes it a singular destination for diners who prioritize craft over conventional luxury markers.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Fu He Hui centers its identity entirely on vegan ingredients, so expect a sequence of courses that emphasizes Asian produce rather than plant-based imitations of meat.