The TOP 10 Romantic Restaurants in Shanghai

What is it? Fu 1088 sits on Zhenning Road, a two-kilometer journey from the Jade Buddha Temple. This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in traditional Chinese cuisine and maintains a high price point.

Why we love it: While many Chang Ning Qu dining rooms prioritize trend, Fu 1088 stays tethered to the classic execution of traditional Chinese staples. Its 4.68 guest rating reflects a consistency that justifies the high price tag, providing a fine dining experience that feels curated rather than rushed.

Good to Know: The formal, smart and elegant atmosphere at Fu 1088 makes it the preferred setting for those seeking a romantic dinner away from the busier corridors near the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

What is it? Vue Bar sits on Huangpu Road in the Hongkou District. It offers a contemporary international menu within a fine dining setting, positioned a ten-minute walk from the Bund.

Why we love it: The venue balances a high-end, luxury aesthetic with an expansive terrace that provides a vantage point over the cityscape. With a 4.42 rating from 141 reviews, it holds its own as a destination for those seeking a formal, romantic atmosphere that feels distinct from the crowded streets near Nanjing Road.

Good to Know: The terrace at Vue Bar is the primary reason to visit, but the smart and elegant dress code is strictly enforced for those planning to spend the evening outdoors.

What is it? Yi Long Court sits at 32 Zhongshan Rd (E-1) in the Waitan district. This fine dining restaurant holds a Michelin star and sits within a ten-minute walk of the Bund.

Why we love it: The kitchen manages a precise blend of Chinese and contemporary Asian cuisines, justifying its position as a destination for travelers who prioritize consistency. With a guest rating of 4.75 from 12 reviews, the venue leans into its luxury credentials to deliver a formal, high-end experience that feels intentional in such a high-traffic corner of Shanghai.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Yi Long Court is strictly enforced, so reserve your formal attire for this romantic setting rather than the nearby casual stalls of the Nanjing Road Shopping Street.

What is it? Xin Rong Ji (West Nanjing Road) sits on the second floor of 688 Plaza. It is a Michelin-starred destination that balances contemporary Chinese cuisine with a focus on seafood. It is located roughly a six-minute walk from the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.

Why we love it: The restaurant earns its place among the elite, appearing at number 50 on the 2024 La Liste ranking. While the space is geared toward fine dining, it avoids the sterile feel of most luxury venues, instead leaning into a romantic atmosphere that rewards the high price point with a consistent, measured quality that keeps its guest rating remarkably steady.

Good to Know: Xin Rong Ji (West Nanjing Road) enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual wear for your stroll through the nearby People’s Park.

What is it? Hakkasan sits at 18 Zhongshan Rd (E-1) on the Bund. This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in Chinese, modern, and fusion fine dining.

Why we love it: While most dining rooms on the Bund lean into the spectacle of the location, Hakkasan leans into its specific brand of luxury. It manages to balance the weight of a Michelin-starred reputation with a romantic, high-end atmosphere that remains distinct from the tourist-heavy crowds found a short walk away on Nanjing Road.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Hakkasan emphasizes modern Chinese fusion techniques, so expect a different flavor profile than what you might find at the traditional establishments located 1,500 meters away at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center.

What is it? Jade on 36 is a fine dining restaurant on Fucheng Road in the Pudong district of Shanghai. 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 contemporary French and creative culinary techniques, providing a distinct contrast to the more traditional fare found near the nearby IFC Mall. It attracts a consistent following, with a guest rating of 4.20 based on 35 reviews, reflecting its established reputation for luxury service.

Good to Know: Jade on 36 enforces a strict smart and elegant dress code; choose structured tailoring over casual wear to match the atmosphere of this terrace-equipped space.

What is it? Sir Elly’s Terrace sits on Zhongshan Rd (E-1), a five-minute walk from the Bund. It is a fine-dining restaurant that commands a high price point for its contemporary international and fusion menu.

Why we love it: The venue leans into its location, offering a rare combination of intimacy and high-end service that earns a 4.81 rating from its guests. It provides a structured, romantic setting that remains distinct from the frenetic pace of nearby Nanjing Road, located an eight-minute walk away.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Sir Elly’s Terrace is strictly enforced, so leave the sneakers at the hotel even if you are visiting after a long afternoon at the Shanghai Museum, which sits a thirty-five-minute walk or a short drive from the terrace.

What is it? The Nest is a restaurant on Beijing Road in the Huangpu district of Shanghai. It sits within a ten-minute walk of Nanjing Road and is roughly fifteen minutes by foot from The Bund.

Why we love it: It manages to pull off a difficult contemporary fusion of Asian flavors within a formal dining setting. With a guest rating of 4.77, it appeals to diners looking for a reliable, high-end experience that balances a focus on fine dining with the more relaxed energy of its terrace.

Good to Know: The Nest enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so trade your sneakers for something more formal before heading over for a meal with a view.

What is it? Fu He Hui sits on Yuyuan Road in the Changning District, approximately a 20-minute walk from the Jade Buddha Temple. The restaurant focuses on vegan Chinese cuisine and holds a Michelin star, along with a recent ranking as the best restaurant in mainland China by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

Why we love it: It earns its place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list by stripping away the usual excess associated with fine dining, proving that a strictly plant-based menu can compete with the city’s most lauded kitchens. The high guest rating reflects a precision in execution that makes it a rare, quiet anchor in a neighborhood otherwise defined by the heavy foot traffic of the nearby malls.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Fu He Hui centers its luxury vegan tasting menus around seasonal Chinese ingredients, so expect the specific vegetable pairings to shift entirely with the lunar calendar.

What is it? Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet sits in Waitan, a five-minute walk from the Bund. This creative, French-fusion restaurant holds three Michelin stars and ranks among the top 100 on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a high price point, yet its consistent 4.83 guest rating highlights a meticulous approach to fine dining that few others in the area can replicate. It remains a rare, romantic choice for those looking to experience a highly awarded, singular vision just a ten-minute walk from Nanjing Road.

Good to Know: The creative French-fusion menu at Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet requires a smart and elegant dress code to match its luxury environment.