10 Places To Wine, Dine & Unwind In One Spot
Emails, WeChat, commuting blah blah blah. After one of those long days, you deserve to have a stiff drink and a good dinner in a nice environment, without having to move more than 10 meters, right? We know how you feel and have selected a perfect bunch of places for you to wine, dine and unwind.
POP AMERICAN BRASSERIE
Address: Three on the Bund, 7/F, 17 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
Tel: 021 6321 0909
One of the best views of the Bund. Ok, it’s not the first time you’ve heard that, so what sets POP apart? It may not be the most well know terrace on the Bund, but it is just as good as any without all the swarming tourists around you. A perfect spot to relax after work with the glimmering pearl tower in background. The POP Amercan’s has always been a bit of a forgotten middle child in a building among UNICO and Mercato, but with the addition of chef David Chauveau about a year ago they’ve really begun to stand out. It’s charming, low-key and has a selection of scotch single malts to help you let your hair down.
You should go for: Stunning Bund views without the pushy crowd
THE CANNERY
Address: Rm 106, Bldg 1, 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu
Tel: 021 5276 0599
The Big boys from the Nest opened their second venue this summer and it’s really a sight to behold. The interior design is splendid, with flourishing golden plates all over the place, an amazing collection of bourbon, spacious bar counters, inviting sofas everywhere, cozy fire place, and above all: they manage not looking overly fancy. Cocktails are astonishing and include all the classics. Food is based on west coast culture: mussels, oysters, buttery crab salads, clam soup. They’ve got lots of seafood dishes with all range of prices. There is something for all tastes and all budgets.
You should go for: Delicious food, delicious cocktails, delicious sofas and the charming Canadian accent of the staff.
SHAKE
Address: 3/F, 46 Maoming Nan Lu, near Jinxian Lu
Tel: 021 6230 7175
Shake is an exciting new retro styled supper club on Maoming South Road, featuring a fusion Asian tapas menu created Chef Danyi and a classic yet inventive cocktail menu served up by Colin Tait.
Must tries include: the Smoked Wagyu Beef Tongue with Teriyaki Sauce, the Homestyle Crispy Pork Feet Confit, the Honey Cheese Tofu, and the fresh Oysters with Wasabi and Soy. As for the cocktails be sure to have the Rehab, a tropical punch with 3 types of rum, or the God Father of Soul for a stiffer, smoky whisky sipper. Cocktails range from 80 to 90 RMB.
You should go for: Delicious food and jazzy performances
THE PELIKAN
Address: 225 Xikang Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu
Tel: 021 6266 7909
Charming and revitalizing new venue with a fresh atmosphere. They chose this pelikan tropical decoration in order to break the standard Nordic venue aesthetic. Here it’s all about eating food with seasonal and local ingredients. As you’d expect/hope with Nordic cuisine, the chef is from Denmark and the card changes every week. Going there you should be ready to eat a lot of raw foods with delicate, nuanced flavors. Cocktails are all freshly made. The trip will be especially lovely for gin enthusiasts, and there’s a great selection of artisanal coffees and imported wines.
You should go for: If you want to douse your evening in tropical vibes
BOIL AND BROIL
Address: 3/F, Hubindao, 150 Hubin Lu
Tel: 021 6308 0152
Located in the heart of Shanghai, right along the border of Xiantiandi, Boil & Broil is a European-style Brasserie and Bar focusing on classic bistro dishes with the signature crab boil. Their chef Lance McKenzie is a New Zealand native who wanted to create a fusion of color, flavor and aoroma, with the aim to offer a cuisine that makes you come back for more. It’s a big venue with several floors, they have more than 200 seats, a terrace with an astonishing view, and a short but sweet classic cocktails menu (most are around 85 RMB and worth every yuan).
You should go for: their dessert, the astonishing views and the mash crabs
THE FELLAS
Address: 7/F, 7 Yan'an Dong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
Tel: 021 6316 9119
Located at the 7th floor, The Fellas takes over the old Shen location, and opened as the extension of the beloved Goodfellas. The first one has been doing a great job for years so there’s no reason to think the second wouldn’t be just as awesome. The Fellas has a classy indoor space and an outdoor terrace with a breathtaking view of Pudong skyline. The menu is filled with delicious and carefully prepared Italian favorites, as Burrata, handmade ravioli, tiramisu… these on top of fine wines and unique cocktails and there might not be a better spot in the city to unwind after a long day.
You should go for: The view and Italian favorites
SALOTTO G
Address: 1019 Wuding Lu, near Jiaozhou Lu
Tel: 021 5271 5758
Smooth, comfortable and private mansion located on Wuding Lu. The first floor has a confidential lounge bar with a straight-to-business cocktail menu. The second floor has a pleasant terrace with a cozy room for private dinners. Strong signatures cocktails around 80 RMB are available, done by the highly experienced previous mixologist of Bar Rouge. Three cocktails are must try: Mr. G served in a Golden glass, La Bellissima with a unique ingredient inside: pandanus, directly imported from Thailand, then the Pick me up, coffee cocktail served in a small nest. Apart of these fabulous mixtures, they offer Cicchetti, Italian tapas. They recommend you to pick around 6 to 8 of these delicate preparations for a dinner. They offer contorni side dishes, traditional Italian pasta and Pinsa (as easier to digest kind of wheat pizza dough). Their happy hour is one of the trendier in the city: every Thursday buy 1 cocktail get 1, say that Jospehine sent you there
You should go for: Comfortable sofas and fantastic cocktails, in intimate and relaxing atmosphere
MERCATO
Address: 6/F, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu
Tel: 021 6321 9922
Considered by many as the best coastal Italian restaurant, it’s the place to be for getting a fine diner and experience the purist form of Italian hospitality. Mercato provides some of the best pizza and pasta in Shanghai, celebrating the three Michelin star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. You can enjoy their gorgeous space with the finest products and freshest ingredients possible. However, some forget that they also serve great cocktails. They’ve got a selection of fruit-infused proseccos, Italian-inspired cocktails with mint and basil and naturally a fine selection of wine.
You should go for: Pizza, burratta and don’t forget to pair it with a fine cocktail
BARBAROSSA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
Address: Inside People's Park, 231 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Nan Lu
Tel: 021 6318 0220
Barbarossa was established in 2005 and is named after the famous Turkish pirate who sailed the Mediterranean Sea, bringing an authentic ‘Arabian touch’ to Shanghai. Located in People’s Park, this intimate venue is a 3 floor Arabic style building with unique decoration, built on a lake in the middle of the park. Every Wednesday they do Lady’s Night: free selected cocktails for all the girls coming plus special DJ mixing. Good worth for less than 200 RMB. Long drinks ranges from ¥30-¥40 each. Whether you want to rock the night away, or just kick back and soak up the rich décor, this is a strong choice.
You should go for: Exotic decoration, beautiful terrace in the middle of a park
LOST HEAVEN ON THE BUND
Address: 17 Yan'an Dong Lu, near Sichuan Nan Lu
Tel: 021 6330 0967
Located in the southwest of China, Yunnan is arguably the most mysterious and beautiful place in China, and its cuisine, along the Ancient Tea Horse Road is what you can find at the Lost Heaven on the bund. Lost heaven wants you to forget your worries and enjoy natural, healthy and most importantly, delicious food. This cozy venue has a vibrant and eye-catching decoration based on the Yunnan artisanal design. For years now, Lost Heaven has been considered a perfect place for a feast: first meal in Shanghai? Business meeting? Birthday party? Kicking back after a long day’s work? Go with Lost Heaven. Their terrace is splendid with fountains, soft tatami, luscious plants, candles and a spacious bar. Nice beverage cart with resonable prices (around 60 RMB one glass), invincible location Lost Heaven on the bund has has everything to please.
You should go for: The food, drinks, décor… everything really.
COTTON'S
Address: 132 Anting Lu, near Jianguo Xi Lu
Tel: 021 6433 7995
A little gem hidden in the French concession with that kind of patio Shanghai could use so much more of. This restaurant is located in a lane house which has it’s own garden. A magical atmosphere assured with candles, sounds of crickets and sweet gurgling fountains of water. They host several live jazz bands, and a solid food and drink menu. Don’t miss the chance to relax in this natural environment before it get too cold out.
You should go for: the garden terrace, the jazz.
Editor's correction:
UNICO Latin Soul Restaurant & Lounge, undertook a renovation of the kitchen and back office in order to continue offering a premium experience to all the guests, not a full renovation as implied in yesterday's article.