11 Places to Eat Like a Frenchie
Shanghai has fallen victim to a horrible virus: The French. They eat Fromages, drink too much wine and sully Shanghai with their quintessential French-ness. Yes Madam, they live in their Champagne bubble paved with Rillettes and Pâtés without the mere thought of inviting anyone else along. But well, we’ve gone and infiltrated their hubs around the city - so here's what you can do…
If you are…. a French student
CAFÉ DES STAGIAIRES
Address: Dagu Lu, Wuding Lu, Datong Mill
Hours: Daily 5pm until late
Tel: 021 5270 6851
Price: RMB 25 for a beer (during Happy Hour – from RMB 5 to RMB 10)
Excellent spot to get a RMB 25 blonde beer, with some complimentary peanuts to graze on and engage in riveting discussion about your teacher, assignments or the next ladies night at Bar Rouge. Chill out like a French student.
If you are…. a French lady in your 80’s
JEAN GEORGES
Address: 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Three on The Bund, 4/F
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-10:30pm
Tel: 021 6321 7733
Price: RMB 500 per person
As a distinguished and accomplished Lady, you can afford the very best without having anything to prove. Before you could only dream of attaining the finer things in life, whereas now such squalor is but an inconvenient memory. The staff will give you the respect you deserve, same for your plate. Enjoy.
If you are …. a trendy French couple
MR & MRS BUND
Address: 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Bund 18, 6/F
Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30pm-late; Sat-Sun 11:30am-2am
Tel: 021 6323 9898
Price: RMB 400 per person
You and your significant other don’t have kids (yet), so you have time and money to enjoy your life. It’s only logical to head to Mr & Mrs Bund. Delicious food, classic & modern vibes… With memorable events that begin after midnight. Enjoy your freedom before it flies away!
If you are…. a Parisian fashionista
THE CUT
Address: 999 Huaihai Zhong Lu, IAPM Mall, 6/F
Hours: Daily 11am- 12pm
Tel: 021 6443 5136
Price: RMB 100 per person
Perfectly located into the IAPM and owned by the Volt Group, The Cut is the perfect polygamy of retail thearpy, delicious salad and an exclusive hidden terrace. Some of the best French restaurant for agreeable prices as well (particularly for the fashionista whose budget has been spent on clothes).
If you are …. a French entrepreneur
BRIOCHE DOREE
Spoilers: this is a picture from France.
Address: 98 Yanping Lu
Hours: Daily 8m- 9pm
Tel: 021 6272 1008
Price: RMB 30 per person
You’ve just started your business, you work nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and yet you’re still flat broke. So, you fill your stomach the way French people do when they’re penniless - with sandwiches. In case of extreme urgency you still have the Family Mart, Merci China.
If you are …. a French family
EPICES ET FOIE GRAS
Address: 309 Hankou Lu
Hours: Daily 11am- 10:30pm
Tel: 021 5169 0989
Price: RMB 200 per person
With both a policy and a staff that’s very kid-friendly, Epices et Foie Gras is the perfect blend of elegance, relaxation and hospitality. Their outside area is perfect for youngsters; they even plan afternoon activities there. One of the staff there will take care of them while you will enjoy some of the best bites in town. Perfect.
If you are…. from the South
MUST GRILL
Address: 881 Wuding Lu
Hours: Daily 11:30am- 11pm
Tel: 021 6176 1378
Price: RMB 200 per person
Pastis, Bouillabaisse, Tapenade (in English: South of France’s delicacies) Yes, you got it. The premier hobby in The South of France is to do NOTHING but eat olives, drink Rosé and smoke soft cigarettes. As the place is managed and owned by people from the south of France, this is where they go with some free time (which is almost every day).
If you are …. from the West – Bordeaux
LE BORDELAIS
Address: 301 Jiashan Lu, 99 Beijing Dong Lu, 188 Ruihong Lu
Hours: Daily 11am- 11:30pm
Tel: 021 6422 9826
Price: RMB 200 per person
Bordeaux is the home of wine, cold cut delicacies, mushrooms, beef - it rains basically 200 days a year there so they need a lot of comfort food. Le Bordelaishas all of these specialties at an attractive price. Plus all of their venues have delightful terraces.
If you are …. From the other West – Bretagne
LA CREPRERIE
Address: 1601 Nanjing Xi Lu, 1 Taojiang Lu
Hours: Daily 11am- 11:30pm
Tel: 021 5465 9055
Price: RMB 100 per person
Brittany people are down-to-earth and don’t like complexity. They love to line their pancakes with whatever’s nearby (cheese, meat, seafood…). No care is given towards calories or diet - it’s too cold there so they need to charge their stomachs with fulsome food. And hey, why not pour some cider on it for good measure (apparently, the fermentation helps the digestion)?Skeptical? Well, it tastes good, trust us on that.
If you are … from Paris
LE SALEYA
Address: 570 Changle Lu
Hours: Daily 11:30am- 11:30pm
Tel: 021 6426 1262
Price: RMB 200 per person
One of the oldest French restaurants in the city, Le Saleya has everything you would expect from a Parisian brasserie. Okay, the name refers to a street in Nice (the South) but the cuisine is undeniably Parisian: Foie Gras, Ecargot, Mille Feuilles, Cochon De Lait. For the ultimate Parisian experience it’s standard to say unflattering things about any passer-by when sitting on the terrace with derisory comments about hair, weight and style - whether warranted or not.
If you want to eat… French grand Ma’s cuisine
HEAT
Address: 199 Maoming Bei Lu
Hours: Daily 6pm-10pm
Tel: 021 3220 5689
Price: RMB 100 per person
Brunches doesn’t exist in France, instead they have the traditional Sunday roasted chicken. It is part of the charming French tradition which makes this country the delightful bedrock of culture it is. Heat’s birds are the best in town as far as WOW! is concerned. Give it a try!
New Opening: La Bodeguita Del Medio
First Taste: Austin Hu's diner