10 Places to Get a Worldly Brunch
You probably know that brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch (usually including some booze), but did you know this quasi-meal originated in England in the late 19th century? Known then as a “hunt breakfast,” the meal was a later-than-usual affair due to the time it took to prepare a catch after the morning hunt.
Although it may have begun in England, it has certainly made the rounds, with countless iterations and trends depending on the country and region. Luckily for us, Shanghai has a little bit of all of that. Here are some places to enjoy an international flair on your Shanghai brunch, whether it be a full-on set brunch menu or just a casual spot with great food to enjoy with friends.
Cantonese
Hakkasan
Address: 5/F Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
Tel: 021 6321 5888
Hours: Mon-Thu, 5:30pm-12:30am, Fri-Sat, 5:30pm-2:00am, Sun, 5:30pm-11:30pm
Brunch Hours: Sat-Sun 11am-3pm
There are countless places around Shanghai to get a proper dim sum brunch, but probably none with as much to offer as Hakkasan. The view, the décor and the food make this place a 10 out of 10 in every regard, and will only cost you around RMB 300-400 per person (not including booze or service charge).
English
Pie Society
Address: Unit B102, 381 Panyu Lu
Tel: 021 62146992
Hours: Daily 11am - 9:30pm
Brunch Hours: Weekdays from 9-11:30am, Weekends & holidays until 3:30pm
The menu at Pie Society is as British as it gets. Classic British pies come with seasonal sides and are all handmade using quality ingredients like Angus beef, free-range eggs, and imported dairy. And of course, you can expect to find a smattering of quality coffee, English teas, BrewDog beers and British cider. Their breakfast and brunch menu goes above and beyond, especially the Classic English Fry-Up for RMB 88.
French
Odelice!
Address: 208 Xinle Lu/ 133 Tianyaoqiao Lu/ 3219 Hongmei Lu
Tel: 021 3368 6862
Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-10pm Fri-Sat 8am-11pm
Brunch Hours: Sat & Sun 8am until 5pm
Odelice! has been serving up some pretty incredible French casual food to Shanghai brunch lovers for a while now. which you can enjoy it ala carte every Saturday and Sunday from 8am until 5pm.
Italian
Funkadeli
Address: A Mansion, 291 Fumin Lu
Tel: 021 6170 1318
Hours: Daily, 11am-1am
Brunch Hours: Sat-Sun, noon-3pm
Italian F&B hotspot Funkadeli doesn’t really need any introduction here, but their brunch is well worth discussing. You can get a main and a side course for RMB 88, and free flow drinks starting at RMB 128. The menu is comprised of some jazzed up Italian favorites and big, strong, delicious cocktails and aperitifs.
German
Paulaner
Photo source: flickr user Diana Tsang
Address: Multiple Locations
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-2am, Sat-Sun, 10am-2am
Brunch Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
During the weekends, you can savor a Bavarian a la carte brunch at all Paulaner Bräuhaus Shanghai outlets where you can enjoy the well-known Bavarian “Gemütlichkeit” (lit.: coziness). Expect big, meaty servings and a whole lotta beer.
Indian
Kebabs on the Grille
Address: 505 Zhongshan Nan Lu, The Cool Docks, Building 8
Tel: 021 6152 6567
Hours: Daily, 11am – 10:30pm
Brunch Hours: Sunday only, 11am-4pm
Interested in an Indian brunch? Why not?? Kebabs on the Grille out at the Cool Docks has possibly the most kick-ass all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunch during the weekend for just RMB 150. The special is only available on Sundays from 11am until 4pm.
American
Al’s Diner
Address: 174 Xiangyang S. Road, 2/F, 204 Xinle Road
Tel: 021 5425 1930
Hours: 9am-12am daily
Brunch Hours: N/A
Diners in America are the quintessential brunch location, and the very best of that spirit is embodied at Al’s Diner. Their entire menu might as well just be a brunch menu, which includes more breakfast items than you can count, and even a ‘hangover smushers’ selection.
Southeast Asia
Cobra Lily
Address: No. 19, Lane 181 Taicang Lu
Tel: 021 5351 0116
Hours: Daily, 11am - 1am
Brunch Hours: Sat & Sun, 10:30am - 3pm
You get a little taste of all southeast Asia at Cobra Lily, especially with their brunch menu, which offers some fusion breakfast items and excellent cocktails. Exotic flavors, strong drinks and some outdoor seating to enjoy the sunshine... it doesn’t get any better than that.
Mexican
Maya
photo source: http://maya-shanghai.com
Address: Grand Plaza Club House, 2/F, 568 Julu lu
Tel: 021 62896889
Hours: Dinner, Mon-Sat, 5-10:30pm, Sunday, 5-9:30pm
Brunch Hours: Sat-Sun, 11am-4pm
Maya is an excellent choice any time, any day, but their brunch in on another level. Classics and late morning Mexican comfort food along with smoothies, coffee, margaritas and even a ‘maya marry.’
Peruvian
Azul
Source: 珍宝猪\(^3^)/
Address: Ferguson Lane, 8/F, 378 Wukang Lu
Tel: 021 5405 2252
Hours: Daily, 11am -11pm (bar open later on weekends)
Brunch Hours: Sat-Sun, 11am-4pm
Azul is a perfect spot to enjoy brunch with good friends when the weather gets nice. They’ve got excellent outdoor seating, a solid selection of Peruvian tapas and some must-try cocktails to boot. Their weekend brunch will run you around RMB 168-188, and you can add RMB 100 for free-flow sangria.
Australian
Kakadu
Address: 8 Jianguo Zhong Lu
Tel: 021 5468 0118
Hours: Daily, 10am-12am
Brunch Hours: (50% off all breakfast items from 10:00am - 11:30am)
It really doesn’t get any more Australian than Kakadu on Jianguo Lu. The menu, the drinks, and definitely the décor all scream of the outback. And while they don’t have a set ‘brunch menu’ per se, they do have a pretty amazing breakfast deal that runs EVERY SINGLE DAY. From 10-11:30am all breakfast items are 50% off. We don’t know how this deal makes sense, but we’re into it.
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