The ultimate guide to Christmas dining in Shanghai 2017

‘Tis the time of the year for holiday cheer and Shanghai certainly knows how to lure you out of your kitchen and let someone else do the hard work. Here's the big list of Christmas and holiday dining events and specials to help you eat and drink your way into a festive food and booze coma. Don't want to get all dressed up? If you plan to stay home instead, check out the list of ready-to-serve meals.

Christmas feast at Mercato

Celebrate the holiday with Mercato’s sharing-style menu of simple elegant modern Italian cuisine. Savour dishes like house-made ricotta with cranberry compote and grilled bread, black truffle pizza, lobster and shrimp ravioli, porcini crusted salmon and a special Christmas dessert.

Christmas sharing-style dinner is 598RMB per person with a minimum of two guests; Christmas kid's menu for 198RMB (kid's menu only on Christmas Day). Prices subject to ten percent service charge.

Mercato Sixth Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu (6321 9922). Dec 24-25. 5-11pm.

American classic Christmas at POP

POP blends the classic elements of holiday bites into a Christmas special menu available December 23-25 with spectacular Bund views.

For brunch, dine on dishes like smoked salmon toast, truffled scrambled eggs, wagyu beef carpaccio. Two courses for 208RMB with a glass of mulled wine; three-courses for 288RMB with a glass of mulled wine.

For Christmas dinner, there's wagyu beef tenderloin with truffled mac and cheese, lobster bisque with pumpkin, seared foie gras and more. Three courses for 458RMB (add 88RMB for one glass of Champagne); four-courses 588RMB per person (including one glass of Champagne).

On Christmas Eve, three-course Christmas dinner will start from 5-6pm; four-course from 5pm. Prices subject to ten percent service charge.

POP American Brasserie Seventh Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu (6321 0909). Dec 23-25. 11am-4pm.

Christmas feast at Canton Table

Canton Table presents a special Christmas menu showcasing the essence of traditional Cantonese delicacies. Dishes include stewed beef cheek, deep-fried and stuffed crab, honey-glazed barbecue pork, and black truffle egg tarts.

Set menu for 580RMB per person; Christmas sharing menu for 2,489RMB for five guests or 4,988RMB for ten guests. Available for lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Canton Table Fifth Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu. Dec 24-25. 5.30pm-10.30pm.

Christmas Eve buffet at Boxing Cat Brewery

Join Boxing Cat Brewery this Christmas Eve for a full-on feast of butter-roasted turkey, ham with pineapple IPA glaze, herb pan gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin spice bread with honey butter, kale caesar salad, sage stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, candied yams, winter succotash, roasted broccolini and pumpkin pie. Wash it all down with free-flow microbrew beers, mulled wine, house wine and pours, soft drinks, juice, coffee and tea. 

Boxing Cat Brewery Sinan Mansions, 519 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Sinan Lu (6426 0360). Dec 24. 6-11pm. 350RMB per person.

Christmas at Cobra Lily

Head to Cobra Lily for a pan-Asian Christmas set menu of festive foods from December 22-24. For seafood lovers there's tuna poke and crispy seafood noodles with Maine lobster, shrimp, squid, mussels and clams; for meat lovers there's an Australian M2 sirloin (added supplement 188RMB) and kimchi-stuffed porchetta. Satisfy your sweet tooth with pear gingerbread paired with salted caramel ice cream, and pistachio pannacotta with fresh seasonal strawberries and almond crumble on top. 699RMB per couple.

Cobra Lily Xintiandi North Block, No 19, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, near Madang Lu (5351 0116). Dec 22-24.

Christmas brunch at Liquid Laundry

Liquid Laundry is whipping up a festive brunch for those naughty and nice, available December 23-25 with dishes from 78RMB.

'Naughty' dishes include walnut sticky buns with cream cheese icing for 78RMB and cast iron eggnog French toast casserole with maple apple pecan crumble for 88RMB. 'Nice' dishes include smoked duck confit hash for 98RMB; turkey benedict with crispy stuffing for 98RMB; quiche with bacon, ham, leeks and kale 98RMB; and red ale honey mustard-glazed ham steak and eggs for 128RMB.

Liquid Laundry Second Floor, K Wah Centre, 1028 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Donghu Lu (6445 9589). Dec 23-25. 11am-3pm.

A Chilean Christmas at Colca

All December, sit down to an exquisite seasonal feast at Colca that spans the length of the Americas, with your choice of either Cuban suckling pig, Argentinian Wagyu beef or Canadian lobster.

The menu also includes a selection of regional sides and sharing platters, as well as a selection of creative Latino desserts. Menu accompanied with your choice of a glass of Spanish cava, a pisco sour, or Chicha Morada (non-alcoholic). Dinner specials are priced at 348RMB for pork, 428RMB for beef and 588RMB for lobster.

Colca Second floor, Unit 2201, 199 Hengshan Lu, near Yongjia Lu (5401 5366). Every day until Dec 30 (except Mondays). From 348RMB.

A Bull & Claw Christmas

This Christmas, head to The Bull & Claw for every carnivore's dream feast. Start dinner with lobster bisque and move on to shrimp cocktail or festive foie gras, and then prepare for the carvery: sous vide turkey breast, Spanish pork rack and loin, honey glazed ham and whole beef ribs, all accompanied by sides of goose fat-roasted potatoes, house stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, buttered sprouts, roasted carrots, honey roasted parsnips and braised red cabbage. Top all that off with Christmas pudding or Irish cream chocolate mousse for dessert.

Dinner costs 550RMB per person; 225RMB for kids. Dinner books up fast so call to reserve. 

Bull & Claw 110 Fenyang Lu, near Taiyuan Lu (3356 7608). Dec 24-25. 11am-midnight. 550RMB; 225RMB (kids).

A traditional Italian Christmas Eve at D.O.C

D.O.C five-course festive menu includes dishes like goose liver with caramelised eggplant, open lasagne with black truffle sauce, Black Angus tenderloin, panettone and more. The restaurant books up fast, so call to reserve. 

D.O.C 5 Dongping Lu, near Yueyang Lu (6473 9394). Dec 24-25. 11am-midnight. 480RMB.

Festive Season at The Chop Chop Club 

Celebrate playful carvery concept The Chop Chop Club's first Christmas with a selection of old favourites, newcomers and more for 800RMB (plus 10 percent service charge). Regular à la carte, festive dishes and carvery available from December 25-30. 

The Chop Chop Club Second Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu (5308 5399). Dec 24-31. 800RMB per person (plus 10 percent service charge). 

Elegant French Christmas at Jean-Georges

For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Michelin-starred Jean-Georges is serving an elegant interpretation of classic Christmas dishes in a refined environment with amazing Bund views. Expect dishes like sautéed foie gras with green apple and yuzu-dashi foam, seared beef tenderloin with black truffle and potato pancakes, egg caviar, lobster with brandy butter and more.

The six-course Christmas lunch is 998RMB per person; four-course early bird dinner is 998RMB (5.30-6.30pm); six-course gala dinner is 1,498RMB per person (5.30-10pm). Prices subject to ten percent service charge.

Jean-Georges Fourth Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu (6231 7733). Dec 24-25.

Brewlicious Christmas dinner at Zapfler 

The 'Beerlicious Christmas Dinner' for 258RMB per person includes a craft beer, Mate Grog or glühcider. To eat, there's Sassy Santa's Snow Soup (homemade tomato soup with tiger prawns), Scrumptious Salad (with caviar and quail eggs, Parma ham, avocado), and the Beerlicious main course (asparagus beef roulade in craft beer gravy) or Winter Wonderland Salmon (Norwegian salmon steak). Finish it off with warm chocolate lava cake with bourbon vanilla ice cream.

Zapfler Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, near Ruijin Yi Lu (5386 2337). Dec 23-24. 5.30-10pm. 258RMB.

Holiday feast at Element Fresh

This year Element Fresh is offering up a series of festive set menus for two and four guests, available throughout the holiday season. Starting at 398RMB, sets include starters, entrees, desserts and a sparkling wine or fresh juice.

Available at all Element Fresh locations. Dec 15-Jan 7.

Christmas dinner at Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist is serving a traditional Bavarian three-course set menu: cauliflower cream soup with smoked salmon; stuffed goose with winter vegetables; praline parfait with hot cherry sauce and apple beignets and more. 328RMB per person with a welcome glass of glühwein. Four-course sharing menu also available. 

Zeitgeist 537 Haifang Lu, near Xikang Lu (3220 5986). Until Dec 30.

Festive season dinner sets at Mr & Mrs Bund

MMB is putting on festive dinner sets every day in December from 5.30-11pm – Frenchy, PP Festive, I Love Truffles and Splurge. 

Available through New Year's Eve; sharing menus starting from 888RMB per person. Regular à la carte available except December 24, 25 and 31.

Mr & Mrs Bund Sixth Floor, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu (6323 9898). Until Dec 31.

Hotel restaurants

Festive dinner set menu at Pelham's

Enjoy an intimate setting with a four-course Christmas menu including duck foie gras, wagyu beef and more. Available December 18-23 and Christmas Day (not available Christmas Eve) at 688RMB per person. Prices are subject to 15 percent service charge.

Pelham's at the Waldorf Astoria Club Level, Waldorf Astoria, 2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu near Guangdong Lu (6322 9898). Dec 18-23 and Dec 25.

Christmas dinner buffet at The BREW

This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, The BREW will put on a buffet dinner from 5.30pm onwards with live music by resident band OUTGATES from 7pm. 428RMB per adult and 214RMB per child includes buffet dinner with free-flow juice, soft drinks and craft beer. All prices subject to 10 percent service charge and taxes.

The BREW First Floor, Kerry Hotel Pudong, 1388 Huamu Lu, near Fangdian Lu (6169 8888). Dec 24-25.

Christmas Eve dinners at The Peninsula Shanghai 

Two Michelin-starred Yi Long Court will offer an eight-course Chinese Christmas dinner including tomato soup with bird’s nest and diced scallop, steamed grouper in black bean sauce and pan-fried beef tenderloin in honey pepper sauce for 1,888RMB per person. Sir Elly’s also presents a Michelin-starred feast featuring a traditional six-course dinner plus live music for 2,888RMB per person. The Lobby will offer a five-course Christmas dinner plus live jazz for 1,318RMB per person. All prices are subject to a 16.6 percent surcharge.

The Peninsula 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu (2327 2888).

Christmas Eve brunch at The St. Regis Shanghai

Treat your taste buds to a myriad of flavours from around the world with Christmas Eve brunch at Social at the St. Regis Shanghai Jingan. Celebrate the holiday with a gala buffet with free-flow Chandon and house wines for 598RMB per person. 

The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan 1008 Beijing Xi Lu, near Jiangning Lu (6257 9999). Dec 24.

The Westin Christmas Eve dinner

Celebrate with family and friends at The Westin's special Christmas dinner, priced at 888RMB for adults and 368RMB for kids.

The Westin Bund Center 88 Henan Zhong Lu near Guangdong Lu. Dec 24. 6-10pm; long-press and extract QR to book.

Christmas Eve at Café Reign

Café Reign's Christmas Eve package includes seafood and grilled steak served at the table, with dishes like snow crab with Mediterranean seafood soup and chargrilled foie gras steak. The buffet will have a feast of seafood, turf meats and seasonal desserts. The Christmas dinner buffet is priced at 588RMB net per person; children aged six-12 years 200RMB; children aged five and under dine for free. 

Book five days in advance and for 20 percent off, with group discounts available.

Wanda Reign on the Bund 538 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Longtan Lu (5368 8888). Dec 24. 2-11pm.

Christmas Eve dinner at Camelia

Spend Christmas Eve as the Italians do with sumptuous antipastos and carvings, fresh oysters, seafood and caviar, traditional hot dishes and desserts. The full buffet is 888RMB per person with a glass of Pol Roger; 988RMB per person with a glass of Pol Roger and free-flow chilled juice and soft drinks; 1,088RMB per person with a glass of Pol Roger and free-flow local craft beer and Prosecco.

Camelia Four Seasons Pudong, 210 Century Avenue, near Pudong Nan Lu (2036 1300). Dec 24. 5.30-10pm.

Christmas at Jade on 36

On Christmas Eve, have a six-course lunch featuring pan-seared sirloin M5 and more for 688RMB per person or 988RMB with free-flow cocktails. In the evening try an eight-course Christmas degustation dinner with Maine lobster and potato gnocchi, lemongrass lobster bisque and more for 788RMB per person or 1,088RMB per person with free-flow cocktails, Champagne and premium wine pairing.

On Christmas Day, try a five-course degustation dinner with dishes like pan-seared sea bass, raisin puree, grapes and red wine sauce and pan-seared sirloin M5 for 488RMB per person or 788RMB with wine pairing, Champagne and other cocktails. Or, go for brunch for 688RMB per person including Champagne, bloody marys and other cocktails; 344RMB for kids.

Prices are subject to ten percent service charge and six percent value-added tax.

Jade on 36 36th Floor, Grand Tower, Pudong Shangri-La, 33 Fucheng Lu, near Minsheng Lu (2828 6888). Dec 24-25. 11.30-10pm.

Christmas feast at The MEAT

This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day The MEAT will offer a special festive brunch with a hot and cold appetiser buffet, a seasonal selection seafood of the day, soup, choice of one main course and one side dish, a dessert buffet and free-flow juice, coffee, tea, house wine, and BREW craft beer. 428RMB per adult; 288RMB per child. À la carté dinner showcasing premium cuts of meat and seafood is also available. 

The MEAT First Floor, Kerry Hotel Pudong, 1388 Huamu Lu, near Fangdian Lu (6169 8888). Dec 24-25. 11.30am-3pm. 

Christmas lunch buffet at Grand Brasserie

Grand Brasserie features live entertainment from the hotel's jazz band while the little ones will enjoy a visit from Santa Claus. Lunch is priced at 988RMB per adult and 488RMB for kids six-12 years old, available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Grand Brasserie First Floor, The Waldorf Astoria, 2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu (6322 9988). Dec 24-25. 12-3pm.

Christmas celebrations at Yi Cafe

Take your holiday meal with live music. The Ultimate Sunday Brunch at Yi Cafe features traditional roast turkey, foie gras, a variety of seasonal delights and a full seafood station plus much more. Christmas Eve brunch is 688RMB (without alcohol); 788RMB (with free-flow drink); 394RMB (for kids). Christmas Day and Boxing Day brunch is 488RMB (without alcohol), 588RMB (with free-flow drink); 244RMB (for kids).

Yi Cafe's holiday dinner buffet features a Japanese ice scallop bar, honey glazed ham and oven-baked lamb leg and much more for 888RMB (without alcohol); 988RMB (with free-flow drink); 448RMB (for kids).

Free-flow packages include cocktails, Yellow Label Veuve Clicquot Champagne, wine, draft beer, juices and soft drinks. Prices are subject to 10 percent service charge and six percent value-added tax.

Yi Cafe Second Floor, Grand Tower, Pudong Shangri-La Hotel, 33 Fucheng Lu, near Lujiazui Huan Lu (2828 6888). Dec 24-25. 11.30-10pm.

Christmas Eve dinner buffet at The COOK

This season The COOK will display a festive spread for the Christmas holidays, very suited for a family celebration. Go for a buffet dinner with fresh seafood and international cuisines from 13 cooking stations. The first seating for Christmas Eve dinner is 5.30-8pm for 458RMB per adult and 214RMB for kids; the second seating is 8-11pm, for 328RMB adults and 164RMB kids. Above prices exclude 10 percent service charge and government prevailing taxes.

The COOK First Floor, Kerry Hotel Pudong, 1388 Huamu Lu, near Fangdian Lu (6169 8888). Dec 24. 5.30pm-10.30pm. From 328RMB.

Reservations recommended for all dinners. Hotel restaurants subject to service charges and taxes.

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