How to celebrate France winning the 2018 World Cup

Photograph: Tom Grimbert via Unsplash

Well, there we have it. France are FIFA World Cup champions 2018. Their squad has achieved eternal glory and has made memories that will last a lifetime. They can look forward to adoration, hero status and a future of obscure punditry appearances and advertising campaigns. For Croatia, well, they've just suffered the biggest heartbreak of their careers. A World Cup final loss comes with agony, anguish and thoughts of what could have been. And perhaps worse of all: they've been sentenced to become a moderately easy answer on a future edition of The Camel pub quiz.

Writing this article as an Englishman was pretty tough. In case you hadn't heard: football was coming home. Three lions were on the shirt, Juliet Rimet was still gleaming and 30 years of hurt (actually 52) never stopped us dreaming. Alas, it was not to be and there'll be no mentions of fish and chips at Hooked, or pies at Pie Society or novelty patriotic trips to Thames Town.

Instead, we've picked out the best places in town to celebrate like a French fan. Vive la France...

Café des Stagiaires 

Photograph: courtesy Café des Stagiaires 

Back in May, Café des Stagiaires at Found was somewhat oddly visited by former French president Francois Hollande – so you know it's legit. A very popular haunt amongst Shanghai's French community, head on down to indulge in a few drinks in honour of France's victory before popping across the way for pizza at ''Ome Slice'.

📍 Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, near Ruijin Yi Lu. 

Kartel

Photograph: courtesy Kartel

Head up to one of Shanghai's best rooftop bars, have a glass of vin and try and spot who is on a Tinder date. Spoiler: it's probably everybody.

📍 Fifth Floor, 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu.  

Mr & Mrs Bund

Photograph: courtesy Mr & Mrs Bund

Shanghai's French power couple. Turn up after 11pm on Thursday through Saturday for the excellent value late-night two-course set menu, or go on a weekend for a French brunch including The Bund omelette, croque madame and oysters with caviar. Très Français.

📍 Sixth Floor, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu.

Bar Rouge

Photograph: courtesy Bar Rouge

Celebrate les Bleus at the bar that's famous for being red.

📍 Seventh Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu.

le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire

Photograph: courtesy le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire

It may sound more like a fancy hair salon or something, but this restaurant is Pierre Gagnaire's Mainland culinary debut. He's famed as one of the world’s greatest chefs and his 50-year career has seen him open award-winning restaurants all over the world. 

📍 480 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Wulumuqi Nan Lu.

RAC Coffee

Photograph: courtesy RAC Coffee

One of the year's biggest breakfast and brunch openings – don't sleep on the Breton galettes at RAC. Be prepared to queue, or, as they say in France, 'queue'.

📍 322 Anfu Lu, near Wukang Lu.

Le Baron

Photograph: courtesy Le Baron

It's free entry but if you don't have a table reservation (a four-figure luxury) it's very difficult to get into this Shanghai outpost of the original Paris nightclub at weekends. France may have won another World Cup by the time you get in...

📍 Seventh Floor, 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu.

La Creperie (Xuhui)

Photograph: courtesy Le Creperie

Even if you don't give a crap about football, France's win is a great excuse to enjoy a crepe.

📍 1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu.

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