Shanghai's Top 25 Al Fresco Restaurants 2016

Coconut Paradise (Fumin Location)

Another Shanghai mainstay in a renovated villa, the gorgeous tree-lined garden at Coconut Paradise feels truly tropical in the evening and compliments a menu of classic Thai dishes.

Open daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10.30pm. Coconut Paradise, 38 Fumin Lu, by Yan'an Zhong Lu.

POP
This so-called ‘American brasserie’ is headed by David Chaveau, previously of The Peninsula. He damn well knows what’s up when it comes to the kitchen, and serves contemporary dishes alongside a spectacular Lujiazui skyline.

Open daily, 11am-2pm, 5-11pm. Tops, Open 1pm-12.00am. Sunday to Thursday and 11am until late Friday to Saturday.

Fifty 8°Grill

Serving premium steaks and delectable French food, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai’s flagship steakhouse Fifty 8°Grill is a consistently excellent choice for special occasions. Don’t expect it to be cheap, but do wear stretchy clothing. 

Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. Fifty 8° Grill, 111 Pudong Nan Lu, by Yincheng Zhong Lu. (Prices subject to 10% service charge and prevailing taxes)

Light & Salt
Chic Light & Salt bistro at Rockbund benefits from a charming rooftop terrace with some fantastic views. Go for cocktails at their hidden bar in the evening, or the excellent weekend brunch.

Open daily, 6-10.30pm. Light & Salt, 6/F, 133 Yuanming Yuan Lu (YWCA), by Beijing Dong Lu.

Sir Elly's
Shanghai’s resident ‘one percenter’ restaurant has a magnificent terrace with unparalleled views of the Bund and Pudong. Impress hot dates, out of town guests and clients with the fabulously old school cocktails.

Terrace open Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to midnight and on Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 1am. Sir Elly's, 13F, The Peninsula Shanghai, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, by Nanjing Dong Lu.

Sasha’s
Sasha’s is an award-winning restaurant and bar situated in the center of the former French Concession, Shanghai. Occupying the old Soong family mansion, they offer various settings for customers to enjoy their food and drinks. Sasha’s also boasts the city's biggest beer garden and a popular bar on the first floor.

Open daily 11am-2am. Sasha’s, 11 Dongping Lu, by Hengshan Lu.

The Cathay Room

The Cathay Room terrace of the Fairmont Peace Hotel is nothing short of luxurious with its own private butler and sommelier. All that, and a stunning view of the Bund to boot. Be sure to try their high tea set, as it offers a cheese sampler, smoked salmon, foie gras or Kaluga caviar to choose from.

Open daily from 12-10.30pm. The Cathay Room, 9/F, Fairmont Peace Hotel, 20 Nanjing Dong Lu, by Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu.

TOPS at Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund

Located on the rooftop of Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund, TOPS does seafood and cocktails best while overlooking a breath-taking panoramic view of the Bund and Pudong skyline. Modern lights and cozy decorum provide an elegant touch to getting, well, drunk outdoors. Plus, Wednesday is Ladies Night! 

Open 1pm-12.00am Monday to Thursday and 11am until late Friday to Sunday. TOPS, 19 Gongping Lu, by Haiping Lu.

Breeze Garden

Breeze Garden is a uniquely designed outdoor terrace at the InterContinental Shanghai Puxi with a lovely glass house open air dining concept. Afternoon tea sets are available as well. Drinks with friends, outdoors-but-not-really? Don't mind if we do!

Open 5-7pm Monday to Friday for Happy Hour. Breeze Garden, 500 Hengfeng Lu, by Yutong Lu.

The Terrace at the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

This guide would not be complete without The Terrace at the Grand Kempinski Hotel, with delectable offerings like a seafood tower (need we say more?) and BBQ pork ribs. You might find us there on the next warm day stuffing our faces in the sunshine...

Open daily, 7am-10pm. The Terrace at the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, 1288 Lujiazui Huan Lu.

Table No.1
Slightly out of the way but well worth the trip, Jason Atherton’s other Shanghai concept Table No.1 is similarly consistent in quality, headed up by Tennessee-born chef Christopher Pitts. Try the crispy pig’s ears and beef brisket.

Open daily 12-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. Local and international cards accepted. Table No.1, The Waterhouse at South Bund, 1/F, 1-3 Maojiayuan Lu, by Zhongshan Nan Lu.

Ginger by the Park

Shanghai best terraces 2015A favorite of weekend brunch seekers, Ginger by the Park has a beautifully serene terrace overlooking a quaint park. An eclectic menu of Southeast Asian dishes and Western brunch classics awaits. 

Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm. Ginger by the Park, 91 Xingguo Lu, by Hunan Lu.

Cambio Coffee
Shanghai best terraces 2015Delightfully fresh single origin coffee with a conscience, sourced direct from farmers by entrepreneur Sebastian Martin. Bask in the sunshine on their secluded ground-floor and rooftop terraces. 

Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9.30am-8pm. Cambio Coffee, 861 Jiangning Lu, by Haifang Lu.

Commune Social
Shanghai best terraces 2015Consistency is our favorite word when it comes to  restaurants, and Jason Atherton’s casual Jing’an restaurant delivers every time with contemporary, delicious food that won’t destroy your budget. Open for drinks, lunch, dinner and brunch. 

Open for lunch, Tues-Fri 12-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 12-3pm. Open for dinner Tues-Sat 6-10.30pm. Commune Social, 511 Jiangning Lu, by Kangding Lu.

Greek Taverna Milos

Greek Taverna Milos offers a unique blue and white Greek style open dining area, serving Greek specialties like tzatziki and pita bread, and of course...ouzo!

Open daily, 11-1.00am. Greek Taverna Milos, 1 Yueyang Lu, by Dongping Lu.

Shanghai Brewery
Having kept the city suitably inebriated at their locations in Hengshan Mansions and Hongmei Lu, Shanghai Brewery has extended the courtesy to patrons of Donghu Lu too. Serving a menu of food and beer, this place is consistently packed when the weather is nice, making it a great after-work or pre-gaming spot before you mosey on down to Le Baron. 

Open daily, Mon-Thurs: 11.30am-1am, Friday: 11.30pm-2pm, Saturday: 11am-2am Sunday: 11am-1am. Shanghai Brewery (Donghu Lu), 20 Donghu Lu, by Huaihai Lu.

Genesis
Ok, so these guys aren't exactly serving food (unless you count cocktails as nutrition), but their outdoor terrace is the definition of a hidden gem, and just a few moments walk from Xintiandi. Drinks at this gorgeous bar are serious libations, go for one of the 'house signature' cocktails or peruse their extensive whisky menu instead. 

Open daily, 6.30pm-2am. Genesis, 442 Zizhong Lu, by Danshui Lu.

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