8 Places to Find Authentic Cantonese Food in Shanghai

By Tongfei Zhang & Frances Chen

In Shanghai, you are almost guaranteed to find any cuisine your heart desires. However, it can take some effort to discover a truly authentic restaurant, especially one that is suitable for a family meal. This time, we are going Cantonese and we have found some real gems that will satisfy the whole family! 

Chaoman Restaurant

Located on the third floor of Metro City, Chaoman Restaurant definitely provides a big bang for your buck. The restaurant always has a full house during regular dinner hours, thanks to their mouthwatering roasted meat selection. We strongly recommend their roasted crispy pork with mustard sauce (RMB68), we are willing to travel a great distance just to experience the crispy skin and meltingly tender meat again. You can’t go wrong with their Dim Sum either, try the XO sauce fried turnip cake (RMB22). The restaurant is bright and welcoming and a good environment for a family meal, with window seating being particulartly sought after. If you would like to dine overlooking one of the busiest corner views of Xujiahui we advise you make a reservation beforehand.  
Chaoman Restaurant, 3/F, Area B, Metro City, 1111 Zhaojia Bang Lu, by Caoxi Bei Lu 潮民冰室, 美罗城B区3层, 肇嘉浜路111号, 近漕溪北路 

Dim Sum Garden

As its name suggests, the restaurant takes pride in their freshly made dim sum and attractive surroundings. Although the price can be slightly higher than other Cantonese restaurants, once you bite into their har gow (shrimp dumpling) (RMB29) (kids’ favorite), you will happily pay the bill and probably order another batch. All the dim sum dishes are made with extra care and precision, using extremely fresh and quality ingredients, which you’ll relish from the first bite. They also have a comprehensive menu of non-dimsum dishes which you would expect from any top Cantonese restaurant. There are two locations and we especially love the Baoqing Lu venue for their quaint, outdoor conservatory seating area. With children’s cutlery available, it’s well-equipped for families with children aged 5 and above. 
Dim Sum Garden, 1/F, 10 Baoqing Lu, by Fuxing Zhong Lu 宝庆路10号1楼, 近复兴中路. See various locations on our website.

Bo Duo Xin Ji Restaurant

Forget about their awkward-sounding name, this hidden gem certainly knows a thing or two about fine Cantonese dining. Dishes are served in ample portions with traditional Cantonese flavors, and this restaurant’s reputation has grown, despite its small alleyway location near IAPM Mall. Their main concentration is on hearty Cantonese dishes such as stir-fry and seafood. The restaurant is as large as it’s servings with three floors of dining ideal for a big group or company meal as well as couples and families. Private rooms are available upon booking. Their Hakka tofu (RMB49) is a must try and we bet you will come back for more. 

Bo Duo Xin Ji Restaurant, No 15, 1252 Fuxing Zhong Lu, by Xiangyang Nan Lu 博多新记, 复兴中路1252弄15号, 近襄阳南路

Hakkasan

Take your family for an opulent dim sum brunch with a panoramic Bund view. Dishes from the traditional à la carte menu start from RMB28, and we recommend the classic charsiewbao (RMB28, kids’ favorite), scallop topped siew mai (RMB38) and chicken feet in black bean sauce (RMB28). Kids may also find it fun to break open the liusha bao (steamed custard buns, RMB33) and watch the scrumptious custard paste slowly ooze out. Proceed with caution though, as the molten centers are extremely hot.
Hakkasan, 5/F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, by Nanjing Dong Lu 中山东一路18号5楼, 近南京东路

YUE1525

YUE 1525 has proved to be a reliable choice for Dim Sum that won’t break the bank. Situated on the second floor of the New World hotel near Zhongshan Park, this old-school eatery provides arguably the most authentic dim sum, handmade by Hong Kong master chefs. Specialties include a cast of classic dim sum dumplings and pastries such as innovative cheese barbecued pork pastry (RMB48/six, kids’ favorite) and Cantonese-style roasted goose (RMB80).

YUE1525, 2/F, 1525 Dingxi Lu, by Changning Lu 定西路1525号2楼, 近长宁路

Imperial Treasure

This elegant Michelin two-star restaurant sits close to the Bund in the chic Yifeng Galleria, and their fantastic dim sum creations are as good as anything you would find in Hong Kong. With a classic menu of sharable dishes (good for families and big groups), we recommend a serving (or two!) of the signature malar cake (RMB24, kids’ favorite), crispy shrimp cheung fun rolls(RMB42) and the all-time favorite barbecued pork pastry (RMB30).
Imperial Treasure, 4/F, 99 Beijing Dong Lu, by Yuanmingyuan Lu 北京东路99号4楼402-403室, 近圆明园路.

Seventh Son

Conveniently situated within the Jing’an Kerry Centre, this contemporary restaurant in the Jing’an Shangri-La Hotel has one of the city’s best dim sums on the menu. With a beautiful dining room and impeccable service, it is the same as its sister restaurant in Pudong Shangri-La, and worth its price, especially for big groups as the more people, the more dishes you can indulge in. We recommend the roast pork pineapple buns (kids’ favorite), textbook har gow shrimp dumplings and steamed layer cake.
Seventh Son, 2/F, Tower 1, Jing An Kerry Centre, 1515 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Tongren Lu 南京西路1515号嘉里中心2楼, 近铜仁路; 2/F, Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai, 33 Fu Cheng Lu, by Lujiazui Huan Lu 富城路33号浦东香格里拉大酒店2楼, 近陆家嘴环路

Sense 8

Possibly the most popular Cantonese restaurant in Xintiandi, Sense 8 (Yu Baxian, ‘The Honorary Eight Immortals’) features a museum-like interior adorned with real antique Chinoiserie. The hanging bird cages, tiered lanterns and Chinese opera in the distant background, makes it a great location to show kids an opulent tea house from the past. Barbecued pork (RMB158) and succulent shrimp dumplings (RMB38) are a must, and reservations are required.
Sense 8, Lane 181, No. 8 Taicang Lu, by Huangpi Nan Lu 新天地太仓路181弄8号, 近黄陂南路

This article was originally published by our sister magazine Urban Family (WeChat ID: urbanfamilyshanghai). For more articles like this, visit the Urban Family website by clicking "Read More" below or follow the bilingual Urban Family WeChat account by scanning the QR code below.