Shanghai Restaurant Guide (2005)

Author: Editor-in-Chief of Dianping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Where to eat today? What dishes to order in a restaurant? What is the reservation phone number for the restaurant? With the "Shanghai Restaurant Guide," all the troubles about "eating difficulties" are resolved. The editors have selected and objectively scored 2,046 restaurants in Shanghai based on the information provided by over 60,000 members of Dianping. To ensure editorial independence, the editors have not accepted any advertising from restaurants. For the convenience of readers, the editors have meticulously created a ranking of over 100 categories of indexes, including the "Best Restaurants," snack shops, romantic settings, business dinners, indexes of various cuisines, and regional indexes, etc. This is a guide designed for Chinese diners.
Note: The ranking of the "Best Restaurants" is determined by a comprehensive score of taste, environment, and service, with taste accounting for 60% of the total score, environment for 30%, and service for 10%. Since environment and service are among the selection criteria, many of the restaurants listed are also among the most expensive in Shanghai. For more restaurant rankings, please refer to the "Snack and Noodle Rankings," "Under RMB 50 for the Best Taste," and "Under RMB 150 for the Best Environment" in the "2005 Shanghai Restaurant Guide," which includes over 100 categories of rankings and indexes.
1. Tan's Imperial Kitchen (Taste: 26, Environment: 29, Service: 28, Per Person: RMB 794)
One of Shanghai's top restaurants, known for "exquisite ingredients, meticulous craftsmanship, and high prices." The shark fin is "rich and mellow," "genuine and worth the price," and other dishes are "also very delicious." The environment is excellent, "gorgeous and a bit like a palace." The service is "superb," and there is even a night performance of changing faces, which is "also very spectacular," making one feel "as if all the enjoyment is VIP-style." The prices are generally very high, but some less expensive dishes are also offered. If you "don't order shark fin and abalone, the per person cost is only RMB 100–200."
Recommended: Mao Xue Wang (Spicy Fish Head), Garlic-Seasoned Pork Belly, Shark Fin, Plum-Seasoned Yam, Three-Fresh Tofu Stew, Spicy Seafood Treasure, Chicken Broccoli Soup.
Suitable for: Hosting clients, social gatherings.
Jing'an Branch: 4th Floor, Nanzheng Building, No. 580 Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District (near Chengdu North Road), 021-52282199, 52282699.
Changning Branch: 4th Floor, No. 3190 Yan'an West Road, Changning District (near Chengduqiao Road), 021-64658080, 64658181.
2. Jean Georges (Taste: 25, Environment: 32, Service: 22, Per Person: RMB 557)
"Coming for the fame of the French chef, and truly not disappointed," "several classic French dishes are done very well." The dishes are "not only delicious," but also "look great when served." The environment is fantastic, "walking into the restaurant is like entering a painting," "whether it's decoration or arrangement, every detail is meticulous." The waiters are "well-trained" and "perform very humanely." "It feels very good," and it is worth recommending.
Suitable for: Social gatherings, hosting clients.
No. 3, East Zhongshan Road, Huangpu District, The Bund No. 3, 4th Floor (near Guangdong Road), 021-63217733.
3. Lu Wei Xuan (Taste: 27, Environment: 31, Service: 30, Per Person: RMB 506)
A "modern restaurant," opened by Australian chef David Laris, where "the first thing you feel is art, then deliciousness."
Suitable for: Couple's dates, social gatherings.
No. 3, East Zhongshan Road, Huangpu District, The Bund No. 3, 6th Floor (near Guangdong Road), 021-63219922.
4. Palando (Taste: 26, Environment: 30, Service: 30, Per Person: RMB 393)
An Italian restaurant in a 5-star hotel, "elegant, dignified, and very tasteful," and also "quite authentic." The menu is often updated, especially desserts, "with a lot of variety." The environment is very quiet, sitting by the high floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Nanjing West Road, "it feels great." The service is also 5-star.
Recommended: Desserts, Foie Gras, Steak, Appetizers.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, social gatherings.
No. 1376, Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District, Portman Hotel, 1st Floor, 021-62797188, 62798888.
5. Really Good Seafood (Taste: 28, Environment: 25, Service: 26, Per Person: RMB 349)
"Shanghai's best seafood restaurant." The dishes are "carefully selected," "highlight the original flavor of the ingredients," "done very delicately," and "the taste is first-class." The decoration is very exquisite, and the tableware is also "especially delicate." The service is outstanding, and the details are "impeccable." The price is "high," but "it's worth the money," and the lunch sets are "relatively more affordable." The only drawback is that the "storefront is a bit small."
Recommended: Grilled Lamb Ribs, Crispy Shrimp Rolls, Shark Fin, Abalone, Steamed East Star Grouper, Pudding.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, hosting clients.
No. 123, Xingye Road, Luwan District, Xintiandi Plaza South Building, No. 1, 021-63879797, 63875757.
6. Xian Zhi Xuan (Taste: 25, Environment: 32, Service: 26, Per Person: RMB 371)
One of Shanghai's top restaurants, located in the courtyard of Bai Gongguan, with three floors, each decorated differently, mostly with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, offering a "panoramic view of the garden outside," which is "very relaxing." The restaurant specializes in Japanese-style grilling, with dishes "emphasizing the original flavor," and "done very delicately." Dinner is "quite expensive," but lunch sets are more reasonable, with prices ranging from RMB 98 to 168, "with ample portions."
Recommended: Seafood Soup, Kobe Beef, Grilled Beef Tongue, Boneless Beef Steak.
Suitable for: Hosting clients, social gatherings, couple's dates.
No. 150, Fenyang Road, Xuhui District (near Taojiang Road), 021-64313935.
7. Classical Rose Garden (Taste: 24, Environment: 32, Service: 30, Per Person: RMB 67)
A "great place to have afternoon tea." The environment is "aesthetic," with "Victorian-style decorations," "excellent porcelain," "aromatic tea snacks," "melodious music," and an "overall feeling of high-end luxury," as if "you're in a noble hall in England." The air is filled with the fragrance of flower tea, giving it a "romantic vibe." The tea selection is "comprehensive," and the taste is "all very good." The service is "very standardized" and also "very warm and enthusiastic."
Recommended: Rose Tea, Rose Water, Rose Jam, Rose Mousse, Sikong.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, small gatherings for two or three, leisure.
No. 168, West Lujiazui Road, Pudong New Area, Carrefour Plaza, 1st Floor, 021-50473012.
8. Ming Hao Fish Fin Seafood (Taste: 27, Environment: 27, Service: 28, Per Person: RMB 375)
"Seafood tastes are all very good," especially the shark fin, "the taste is richer than most places." The waitresses have "great images," and the service is "also very good," "enthusiastic and thoughtful," making you feel "very close." The restaurant's environment is "first-class," suitable for hosting clients. "Business is too good," with "too few private rooms," "the best to book 3–4 days in advance."
Recommended: Shark Fin, Abalone, Prawns, East Star Grouper.
Suitable for: Hosting clients, social gatherings, couple's dates.
Changning Branch: No. 3883, Hongmei North Road, Changning District (near Yan'an West Road), 021-62625555.
Pudong Branch: No. 1600, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Pohang Business Plaza Podium (near Pudao Road), 021-58203333.
9. Danieli's (Taste: 24, Environment: 28, Service: 30, Per Person: RMB 353)
A "very authentic" Italian restaurant, with "excellent bread" as an appetizer and "delicious desserts" as a dessert, while the main dishes are "average." The environment is "very good, very quiet," with window seats offering a "panoramic view of the Lujiazui night scene." The service is very standard and attentive, with "enthusiastic waiters even remembering what you ordered last time." "If you're unsure about ordering, ask the waiter," "they usually won't let you down." "Sunday's brunch is very good."
Recommended: Appetizer Bread, Tiramisu, Desserts.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, social gatherings.
No. 889, Dongfang Road, Pudong New Area, Regal Tower Hotel, 39th Floor, 021-50504567.
10. Xindu Li Wulu (Taste: 25, Environment: 28, Service: 25, Per Person: RMB 247)
Wulu is hidden in a quiet alley, inheriting the minimalist style of the Renjian series of restaurants, with "sci-fi movie-like decor." The dishes are "exquisite Japanese cuisine," "small portions but expensive." The waiters are "well-trained," and the service is "quite good." The overall atmosphere is great.
Recommended: Sashimi, Sushi Platter, Creamy Squid, Cheese Shrimp Roll, Stone Pot Mixed Rice, Beef Sukiyaki.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, social gatherings, small gatherings for two or three.
No. 803, Jugu Road, Jing'an District (near Fumin Road), 021-54045252.
11. Hazala (Taste: 24, Environment: 32, Service: 28, Per Person: RMB 219)
A "very authentic" Indian restaurant, specializing in Northern Indian cuisine, "people who can't eat spicy food will like it more." The restaurant is located inside the Rijin Hotel, with a small space and an "exotic" environment, decorated with Indian furnishings, candles, and flowers, creating a "very good dining atmosphere" and a "romantic vibe." More foreigners go, making the prices a bit higher.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, leisure.
No. 118, Rijin Second Road, Luwan District, Rijin Hotel Building 4, (near Fuxing Middle Road), 021-64725222.
12. Hehe Ting Iron Grilled Beef (Taste: 26, Environment: 26, Service: 24, Per Person: RMB 334)
A "high-end" Japanese-style grilled beef restaurant. The dishes are "very good," with "fresh ingredients" and "excellent taste." The presentation is "delicate," and it's "very thoughtful." The environment is "first-class," with some French-style touches, and window seats offering views of Huaihai Road. "There seem to be more waiters than guests." "Watching the chef perform is like experiencing the service of a gentleman who runs around."
Recommended: Fried Rice, French Foie Gras, Silver Cod, Wagyu Beef.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, hosting clients, social gatherings.
No. 99, Huaihai Middle Road, Luwan District, Great Shanghai Times Square, 3rd Floor, 021-63910612.
13. Huangpu Club (Taste: 23, Environment: 32, Service: 20, Per Person: RMB 471)
The environment is "first-class," "well-decorated," with the window offering views of the Oriental Pearl and the Bund night scene. Many tea sets and tableware are made of bone china, and the wine glasses are crystal. Every dish is "very delicious," and there is also "some creativity." The only drawback is that the "food service speed is relatively slow," so patience is required.
Suitable for: Social gatherings, hosting clients.
No. 3, East Zhongshan Road, Huangpu District, The Bund No. 3, 5th Floor (near Guangdong Road), 021-63213737.
14. Xinya Tangchen Western Restaurant (Taste: 25, Environment: 25, Service: 21, Per Person: RMB 204)
One of Shanghai's "highest-quality buffets," with "high-quality ingredients" and "excellent cooking standards." There are "many varieties," with both Chinese and Western flavors, "suitable for all tastes," and "truly no more difficult to please." The restaurant's layout is "very unique," and the service is also "first-class." Compared to "buffets in other hotels," the value for money is "much higher," and it's "definitely worth the price."
Recommended: Oysters, Grilled Beef Steak, Lamb Chops, Salmon, Desserts.
Suitable for: Social gatherings, hosting clients, couple's dates.
No. 777, Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area, Xinya Tangchen Hotel, 1st Floor, 021-58356666.
15. Tainan Danzai Noodles Seafood Restaurant (Taste: 23, Environment: 32, Service: 27, Per Person: RMB 274)
The environment is "magnificent and not ostentatious," with "classical and elegant tableware" and "impressive and luxurious chairs," truly "extraordinary." It is said that the renovation cost 30 million, showing the level. The dishes are "quite delicate," and the taste is "also unique," but the "price is relatively high." Lunch sets are available for RMB 168 per person, "with high value for money and worth trying."
Recommended: Business Set, Lamb Chops.
Suitable for: Hosting clients, social gatherings, couple's dates.
No. 1333, Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District (next to the exhibition center), 021-62477799.
16. Yi Lu (Taste: 22, Environment: 33, Service: 24, Per Person: RMB 332)
The environment is "first-class," especially the "window seats, offering a panoramic view of the Oriental Pearl and the Bund," which is "especially enchanting at night." Although the "taste is a bit different from what was expected," it is "still very delicious" and "quite authentic." The price is "indeed very high," making it feel like "you're dying to enjoy it once," but "it's absolutely worth it." "You must remember to book a table," especially the "window seats."
Recommended: Silver Cod, Tiramisu, Pizza, Coffee.
Suitable for: Couple's dates, hosting clients, leisure, social gatherings.
No. 88, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Jin Mao Junyue Hotel, 56th Floor, 021-50491234.