Cafes

Coffee culture is not deep-rooted in Shanghai, however, dozens of coffee shops have sprung up all across the city in recent years. While locals tend to go for western coffee chains and bubble tea sold at hole-in-the-wall takeaway shops, foreign visitors may rather gravitate towards a traditional tea house and experience the Chinese tea culture. Below are some of the best cafes in Shanghai, China:

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Tian Zi Fang / 田子坊

This is the meeting point of the new Shanghai and old Shanghai. In the traditional stone-paved alley lies probably the artsiest neighbourhood in Shanghai. Modern restaurants and cafes line up along the street. Take a walk in a cosy afternoon, you can surely find another side of this international …

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Kommune / 公社咖啡

Kommune is a great little courtyard café off the boutique shopping street of Tai Kang Road. It serves sandwiches, salads, lasagna, etc., and is popular among locals and expats alike. It is an excellent choice for brunch or even an evening drink of beer or …

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Antique Garden / 古董花园

Antique Garden is an excellent find in the French Concession, only steps away from the green Fuxing Park. Relaxing jazz music often plays in the background, and they serve coffee, beer, wine and champagne (along with a few dishes to choose from). Most of the antiques and vintage items inside are up for sale. …

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Abbey Road / 艾比之路

Abbey Road has a lovely bamboo garden which offers shade on a hot summer day. The chef is from Suisse and the restaurant has a western menu and the music is a mix between rock and blues. It is an ideal place to go for brunch Stuff can speak …

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Maya / 玛雅墨西哥餐厅

Maya serves Mexican food with an Asian touch, using exclusively fresh ingredients and experimenting with bold flavours. The extensive brunch menu is what originally earned Maya its fame. The food is healthy and hearty, with dishes like casserole, roast chicken enchiladas and roast duck …

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Yang's Dumpling / 小杨生煎

For the perfect pan-seared Shanghai dumplings filled with a thick, flavorful broth that's molten off the pork filling (shrimp and squid varieties on offer as well), stop by one of the famous local Yang's Dumpling chain. Pre-order and pay at the cash register, then produce the receipt at the kitchen counter to receive your …

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Sumerian

Coffee is taken seriously at Sumerian, a hip cafe and coffee shop in the heart of Shanghai. With carefully monitored origins of its beans (which come from Africa, Latin America and China itself), the establishment serves up superb hot and cold caffeinated drinks, along with delectable bagels with a variety of …

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Baker & Spice

An excellent bakery/cafe with several locations across town, Baker & Spice is a welcoming joint that serves healthy, appetising cafe classics such as salads and sandwiches, along with a vast variety of baked goods and desserts. Seating at a long communal …

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