East of Shanghai’s Huangpu River lies Pudong, an area best known for its collection of skyscrapers and the Lujiazui financial district. It’s a great place to dine out, too, with five-star establishments nestled alongside those offering home-style Chinese cooking.
Good sushi can be hard to come by in Shanghai, but Nadaman, located in the Pudong Shangri-La hotel, is an exception. With authentic Japanese decor and premium-quality sushi and sashimi imported fresh from Japan, it’s as close to the real thing as you can get. Choose to dine at the sushi bar and watch the chef at work or sit at one of the restaurant’s more intimate, private dining rooms.
Din Tai Fung is known for offering some of the best pork dumplings in Shanghai, with well-frequented branches all over the city. You’ll find the Pudong location on the third floor of shopping mecca Superbrand mall, with an excellent view of the Bund to boot. Other menu highlights include spinach dumplings, sweet-and-sour pork and hot-and-sour soup. The location means the food is pricier than at traditional street food vendors, yet this is still great value and a convenient place to chow down on authentic Chinese cooking.
Pudong offers lots of options for Chinese cuisine, but few are as high-end as Jin Xuan, located on the 53rd floor of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. One of 26 restaurants in China to be proud owners of a Michelin star, Jin Xuan specialises in Cantonese dishes and offers sensational views across The Bund,along with seven private dining rooms.
You’d be pushed to find a better burger option in Shanghai than Blue Frog, whose Pudong joint is located in the financial district. The Western bar and grill is known for its relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect place to unwind with a few beers and indulge in some junk food. Visitors flock here for the happy hours, the two-for-one burgers on a Monday and the simple menu of wings, burgers, grills and sandwiches.
The Oriental Pearl Tower is one of Shanghai’s most iconic buildings and was one of the first skyscrapers to emerge in Pudong. Visiting it should definitely be on your to-do list, but Culture Trip highly recommends a meal in its revolving restaurant, too. The buffet-style arrangement offers a mix of Chinese and international dishes, as well as cooked-to-order seafood and noodles. The food is decent, but the revolving platform makes it magical, allowing you to see every inch of the city from up high.
The Pudong branch of this acclaimed vegetarian chain is located in the Shanghai World Financial Centre, the second-tallest skyscraper in the city. It’s a paradise for vegans, as you’ll find plenty of deliciously innovative plant-based cuisine here. Menu highlights include the plum vinegar-marinated beetroot and the baked mushroom roll.
This modern French restaurant is located on the banks of the Huangpu River and is helmed by highly acclaimed head chef Richard Ekkebus. There’s usually one reason that people flock to Fifty 8° Grill, and that reason is steak. The venue specialises in melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu cuts cooked over a wood fire and is known for an Angus tomahawk (for three people) that’s the best in the city.
Located in the six-storey IFC mall, Grandma’s Home offers inexpensive, authentic Shanghainese home cooking that’s popular with locals. It is so popular, in fact, that entry operates on a strict ticketing system. Tuck into local dishes such as xiao long bao (steamed buns), zhajiangmian (noodles with pork and soybeans) and the speciality Grandma’s chicken (but be warned: it comes with the head still attached).
It might seem odd to see a Taco Bell on this list, but the Luijazui branch of this American chain, located next to the Oriental Pearl Tower, is one of the best places in Pudong to get a quick, cheap bite. Their crayfish tacos and zesty margaritas are incredibly popular and a great fast-food option if you’re dining in a hurry.
Head to the 56th floor of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai for incredible Bund views and rustic Italian fare. Despite the prestigious location, Cucina’s open kitchen and live-cooking concept offer a relaxed, unfussy environment. The brick-oven pizzas are fresh, authentic and surprisingly inexpensive, with many coming under the 100 yuan (£11) mark.