That's Shanghai's biggest party of the year took place on August 13 – our annual Food and Drink Awards. This year, the bash was kindly hosted by M1NT. Votes were counted for your favorite F&B venues over the course of a month and we came together to celebrate the best of the best in Shanghai. Here are the winners from the food categories. See the bars and nightlife winners here.
Best Yunnan
Locals, expats and visitors alike have found Yunnan food paradise at Lost Heaven, which has been serving up Southern Chinese delicacies and tropical cocktails for years. No wonder they’ve held onto their title again this year.
Best Sichuan
Clue’s in the name with this one – it’s Sichuan heat through and through at this popular spicy eatery on Donghu Lu. Just when you thought the flamin’ hot mala peppers won’t quit, Sichuan Citizen cools it right down with refreshingly stiff cocktails. Booze, spice and all things nice.
Best Xinjiang
Holding onto their title for the second year in a row, Xibo’s got Shanghai’s Xinjiang cuisine fans hooked. Must be something to do with those hefty portions of lamb deliciousness.
Best Hunan
Ah, Di Shui Dong, a no-brainer for lovers of Hunan heat and cumin doused ribs. Home to hordes of rowdy beer- and baijiu-soaked diners, DSD’s gone and done it again with the best Hunan title for another year in a row.
Best Shanghainese
Oriental House, Intercontinental Shanghai Pudong
Wrenching the title of ‘Best Shanghainese’ away from Taiwan-export Din Tai Fung is Oriental House, a Shanghai veteran that’s been on the scene for some 20 years. We hear those little xiaolongbao are terribly tricky to make – good thing Oriental House has two decades of practice.
Best Cantonese
Wan Li (Renaissance Shanghai Caohejing Hotel)
Bringing a classier kind of Cantonese to Shanghai’s ravenous diners, Wan Li shows you can’t go wrong with a good spot of classic dim sum, in your very own private room no less.
Best Hotpot
‘Holy cow, this hotpot is delicious!’ Named after the most commonly exclaimed phrase after trying their never-frozen meats, ethically sourced veggies and deeply delicious soup, Chaozhou-style hotpot joint Holy Cow has taken the city by storm since opening this year. It’s hotpot, but minus the food hangover.
Best Thai
We're gaga for his green curry and potty about his pad thai so when we're in need of some south-east Asian flavors, we head straight to Huaihai Lu for some of Michael Wending's delicious signature Thai dishes. He spent a year studying Thai cuisine in Bangkok resulting in some more unusual flavor combinations, all made with super fresh ingredients. The slick interior and lighting are perfect for a date night but the restaurant is also a hit with families, having becoming a secret favorite for it's child friendly weekend brunch, complete with play area.
Best Southeast Asian
We can't stop nasigoreng back here for the spicy flavors of Indonesia served up right next to Jing'an Temple. From traditional rice dishes and curries to juicy satay sticks, the fragrant food and Balinese hospitality will have you coming back time and time again.
Best Vietnamese
Piping hot bowls of noodles fly off the shelves at this former French Concession pho-nomenon and they have deservedly tipped the top of their category this year. Also serving up staples like vermicelli spring rolls and rice dishes, they consistently pull back customers in search of some Southeast Asian comfort food. We say good pho you guys, keep up the good work!
Best Indian
These curry kings have had people talking about their cracking kormas for over a decade and have rightly been crowned Shanghai's favorite Indian. Vindaloo fiends and tandoori addicts alike will find their favorite dishes at the central Shanghai locations, which all offer a vast menu of authentic and regional Indian fare.
Best Korean
In the mood for some Seoul food? Chi-Qi takes the traditional Korean BBQ to another level down at the Bund under the watchful eye of Jean-Georges' wife, Marja Vongerichten and chef Bina Yu. Looking for that kimchi-kick? Expect the usual, bold Korean flavors heavy on the garlic and spice with high grade BBQ meats to boot.
Best Japanese: Omakase Sushi
Fresh fish imported from Japan: check. Luxurious atmosphere: check. Ancestral ties to feudal Japanese aristocracy: check and check. This year, the Asano siblings Judy and Jimmy Wu take the omakase sushi crown for themselves. Keep that sashimi coming, please!
Best Japanese: Casual Sushi
Tsuru, Jing’an Shangri-La Hotel
Rolls, sashimi, nigiri, kimono-clad geishas as waitresses – you name it. Tsuru’s got us turning Japanese for their delicious sushi and zen atmosphere.
Best Japanese
With so many great Japanese options around the city, this yakitori chain had our readers going yowzers. Shanghai can’t seem to get enough of their delicious grilled skewers, with the restaurant opening its third chain this year.
Best Japanese: Teppanyaki
It’s a cut above your average teppanyaki, and there ain’t no RMB180 all-you-can-eat-and-drink deal to be found here, but Ubuka’s premium imported ingredients, ultra fresh sushi and luxe surroundings have gotten Shanghai’s diners going crazy.
Best Afternoon Tea
Ladies who lunch? Ladies who lounge more like, and you’ll certainly need to after emptying one of The Langham’s quadruple-tiered afternoon tea sets. They even have a pink chocolate fountain, for goodness sakes.
Best Dessert and Patisserie
Winning this category for an amazing ninth year, HoF continues to keep Shanghai satisfied with its premium desserts and cocktails. Brian Tan's cafe has us returning over and again for their housemade chocolates and sinful fudge cakes all at purse-friendly prices. The question is; 'Tan' they make it 10 years at the top?
// See listings for Sinan Mansions, Shanghai Centre and Pudong.
Best Bakery
A mainstay on the Shanghai food and drink scene, Baker and Spice's large spaces across town make it the ideal place to bring the kids for a drink and a snack, or the whole family for brunch on the weekend. Synonymous with fantastic quality and perhaps the biggest choice of breads, cakes and treats anywhere in town, we love their salads, fresh juices and croissants, not to mention their convenient central locations.
// See listings for branches at Huangpi Nan Lu, Grand Gateway, Shanghai Centre, Lujiazui, Pudong Kerry Parkside.
Best Sandwiches
This year was a veritable bagel bonanza and Boom Boom Bagels was leading a charge. Originally a pop-up within Sumerian, it opened up shop on Anfu Lu where it’s built up a cult following addicted to its creations like the pulled-pork-filled Hindquarter.
Best Healthy Food
This haven for health and wellness is constantly buzzing, serving up meals that are both highly nutritious and delicious. Their organic marketplace ensures you can treat your body like the temple it is from the comfort of home.
// See listings for Jing’an and Shanghai Centre branches.
Best Café
Sumerian Coffee has been saving us Shanghai-ren from bad coffee for several years now and has fast become a Shanghai institution. Known for their sturdy, specialty cups of Joe and friendly atmosphere, Sumerian now also serves some of the best house-made bagels in town. Kids also love their two adorable dogs, Burrito and Dou Dou, who prance around the bright interior and lounge around on bags of coffee beans.
Best Cottage Industry
When you need a hearty taste of home, these 'pie-oneers' will have you covered with their satisfying, handcrafted meat creations. Their take on the quintessentially British dish has the punters hooked with combinations like Guinness soaked rump steak with slow cooked vegetables and a great selection of satisfying side dishes.
Best Child-Friendly Restaurant
With a menu full of yummy pizzas, pastas, salads and mains, Alla Torre has now expanded to over five locations in Shanghai, including Lujiazui, Jing’an, Hongqiao and Global Harbor Mall. We say you can’t beat their classic Margherita, but we also love their Bolognese pizza – all the fun of the spaghetti original, but on a freshly baked thin-crust pizza! Alla Torre’s menu contains enough grown up dishes to keep parents happy, as well as more simple dishes, such as linguine al pesto genovese for kids.
Best Family Brunch
Shanghai City Bistro, Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Center
Located slap bang in the middle of town at People’s Square, the enormous family weekend brunch here has been blowing minds since it opened. With an epic buffet spread of cuisines from all around the world, there’s literally something for everyone to be found at the Marketplace Sunday brunch.
Best Brunch
Responsible for soaking up many a bad decision of the night before, Liquid Laundry’s hangover prevention team in the kitchen, headed up by Chef Simon Sunwoo, have wowed us with their eggcellent (pun intended) brunch dishes this year.
Best BBQ
Where do Shanghai’s meat lovers go when in need of a serious protein fix? None other than Latina’s epic Brazilian BBQ feast, which is big enough to induce many a meat coma.
Best Burger
We counted the votes; double-checked and counted them again… It’s a dead tie between Bistro Burger and China Tiki this year. Don’t worry, we won’t make you choose: we’re giving a joint prize for both these guys this year.
// See listing for Bistro Burger here and China Tiki here.
Best Steakhouse
Fun fact: did you know the Morton’s branch in Pudong’s IFC mall is the best performing Morton’s anywhere in the world? Now it’s also the most popular steakhouse in the city, no doubt due to their awesome weekday Mortini night. RMB45 martinis and free filet mignon sandwiches? Yes. Please.
Best Contemporary Western
Making full use of that breathtaking view from the top of the M1NT Tower, this contemporary restaurant and grill has long been a destination for fine dining before partying. First you eat, then you stroll straight through to the club. Couldn’t be easier (or more delicious).
Best American
Woo! Go Goga! Lovers of American food have gone gaga, yet again, for Brad Turley’s honest and down-to-earth San Franciscan-inspired dishes at this veteran restaurant in the former French Concession.
Best Mexican
Arriba! El Luchador has clinched Best Mexican this year, due in no small part to their crushed ice margaritas, which have a reputation for getting many a Yongkang Lu drinker wasted. Best eat a few of their tacos before embarking on this booze fest.
Best Latin American
One of the best value fine dining options on the Bund, Unico’s got sumptuous food, kickass views, a cocktail laboratory, cigars and a constantly changing roster of vibrant live Latin music. Literally what more could you want?
Best Spanish
Love the olives. Cherish the chorizo. Treasure the tapas. And who hasn’t fallen in love with that most special of dishes – the exploding balik salmon? The consistently creative spot has been our España essential, and yours too, picking up yet another award for Best Spanish.
Best French
Ooh la la! This modern bistro specializing in fabulous Gallic fare has gone back to back picking up Best French honors. Chef Michael Wendling’s southern inspired creations have our hearts escargot-go-going for steak frites. Bon appétit!
Best Bistro
If seafood be the food of love, eat on! Nothing like Coquille Seafood Bistro’s oysters to get us in the mood… for more eating. Particularly for their black pepper noodles with Dungeness crab, so good it’s almost worth an award in itself.
Best Pizza
It really is amore when it comes to Shanghai’s feelings about Pizza Express’s pizza pies, made to order by the in-house pizzaiolos. With multiple branches around town, we seriously can’t get enough of their crispy-based carb creations.
Best Italian
Their contemporary Italian dishes might be designed to share, but we bet you won’t want to after first bite – they’re that delicious. Combine that with a full view of the Bund and you have yourself a winner.
Best View, Best New Italian
Where is da best view in Shanghai? Da Ivo! Having cultivated a loyal army of fans since opening this year who swear by head chef Mama Giorgina’s veal Milanese, Venetian-export Da Ivo’s views really are a thing to behold. There’s even a panoramic Bund view in the bathrooms, we kid you not.
Best Fine Dining
The celebrity chef’s global empire of Michelin starred restaurant stretches from Las Vegas to Tokyo, but his first signature restaurant outside New York remains a crown jewel. Its signature French cuisine with an Asian twist has won over our (and your) hearts and stomachs.
Best Hotel Bar
If a panoramic view of our fair city from their terrace weren’t enough, surely it’s the VUE Bar’s free-to-use hot tub that sealed the deal winning Best Hotel Bar this year. Combine that with a few expertly made cocktails and you have yourself a winner.
Best Hotel Brunch
The Stage, Westin Bund Center Shanghai
Ah the Westin’s brunch, beloved by those trying to seriously eat, and also those trying to seriously drink thanks to that excellent free-flow champagne thing they have going on. Whatever your priorities are at brunch time, this classic buffet at the Westin has you covered.
Best Hotel Buffet
Yi Café, Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai
Everyone loves an all-you-can-eat deal. Even more so when the quality is top notch and the service spotless. So we aren’t surprised Pudong Shangri-La’s Yi Café got your vote. This spot is the best and classiest in town when it comes to filling up on gluttonous delights. They’ve got salads, seafood, hot dishes, meats, cheeses and more. It’s like heaven on earth for any foodie worthy of the name. God bless you, Yi Café.
Best Hotel Italian
Scena (The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong)
Since bursting onto the ‘scena’ in Lujiazui, Italian head chef Daniele’s been keeping standards sky high at the Ritz Carlton Pudong’s flagship Italian restaurant.
Best Hotel Steakhouse
Fifty 8° Grill, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
Sirloin and porterhouse hold their own against any steak in the city at Fifty 8° Grill, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai. Sure, the classy steakhouse has made a reputation for serving all kinds of impeccable dishes, but still, folks come here for the beef. No one does perfectly cooked cuts of meats like the ones you get here. Whether you’re after a juicy rib-eye or the finest filet, this place has got you covered.
Best Hotel Fine Dining
Sir Elly’s, The Peninsula Shanghai
The Bund favorite has everything you need for a wondrous experience, with picturesque views, a gorgeous rooftop patio and a touch of local history. The food is always a spectacular mix of classic French training with Asian, European and Mediterranean inspired dishes.
Best Hotel Bar (Editor’s Choice)
A century ago, the Long Bar was the place to be seen in Shanghai and things haven’t changed too much. With its gorgeous design, extensive choice of single malt whiskeys, premium Cuban cigars and gastro pub fare, it’s the place for business lunches and wild nights on the Bund.
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