July 2013 ~ Best From Expats

2.7.13 -

Shanghai

I love, love, love this city. Every time I go I discover something new. I would like to thank some dear friends that live there for a while (Marcela Simões, Livia Zonzini, & Astrid Gysen). They introduced me to their favorite places in town and contributed a lot to this post. Hope you enjoy this city as much as I do!

Where to Stay:

- I recommend staying in Xintiandi neighborhood (nice options are Ascott Huai Hai Road or Andaz) or in the Bund neighborhood (Peninsula Hotel or Waldorf Astoria).

What to Do:

- Explore the charming neighborhoods of Xintiandi, the Bund, French Concession;

- Go for a walk / run at the Bund;

- Pudong (Shanghai World Financial Center - The tall building that resembles a bottle opener. It has nice views from the top, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has gigantic lines to get in so Livia would not recommend this one, just the SWFC…);

- Huai Hai Road: considered Shanghai's 5th Svenue;

- Wukang Road and Anfu Road in French Concession are a must-see. In Wukang Lu hits Ferguson Lane, filled with coffee shops, spas, stores and restaurants. Franck Restaurant is there and it is considered the best French Bistrot in town. Marcela's favorite bakeries are located in Anfu Road - Baker & Spice and Sunflour. Both places are great for a Sunday brunch or an afternoon coffee;

- Nanjing Road: popular commerce, crowded street, but I'm definitely not a big fan;

- Yuyuan Garden, God Temple & Confucian Temple;

- Jing'an Temple;

- Jade Buddha Temple;

- People's Square (Shanghai Urban Planing Exhibition Center is here with its huge scale model of Shanghai approved for construction up to the year of 2020);

- Fabric Market: great for cashmere scarves and coats (tailor made);

- Pearl Market;

- IFC Mall and Plaza 66: malls with luxury brands;

- Han City: the fake market;

- Taikang Road: great location to buy scarves (Woo store) and photos of Shanghai. Taikang Lu is the "art street" of Shanghai. It has great stores (such as Casa Pagoda Furniture Store) and restaurants too (Origin is a great place to have lunch and The Commune Social is perfect for an afternoon drink / coffee);

- Xintiandi: it's a whole block with shops, malls, restaurants and bars. Great place to hang out at night time;

- Yongkang Road: where the young people hang out after work, a street filled with bars and restaurants with a great vibe. Marcela says the best places to hit while here are: Sushi O, Le Cafe des Stagiaires, The Sailors;

- Massages: Really good and cheap. the best places are: Green Massage and Dragonfly (this one has several addresses);

Where to Eat:

- Brunch: Hai Pai (Andaz), Vue (Hyatt), Isola (IFC), The Westin (always some kind of performance going on), Cuivre (French, also crowded, good for dinner too), Henkes (Inside the Reel Mall at Nanjing Road, also good for dinner), Park Hyatt (the highest hotel in Shanghai has a Lobster Champagne Brunch for the Lobster lovers), La Fourchette (French with a play space for the kids, also good for dinner, best steak tartare in town), Sir Elly's at the Peninsula hotel (another brunch with a view), Jean Georges, Azul (Inside K11 mall at Huai Hai Road);

- Lunch: Simply Thai, Kabb, Din Tai Fung (best dumplings), El Elephante (Mediterranean), Origin, The Portman Ritz Carlton Shanghai (the hotel is surrounded by shops and restaurants and it's a great place for lunch), Cantina Agave (Mexican), Element Fresh (Xintiandi), Le Creperie (best Crepes in town), The Fat Olive (Greek), Wagas (quick bite);

- Dinner: M on the Bund, Mr & Mrs Bund (French), Mercato (Italian), Lost Heaven (Asian), Stiller's (French), Goga (Californian), Haiku (Sushi), Franck (French), Maya (Mexican), Mexo (Mexican at the Bund), Dakota (Burgers), Pulau Ketan (best Crab), Pizza Marzano, El Willy (Spanish tapas), Pata Negra (Spanish Tapas), 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, Isola, Morton's (Isola is an Italian and Morton's a Steak house located inside the IFC mall), Shintori (Japanese), Masala (best Indian), Roosevelt Sky Restaurant (beautiful skyline of the city). Last but not least, Marcela suggests Ultraviolet, the best restaurant of all. The chef Paul Pairet cooks a 20-course menu for only 10 people/ night. Obviously it requires booking in advance through the website (http://www.uvbypp.cc/);

- Bars: M1NT (good for dinner too), The Camel Sports Bar, Flair (for drinks and finger foods- at Ritz), El Coctel (for drinks), The Commune Social (afternoon drinks or coffee), Unico (at the Bund good for drinks and dancing), The Glamour Bar, The Roof at Waterhouse;

- Bakeries: Baker and Spice, Sunflour;

Websites and Blogs:

- http://www.bestfromexpats.com (just kidding)

- http://www.smartshanghai.com

- http://wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai