The Place
Money Shops is a café and Western restaurant on historic Yuyuan Lu. The first floor coffee shop is replete with caffeinated beverages – Americanos (RMB25), Cappucinos (RMB28), Vanilla or Caramel Lattes (RMB30) and the like.
There is also an expansive selection of baked confectionaries – homemade French breads, sweets, tarts, cakes, croissants, pain au chocolate and a behemoth size Hong Kong style egg tart – known as the Pudding Français (RMB42) – that could easily satisfy the sweet tooth of a family of four.
And if all that isn't enough, premade sandwiches, tea, fresh juice, soft drinks, beer and nine wines to choose from by the bottle are also on offer.
Upstairs offers more of a restaurant vibe, with room for roughly 80 people to bask in the sunshine streaming in the through the bay windows.
The space is notably long and narrow, partitioned into three separate rooms with seating along the hallway as well. This is because the building boasts a history dating back more than 100 years, with much of the original structure and ceiling still preserved and protected by the local government as a city landmark.
The Food
The Western menu offers everything from brunch to dinner, with seasonal desserts and baked goodies in between.
We started off with some of Money Shops’ signatures, the Quesadilla with Duck Breast (RMB58) cleverly combines Mexican style cheesy quesadillas with roasted Beijing duck, served with mix veggies, pickles, and dipping sauces.
The Salmon Benedict (RMB68) is all about a thick cut slice of smoked salmon, topped with perfectly poached eggs and creamy hollandaise dusted with paprika.
A lunch staple, the Caesar Salad with Chicken (RMB62) sees a hefty portion of this crowd pleaser with the addition of soft-boiled egg and crispy bacon.
Fish and Chips (RMB45)
Slurp up some noodles with the Tagliatelle with Porcini and Sirloin (RMB88), a carbs-meets-steak entrée to satisfy those with an appetite.
For those winter months, nothing beats slow roasted, bone-in Short Ribs (RMB98), served with a comforting scoop of truffle mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and a drizzle of beef jus.
If you happen to swing by for an afternoon glass or two, we suggest the Mixed Cold Cuts with Cheese (RMB138) – a platter of nibbles spanning Parma ham, salami, mortadella, parmesan, emmental cheese and honeydew melon.
If you aren’t entirely stuffed after your casual feast, make sure to bring home any of the sweets, like Tiramisu or Lemon Tart.
The Vibe
Money Shops is a casual hangout that lends itself well to Shanghai’s nascent café culture. Whether it’s a pop-in for a morning cup of joe, a working lunch or a post-work libation, Money Shops fits the bill.
Price: RMB: 75-150
Who’s Going: Yuyuan Lu passers-by, café cultists, the Changning lunch crowd
Good For: Workday lunches, pastries and bread to go, Western food fixes
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[All images by Sophie Steiner/That's]
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