Here are all the new restaurant and bar openings we featured in our September 2018 magazine issue.

Restaurants

Dao Jiang Hu

Image by Cristina Ng/That's

When it comes to Chinese cuisine, authenticity or the lack thereof gets people fired up. This tug-of-war between tradition and innovation is being waged in kitchens across Shanghai, where diners are as fickle as they are picky.

Joining the fray is Dao Jiang Hu, named after a Shanghainese colloquialism meaning to stir up gossip or mess around, with a touch of mischief. Here, Chef Betty Ng’s exploration of Chinese regional dishes with an adventurous, price-friendly menu utilizing Western ingredients and techniques has made Dao Jiang Hu one of Shanghai’s more intriguing new openings.

Total Verdict: 3.5/5

Price: RMB200-300
Who’s going: expats and open-minded locals
Good for: groups, relaxed dinners, fusion cuisine

Read the full review here. See listing for Dao Jiang Hu. 

Blackbird

Image courtesy Blackbird

Shanghai’s latest and most ambitious lifestyle hub, Columbia Circle, is home to many recent openings. While most of these venues have yet to solidify their fan base, OHA Design’s new iteration of Blackbird already boasts a consistently full house. Perched along the glossy red bar are patrons served by tech-savvy mixologists utilizing sound waves and siphons to flavor cocktails, while Executive Chef Blake Thornley fills the design-forward dining area with snacks and shareable plates.

Total Verdict: 4/5

Price: RMB300-500 per person
Who’s going: cool, open-minded diners of all stripes
Good for: adventurous palates, bar snacks, cocktails

Read the full review here. See listing for Blackbird.

Latin Woo 

Image by Dominic Ngai/That's

A beloved darling of Shanghai’s fickle-hearted diners, Asian-inspired tapas purveyor Pirata has recently opened a new branch next to Columbia Circle’s #instafamous swimming pool. Each night, Chef Ling Huang and her team continue to pump out fan favorites like foie gras toasts and spicy clams with Thai basil to a devoted following. During the day, however, this restaurant transforms into Latin Woo, where hearty sandwiches and lunch dishes with a Latin American spin are served.

Total Verdict: 4/5

Price: RMB70-100 per person
Who’s going: Pirata’s loyal fans, nearby office workers, dehydrated wanghongs in between poses
Good for: carb-loading, casual lunch

Read the full review here. See listing for Latin Woo. 

Pie Bird

Image by Cristina Ng/That's

It takes guts and a lot of hard work to open up your own restaurant, so we have to give props to Lindsey Wang for her moxie. After searching Shanghai for an apple pie that met her standards, this former fashion designer and self-taught baker decided to fly the coop and open her own pastry haven. The result is Pie Bird, a nostalgic bake shop serving up quiches and desserts photogenic enough to grace the cover of Southern Living.

Total Verdict: 3.5/5

Price: From RMB38
Who’s going: Jing’an locals, pie enthusiasts
Good for: lunch dates, coffee breaks, afternoon treats

Read the full review here. See listing for Pie Bird. 

Bars

Ars & Delecto

Image by Cristina Ng/That's

You’re strolling down Jinxian Lu when the urge for a beautifully crafted cocktail hits. Lady Luck, or perhaps ‘the green fairy’, is on your side as the group behind Tokyo’s Bar Trench (no. 16 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars) has just opened Ars & Delecto. This vintage café-style watering hole, located in Citizen Café’s former home, stocks a wide range of products from the award-winning KA VA LAN Taiwan-made single malt whiskey to absinthe that they serve in a drip.

The double-sided drinks list is one part homage to cocktail making traditions and one part playful exploration. The classic cocktails portion of the menu reads like a Drunk History textbook, while the signatures feature ingredients from around the world, and are given quirky names like Travelers Ship and Going to Acapulco.

Read the full review here. See listing for Ars & Delecto. 

[Cover image courtesy Blackbird]

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Read more Shanghai Restaurant Reviews & Shanghai Bar Reviews