Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: December 2019

By Cristina Ng, December 6, 2019

0 0

If you need to put on some weight for winter, Shanghai restaurateurs have got your back with some tasty new openings.

First up, filling an Indo-Persian flavor void in the market comes Khan Chaca Bistro & Lounge in the Westgate Mall.

WeChat-Image_20191206170653.jpg
Image courtesy of KIN Urban Thai Kitchen

Over on Yongkang Lu, KIN Urban Thai Kitchen has finally opened. Also on the Southeast Asian tip, there’s a new banh mi joint called Bom Bom on Yuyuan Lu, Grand Gateway’s getting a branch of Singaporean chain PS.Cafe and an old favorite Asian Plus is back in the 1788 Mall. Also in that mall, Shanghai’s second Moka Bros.


Image by Betty Richardson/That's

On Planet Burger, we lost Fatburger on Sinan Lu, while gaining a new Shake Shack in Pudong, the third location in Shanghai. Speaking of Shake Shack, head to any Shanghai location for their limited edition Christmas Cookie Shake inspired by sugar cookies. The sugar cookie frozen custard is topped with whipped cream and festive sprinkles. Also, in big new for fried chicken lovers, Popeyes is coming to China next year.

2019_Intl_Holiday-Shake_Press-01.jpg
Image courtesy of Shake Shack

Italian food lovers should check out Casa Giulo, a multi-concept space from a Chinese-Italian guy named, you guessed it, Giulo. There’s bistro fare, a wine lounge and Italian groceries with high-end Italian cuisine coming soon. 


Image by Cristina Ng/That's 

The dessert experts at Pie Bird are joining Jing An Kerry Centre, while Luneurs is expanding its reach to Jingan. In Italian carb news, Pan & Latte is now on Shaanxi Bei Lu as well as Buondi Coffee & Bakery out in Hongqiao. 

We thought it was dead season for bar openings until we stumbled on a Donghu Lu cocktail bar called Hanky Panky that soft-opened in September. They’ve already got a roster of guest bartenders coming through like Peter Lin (Ounce Taipei) and Roy Zhou (Gotham East Brand Ambassador) plus fun events such as Gin n’ Juice Thursday’s.

straight-no-chaser.jpg
Image courtesy of Italo

Nearby, the FUNKA group’s latest venture Italo is open above Funkadeli on Fumin LuAs expected, the cocktail list heavily features aperitivi with a rhubarb vesper and ‘fluffed’ Garibaldi alongside the FUNKA classic Superspritz. There’s also a wild berry fizz with sloe gin, lemon juice and Saint Germain that we can’t wait to try. The food menu has pizzas, pasta, a killer lemon tart and more. 

WeChat-Image_20191206164726.jpg
Image courtesy of Tacolicious

Speaking of restaurants to get drunk in, Tacolicious 2 on Haifang Lu is on schedule for an early January opening. In the meantime, they've christened the terrace on Yueyang Lu as Lil'licious after a heated naming competition. In addition to the snazzy new name, the enclosed rooftop features festive decorations and heat lamps to keep you warm – in body and spirit. 

On the Bund, the Goodfellas crew opened SakeMate in November for Nikkei cuisine, cocktails and lots of sake. Natural wine lovers can choose from over 200 bottles at Pass Residence on Julu Lu along with some seriously tasty antipasti, pizza and pasta. 

pass-residence-chicken-pizza.jpg
Image by Cristina Ng/That's

If you can’t tell by the number of pizza mentions on this website, we love ‘em. The announcement of each new Homeslice seasonal collection is a cause for celebration. The fall 2019 lineup features a limited edition Luchador pizza by Eduardo Gomez. The executive chef of El Santo and El Luchador shares his heritage with a riff on classic Mexican taco fillings. This bold pizza is covered in beef strips, spicy chorizo and pico de gallo on a chipotle-laced tomato base. As usual, the restaurant is donating 10% of the sales of this seasonal item to Stepping Stones.

homeslice-new.jpg
Image courtesy of Homeslice

Tiandi is a new Asian-fusion gastro lounge/club in the Andaz Xintiandi Hotel founded by some of the same folks behind ASL, UP Shanghai and Ballers.

Cookie-red-box-2.jpg
Image courtesy of Coucou

Coucou is a welcoming new cookie café on Changle Lu featuring handmade treats opened by Holly Lian and Yannick De Brower, a Chinese-Belgian couple. They have eight different flavors representing classics such as chocolate chip with walnut or cream cheese with raspberry jam. Things get fun with their Chinese-inspired varieties. Bizarre yet delicious, ‘The Salty One’ is a riff on cong you bing loaded with chives and pretzels. There’s also a peanut butter cookie featuring local peanut candy that you’ve got to try. Enjoy them in person with a cuppa or order delivery via Eleme and Dianping.

In Putuo district, 521/SH is a casual bar with outdoor riverfront seating featuring live music, European food, craft beer, wine and cocktails. Finally – and sadly – Kommune Cafe has had its courtyard encroached upon by its neighbors, so make sure you sit on the right side on your next visit to Tianzifang!

[Cover image image via tricycle.org]


Got a hot tip? Feel free to email all juicy rumors dining@urbanatomy.com. 

Read more Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip.

more news

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: March 2024

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: January 2024

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: December 2023

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: November 2023

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: October 2023

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: September 2023

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: August 2023

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

Shanghai Food & Drink Gossip: July 2023

Your monthly serving of new restaurants, bars and tasty gossip tidbits.

0 User Comments

In Case You Missed It…

We're on WeChat!

Scan our QR Code at right or follow us at Thats_Shanghai for events, guides, giveaways and much more!

7 Days in Shanghai With thatsmags.com

Weekly updates to your email inbox every Wednesday

Download previous issues

Never miss an issue of That's Shanghai!

Visit the archives