To truly experience Shanghai, you must seek out its Shanghainese restaurants, the proud keepers of the city’s signature Benbang cuisine and some of the best red-braised dishes (hongshao) you’ll ever experience. The restaurants listed below are the essential starting point for anyone looking to experience authentic Shanghai flavor.
- What is Benbang Cuisine?
- Best Shanghainese Restaurants in Shanghai
What is Benbang Cuisine aka Shanghainese Food?
Benbang Cuisine, 本帮菜 běnbāng cài, literally translates to “local cuisine,” is the definitive culinary tradition of Shanghai.
Originating from the home-style cooking of the city’s working-class neighborhoods in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was heavily influenced by the surrounding Jiangnan region (encompassing Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces). This proximity is why it shares the regional fondness for sweet flavors, the art of “浓油赤酱” (nóng yóu chì jiàng), meaning “rich oil and red sauce.” It’s a cooking technique that creates deeply savory and glossy sauces through the careful caramelization of sugar with soy sauce.
Famous dishes that exemplify this profile include 红烧肉 (hóngshāo ròu), slow-braised pork belly with a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a glistening, sweet-and-savory sauce; 糖醋小排 (tángcù xiǎo pái), tender sweet-and-sour vinegar pork ribs; and 上海熏鱼 (shànghǎi xūn yú), Shanghai-style smoked fish, made by frying and coating in a sweet-savory sauce.
Others Shanghainese classics include flash-fried freshwater eel, kaofu (wheat gluten), jiuxiang caotou (seasonal burclover vegetables fried with baijiu), and yanduxian (salted pork and bamboo soup, usually with tofu).
Best Shanghainese Restaurants in Shanghai
Ren He Guan (人和馆)
A personal favorite and a stellar Shanghainese restaurant in Shanghai, Ren He Guan holds a well-deserved Michelin star while remaining remarkably accessible. This is the place to experience perfected classics in an elegant, retro-inspired setting.
Their rendition of Hongshao Rou in Shanghai is arguably one of the best — an individual portion that’s succulent, glossy, and profoundly flavorful. Beyond the pork, don’t miss their decadent crabmeat dishes, from tofu to sheng jian bao to rice. While a second location exists in Jing’an, the original on Zhaojiabang Lu is the bustling, star-holding hub.
Service is polished, a welcome contrast to other famous spots, but booking ahead is essential.
Ren He Guan (人和馆)
Click here for the listing.
Old Jesse (老吉士)
Widely considered the most famous Shanghainese restaurant in Shanghai, Old Jesse is a culinary institution tucked into a traditional lane house. Since 2004, it has defined the authentic, bustling Benbang experience.
The tightly packed dining rooms are always humming, a testament to its legendary status. Signature dishes like the Braised Pork Belly, Scallion Fish Head, and Crab Meat & Roe Sizzling Pot Rice are quintessential orders. Be prepared for a challenge: securing a table at the original Tianping Road location often involves long waits and famously brisk, no-frills service, all part of its enduring charm.
Old Jesse (老吉士)
Click here for the listing.
The Fu Group: 1088, 1015, & 1039
For a refined take on local cuisine, the Fu group of restaurants offers three distinct experiences in historic villas, all of which hold a one Michelin star.
Fu 1088 is the grand dame, set in a 1920s Spanish-style villa with private dining rooms, serving elegant, contemporary Shanghainese dishes like soy-marinated cod. Fu 1015 is even more exclusive and pricey, focusing on customized menus and rare seasonal ingredients in a dignified, colonial-era setting — ideal for the most significant occasions. Fu 1039 strikes a slightly more relaxed, though still upscale, balance. Its charming villa provides a nostalgic backdrop for flawless classics like braised pork belly and hairy crab feasts.
View the listing for Fu 1088 here.
View the listing for Fu 1015 here.
View the listing for Fu 1039 here.
Rui Fu Yuan (瑞福园)
A steadfast institution since 1994, Rui Fu Yuan is a quintessential Shanghainese restaurant in Shanghai for genuine, home-style flavors. The vibe is unpretentious and buzzy, often filled with local regulars who have been coming for years. This is where you find comforting, expertly executed classics without the Michelin-starred price tag.
Their menu features timeless dishes, including yellow croaker wonton soup, a perfectly balanced Drunken Chicken and a rich, savory Hongshao Rou that keeps patrons returning. For an authentic taste of a Shanghai “老字号” (time-honored brand), Rui Fu Yuan delivers with consistent quality and heart.
Rui Fu Yuan (瑞福园)
Click here for the listing.
Xiao Ping Restaurant (晓平饭店)
Xiao Ping Restaurant has evolved from a local secret into a beloved destination for homestyle Shanghainese food. Chef-Owner Tang Yichen’s commitment to affordable, delicious classics has created enduring loyalty. The menu is a hit-list of Benbang favorites, including a stellar Scallion Oil Clams and a deeply satisfying Stir-Fried Pepper Eel.
Their version of Hongshao Rou in Shanghai is a must-try for its classic, comforting profile. The atmosphere is casual and bustling; be prepared to queue, but the picture-filled menu makes ordering a breeze for all.
Xiao Ping Restaurant (晓平饭店)
Click here for the listing.
Jianguo 328 (建国328)
Jianguo 328 is a cozy Shanghainese restaurant known for its assertive flavors and rustic charm. This is the place for robust, homestyle cooking that packs a punch. It’s known for their attention to quality and advertises an MSG-free meal. Popular dishes include red braised pork belly, stir-fried pork liver, baijiu fried bur clover (酒香草头), scallion noodles, yellow croaker spring rolls, and more.
Jianguo 328 (建国328)
Click here for the listing.
Shanghai Tang (上海滩餐厅)
For a glamorous, high-end interpretation of local flavors, Shanghai Tang Restaurant in Xintiandi offers a sophisticated experience. This is not a purist’s Shanghainese restaurant; it creatively reimagines classics with premium ingredients and artistic presentation alongside other regional dishes like Beijing Duck. The ambiance is sleek and modern, a stark contrast to traditional lane houses, making it ideal for a fancy business dinner or a special occasion. The draw is the entire upscale package — beautiful food, stylish decor, and a vibrant scene.
Shanghai Tang (上海滩餐厅)
Click here for the listing.
Cheng Long Hang (陈龙行)
Established in 2002, Cheng Long Hang has rapidly become a household name and a premier destination for the ultimate hairy crab experience. This famous Shanghainese restaurant in Shanghai holds a Michelin star at its original Jiujiang Road location, a testament to its quality. Like the legendary Wang Bao He, they offer a dedicated crab feast, with their own farm supplying ingredients for an extensive menu. Indulge in crab roe xiaolongbao, drunken crab, and even crab meat steamed in a whole orange. A significant perk is their service: they expertly pre-crack your whole crab, making the decadent meal effortlessly enjoyable. For a top-tier crab feast in Shanghai, Cheng Long Hang is a stellar choice.
Cheng Long Hang (陈龙行)
Click here for the listing.
Wang Bao He (王宝和)
A legendary famous Shanghainese restaurant in Shanghai with a history dating back to 1744, Wang Bao He is the undisputed emperor of the “hairy crab feast.” During crab season, this time-honored institution near the Bund is a pilgrimage site for connoisseurs. They pioneered the “蟹宴” (crab banquet), where nearly every dish — from xiaolongbao and tofu to lion’s head meatballs — is infused with precious crab roe and meat. They even make their own Huangjiu (yellow wine) to perfectly pair with the crustaceans.
Wang Bao He (王宝和)
Click here for the listing.
