A definitive guide to the best new restaurants in Shanghai from 2025 featured on Nomfluence. Here are some of my favorite new openings of the year and some of the best meals I’ve had in Shanghai — from fine dining to the humble sandwich!
- Top 3 New Restaurants
- Excellent omakase
- Favorite new Chinese restaurant
- Favorite sandwich spot
- Vegetarian of the year
- Favorite dishes
- Familiar favorites — oldies but goldies
- The full list
Best New Restaurants in Shanghai 2025
Among the many openings, there were a handful that really caught my attention.
Rambu
Rambu is, without a doubt, one of my favorites. I know it’s unfair to crown a newcomer so quickly, but Chef Jun Nishiyama and his team have accomplished something special. They’ve taken the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine and made it playful, intelligent, and explorative. As a Malaysian, this is the kind of bold, respectful innovation I’ve been craving to see in Shanghai.
Aster
Then there’s Aster. Chef Joshua Paris plates with a technician’s precision, and his sauces are the real deal. Aster is more than a restaurant — it’s an ever-evolving culinary experience, one that reflects Paris’ creative journey and technical prowess.
Alea
Another one to watch is Alea, but I haven’t had the chance to write it up yet. This contemporary Western restaurant weaves in Cantonese and Ningbo influences, and is backed by the team behind the fine-dining concept Fabula (located upstairs). Stay tuned for the write-up.
Omakase Picks
On the sushi front, there are two worth noting: Uni Shushi and Ochiyo. Uni Shushi is a rare gem that delivers remarkably high quality for the price. For a more lavish expression, there’s Ochiyo, which does things with greater flair and even finer ingredients.
Choice Chinese
In the realm of Chinese cuisine, TAN Sichuan Cuisine delivers a kind of authenticity that rings with comfort. It’s tucked away in Yu Gardens, and yes, it might just be good enough to justify battling the tourist crowds.
Best New Sandwich Spot
A necessary shoutout goes to Feral Banh Mi for proving that a truly great sandwich, bursting with flavor and character, can be had in Shanghai for under ¥50.
Vegetarian of the Year
For creative vegetarian cuisine, Salt-Less is brilliant. Yet, I believe it’s still quite underrated. It’s seriously good stuff, good enough that it makes a meat-eater like myself talk it up.
Favorite Dishes
There were also some really unforgettable dishes. Like the hot and cold onion soup at 1929 by GG, the oil-splashed scallops at Alinta, the callos and huevos rotos at Atica, the roasted eel at Nasu House, the beef and foie gras cannelloni at Ocean’s Table, the smoky provola on the pizza at Capri, and the treacle bread at Yeats.
Familiar Favorites
Of course, it’s not all about new openings, but also revisiting familiar favorites.
I’ll sound like a broken record, but places earn their reputation for a reason, ones that deliver consistency and excellence. For fine dining, my biases hold firm: Menu 50 at Michelin three-star Taian Table was an unforgettable experience, as was the white truffle menu at Michelin two-star 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, and the Beach Holiday menu at TING by Frédéric Jaros.
Another revisit was to Sage with Chef Jun Nishiyama’s final tasting menu. It was a deeply personal journey, inspired by his childhood and our mutual trip to Penang. This was food with a story, one that was nostalgic, vivid, and utterly delicious. It’s a send-off with a bang, as Sage is due to close at the end of this year.
In the Italian category, Momenti delivers consistent comfort with its accessibly priced, fresh-made pastas.
For Italian comfort elevated with technique, DG CAFFE is the move. Consulted by Chef Gianluca Serafin, the food here is seriously good. And honestly priced, too, despite the luxury brand attached to its name.
And the best donuts? That goes to Madre for their bomboloni. If you have a sweet tooth and haven’t tried them, you’re really missing out.
Finally, a shoutout to Man Man Tang Bao, my go-to for xiaolongbao these days.
New Restaurants in Shanghai 2025
The Fire
The Fire brings people back to Reel Mall with their uncomplicated grill concept and lovable free-flow brunch menu. Their massive terrace ensures plenty of al fresco seating.
Uni Shushi
In Shanghai, omakase can sometimes feel like a financial flex, Uni Shushi delivers a solid experience without the sticker shock.
1929 by GG
Refined French cuisine with contemporary inspirations by name chef Guillaume Galliot. 1929 by GG’s impressive dining room also makes it a big draw for those celebrating an occasion.
Nebula Shanghai
Jonatan Rubio’s chef-driven menus at fine dining Spanish restaurant Nebula takes guests on a journey that charts his Spanish heritage and Ecuadorean pedigree, and experiences in China and Southeast Asia.
Yunnan Eating Society (YES)
From Shanghai OUD comes YES, a Yunnan restaurant with uber hip vibes. Small plates of all your favorite Yunnan dishes in a cool space that’ll make you stay on for drinks.
Alinta
Trendy bistro Alinta brings a new crowd to Jiashan Market, serving up creative western plates with global influences and a solid brunch menu.
Grinder 3.0
Long-running burger joint Grinder reopens, serving up burgers (some of which are more than creative) alongside comforting rice bowls.
Ochiyo
After leaving its original lane house, popular omakase restaurant Ochiyo reopens at IM Shanghai, alongside Noya. High caliber sushi and sashimi for the deep-pocketed.
Noya
From Sun-San, chef founder of Ochiyo, comes Noya, an omakase concept centered around sukiyaki.
Salt-Less
Salt-Less proves that vegetarian food need not be boring. Western and Chinese inspired vegetarian dishes that are so good it makes one (for a split second) consider going meat-less.
Sandian Luroufan
Sandian draws a crowd with its mono-product: luroufan, Taiwanese braised pork rice. Petit bowls topped with saucy, melt-in-your-mouth stewed pork belly — for cheap!
gubigubi
Chinese bistro gubigubi serves up Ningbo-inspired dishes that lean creative and contemporary. Its chic prime location is also easy on the eyes.
Bizy Boy
From the people behind Basdban comes viral sensation BizyBoy, serving sandwiches by day and pasta by night. The fan favorite? The pastrami sandwich.
Aster
Joshua Paris, a veteran of Ultraviolet’s three-starred pressure cooker, steps into his own with Aster.
Avocado Tree
Beijing’s healthy concept Avocado Tree lands in Shanghai, serving up bowls, burritos, and salads with plenty of avocado. A popular delivery option!
Grumpy Dog
Gourmet hotdogs make a comeback at Grumpy Dog, a cozy neighborhood spot dedicated to quality sausages, Taiwanese-inspired bar snacks, and straightforward drinks.
Atica
Atica is the Bottega Group’s love letter to Spanish comfort food and tapas, proving that classic is best. All in a stunning dining room with terraces that wow.
La Diosa
Mexican cantina La Diosa serves up tacos, tequila, and party vibes.
Cucina di Dario
Young talent Chef Dario Huang returns from Italy to showcase his rendition of the cuisine at Cucina di Dario, an intimate 10-seater fine dining space in Jing’an.
Nasu House
Jing’an gets a solid late night spot with Nasu House, an easy-going yakitori that’s all about charcoal grilled skewers.
Ocean’s Table
Ocean’s Table takes over the iconic Commune Social space, serving a fresh but familiar take on contemporary Spanish food.
Holy Good Canteen
Hip and trendy Cantonese-style hotpot restaurant Holy Good Canteen deals in all things chicken.
Kyu-Hai
Ramen spot Kyu-Hai next to IAPM with signature ramen noodles with chicken-based broths.
Upperwood
Super lounge Upperwood enters nightlife hotspot INS, offering an elevated space for partygoers with bar bites and shisha.
Sushi Oyama
Legendary chef Oyama-san returns to Shanghai, bringing back his style of omakase at Sushi Oyama in Xintiandi Galleria.
Yatai Ramen
Yatai Ramen channels Fukuoka street-stall vibes on Wuxing Lu, serving up a rotating menu of seasonal noodles.
La Pomme De Terre
Brunch and bistro La Pomme De Terre on Yongfu Lu serving up breakfast plates, contemporary bistro dishes, and a handful of Canadian inspirations.
Feral Banh Mi
From street cart to store front, Feral Banh Mi gives Shanghai some legit Vietnamese sandwiches, all priced affordably under ¥50 each.
Spago Shanghai
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck showcases Spago Shanghai, featuring his iconic California cuisine at The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai. Long-time signature dishes and awe-inspiring views of the Shanghai skyline.
Capri by Bottega
Capri by Bottega brings Napoli’s lesser-known ”Cartwheel Pizza” to Xintiandi, dishing up southern Italian classics.
Vacances
Vacances spotlights Southern French cuisine at WYSH in Changning.
Yeats
Irish cuisine gets its time in the spotlight with a modern rendition at Yeats.
Terroir Strong
Contemporary Chinese restaurant Terroir Strong highlights cuisine and produce from northwest China.
TAN Sichuan Cuisine
Tourist spot Yu Gardens get legit Sichuan food with TAN Sichuan Cuisine, delivering fiery authenticity and comfort.
Rambu
Chef Jun Nishiyama explores Southeast Asian cuisine with a creative and playful lens at Rambu.
