Atica Shanghai: Authentic Spanish Flavors in a Stunning Space

Brought to you by the Bottega Group, Atica Shanghai is a stylish yet casual restaurant delivering authentic Spanish comfort food in a stunning space on the fifth floor of the Xinle Lu mansion. A gorgeous dining room, sunlit terraces, and classic dishes executed with precision.

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The Space

The dining room stops you in your tracks.

Atica, a Spanish restaurant in Shanghai with terrace views.

Vaulted ceilings give way to a dramatic skylight that floods the space with natural light, flanked by a bar dressed in soft cream tones. The spacious room extends all the way to the open kitchen.

There are not one but two terraces. A galley balcony overlooking the treetops of Xiangyang Park and a breezy terrace for al fresco dining. In addition, they have two private dining rooms, each seating up to eight guests.

The Food

The menu is designed by Spanish chef Ferran Edo Andreu, who’s given the Spanish tapas and classic dishes a refined touch.

The food is executed with confidence and a rare “simple is best” mentality — resulting in delicious classics that you’ll never get bored of. The menu reads simple, but trust me when I say that these are a cut above most of the cookie-cutter tapas around town.

Start with the jamón, because you can’t do Spanish without it. Atica serves Jamon Ibérico Blázquez (¥148/50g), and it’s the good stuff — 100% acorn-fed, rich, and just salty enough to make your mouth water.

The mixed platter (¥188) is a no-brainer for large groups, pairing the ham with chorizo, fuet (cured sausage from Chef Ferran’s hometown), and aged Manchego.

The ultimate aperitif combo? Pan con Tomate (¥34). These crispy slices of toasted bread come topped with tomato, garlic, and olive oil — simple, perfect, and exactly how it should be.

Now, the Bomba La Barceloneta (¥42). It’s a crispy potato croquette stuffed with juicy pork and beef, then topped with spicy bravas sauce and garlic aioli, plus a piparra pepper for kick. One bite and you’ll understand why this is a must-order.

Then there’s the Callos (¥108), a hearty tripe stew that’s pure comfort. I’m a huge fan of callos, and this did not disappoint. Tender beef tripe, melt-in-your-mouth beef tendons, rich chorizo sausage, and chickpeas arrive sizzling in a deeply savory broth. It’s the kind of dish where bread is essential. To die for!

The Huevos Rotos con Calamar (¥88) is messy in the best way — crispy fries topped with fried eggs, tender squid, and a hidden pool of garlicky sauce. Break the yolk, mix it all together, and try not to inhale it in three bites.

Croquetas? They’ve got two, Jamon Ibérico (¥48) and Croquetas de Pollo (¥38), but the latter knocks it out of the park for me — crispy on the outside and filled with juicy pulled chicken and a dollop of apricot jam. It’s inspired by a Catalan festive stew, Pollo a la Catalana, and is a serious flavor bomb.

Another must-try is the Paella de Marisco (¥168), cooked over the charcoal grill. The rice is cooked in a rich lobster stock, rich with unctuous sea flavors, and is served with grilled Argentinian prawns and clams, and dollops of garlic aioli. Be sure to get that irresistible layer of crispy socarrat at the bottom.

Simpler dishes shine, too. The Spanish omelette Tortilla de Patatas (¥38) is just-set egg encasing tender potatoes, while Pulpo a la Gallega (¥98) showcases octopus at its most elemental — charred at the edges, dusted with smoky paprika, and impossibly tender, served over a bed of potatoes.

Even the Patatas Bravas (¥38) exceed expectations. These double-fried bite-sized potatoes have some serious crunch, topped with an addictive BBQ-bravas sauce.

You don’t need to be Spanish to get a hit of nostalgia with the comforting Albóndigas (¥68), beef and pork meatballs simmered in a rich sofrito sauce topped with potato croutons.

For something season-appropriate, there’s the Salmorejo (¥38), a chilled Spanish tomato soup similar to a gazpacho, just much thicker and loaded with more toppings. It comes served with bits of jamon ibérico, hard boiled egg, and croutons. Tangy, naturally sweet, savory and refreshing.

Save room for the Basque Cheesecake (¥75), made with Manchego cheese, it’s richer and denser than most, one that pairs perfectly with the Madagascar vanilla ice cream.

To Drink

The beverage program stays true to Spanish tradition with three pillars: sangria, gin & tonics, and wine. Sangrias, available in both white and red variations, offer eight to choose from, starting from ¥69 a glass.

Thoughtful combinations feature lychee-thyme-vermouth, apricot-calvados, and fino sherry with guava, to name a few.

For gin lovers, the Spanish staple gets its due with a well-curated Gin & Tonic selection starting from ¥60. The lineup progresses from Mediterranean accents to bright citrus-forward options. Wines by the glass start from ¥69.