This venue is now closed.

Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine is a café and bar located in M+, a small complex that’s filled with numerous F&B outlets. They also do a good brunch; food leans on the healthy side, and the terrace seating is dog-friendly.

Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Walk into the complex towards the flight of wanghong stairs (hey, whatever works) and Empty Jar is on the left. The interiors are simple if not humble. Most desirable, especially now that the weather has cooled, are the two al fresco seats. Plus, the compound is dog-friendly.

Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

The food is casual Western with a healthy take, highlighting many vegan and gluten-free dishes. They also have a slow-cooked beef brisket shakshuka and a hefty breakfast plate with fish instead of sausage. It’s all very well executed and affordably priced. The dishes feel very “clean”. Although I felt full after the meal, I didn’t feel heavy. Also, service is excellent.

Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

They serve an all-day brunch menu and dinner; some dishes overlap.

Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Mediterranean Full Breakfast (¥108) – Mackerel fillet, tater tors, avocado, Greek pita, hummus dip, and garden salad. The mackerel is tasty, the tater tots are crispy as hell, and the hummus is addictive. The tater tots are also available a la carte for ¥58.
Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket Shakshuka (¥92) – Roasted veggies, soft-boiled egg, and shredded brisket in a tomato-based sauce with parmesan, served with pita.
Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Healing Harvest Orzo (¥78) – Orzo with shiitaki mushrooms, snap peas, potatoes, candied lemon, and parmesan cheese. Very tasty, will order again.
Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Hibiscus Jicama Salad (¥52) – Thick ribbons of jicama with a hibiscus dressing, fresh mint, pumpkin seeds, and endives. A light starter.
Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Frozen Cheesecake (¥38) with gin and tonic jelly and cashew cookie crumbs.

Wines are mostly natural or organic, and the selection rotates seasonally, glasses start from ¥68 and bottles from ¥330. And like the name suggests, they serve a wide range of gin & tonics, starting from ¥66 a glass, as well as house signature cocktails from ¥88.

Empty Jar Cozy Hub Gin & Wine, cafe and bar with a health conscientious menu in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Good for casual lunch/brunch and easy-going dinner if you’re in the neighborhood.

Empty Jar Cozy Hub
Address: B-102, M+ Plaza, 850 Xikang Lu, near Xinfeng Lu西康路850号马利M+园区B-102, 近新丰路
Tel: 19102137680
Hours: Tue-Sun, 11:30am-11pm