8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. If you haven’t experienced the restaurant, I highly recommend taking in the weekday lunch set, available from Wednesday to Saturday, to whet your palate.

About 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai.

Located at the Rockbund, 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a culinary fixture of Shanghai’s fine dining scene. It is the eponymous restaurant of acclaimed chef Umberto Bombana, who first opened in Hong Kong in 2010, followed by the Shanghai location in 2012. The Shanghai location received two stars in the inaugural launch of the Shanghai Michelin guide, and has held it ever since.

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai.

Otto e Mezzo Shanghai underwent a refurb last May and reopened with a snazzy Champagne Bar and spruced up interiors.

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai.

In the kitchen is chef de cuisine Gabriele Delgrossi, who joined early 2021. He’s the kind of chef who attends to every table at some point in the meal, whether it’s by making inquiry on the food or by adding finishing touches to dishes table-side.

Gabriele Delgrossi, chef de cuisine. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Gabriele Delgrossi

The Food

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

The experience is exceptional. Fresh hand-made pastas, meticulous sourcing of produce, and first-class service is what you’ll find at the Bund location. Extraordinary plates, flattering service…just thinking about it now is enough to make one blush with anticipation. It’s what you would expect from restaurants of this caliber—indulgent, calculated, elegant food done with aplomb.

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Bread, fresh loaves baked with seeds and quinoa served before the start of every meal.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Premium olive oils to go with bread. Trust me, you can taste the difference between this and the regular store-bought stuff.

Dinner is in the high thousands, for example, ¥3,380 for the winter truffle menu. If your pockets aren’t deep enough, I highly suggest going for the lunch, which is available Wednesday to Saturday, a four-course menu for ¥888 plus 10% service charge. There’s plenty in between the listed set dishes, including the fresh breads with premium olive oils, amuse bouches, and petit fours.

Here’s the new spring lunch menu:

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Amuse Bouche – Mozzarella foam, tomato powder, extra virgin olive oil. Umami in cloud-like form.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Tonno – Japanese Bluefin tuna carpaccio, Sicilian pistachio aioli, finger limes, capers.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Spaghettone – Spaghettoni Verrigni “Oro” with fresh Hokkaido sea urchin, green pepper and tomato powder, tossed in a luscious sea urchin sauce.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Merluzzo – Pan-roasted Patagonian toothfish, a sour sauce made with shiso extraction and vegetables, and finely julienned organic spinach. One of two main courses to choose from.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Manzo – Charred M8 Uruguay wagyu beef rump cap, garden vegetables, and tarragon béarnaise foam. The other main.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Hazelnut olive foam
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Bergamot – Bergamot basil sorbet, meringue, caramelized hazelnuts, lemongrass ganache, olive oil and lemon sponge cake. A reimagined lemon tart of sorts. Absolutely delightful.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Petit Fours – White pistachio mousse with white chocolate, black currant macaroon, chestnut mousse with berry jam, rose and Sichuan pepper mousse, black chocolate and licorice.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is a Michelin two-star Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Chestnut mignardise

In Summary

It’s not an everyday restaurant. But if you’re looking to splurge, this is one of few restaurants in Shanghai I recommend going to. Suitable for business lunches, special occasions, or for treating yourself.

8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, Shanghai
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