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Italo is a casual chic Italian restaurant and lounge bar serving up classed up Italian favorites and cocktails, brought to you by the same crew behind Funkadeli.

Gonzo, their new chef from Rome has spruced up the menu. His contemporary Italian dishes are accompanied by a wide variety of craft cocktails and a nice selection of natural and biodynamic wines.

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The Space: Italo — Casual Italian

Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Located above Funkadeli on Fumin Lu, Italo is a spacious, sit-down dinner restaurant with a lounge for pre- or post-dinner cocktails. The setting is certainly classy, but the vibe remains casual.

Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Long bar for cocktails

The lounge area is sleek and spacious, which makes for the perfect setting to enjoy Italo’s cocktails. They have a selection of premium signature cocktails, a unique Negroni selection, world-inspired Gin & Tonics, and Aperitivo cocktails designed in cooperation with Campari Italy. The lounge also plays host to lively DJ sets on the weekend.

Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Lounge area

They also have a semi-private room that can be separated by a glass partition; comfortably seats 20 people.

Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

The Food — What’s On The Menu

Rustic Italian dishes like the Tuscan seafood stew cacciucco, and porchetta are among the highlights. These are, of course, given a modern touch and a few twists.

Rome-native Chef Gonzo is explicit about importance of quality and strives to make everything in-house—all but one of the pastas are made fresh daily, as is the pizza dough.This last bit is a welcome change as fresh pasta and dough is a hallmark of a good Italian restaurant.

Here’s what to expect:

Italian food at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Fiori di Zucca (¥68/3pc) – These deep-fried pumpkin flowers are a typical Italian snack food. They’re stuffed with anchovies and mozzarella, and fried, served with tartar sauce.
Porchetta at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Porchetta (¥98) – Slow-roasted pork belly with Parmigiano Reggiano, rocket salad, and balsamic glaze. The skin is well-crisped, and the pork belly expertly cooked. A hero dish.
Pizza at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Fresh Truffle & Wild Porcini (¥198) – Parmigiano reggiano, taleggio cheese and mozzarella with earthy porcini and freshly grated truffle make for an easy decision. These are Roman-style pizzas aka pinsa, which are oval in shape, crispy and light. One of four pizzas on the menu.
Cacciucco at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Cacciucco (¥198) – A Tuscan stew that comes served in a siphon. The seafood is poached in the soup table-side.
Cacciucco at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
There’s a touch of lemongrass leaves, a twist on the classic Tuscan stew—I’m a big fan of cacciucco, and I don’t mind the additive! The fish pan-fried, its skin crisped, and the thick rings of squid are tender. Those, along with prawns, mussels, and clams are served in a peppery, seafood-rich soup.
Tartare at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Wagyu Tartare (¥128) – 120g of wagyu beef cured with Laphroaig 12Y mixed in with bits of shallot, tomato and capers, topped with organic egg yolk.
Pork cheek at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Sous Vide Iberico Pork Cheek (¥198) with piquillo peppers, cilantro ginger sauce, and wild porcini confit. Fork-tender pork splashed with the colors of Italy. Another must-order.
Risotto at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Canadian Lobster Risotto (¥488) with Carnaroli rice cooked in lobster bisque, spices and fresh herbs. This impressive portion serves 3-4 people.
Fresh pasta at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Gorgonzola and N’duja Fettuccine (¥108) with gorgonzola and spicy n’duja topped with crumbled nuts and dried figs.
Fresh pasta at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
The texture of the house-made pasta is fantastic. The sauce is quite heavy—it is gorgonzola and n’duja afterall—but it’s right up my alley.
Tiramisu at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Amaretto Tiramisu (¥68) with coffee gelato

The Drinks: Cocktails & Natural Wine

Italo has a wide selection of drinks from their signature “aperitivo cocktails” to a whole page dedicated to negronis, classic cocktails and gin & tonics, and craft beers and ciders. Cocktails range from ¥65 to ¥100.

Cocktails at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

They also have a wide selection of natural and biodynamic wines in addition to traditional labels.

Cocktails at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Beetroot Whiskey Sour (¥75) – Chivas 12Y, beetroot sugar, pineapple and lemon juice, cinnamon
Cocktails at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Espresso Martini (¥70) – Vodka, kahlua, espresso, sugar
Cocktails at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Cheeky Negroni (¥70) – Widges Gin, Campari, Cinzano sweet vermouth, cranberry juice
Cocktails at Italo, an Italian restaurant and lounge in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Blanc de Blanc Martini (¥90) – Widges Gin, Lilet Blanc, grapefruit bitters, St. Germain

Nomfluence Readers Special

Deals below are valid from now until September 20 when you book via the link below.

  • 20% off your food bill from Tuesday to Thursday.
  • Set Menu for Four (¥1,200) – Fiori di Zucca, Cold Cuts, Porchetta, Truffle Pizza, Lobster Risotto, Pork Cheek, and 4 selected drinks. (Original Price: ¥1,500)
  • Complimentary selected drink when you order any main course.

*Selected drinks include house red or white, spritz, negroni or soft drink.

Click here to BOOK your seat now!

Italo
Address: 2/F, A Mansion, 291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Lu 富民路291号2楼, 近长乐路
Tel: 60279127
Hours: Tue-Thu 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am, Sun 12pm-3pm, 6pm-2am, closed Monday