Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家湯包)

Address: 90 Huanghe Road (Fengyang Road), Shanghai

Price: < USD 10
Our score: 5/5

Right opposite to Jia Jia Tang Bao, it is another infamous dumpling place, Yang's Dumpling. Unlike the xiao long bao, this dumpling is pan fried stuffed bun which is crispy on the outside and juicy in the inside. 

Tips: Have Jia Jia before Yang's as Jia Jia is more for the steamed comfy freshness where Yang's dumpling is more for the crispy juicy flavour. 

Address: 97 Huanghe Road, Shanghai

Price: < USD 10
Our score: 3.5/5

This next restaurant I am recommending will give you a truly local hole in the wall kind of experience. This is not a regular pop up from Tripadvisor and is often missed by international travellers. Wei Xiang Zhai sells only noodle dishes. They are well known for Sesame Noodles and Spicy Pork Dish. 

Tips: 1) English menu is not available, point to pre-downloaded pictures for easy ordering. 2) Do order both Sesame Noodles and Spicy Pork Dish and mix them together. 

Address: 14 Yangdang Road, HuaiHai Lu Zhong Duan

Price: <USD10

Our sore: 4.5/5

On to some mid-range restaurants... Ren He Guan serves delicious Shanghainese cuisine. If you know a little bit about Shanghai history, you will be able to tell this restaurant is recreating a feeling of the 1930s "old Shanghai". 1930s is certainly an exciting time in Shanghai modern history. From tale of music, early modern multi-culture metropolitan, buzzing trading business to war tension, 1930s is still a very popular period for movies and dramas nowadays. 

Tips: Do start queuing for a table before 6 as this restaurant is very popular among locals (even on a weekday).  

Address: 407 Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui Qu, Shanghai  

Price: Approx. USD50 (Dinner for 2)
Our score: 4.5/5

Shanghai does not lack of Michelin restaurants. Jean Georges located right on the Bund is one of them. This restaurant is a contemporary French restaurant, its dishes are however, inflected by Asian seasoning which makes your dinning experience more exciting. Interior design of the restaurant is gorgeous, its modern chic design has perfectly merged with the historic post-renaissance building features. Service is fantastic, the servers are all knowledgeable and helpful as you would expect from a Michelin starred restaurant. 

Tips: 1) Do book a table in advance. 2) Request for a table by the window to enjoy view of the Bund

Address: Three on the Bund, No3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai

Price: approx USD100-200 (Dinner for 1)
Our score: 5/5

This restaurant has been awarded Michelin one star two year in the row. Also situated on the Bund, Le Patio et La Famille serves high quality Shanghainese cuisine in a traditional elegant old Shanghai interior. 

Tips: 1)Do book a table at least 1 week in advance. 2)Swarmed with choices? Simply go with the chef recommendation so you won't get it wrong 

Address: 216 Middle Sichuan Road, Huangpu, Shanghai

Price: Approx. USD 80-100 (Dinner for 2)
Our score: 4/5