According to the 2024 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide released by Meituan-Dianping in January, Shanghai has the highest number of restaurants listed, with two three-diamond, 11 two-diamond, and 53 one-diamond restaurants.
Sharing a similar review and rating system to the Michelin Guide, the Black Pearl offers a unique Chinese perspective, and evaluates restaurants based on culinary output, service environment, and heritage and innovation.
Here are some recommended restaurants across different areas of Shanghai that you can enjoy with your family and friends.
Area: The Bund
Amazing Chinese Cuisine 箐禧荟 (Three diamonds)
It boasts a gorgeous dining space with a fantastic view of the Huangpu River. Its Geoduck Clam Soup 象拔蚌蛤蜊清汤 was awarded the Dish of the Year by the Black Pearl.
Cuisine type: Chao Zhou
Average spend per person: 1,051 yuan (US$147)
Tel: 6267-7177
Address: 4F, South District, Bund Finance Center, 600 Zhongshan Rd E2
中山东二路600号BFC外滩金融中心南区4楼
The elegant interior.
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (Two diamonds)
It offers a multi-sensory experience that combines innovative dishes with lights, sounds, and scents, giving you quite an adrenaline rush.
Cuisine type: French
Average spend per person: 6498 yuan
Tel: 6142-5198
Address: 6/F, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Rd E1
中山东一路18号外滩18号6层
The restaurant offers a sensory experience.
Meet the Bund 遇外滩 (Two diamonds)
Fujianese is the mainstay of its menu, with the kitchen team hailing from Fujian province. Its original dish, Baked Taro with Scallion Oil and Meat Broth 原创葱头油肉汁焗荔浦芋头, was awarded the Dish of the Year.
Cuisine type: Fujian
Average spend per person: 828 yuan
Tel: 6377-7668
Address: 3/F, South District, Bund Finance Center, 600 Zhongshan Rd E2
中山东二路600号BFC外滩金融中心南区3层
Fujian cusine.
8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA (Two diamonds)
It has a glitzy cocktail bar and a balcony with jaw-dropping views. Its chef, Umberto Bombana, is hailed as the "King of White Truffles" and internationally acclaimed.
Cuisine type: Italian
Average spend per person: 1,970 yuan
Tel: 6087-2890
Address: 6/F, Associate Mission Building, 169 Yuanmingyuan Rd
圆明园路169号协进大楼6层
Amazing cocktails are on offer.
Area: Waibaidu Bridge & North Bund
Yong Fu 甬府 (Three diamonds)
Guests can enjoy the Lujiazui skyline and the Huangpu River while dining. Live seafood is shipped daily from Zhejiang Province in the small hours to ensure freshness.
Cuisine type: Ningbo
Average spend per person: 997 yuan
Tel: 6686-7777
Address: 56/F, East Tower, Raffles City North Bund, 1089 Dongdaming Rd
东大名路1089号北外滩来福士东楼56层
The restaurant offers views of the Lujiazui skyline.
Area: Lujiazui
Maison Lameloise 莱美露滋 (Two Diamonds)
It is the first Asian outpost of its French namesake in Burgundy. The chef is keen to pair Burgundy recipes with Chinese produce.
Cuisine type: French
Average spend per person: 1,800 yuan
Tel: 6881-6789
Address: 68/F, Shanghai Tower, 501 Yincheng Rd M.
银城中路501号上海中心大厦68层
French flair.
Area: Nanjing Road W.
The House of Rong 荣府宴 (Two diamonds)
It is set in a historic mansion once belonging to architect I.M. Pei's family, featuring Pei's original drawings and Suzhou-style architectural motifs.
Cuisine type: Taizhou
Average spend per person: 2306 yuan
Tel: 6289-1717
Address: 170 Nanyang Rd
南阳路170号
The historic mansion.
Area: Xintiandi & Madang Road
Lu Style 鲁采 (Two diamonds)
The head chef is a Shandong native who began his career at 18 in the army. The menu features daily fresh catches from the Bohai Sea and is adjusted seasonally.
Cuisine Type: Seafood
Average spend per person: 428 yuan
Tel: 5309-9977
Address: Room 207, Uni Elite, Lane 838, Huangpi Rd S.
黄陂南路838弄中海环宇荟207室
Fresh seafood.
Area: Jiang'an Temple & Zhongshan Park
The Pine 松涧 (Two Diamonds)
Housed in a historical British-style mansion with a charming garden, the elegant fine dining restaurant serves Chinese-style French cuisine.
Cuisine Type: Western
Average spend per person: 770 yuan
Tel: 177-6517-7375
Address: 333 Changle Rd
长乐路333号
British class.
Fu He Hui 福和慧 (Two Diamonds)
Exuding Zen-inspired serenity, the restaurant serves only set menus, which change every season to make use of the best local ingredients.
Cuisine type: Vegetarian
Average spend per person: 950 yuan
Tel: 3980-9188
Address: 1037 Yuyuan Rd
愚园路1037号
Fresh vegetarian produce.
Area: Beixinjing & Songhong Road
Maggie 5 西郊5号 (Two diamonds)
Located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it has been in operation for 18 years and won the Black Pearl award for seven consecutive years.
Cuisine type: Shanghainese
Average spend per person: 1042 yuan
Tel: 6295-7138
Address: 669 Honggu Rd
虹古路669号
The restaurant is tucked away.
Area: Zhaojiabang Road
Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire (Two Diamonds)
The restaurant is part of the Capella Hotel, which is housed in a remodeled Shanghai villa. Renowned chef Pierre Gagnaire's expressive culinary legacy is at the heart of this famed establishment.
Cuisine type: French
Average spend per person: 1699 yuan
Tel: 5466-9928
Address: Jian Ye Li, 480 Jianguo Rd W.
建国西路480号建业里
Shanghai style meets French cuisine.
Area: Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Mind Yakiniku 烧肉·至心 (One Diamond)
It combines traditional Japanese charcoal and fire grilling with local pride, as its Wagyu beef is sourced from high-quality Snow Dragon Wagyu Cattle Ranch in Dalian, Liaoning.
Cuisine type: Yakiniku
Average spend per person: 817 yuan
Tel: 177-1749-1778
Address: 4/F, Jiahua Fang, Jiahua Center, 1028 Huaihai Rd M.
淮海中路1028号嘉华中心嘉华坊4楼
Wagyu beef is a speciality.