In Shanghai, you are almost guaranteed to find any cuisine your heart desires. However, it can take some effort to discover a truly authentic restaurant, especially one that is suitable for a family meal. This time, we are going Cantonese and we have found some real gems that will satisfy the whole family!
Chaoman Restaurant
Located on the third floor of Metro City, Chaoman Restaurant definitely provides a big bang for your buck. The restaurant always has a full house during regular dinner hours, thanks to their mouthwatering roasted meat selection. We strongly recommend their roasted crispy pork with mustard sauce (RMB68), we are willing to travel a great distance just to experience the crispy skin and meltingly tender meat again. You can’t go wrong with their Dim Sum either, try the XO sauce fried turnip cake (RMB22). The restaurant is bright and welcoming and a good environment for a family meal, with window seating being particulartly sought after. If you would like to dine overlooking one of the busiest corner views of Xujiahui we advise you make a reservation beforehand.
See listing for Chaoman Restaurant
Dim Sum Garden
As its name suggests, the restaurant takes pride in their freshly made dim sum and attractive surroundings. Although the price can be slightly higher than other Cantonese restaurants, once you bite into their har gow (shrimp dumpling) (RMB29) (kids’ favorite), you will happily pay the bill and probably order another batch. All the dim sum dishes are made with extra care and precision, using extremely fresh and quality ingredients, which you’ll relish from the first bite. They also have a comprehensive menu of non-dimsum dishes which you would expect from any top Cantonese restaurant. There are two locations and we especially love the Baoqing Lu venue for their quaint, outdoor conservatory seating area. With children’s cutlery available, it’s well-equipped for families with children aged 5 and above.
See listings for Dim Sum Garden
Bo Duo Xin Ji Restaurant
Forget about their awkward-sounding name, this hidden gem certainly knows a thing or two about fine Cantonese dining. Dishes are served in ample portions with traditional Cantonese flavors, and this restaurant’s reputation has grown, despite its small alleyway location near IAPM Mall. Their main concentration is on hearty Cantonese dishes such as stir-fry and seafood. The restaurant is as large as it’s servings with three floors of dining ideal for a big group or company meal as well as couples and families. Private rooms are available upon booking. Their Hakka tofu (RMB49) is a must try and we bet you will come back for more.
See listing for Bo Duo Xin Ji Restaurant
Hakkasan
Take your family for an opulent dim sum brunch with a panoramic Bund view. Dishes from the traditional à la carte menu start from RMB28, and we recommend the classic charsiewbao (RMB28, kids’ favorite), scallop topped siew mai (RMB38) and chicken feet in black bean sauce (RMB28). Kids may also find it fun to break open the liusha bao (steamed custard buns, RMB33) and watch the scrumptious custard paste slowly ooze out. Proceed with caution though, as the molten centers are extremely hot.
YUE1525
YUE 1525 has proved to be a reliable choice for Dim Sum that won’t break the bank. Situated on the second floor of the New World hotel near Zhongshan Park, this old-school eatery provides arguably the most authentic dim sum, handmade by Hong Kong master chefs. Specialties include a cast of classic dim sum dumplings and pastries such as innovative cheese barbecued pork pastry (RMB48/six, kids’ favorite) and Cantonese-style roasted goose (RMB80).
Imperial Treasure
This elegant Michelin two-star restaurant sits close to the Bund in the chic Yifeng Galleria, and their fantastic dim sum creations are as good as anything you would find in Hong Kong. With a classic menu of sharable dishes (good for families and big groups), we recommend a serving (or two!) of the signature malar cake (RMB24, kids’ favorite), crispy shrimp cheung fun rolls (RMB42) and the all-time favorite barbecued pork pastry (RMB30).
See listing for Imperial Treasure
Seventh Son
Conveniently situated within the Jing’an Kerry Centre, this contemporary restaurant in the Jing’an Shangri-La Hotel has one of the city’s best dim sums on the menu. With a beautiful dining room and impeccable service, it is the same as its sister restaurant in Pudong Shangri-La, and worth its price, especially for big groups as the more people, the more dishes you can indulge in. We recommend the roast pork pineapple buns (kids’ favorite), textbook har gow shrimp dumplings and steamed layer cake.
Sense 8
Possibly the most popular Cantonese restaurant in Xintiandi, Sense 8 (Yu Baxian, ‘The Honorary Eight Immortals’) features a museum-like interior adorned with real antique Chinoiserie. The hanging bird cages, tiered lanterns and Chinese opera in the distant background, makes it a great location to show kids an opulent tea house from the past. Barbecued pork (RMB158) and succulent shrimp dumplings (RMB38) are a must, and reservations are required.
