Want to know where other families go to enjoy all this city has to offer? Welcome to Our Favorite Things, where we spend time with a Shanghai family and find out their go-to places around town.
Meet the Lemin family – Simon, Laetitia and Lucas (3) – who have been living in Shanghai for two and a half years. They love living here and have no plans of leaving any time soon. Simon is a Director for a German testing and inspection company, while Laetitia works in marketing and communications for a multi-national pharmaceutical company. She is also the president of Shanghai Mamas, one of the largest communities for international families in Shanghai.
Coffee Spot
Honestly, we probably drink wine more than coffee. Sitting in the restaurants around Jing’an Kerry Centre, where the kids can play in the water fountains, is a nice way to spend a lazy weekend morning (and they do serve coffee if you need it).
Sunday Brunch
The Bull and Claw is consistently good, and for a special occasion, we love Mr & Mrs Bund. We regularly go to Henkes in Reel Mall. It has a great menu and the specials change often, so you don’t get bored.
Xiao Long Bao
No, it’s not Din Tai Fung. Hands down Jia Jia Tang Bao is the best; but you had better get there early!
Weekend Getaway
Sanya has excellent choices for a short trip away the gives the feeling of being outside of city life. We love staying at the luxurious, yet very family friendly, Ritz Carlton or The Sanya EDITION.
Image via Laetitia Lemin
Kids' Party Venue
Mini Mars provide a really good and easy package; you just let them know a theme, and they deliver. Cages Bar and Sports is also a great option, as it’s fun for both adults and kids!
Experience for Visiting Friends
Don’t wait in a long queue at the Jin Mao Tower Observation Deck when you can go one floor below to Grand Hyatt's 87th floor bar for a drink with a view. You pay a cover charge to enter (which includes a drink) if you aren’t a hotel guest, but you would be paying the entrance fee for the Observation Deck anyway.
Date Night
RAW Eatery & Wood Grill is our favorite restaurant in Shanghai. The food (especially the beef), the service and wine are all great. There’s nothing not to love about this place (unless you’re vegetarian). After dinner, with so many options along Wuding Lu, we’re spoilt for choice, but I recommend Cas Bar.
Shanghai Wishlist
In the future, we want to get to the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre, Gongqing Forest Park and M50 Creative Space.
[Title image via Laetitia Lemin]
Find more Our Favorite Things here.
