Shanghai's Top 25 Al Fresco Restaurants 2016

By That's Shanghai, 2016-05-10 03:15:00

elEfante

Local chef célèbre Willy Trullas’ Donghu Lu restaurant elEfante is a mainstay of rich, great quality Spanish food in Shanghai. Set in a Concession-era villa, the parasol-dotted patio is a great spot to drink their house sangria. 

Tues-Sun 11am-2pm, 6-10.30pm, Weekend Brunch: 11am-3pm. See listing for elEfante.

The Cathay Room

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The Cathay Room terrace of the Fairmont Peace Hotel is nothing short of luxurious with its own private butler and sommelier. All that, and a stunning view of the Bund to boot. Be sure to try their high tea set, as it offers a cheese sampler, smoked salmon, foie gras or Kaluga caviar to choose from.

Open daily from 12-10.30pm. See a listing for The Cathay Room.

TOPS at Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund

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Located on the rooftop of Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund, TOPS does seafood and cocktails best while overlooking a breath-taking panoramic view of the Bund and Pudong skyline. Modern lights and cozy decorum provide an elegant touch to getting, well, drunk outdoors. Plus, Wednesday is Ladies Night! 

Open 1pm-12.00am Sunday to Thursday and 11am until late Friday to Sunday. See a listing for TOPS.

Breeze Garden

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Breeze Garden is a uniquely designed outdoor terrace at the InterContinental Shanghai Puxi with a lovely glass house open air dining concept. Afternoon tea sets are available as well. Drinks with friends, outdoors-but-not-really? Don't mind if we do!

Open 5-7pm Monday to Friday for Happy Hour. See a listing for Breeze Garden.

The Terrace at the Grand Kempinski Hotel

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This guide would not be complete without The Terrace at the Grand Kempinski Hotel, with delectable offerings like a seafood tower (need we say more?) and BBQ pork ribs. You might find us there on the next warm day stuffing our faces in the sunshine...

Open daily, 7-10pm. See a listing for The Terrace at the Grand Kempinski Hotel.

Coconut Paradise (Fumin Location)

Shanghai best terraces 2015

Another Shanghai mainstay in a renovated villa, the gorgeous tree-lined garden at Coconut Paradise feels truly tropical in the evening and compliments a menu of classic Thai dishes.

Open daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10.30pm. See listing for Coconut Paradise.

POP

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This so-called ‘American brasserie’ is headed by David Chaveau, previously of The Peninsula. He damn well knows what’s up when it comes to the kitchen, and serves contemporary dishes alongside a spectacular Lujiazui skyline.

Open daily, 11am-2pm, 5-11pm. See listing for POP.

Fifty 8o Grill

Shanghai best terraces 2015Serving premium steaks and delectable French food, The Mandarin Oriental Pudong’s flagship steakhouse Fifty 8o Grill is a consistently excellent choice for special occasions. Don’t expect it to be cheap, but do wear stretchy clothing. 

Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. See listing for Fifty 8o Grill.

Light & Salt

Shanghai best terraces 2015

Chic Light & Salt bistro at Rockbund benefits from a charming rooftop terrace with some fantastic views. Go for cocktails at their hidden bar in the evening, or the excellent weekend brunch.

Open daily, 6-10.30pm. See listing for Light & Salt.

Sir Elly's

Shanghai best terraces 2015

Shanghai’s resident ‘one percenter’ restaurant has a magnificent terrace with unparalleled views of the Bund and Pudong. Impress hot dates, out of town guests and clients with the fabulously old school cocktails.

Terrace open Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to midnight and on Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 1am. See listing for Sir Elly's.

Morton’s

One of the city’s best loved happy hours (RMB45 martinis, anyone?) Morton’s IFC branch has, well, branched out to the roof and recently opened a Sky Bar; which has its own cocktail and bar snack menu. 

Sun-Thurs 11.30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11.30am-11pm. See listing for Morton’s.

Sasha’s

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Sasha’s is an award-winning restaurant and bar situated in the center of the former French Concession, Shanghai. Occupying the old Soong family mansion, they offer various settings for customers to enjoy their food and drinks. Sasha’s also boasts the city's biggest beer garden and a popular bar on the first floor.

Open daily 11am-2am. See listing for Sasha’s.

Table No.1

Shanghai best terraces 2015

Slightly out of the way but well worth the trip, Jason Atherton’s other Shanghai concept Table No.1 is similarly consistent in quality, headed up by Tennessee-born chef Christopher Pitts. Try the crispy pig’s ears and beef brisket.

Open daily 12-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. Local and international cards accepted. See listing for Table No.1.

M on the Bund

No list of the city’s best terraces would be complete without a mention of the oldest Bund restaurant, M on the Bund. Classy but not overpriced, M on the Bund is the full package. Make sure you try the pavlova. 

Lunch, Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-3pm. Afternoon tea, Sun 3.30-5.30pm. Dinner, daily 6.15-10.30pm. See listing for M on the Bund.

Le Refuge

IMG_5817.jpgLe Refuge is a cozy Alpine chalet themed rooftop bar from the folks at Kartel wine bar. Find a drinks menu of winter appropriate libations like mulled wine, and an extensive selection of European spirits. There's also a menu of French Alpine specialties like cheese raclette.

Open daily, 5.30-11pm. See listing for Le Refuge.

Hai by GoGa

Veteran Shanghai chef Brad Turley’s sophomore restaurant benefits from both indoor and outdoor tables. Excellent choice for contemporary Californian cuisine. 

Mon-Sat 5pm-12am. See listing for Hai by GoGa.

Ginger by the Park

Shanghai best terraces 2015A favorite of weekend brunch seekers, Ginger by the Park has a beautifully serene terrace overlooking a quaint park. An eclectic menu of Southeast Asian dishes and Western brunch classics awaits. 

Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm. See listing for Ginger by the Park.

Cambio Coffee

Shanghai best terraces 2015Delightfully fresh single origin coffee with a conscience, sourced direct from farmers by entrepreneur Sebastian Martin. Bask in the sunshine on their secluded ground-floor and rooftop terraces. 

Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9.30am-8pm. See listing for Cambio Coffee.

Café Ming Qian

Shanghai best terraces 2015This airy little cafe has a sun-drenched terrace lined with seats, perfect for alone time with a book or a secluded catch-up with friends. 

Open daily 8am-10.30pm. See listing for Café Ming Qian.

Henkes

Shanghai best terraces 2015Serving owner Craig Willis’ popular brand of Mediterranean-meets-Australian dishes, Henkes is a particularly popular choice for brunch on weekends. 

Open daily, Cafe 10am-10pm, Restaurant 11am-11pm. See listing for Henkes.

Commune Social

Shanghai best terraces 2015Consistency is our favorite word when it comes to restaurants, and Jason Atherton’s casual Jing’an restaurant delivers every time with contemporary, delicious food that won’t destroy your budget. Open for drinks, lunch, dinner and brunch. 

Open for lunch, Tues-Fri 12-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 12-3pm. Open for dinner Tues-Sat 6-10.30pm. See listing for Commune Social.

Tsukiji Aosora

Shanghai best terraces 2015Hands down our favorite non-omakase mid-range sushi spot, Tsukiji Aosora’s Shaanxi Lu branch has a stunning terrace and landscaped garden out back, complete with babbling brook, shaded pavilions and manicured lawn. A must try – make sure you get the uni and ikura rice bowl!

Open daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. See listing for Tsukiji Aosora.

The Beast Café

One of the hipper coffee and cake spots in the tourist-central that is Xintiandi, Beast has several secluded tables surrounded by succulent plants and cacti, presumably acting as a buffer to passersby. 

Mon-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-midnight. See listing for The Beast Café.

Greek Taverna Milos

milos.jpgGreek Taverna Milos offers a unique blue and white Greek style open dining area, serving Greek specialties like tzatziki and pita bread, and of course...ouzo!

Open daily, 11-1.00am. See listing for Greek Taverna Milos.

Shen

Shen Bar Shanghai BundYou'd think the Bund would be packed with places to grab al fresco cocktails and bar food, but not so. Opened in 2015, Shen boasts some fantastic views of the Shanghai Bund, and drink prices that won't stop you from paying your rent next month. 

Open daily, 5pm-2am. See a listing for Shen

Shanghai Brewery

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Having kept the city suitably inebriated at their locations in Hengshan Mansions and Hongmei Lu, Shanghai Brewery has extended the courtesy to patrons of Donghu Lu too. Serving a menu of food and beer, this place is consistently packed when the weather is nice, making it a great after-work or pre-gaming spot before you mosey on down to Le Baron

Open daily, Mon-Thurs: 11.30am-1am, Friday: 11.30pm-2pm, Saturday: 11am-2am Sunday: 11am-1am. See a listing for Shanghai Brewery (Donghu Lu)

Genesis

Genesis Cocktail Bar Shanghai

Ok, so these guys aren't exactly serving food (unless you count cocktails as nutrition), but their outdoor terrace is the definition of a hidden gem, and just a few moments walk from Xintiandi. Drinks at this gorgeous bar are serious libations, go for one of the 'house signature' cocktails or peruse their extensive whisky menu instead. 

Open daily, 6.30pm-2am. See a listing for Genesis.