Compared to other major world cities, the late-night Shanghai food game is admittedly a bit weak. But fear not – we've found the city's some great 24-hour eateries so you can get your munch on be it 4pm or 4am, with dumpling shops, pizza delivery, all-day Chinese breakfast and more.
Healthy Night Market
Down the road from beloved late-night dive C’s and popular bar Smash is a branch of Shanghainese chain Healthy Night Market. A favourite amongst Shanghai’s early morning and late-night crowds, Healthy Night Market – although arguably a bit of a misnomer – is buzzing all hours of the day thanks to its dirt-cheap, fresh-from-the-fry youtiao (only available 6pm-10am), steaming bowls of hongshaorou noodles, scallion oil noodles, wontons and more. Whether you’re chasing hearty breakfast fare or something to soak up all that alcohol, you won’t go wrong here.
Healthy Night Market 713 Dingxi Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu.
Nanjing Tangbao and Malatang
Open day and night, night and day on the corner of Gaoan Lu and Jianguo Xi Lu, Nanjing Tangbao is one of our favourite hole-in-the-wall soup dumpling joints. Get the classic xianrou tangbao (pork soup dumplings; 10RMB), jicai tangbao (pork and Shepherd’s purse; 15RMB) or ask for the off-menu vegetarian sucai tangbao, which the chef will make fresh to order while warning that they’re ‘yi dian gui’ at a comparatively pricey 25RMB per basket.
Nanjing Tangbao and Malatang 641 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Gaoan Lu (6473 5648).
Hai Di Lao, Beijing Xi Lu
For a taste of the royal treatment, try Sichuan-style hotpot chain Hai Di Lao, which has locations all over Shanghai. Not only is it the place where you get your nails manicured and shoes shined while you wait for a table; nor is it only the place where noodles are served with a kung fu dance show; it’s also where you can get actually great hotpot (and even better service) no matter what time of day or night you stumble in.
Hai Di Lao Third Floor, 1068 Beijing Xi Lu, near Jiangning Lu (6258 9750).
Melrose Pizza
Boasting the tagline ‘Pizza anytime, anywhere’, Melrose is Shanghai’s old reliable. The team has got shops all over Shanghai, but delivery is their thing: whether in Puxi or Pudong, you can literally call 24 hours a day and get hot pies straight to your door – fast and cheap. It ain’t fancy, but this place never closes, and for that, we’re eternally grateful. Ask for the 100RMB deal, which gets you two 12-inch pizzas and two drinks. Call 400 88 PIZZA (74992) or order online at melrosepizza.com.
Melrose Pizza 297-5 Maoming Nan Lu, near Yongjia Lu (400 887 4992).
Dong Tai Xiang
Shanghainese diner Dong Tai Xiang’s shengjianbao (pan-fried pork or shrimp dumplings) are so good they give Yang’s a run for its money. Other menu highlights include the banmian (stirred noodles with dried shrimp and spring onion; 12RMB) and the big shrimp wontons (20RMB). It’s a comfortable place for a proper Shanghai meal whatever the hour.
Dong Tai Xiang 188 Chongqing Bei Lu, near Dagu Lu (6359 5808).
A’Wen Yeshi Dou Jiang Youtiao
Open and delivering 24 hours a day, seven days a week, A'Wen Yeshi Dou Jiang Youtiao is a Shanghai staple in comforting Chinese breakfast foods on the (super) cheap. Like the name suggests, get doujiang (5RMB) and youtiao (4RMB), glutinous rice balls with various fillings (try the suancai and youtiao version, 8RMB), deep-fried rice cakes (4RMB), and much more. Unlike regular street food joints, A’Wen doesn’t have that old oil taste – the food is fresher here. A reliable choice, especially when you want to satisfy those late-night munchies from the comfort of your couch.
A’Wen Yeshi Dou Jiang Youtiao 251 Xizang Nan Lu, near Taoyuan Lu (136 6145 9002).
Bi Feng Tang
A no-frills but ever-reliable all-day-and-night dim sum destination, Bi Feng Tang’s long menu and great prices mean it’s pretty much always busy.
Bi Feng Tang 175 Changle Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu (6467 0628).
More from Time Out Shanghai
22 fantastic things to do this September
Shanghai residents reveal their favourite metro lines