Hearty Southern comfort foods, bright and fresh fusion bowls, house-made Greek yogurt and lemon thyme tarts – here's what we're craving from Shanghai's hottest tables this June.
ban ban by Sproutworks
Hit this new eatery right now for grain and protein bowls that you'll be thinking about on the daily come lunchtime. It's a fusion concept combining Asian flavours with Western-style grain bowls and proteins: pick your base, and then pick your style. Don't let the fact that it's in a mall keep you away – this place is sure to be the next winning concept from the ever-growing Kelley Lee empire (Boxing Cat, Liquid Laundry, Lil Laundry, Cobra Lily, Cantina Agave, Sproutworks).
Fifth floor, Room 518, IAPM, 999 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu, Xuhui district.
Palmetto
Chef Gavin McAleer is plating up dishes that exemplify the famous Southern hospitality of a country kitchen, introduced via bites of cornbread slicked with sweet sorghum butter; laid-back pimento cheese dip; perfectly fried chicken and catfish; creamy grits; sweet pies and more. Plus, Southern salutation demands the offering of a cool glass of iced tea, so say yes to one of the restaurant's boozy versions.
800SHOW, Bldg A3, 800 Changde Lu, near Changping Lu, Jingan district.
Ruin
The DADA crew have knocked down a few walls and turned the space out back into a bare-walled bar called Ruin (not to be confused with Jingan dive My Place Ruin Bar), accessed from the coat check area outside DADA. They’re going for the post-industrial stripped-back thing, and there’s no music except the thudding bass from next door. Drinks-wise they’re slinging Chinese craft beers by the bottle, spritzes and organic wines, all at around the 50RMB mark.
115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu, Changning District.
Spoooon!
Thick, tart Greek yogurt need no longer be absent from your life. In line with the longstanding Western obsession with DIY frozen yogurt shops, newly opened Spoooon! on Yongkang Lu offers up more than the dessert variety – you can choose frozen, regular or Greek yogurt as your base, all made fresh in house, and then top it off with all kinds of good stuff. Oh, and there's an avocado Greek yogurt in the pipeline.
59 Yongkang Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu, Xuhui district.
Pure & Whole
The group of vegetarian eateries has rolled out a bunch of fresh new menu items that are perfectly light and lovely for the incoming summer weather. The greenie in you will be down with the Mediterranean flavours of the California salad with creamy vegan cashew dressing; the new version of Pure & Whole's Matchstick Pasta with homemade noodles, pesto, and green veggies; and the silky, dairy-free layered chocolate coconut 'cheesecake'. Nom nom.
Room 104, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu, Jingan district and other locations around Shanghai.
Pâte
Indulge your sweet tooth with the awesome pastries and desserts at French patisserie Pâte at SOHO Fuxing. Fall for the tangy burst of citrus in the lemon and thyme tart or decadent avocado cheesecake, and your Insta followers will love the unicorn-hued coconut berry Lamington cake.
Room E107, SOHO Fuxing Plaza, 462 Hefei Lu, near Madang Lu, Huangpu district.
Spread the Bagel
Your favourite bagel shop has revamped its menu. Find new offerings like STB's take on a Philly cheesesteak (68RMB); the Bangin' Banh Mi with cola cured ham, roast beef, daikon salad, herbs and sriracha aioli (58RMB) and a collab with Sichuan soul food slinger Fly By Jing that involves spicy pulled pork shoulder, runny fried egg, Emmental, pickles, coriander and chilli mayo in a sammie called the Hot Sichuano (58RMB).
611 Nanchang Lu, near Xiangyang Bei Lu, Xuhui district.
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