Back in the West, Italian food is one of the most popular of cross-border cuisines. Along with Chinese and Indian restaurants, pizzerias and trattorias are a common sight in most European, North American, and Antipodean towns and cities. Luckily, for any expat craving a taste of Italy, Shanghai has plenty to offer. Here are some of the best:

Lange 朗格View In Map
A relatively new addition to the Italian scene in Shanghai, Lange is establishing itself as one of the city’s best bargain eateries. It has the air of a classy Milan trattoria, with top-notch wines, mix-and-match pasta (for ¥50 you can have the pasta and sauce combo of your choice), and quality pizzas, but manages to keep the prices low enough to entice you back again and again. Lange does a range of special offers including a set lunch (¥50 for three courses and a soft drink), Seafood Sundays, and wine tasting nights.

Add: 661 Wuding Lu, near Xikang Lu, Shanghai
上海武定路661号近西康路
Tel: 021 5161 0987
Hours: Daily, 7:00-2:00

Bella Napoli 嘉利View In Map
Jing’an’s best kept secret, this little gem of a place serves up Southern Italian food in cosy surroundings. Due to its size, it’s better for intimate dates rather than big group dinners. The friendly staff lend a family air to proceedings, and the food is reasonably priced.

Add: 140 Xikang Lu, near Beijing Lu, Jing’an District, Shanghai
上海静安区西康路140号
Tel: 021 6253 8358
Hours: Daily, 11:00 -15:00, 18:00-23:00

Closed DoorView In Map
Don’t be put off by Closed Door’s, well, closed door policy. All it means is that you can’t just rock up unannounced – it’s reservation only. It’s well worth calling ahead, as this cute covered courtyard and two-room resto and bar serves up tasty, top of the range Italian food. It’s pricy, but the quality speaks for itself. The idea is that you order a couple of main dishes to share (portions are big), along with some antipasti and bread. Their ¥128 weekend brunch is worth a try: antipasti, main course, bread, and a drink.

Add: 808 Changle Lu, near Changshu Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
上海徐汇区长乐路808号(近常熟路)
Tel: 021 6248 0098
When: Daily, 7am-10pm 

Pane e Vino 安仕意大利餐厅View In Map
Maoming Nan Lu’s most popular Italian doesn’t just serve the bread and wine its name would suggest. The husband and wife team from the old country serve up an array of classic Adriatic fare using flour imported from Italy for that authentic taste. Prices won’t break the bank, even if you splash out on some wine.

Add: 207-7 Maoming Nanlu, near Yongjia Lu, Luwan District, Shanghai
上海卢湾区茂名南路207号-7(近永嘉路)
Tel: 021 5465 2177
Hours: Daily, 18:00 -22.30, also Mon-Fri 11.30- 14:00, and Sat-Sun 12:00 -14:30

Spaghetto 斯巴格多View In Map
Don’t be put off by the rather scary neon sign; once you get inside, you’ll find a café and gelato bar on the ground floor, then a dimly lit, atmospheric restaurant above. It’s another very reasonably priced option, and the food (especially the meat antipasto plate) is hearty and satisfying.

Add: 1 Huaihai Lu, near Liulin Lu, Luwan District, Shanghai
上海市卢湾区淮海中路1号(近柳林路)
Tel: 021 6110 3868
Hours: Daily, 8:00-23.30

Da Papa Mario 爸爸马里奥比萨View In Map
There’s no shortage of places to eat on Dagu Lu, but next time you’re there, give Papa Mario’s a try. With a pretty terrace out front, and a green/red/white dining room inside, it looks just the way Italian restaurants ought to look. The food is great too, especially the pizzas. Hang around long enough after you’ve eaten, and Mario might treat you to a shot of limoncello on the house.

Add: 370-1 Dagu Lu, near Chengdu Beilu, Jing’an District, Shanghai
上海静安区大沽路370号-1(近成都北路)
Tel: 021 6340 1615
Hours: Daily 11:00-22.30 

OsteriaView In Map
One of Shanghai’s most famous Mediterranean joints, Osteria is part of Eduardo Vargas’s portfolio. It meets the high standards you’d expect from Shanghai’s most prolific restaurateur, with prices to match. For ¥198 you can choose a main course and as many antipasti as you like. There’s a crudo bar downstairs where you can start the night off with a glass of wine and some oysters, before moving up to the main restaurant on the second floor.

Add: 226 Jinxian Lu, near Shaanxi Nanlu, Luwan District, Shanghai
上海卢湾区进贤路226号(近陕西南路)
Tel: 021 6256 8998
Hours:
DINNER
Monday to Sunday: 18:00 to Close
LUNCH
Monday to Friday: 12:00 to 15:00
BRUNCH
Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 to 12:00
AFTERNOON TEA
Monday to Sunday: 15:00 to 18:00
Website: www.osteriaspirit.com

Isola Bella 美丽岛View In Map
Shanghai’s first Italian restaurant, and the best, according to many folk. It certainly wins as far as location is concerned – who doesn’t love a lane house? The food is of the simple, rustic variety that never fails to deliver.

Add: 2F, No 41, Lane 864 Huaihai Zhonglu, near Maoming Nanlu, Luwan District, Shanghai
上海卢湾区淮海中路864号2楼 (近茂名南路)
Tel: 021 5467 0170
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-15:00 and 17:00 -23:00; Sat-Sun 11:00 -23:00

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