One of the great things about China is being able to brag to your friends back home about how you "went to this one place, and man, I swear to God, not even kidding, I ate a duck tongue."

It's no secret that China is a pretty adventurous place for restaurants. So, here is a our choices for some of Shanghai's most wonderfully unique restaurants and the peculiar dishes and experiences that give you something to write on your blog about. In the interest of being fair, we have included a wide range of restaurants, from the virtually unknown to one of the most publicised restaurant openings in Shanghai history.

1) The Sheep Restaurant
I'm sure this place has some fancy, official name in Chinese, but it is much more convenient to refer to it by its rather peculiar décor. The Sheep Restaurant is unique because they really, really, really want you to know how fresh the meat is that they're cooking. In other words, they have at any given time, three to four sheep tied up outside the restaurant, waiting to be butchered. Word to the wise, if you are big into animals, this probably wouldn't be the best place for you because they have a tendency to keep the slaughtered sheep's heads on the shao kao grill, presumably as a grisly reminder of the fate that awaits us all. Now, they don't actually slaughter the sheep outside on the street in front of everyone, that would be silly, but on warm summer nights you can sit next to your soon-to-be-dinner enjoying some of the freshest hot pot in the city. Also, this one is a bit out of the way, located in the far reaches of Putuo District, so don't expect anyone to be able to speak English.

The Sheep Restaurant View In Map
Add: 344 Jingyang Lu, near Zonglv Lu, Putuo District, Shanghai
地址：上海普陀区径阳路344号，近棕榈路
Opening Times: 11:00 - late; daily.

2) Southern Barbarian (南蛮子)
Wildly popular Yunnan-style restaurant in Shanghai, Southern Barbarian scores points for their worldwide selection of beer. However, the beer is actually the least venturesome part of Southern Barbarian. The restaurant has a great range of food for all types of palates. For those of you who don't mind eating like, well, a barbarian, the restaurant serves deep fried honeybees and other assorted insects. Nothing quite like trying to impress a date with a crunchy mouthful of carapace and gossamer wings. In addition to the crispy bugs, Southern Barbarian also serves up exotic treats like pomegranate flowers and is well-known for its tangy goat cheese. It's one of the few "strange" restaurants that people come to for the novelty and stay for the legitimately good food.

Southern Barbarian View In Map
Add: 2/F, Area E, Ju Rong Xuan Space, 169 Jinxian Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu, Luwan, Shanghai
地址: 上海市卢湾区进贤路169号56食尚谷E区2楼近茂名南路
Tel: 021 5157 5510
Opening hours: Daily, 11:00-14:00.; 17:00-22:30
Website: www.southernbarbarian.com/

3) Ultraviolet
Even though the last thing Paul Pairet's piece de resistance Ultraviolet needs is more publicity, the sheer depth of his audacity to completely redefine customer's dining experience is impressive. In one of the most ambitious restaurant ventures to date, Ultraviolet certainly provides an experience that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Shanghai, or the rest of the world for that matter. Only able to accommodate 10 guests an evening, Ultraviolet aims to provide customers with a complete sensory dining experience. So, while you are enjoying a 20 course meal, you will also be treated to a variety of lights, sounds, and even smells to enhance your dining experience. Something to keep in mind though, due to the extremely small seating capacity, Ultraviolet is the most expensive restaurant on this list. A single night will set you back 2,000 RMB per person, so save up before you go. Also, very few people actually know where the restaurant is located. Diners will show up at Mr. &Mrs. Bund and then be whisked away to an undisclosed location. Like you're being kidnapped, which is always fun.

Tel: 021 6142 5198 (Tue-Sat, 13:00-18:00)
Email: thehost@uvbypp.cc
Website: www.uvbypp.cc

4) Jin Long She (金龙蛇)View In Map
Oh my, look at what we have here. Snakes. Lots of snakes. In a hotpot? Sure. Fried and chopped? Check on that. Hot pot is one of China's most famous dishes, but normally, it has a fairly common selection of meats and vegetables. A hit with locals and more adventurous diners, Jin Long She dishes out plates of snake skin salads, the snake broth hotpot, and snake's blood and bile that can be mixed with baijiu or taken straight-up.  While the snakes are the main draw to the restaurant, they also have a wide variety of wild game that can be more difficult to find in Shanghai. Same disclaimer goes with this restaurant as the sheep restaurant above; if you are squeamish about seeing cute bunnies in cages, it's probably best you skip out on this one. Look at it this way, if you hate snakes, this is a great way to get back at them.

Add: 26 Wuxing Lu 26, near Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市吴兴路26号, 近淮海中路
Tel: 021 6466 6918
Opening Hours: 11:00.-3:00

5) Taipan Foot Massage (大班休闲SPA)View In Map
Taipan Foot Massage gets major kudos for being the most utilitarian entry on the list. It is a one-stop shop for our most basic needs: massages, DVDs, and food. Guests can enjoy a full buffet while simultaneously watching their favorite movies and having a Chinese ayi giving you a full-on foot massage. You have to give the place credit for its desire to combine as many random aspects of Chinese daily life into one place. Pop in your Game of Thrones DVD, kick off your shoes and cuddle up with an endless supply of milk tea. The food itself isn't particularly above-and-beyond your normal fare, but then again, the novelty of the situation is more important than the food. If you are particularly OCD about sanitation, it might unnerve you to eat in such close proximity naked feet.

Add: 370 Dagu Lu, near Chengdu Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市大沽路370号，近成都路
Tel: 6340 0366
Opening Hours: 12:00 - 00:30; Daily.

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Keywords: Unique dining Shanghai unusual restaurants Shanghai ultraviolet Shanghai southern barbarian Shanghai