One advantage of living in a city chock-full of skyscrapers: the view from above. It's easy to forget - on the daily commute to and from work, during the usual hustle and bustle of life – that the architecture around us is pretty fabulous. And sometimes looking down at it all, instead of up, is the best way to enjoy the unique beauty that is Shanghai. Here are some of the best restaurants from which to marvel at the city view – and perhaps impress a few guests along the way.

1) M on the Bund 米氏西餐厅 View In Map
It's hard to believe that M on the Bund has been around for over 12 years now, but it's true. And it still has one of the best views in Shanghai. If you call ahead early enough, try to get a reservation out on the terrace – if the view of the Huangpu River, the newly renovated Bund, and the Pudong skyline doesn't remind you that you're living in one of the biggest cities in the world, nothing will.

Add: Five on the Bund, 7F, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai
地址：上海市黄浦区广东路20号, 外滩五号7楼, 近中山东一路
Tel: 021 6350 9988
Opening hours:
Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11:30-14:30; Sat-Sun, 11:30-15:00
Afternoon Tea: Sun, 15:30-17:30
Dinner: 18:15-22:30

2) Xibo 锡伯新疆餐厅View In Map
Serving high end Xinjiang food (yes, that's a real thing), Xibo has made a name for itself as a great date place – not least of all because of the cosy, romantic view from their outside terrace. Overlooking tree-lined Changshu Lu and with a garden in back, this is certainly not the tallest building in Shanghai. But the greenery that permeates this French Concession eatery makes for a peaceful respite.

Add: 3F, 83 Changshu Lu, near Julu Lu, Jing’an District, Shanghai
地址：上海市静安区常熟路83号3楼, 近巨鹿路
Tel: 021 5403 8330
Open hours: 11:00-12:00

3) Lost Heaven 花马天堂云南餐厅View In Map
The place to go if you're in the mood for decadence, Lost Heaven's outdoor bar and lounge area are worth a trip unto itself – never mind the delicious gourmet Yunnan cuisine! Enjoy a majestic view of the city from on high, a view that is just a bit different than the typical Bund sight that you get at restaurants closer to the river. This is where you really get a sense of just how small we are.

Add: 17 Yan'an Dong Lu, near Sichuan Nan Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai
地址：上海市黄浦区延安东路17号, 近四川南路
Tel: 021 6330 0967
Opening hours: 12:00-14:00, 17:30-22:30; Lounge, 18:-00-2:00

4) Char 恰餐厅View In Map
Located about as close to the actual Huangpu River as you can get without going for a swim, the newly opened restaurant in Hotel Indigo offers an up close and personal view of the southern portion of the river. Housed near the upstart Cool Docks conglomerate, things tend to be a bit quieter on this end of the shore. Take advantage of the outdoor bar's unobstructed view of the water while it lasts!

Add: Hotel Indigo, 29-31F, 585 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Dongmen Lu, Huangpo District, Shanghai
地址：上海市荒坡区 上海外滩英迪格酒店, 中山东二路585号29-31楼, 近东门路
Tel: 021 3302 9995
Opening hours: Dining, 18:00-20:30; Bar, 18:00-late

5) Kathleen's 5View In Map
Right in the middle of People's Square, you'll find Kathleen's 5 – and you'll be glad you did. Sit on their rooftop patio and enjoy “people watching” amongst the leafy trees and historic buildings of this always-bustling portion of the city. Luckily you can enjoy the view year-round, whether outdoors when the weather is nice or inside their glassed-in dining room in the winter.

Add: 5F, Shanghai Art Museum, 325 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai
地址：上海市黄浦区南京西路325号5楼, 近黄陂北路
Tel: 021 6327 2221
Opening hours: 10:30-24:00

6) Cucina 意庐意大利餐厅View In Map
One amongst many restaurants on the 56th floor of Jin Mao Tower, Cucina offers the best view of Pudong – if you're not scared of heights. With many of their tables set next to the glass walls (from which you can look down at the sheer drop from the building), the experience can be truly breathtaking. You'll be amazed at how small everything looks from 56 floors up...

Add: Grand Hyatt, Jin Mao Tower, 56F, 88 Century Avenue, near Dongtai Lu, Pudong New District, Shanghai
地址：上海市浦东新区世纪大道88号 金茂大厦56楼, 近东泰路
Tel: 021 5049 1234
Opening hours: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-22:30

7) New Heights 新视角餐厅酒廊View In Map
Say what you will about the food, but New Heights's killer view has never been debated. Head outside to their giant rooftop terrace to enjoy a panoramic view of the Pudong skyline and soak in the lights, the glamour and the vitality of the city. You won't believe how the time flies by as you watch the boats leisurely drifting in the Huangpu.

Add: Three on the Bund, 7/F, 17 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai
地址：上海市黄浦区广东路17号, 外滩三号7楼, 近中山东一路
Tel: 021 6321 0909
Opening hours: 10:00-02:00

8) The ApartmentView In Map
While mostly making a name for itself as a bar and lounge, The Apartment actually serves a full menu daily (from which the pizza comes highly recommended). Their outside rooftop terrace isn't nearly high enough to give you much of a view of the city skyline, but it is surrounded by leafy gardens and quaint townhouses – all of which gives it a relaxed, homey vibe.

Add: 3F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
地址：上海市徐汇区永福路47号3楼, 近复兴西路
Tel: 021 6437 9478
Opening hours: Sun-Thu, 11:00-02:00; Fri-Sat, 11:00-03:00

9) 100 Century Avenue 世纪100酒吧View In Map
It's hard to not have a great view of the city when you're sitting between 91 and 93 stories up in the air. And as you'd expect, 100 Century Avenue, situated at the top of the World Financial Center's Park Hyatt, totally delivers. The world's highest bar and restaurant (so far) provides picture perfect views of the Pudong skyline and winding river that cuts the city in half.

Add: Park Hyatt Shanghai, 91-93F, 100 Shiji Dadao, near Dongtai Lu, Pudong New District, Shanghai
地址：上海市浦东新区上海柏悦酒店 世纪大道100号, 91-93楼
Tel: 021 3855 1428
Opening hours: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-22:30

10) Paulaner 宝莱纳餐厅View In Map
For a more up close and personal view of the Bund and Huangpu River, take a seat (preferably outside) at Paulaner's Riverside Promenade location. Shanghai's favourite German restaurant isn't particularly high up or grandiose, but that's a key component of its charm – and of its killer view. This place gives you an on-the-ground view of what many people have only seen from up above.

Add: Riverside Promenade, Binjiang Da Dao, Pudong New District, Shanghai
地址：上海市浦东新区滨江大道, 香格里拉大酒店
Tel: 021 6888 3935
Opening hours: Sun-Thu, 10:00-01:00; Fri-Sat, 10:00-02:00 

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