If you live in Shanghai, there’s a very good chance you’ll have to host out-of-town clients from time to time. This shouldn’t be a surprise—you’re a laowai working for a big international company, and it’s your duty as a foreigner to take clients out to show off the Pearl of the Orient. If you need suggestions on where to wine and dine out-of-towners, look no further, we’ve got our favorites listed here.

1. Lost Heaven: Everybody likes Lost Heaven. Specializing in Yunnan cuisine with a modern flare, along with a fancy interior-décor, Lost Heaven is one of Shanghai’s favorite eateries. It’s literally packed every night of the week (pro tip: call and make reservations in advance). If you have to wait for a table take a seat in their lounge for a cocktail or two. It’s impossible to name my favorite item on the menu–everything is superb.

 

Address: 17 Yan'an Dong Lu (near Sichuan Nan Lu), Waitan, Huangqu District
地址: 黄浦区外滩延安东路17号, 近四川南路
Hours: Lunch: 12:00-14:00; Dinner: 17:30-22:30; Lounge: 18:00-2:00
Phone: 6330 0967
Website: www.lostheaven.com.cn
Price: 200 RMB and up per person (excluding alcohol)

2. Goodfellas & Fellas Terrace: Goodfellas is one of the best Italian restaurants in Shanghai. I’m a huge fan of their pizzas, but like Lost Heaven, everything on the menu is excellent. They also have a very good wine list and above-average cocktails. The head chef—an old Italian guy who’s been in China for 25 years—is definitely talented, and you’ll probably have a chat with him when he passes by your table to talk.

Right above Goodfellas is Fellas Terrace. It’s more of a bar, but you can still order small bites, appetizers and pizzas. You get a spectacular view of the Bund and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui, making it the perfect place for a pre/after-dinner drink.

 

Editors Tip: Take advantage of Fellas and Lost Heaven’s proximity. First, bring your clients to the Lost Heaven Lounge for a pre-dinner drink, then eat dinner afterwards. Next, go next door to Fellas for after-dinner drinks and to soak up the view.

Address: 7 Yan'an Dong Lu (near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu), Waitan, Huangqu District
地址: 黄浦区外滩延安东路7号, 近中山东一路
Hours: Lunch: 11:30-14:30; Dinner: 17:30-0:00
Phone: 6323 2188
Price: 300 RMB and up per person (excluding alcohol)

3. Yershari (Ye Li Xia Li) Silk Road Restaurant: If you’re looking to throw back a few beers, put your elbows on the table, and chomp the meat off a rib bone, check out Yershari. They specialize in Xinjiang food—the traditional cuisine of the predominately Muslim Uighurs of northwest China—so you’ll get lots of juicy lamb and crunchy flat bread.

Yershari is perfect for a festive client dinner where lots of beer is consumed and employees are forced to dance on stage. Apart from the food and giraffe necks of beer, perhaps the best part of Yershari is the belly dancing. Every hour or so, the male and female dancers come out for a show, but they need customers to assist. Everyone is a target, but just point to your boss when they approach to get some truly embarrassing blackmail pics–they’ll come in handy when asking for a raise.

Address: Building 2, Jinzhong Mansion, 680 Zhaojiabang Lu (near Wulumuqi Nan Lu) Xuhu District
地址：徐汇区肇嘉浜路680号 (近乌鲁木齐南路) 金钟大厦2号楼
Hours: 11:00–22:30
Phone: 6466 8388
Price: 100 RMB and up per person (excluding alcohol)

4. Din Tai Fung: You knew this one had to make the list…Even though it’s technically a Taiwanese business, DTF specializes in Shanghainese xiaolongbao (i.e. soup dumplings). And boy are they good! The great thing about DTF is that they have other great items on the menu (try their Sichuan style spicy noodles), and the ambiance is clean, modern and Western; perfect for those who are not accustomed to “authentic” Chinese joints. DTF is best for clients looking to try authentic Shanghainese soup dumplings in an upscale/non-traditional environment.

 

Address: Xintiandi, South Block Plaza, 2nd floor, Lane 123 Xingye Lu (near Madang Lu), Huangpu District
地址：黄浦区兴业路123弄（近马当路) 新天地南里广场2层
Hours: Mon-Thu: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-23:00; Fri: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-1:00; Sat-Sun: 11:00-1:00
Phone: 6385 8378
Website: www.dintaifungusa.com (in English)
Price: 200 RMB and up per person (excluding alcohol)

5. Sichuan Citizen: This is one of my favorites. It’s spicy Sichuan flavors but tailored for the Western palette, so Chinese and Westerners both find it tasty. My recommendations are the garlic shrimp, pork ribs and caramelized beef (for those who don’t like spice). Also make sure to try the bright green Basil Drop cocktail, you’ve never had anything like it! You may want to book a table in advance for this one. Sichuan Citizen is perfect for casual client dinners, preferably on a Friday after a long week of work where everyone is keen to party afterwards.

 

Address: 30 Donghu Lu (near Huaihai Lu), Xuhui District
地址：徐汇区东湖路30号 (近淮海中路)
Hours: 11:00-22:30
Phone: 5404 1235
Website: www.citizenshanghai.com
Price: 100 RMB and up per person (excluding alcohol)

6. Mr. & Mrs. Bund: If you’re looking to impress but your client can’t stomach Chinese food, put Mr. and Mrs. Bund on your list. You get it all: it’s one of the best Western restaurants in the city with master chef Paul Pairet at the helm, you have a phenomenal view of Lujiazui, and the décor is classic. It’s pricey, so make sure you bring the company card. But from 11:00-2:00 Thursday through Saturday they have a “late night dinner” where there is a special menu: two courses for 250 RMB or 3 courses for 300 RMB, all with buy-one-get-one free cocktails. This is a great place for posh clients who A) don’t like Chinese food, B) don’t want a traditional experience, and C) want to take pictures of Shanghai’s incredible skyline.

 

Address: Bund 18, 6th floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu (near Nanjing Dong Lu), Huangpu District
地址：黄浦区中山东一路18号6楼, 近南京东路
Hours: Everyday: Dinner, 17:30-22:30; Late Night Dinner (Thursday-Saturday): 23:00-2:00; Brunch (Saturday and Sunday) 11:30-14:30
Phone: 6323 9898
Website: www.mmbund.com
Price: 500 RMB and up per person (excluding alcohol)

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