Stuffing Your Face at Shanghai’s Best Brunches

Stuffing Your Face at Shanghai’s Best Brunches
By Andrea Scarlatelli , eChinacities.com

It seems as though a new brunch place opens every week in Shanghai. But how do you know which ones are worth getting your (hung-over, tired, lazy) butt out of bed for? While some oldies but goodies still reign as king (including Cantina Agave's all-you-can-drink margaritas and Maya's egg smorgasbord), there are definitely some new, delicious players on the field. Take a look at some of the best brunches – new and old – that Shanghai has to offer.

1) AzulView In Map
When I mention “oldies but goodies,” I'm really referring to this place, as Azul outdoes itself on the brunch front every single time. Rumors abounded last year that this institution was going to close; then came the actual announced closing date; then came a last minute reprieve and a plan to change to a new “concept” called Cafe con Leche. Well, as of now it's still Azul and it's still delicious.120 RMB gets you two courses (a starter, a main, coffee, and a smoothie or alcoholic beverage) and 160 RMB gets you three courses (the aforementioned plus a dessert). It always includes a basket of their warm muffins and scones with all the proper accompaniments (aka: cream and jam). I challenge you to walk out of their not stuffed. Saturday and Sunday only.

Add: 18 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市东平路18号, 近衡山路
Tel: 021 6433 1172
Opening hours: Daily, 11:00-01:00

2) EnoterraView In Map
Perhaps better known for its decently priced wines and amazing cheese platter, Enoterra has quickly made a name for itself for its sophisticated brunch. The meal includes salmon tartare, chicken Caesar salad, a cheese and meat plate, quiche, an assortment of bread, yogurt, a soft boiled egg, and grape juice. It runs 130 RMB per person and will have you feeling very…French. For those who prefer a slightly more radical approach to their morning meal, you can also take advantage of their 30 RMB/per oyster deal (or 300 RMB/dozen). The cozy atmosphere and attentive service makes this a popular spot on the weekends. Saturday and Sunday only.

Add: 58 Taicang Lu, near Jinan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市太仓路58号, 近济南路
Tel: 021 5306 3400
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-02:00

3) glo LondonView In Map
An up-and-comer on the brunch scene, glo London certainly still has a few kinks to work out. Complaints have mostly centered on the sluggish service that seems to still be in the training phase. The food, however, has consistently proven to be exceptional. Choose from ala carte items such as salmon scrambled eggs or go with a set menu of two or three courses. If you're in the mood for something a bit more refined (or just slept really, really late), stop in between 15:00 and 17:00 for their afternoon tea, which includes sandwiches, raisin and apple scones, and all the trimmings (including real clotted cream!). A good brunch option that's bound to get even better. Brunch: Saturday and Sunday only. Afternoon Tea: Daily.

Add: 1 Wulumuqi Lu, near Dongping Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市乌鲁木齐路1号, 近东平路
Tel: 021 6466 6565
Opening hours: Daily, 07:00-03:00

4) Kommune View In Map
If you've been to Tianzifang but haven't stopped for a brunch at Kommune, you really haven't been to Tianzifang. It's the place to go for a hearty brunch, a fishbowl-sized cup of coffee, and perhaps most importantly – people watching. While there are countless of yummy offerings on their menu (my personal favorite is the scrambled egg and bacon sandwich), it's the infamous “Big Daddy Breakfast” that catches most people's eye. Imagine bacon, toast, eggs, mushrooms, a tomato, sausage, baked beans, juice, and coffee – all for 79 RMB. Yes, it may appeal to the Brits more than anyone, but the fact is that it's huge, delicious, and oh-so-satisfying, especially the day after a particularly brutal binge. Saturday and Sunday only.

Add: Tianzifang, Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市田子坊泰康路210弄, 近思南路
Tel: 021 6466 2416
Opening hours: Sun-Thus, 08:00-24:00; Fri-Sat, 08:00-01:00

5) Kebabs on the GrilleView In Map
This place is made for those lazy Sundays when you just want to get day drunk and ridiculously full on fresh, delicious Indian food. One of two worthy restaurants up at the Bund's Cool Docks conglomerate (Stiller's being the other one). For 140 RMB, Kebabs on the Grille offers all-you-can-eat curry, briyani, naan, tandoori items, and dessert – along with free flow beer, wine, and soda. It runs from 11:30-16:00, so grab a seat and camp out, because you'll definitely go home stuffed and sloshed. Sunday only.

Add: The Cool Docks, 505 Zhongshan Nan Lu, near Fuxing Dong Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市中山南路505号, 近复兴东路
Tel: 021 6152 6567
Opening hours: Daily, 11:00-22:30

6) El PatioView In Map
This season's favorite outdoor patio, El Patio offers up a pricey, but delicious, Sunday brunch. For 298 RMB per person (168 RMB for kids under fourteen years old), choose five hot and cold tapas, a meat or fish paella, and a dessert. The price also includes free flow sparkling wine and soda (but only until 15:30). They also offer discounts on pitchers of sangria and feature a DJ to put the jam in your breakfast. Be sure to make reservations, though, because seating (especially outdoors) is pretty limited. Sunday only.

Add: 110 Fenyang Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市汾阳路110号, 近复兴中路
Tel: 021 6437 5839
Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 12:00-14:30, 18:30-24:00; Sun, 12:00-14:30

7) KABBView In Map
Another brunch place that's been around the block once or twice, this is Xintiandi's “must try.” Everything is ala carte and usually ranges from 50 to 80 RMB per dish. If you haven't heard of KABB's banana walnut French toast, you haven't been listening close enough, it’s their star dish. They also offer such classics as eggs Benedict and almond pancakes. For those who prefer the “-unch” part of brunch, there are plenty of burgers and sandwiches on the menu too. And don't forget their famous DIY Bloody Mary set! Saturday and Sunday only.

Add: Xintiandi, North Block, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, near Madang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市太仓路181号, 新天地北里, 近马当路
Tel: 021 3307 0798
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs, 07:00-01:00; Fri-Sat, 07:00-02:00

8) Mr. WillisView In Map
Definitely a place to go to impress your out-of-town guests, Mr. Willis does brunch in style. Reservations are highly recommended, and don't expect to walk away spending anything less than 100 to 200 RMB per person – like I said, this is a place to impress. The mains are impressive, however, with expertly made antipasti, country pate, fish and chips (with lemon aioli), and salmon omelets. Go there when you really want to savor the food experience. Saturday and Sunday only.

Add: 3/F, 195 Anfu Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市安福路195号3楼,近乌鲁木齐路
Tel: 021 5404 0200
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 11:00-14:00, 17:00-23:00; Sat-Sun, 12:00-16:00

9) AzurView In Map
I avoided putting hotels on this brunch list because, well, after a while one over-priced hotel buffet tends to taste just like the next. The exception to this rule of mine is Azur, located inside Zhongshan Park's Renaissance Hotel (that tilted building outlined in electric blue lights – it's kind of hard to miss). For 348 RMB plus a 15% surcharge, I don't recommend it lightly. But if you're celebrating some special occasion or simply have a lot of money burning a hole in your pocket, this is the brunch to blow it on. With over thirty kinds of seafood (crab, shrimp, etc.), Chinese BBQ (including Peking duck wraps!), sushi and sashimi, traditional Chinese hot seafood dishes, freshly sliced roasts (turkey, lamb, etc.) a pancake and waffle bar, ice cream, a chocolate fountain, to-order berry smoothies, etc. - and, of course, free flow sparkling wine, beer, juice, and sodas – you'll be like a kid in a candy store. Just be sure to call for reservations. Sunday only.

Add: 1018 Changning Lu, near Kaixuan Lu (inside Zhongshan Park Renaissance Hotel), Shanghai
地址: 上海市长宁路1018号
Tel: 021 6115 8888
Opening hours: Daily, 06:00-23:00

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Keywords: best brunches in Shanghai eating out in Shanghai brunch restaurants in Shanghai

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