Picture choosen by: Ms.anonymous
traveller Eat in Shanghai Some claim Shanghai ranks among the world's top food cities; others contend that the booming restaurant scene is more flash than substance. Whatever the case is, it's a pleasant experience for whom to seek an answer. Where to begin? Below is a short list of restaurants that you may like to have a try.

A Future Perfect
Address:No 16 Lane 351, Huashan Rd, French Concession
Phone: (+86) 21 6248 8020
Open Hrs:07:00 ?24:00
This is a hipster hangout, whether for breakfast, weekend brunches or evening drinks. The food here is a top-quality mix of western classics, like the Strammer Max breakfast (two eggs on chive buttered farmers bread), or the superb salads, and the ingredients are super-fresh. There's a fair amount of attitude floating around this place, but that's all part of vibe. There's a pleasant outside area too. It's inside the Old House Inn.

Lynn
Address:99-1 Xikang Rd, West Nanjing Road
Phone: (+86) 21 6247 0101
Open Hrs: 11:30 ?22:30
Another one of the growing number of restaurants pushing the boundaries between Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine, Lynn offers consistently good, cleverly presented dishes at reasonable prices in plush but unfussy surroundings. There's a dim sum menu as well as more traditional Shanghainese dishes. The deep-fried spare ribs with honey and garlic are excellent. An all-you-can eat brunch menu, for Y128, includes a glass of wine. English menu.

Di Shui Dong
Address: 2nd Fl, 56 South Maoming Rd, French Concession, 200020
Phone: (+86) 21 6253 2689
Open Hrs: 10:00 - 00:30
Di Shui Dong is the discerning local's choice for fiery Hunanese cooking. It's a refreshingly unpretentious and friendly place serving consistently good and authentic food. Try the chicken and chilli claypot or the classic boiled frog and cool down with plenty of beer. Milder dishes include spare ribs and braised spring chicken with ginger, plus the crowd-pleasing caramelized bananas for desert. English menu. Reserve.
There's another branch (5 Dongping Rd; 6415 9448).

Dongbei Ren
Address: 2nd Fl, 1 South Shaanxi Rd by Yanan Zhong Rd, French Concession
Phone: (+86) 21 5228 9898
Open Hrs: 11:00 ?22:00
Dongbei Ren, literally northeastern people, are known for their blunt, friendly ways and their fondness for hearty portions of meat and potatoes. Exuberant waitresses spontaneously break into folk songs while serving an outstanding assortmen of dumplings as well as spare ribs, endless beef, chicken and pork dishes and plenty of greens and veggies. Prices are very reasonable. English menu. There are five other branches around town.

City Diner
Address: 3rd fl, 142 Tongren Rd
Phone: (+86) 21 6289 3699
Open Hrs: 24hr
With vintage posters on the walls, American-sized portions and a menu full of classics like southern fried chicken, meatloaf, and, of course, burgers (including a veggie option), this place pulls out all the stops in its efforts to be a genuine US diner. It mostly works, with only the slightly erratic service spoiling things. The hefty all-day breakfasts take some effort to walk off. On weekends, it's busy until dawn.