Best Restaurants for British Travelers in Shanghai

British travelers will find plenty to love in Shanghai's dining scene, from proper pubs to fine dining. Here is a local's honest guide.

British-Friendly Establishments

The Captain

Proper British-style pub with fish and chips, pies, and a great selection of beers.

Local's Take: The Captain is as close to a proper British pub as you will find in Shanghai. The fish and chips are legitimately good, the beer selection is solid, and the Bund-side terrace has one of the best views in the city. It is where British expats go when they need a taste of home.

Boxing Cat Brewery

Craft beer and burgers that satisfy British pub cravings.

Local's Take: Boxing Cat's craft beer would hold its own in any London pub. The atmosphere is more American brewpub than British local, but the quality of the beer and food wins over British visitors every time.

Afternoon Tea

The Peninsula Shanghai

Classic British-style afternoon tea with stunning Bund views.

Local's Take: The Peninsula's afternoon tea is a Shanghai institution. The setting is glamorous, the tea selection is extensive, and the pastries are exquisite. It is expensive, but for a special occasion, it is worth every RMB. Book ahead, especially on weekends.

Waldorf Astoria

Elegant afternoon tea service in a historic setting.

Local's Take: The Waldorf's afternoon tea in the heritage building feels like stepping into 1920s Shanghai. The historic setting adds a layer of atmosphere that makes the experience feel more special than a standard hotel tea.

Fine Dining

Hakkasan

Upscale Cantonese in a stylish setting that appeals to British tastes.

Local's Take: Hakkasan brings London-level sophistication to Shanghai's Bund. The Cantonese cuisine is refined, the cocktails are excellent, and the design is stunning. It is the kind of place British visitors choose for a special night out.

Local Cuisine

Jesse Restaurant

Shanghainese home cooking that British visitors find surprisingly appealing.

Local's Take: Jesse is the opposite of fine dining - it is noisy, cramped, and absolutely delicious. British visitors who are willing to step outside their comfort zone are consistently rewarded. The red-braised pork alone is worth the trip.

British Preferences

• Proper tea service
• Historic atmosphere
• Quality pubs
• Unpretentious fine dining
• Attentive but not overbearing service

Local's Take: British visitors often comment that Shanghai feels surprisingly familiar in some ways - the colonial architecture, the tea culture, the cosmopolitan energy. But it is the differences that make it exciting: the incredible variety of Chinese regional cuisines, the street food culture, the sheer scale of the dining scene.

British travelers consistently rate Shanghai as one of their favorite Asian food destinations, and many say the food alone is reason enough to return.