Shanghai

Lorenzo Riccardi

Lorenzo Riccardi is an accountant specializing in international taxation. Based in Shanghai for 15 years, he is managing partner of RsA Asia. He provides tax advice to foreign investors in China and East Asia. He is a research fellow at the Belt Road Institute for Shanghai University. He has published guides on emerging economies in the Far East with Springer, Wolters Kluwer, Il Sole24Ore, and Maggioli.

A business breakfast – Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Pudong Shanghai

One of the most beautiful lobby lounges in the Pudong district, in the financial heart of Shanghai. This place is ideal for business meetings. In fact, thanks to its relaxing and spacious atmosphere, with live music, it is the perfect setting for a pleasant conversation, accompanied by excellent service and a wide selection of classic Chinese teas.

An hour alone in a beautiful place– Tianzifang and Xintiandi

In the heart of the city, Xintiandi is an old residential neighborhood where traditional houses coexist with modern European-style buildings. Even in the pedestrian area of Tianzifang, many buildings have retained their original 1920s Shanghai appearance. These pedestrian areas are a pleasant place to stroll, among modern boutiques, antique shops, and cozy cafes where you can stop and work on your laptop while enjoying a delicious cup of tea.

A narrow, sunlit alley with cobblestone pavement, lined with potted plants and brick buildings. Colorful lanterns hang overhead, creating a festive atmosphere. Signs with Chinese characters are visible along the walls.

A formal lunch with a client – Da Vittorio

Da Vittorio, a symbol of fine dining for over 50 years and awarded three Michelin stars, decided to bring that culinary experience to Shanghai in 2019, receiving its first Michelin star after only three months of operation. Located in one of the most picturesque spots on the Bund, overlooking the river, it is an excellent choice for a formal lunch with a client.

Elegant restaurant with round tables set for dining, large windows offering a view of green trees and a city skyline with modern skyscrapers. Natural light fills the room, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.

A relaxing lunch – Mamma Mia, 758 Julu Road

Opened in 2016, this traditional Neapolitan pizzeria has brought a new concept of informal dining to Shanghai. Mamma Mia’s chef creates each pizza according to the guidelines of the True Neapolitan Pizza Association, using flour imported from the historic family mill. Walking through the trattoria and pizzeria, guests will see a piece of Naples in Shanghai.

A lively pizzeria counter with a red pizza oven, hanging dried peppers, bottles of wine, and a metal bowl filled with ice and bottled drinks. The wall displays pizza signs and vintage Italian decor.

A trendy aperitif – Funkadeli, 291 Fumin Road

Funkadeli is undoubtedly one of Shanghai’s most popular cocktail bars. Frequented by many Westerners, this venue targets a young clientele. With two locations on Fumin Lu and Yanping Lu, near the former French Concession, this lively bar offers a wide range of beers, wines, and cocktails, as well as an assorted selection of gins.

An ideal place for informal meetings – Ye Shanghai

Ye Shanghai is located in Xintiandi, among the renovated old “Shikumen” houses. On the second floor of the bar, a Chinese jazz band performs on weekends. Ye Shanghai is a Shanghainese restaurant and represents a perfect combination of history and modern taste. After a stroll through the neighborhood, you can have lunch and organize an informal meeting.

Elegant restaurant interior with round tables set for dining, wooden chairs, large windows offering a view of a city skyline and water, natural light streaming in, and a potted plant in the foreground.

A dinner to intrigue – Epicure on 45, Nanjing Road 88

This magnificent restaurant located on the 45th floor of the Radisson Blu Shanghai New World hotel is truly one of a kind, thanks above all to the revolving dome in which it is located, which allows you to see most of Shanghai’s historic buildings and places of interest during a complete two-hour tour. The restaurant is located near People’s Square, in the heart of Shanghai, and offers a variety of Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and European cuisine.

Elegant restaurant with round tables covered in white cloths, set for dinner, featuring large curved windows offering a panoramic nighttime city skyline view with illuminated skyscrapers.

A gourmet dinner – Jin Xuan, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai

A beautiful location on the 53rd floor of the Ritz Carlton hotel in Shanghai, in the heart of the modern part of the city. This Chinese restaurant, awarded a Michelin star in 2020, is an excellent gastronomic destination offering authentic and creative Cantonese cuisine accompanied by regional specialties from other Chinese provinces.

A luxurious restaurant table set for two, with red cushions and elegant place settings, overlooks a vibrant city skyline and river at night through large windows.

The latest trendy spot – Chameleon

Chameleon is a cocktail bar and restaurant founded by Carson Xie and Eddy Yang, two of the best mixologists in town. The venue is very unique, changing its menu, drinks, and decor every six months, rotating themes inspired by travel. Try the foie gras char siu, while the cocktails include combinations such as vodka infused with coriander seeds and a carefully selected range of whiskeys.

A modern bar with a long glass wall displaying various liquor bottles, wooden tables with benches, a metallic ceiling feature, large windows, and a circular wall art piece with concentric patterns.

The place to be and be seen – M on The Bund

This restaurant is a staple of Shanghai’s gastronomic scene, with a panoramic terrace overlooking the Lujiazui skyline. Opened in 1999, M on the Bund was one of the first restaurants in the colonial buildings along the Huangpu River. Under the guidance of Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut, it is a landmark in Shanghai. Its menu is eclectic, combining European, North African, and Australian flavors.