For a Chinese eating experience try chancing your luck at any of the street-side restaurants or even some of the stalls that pop up on street corners at night, but be careful.

For ‘safer’ Shanghainese food, you can’t do better than Xiao Nan Guo (the main branches are at 1398 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Tong Ren Lu, +862162891717; and 214-216 Huanghe Lu, +862163183921). Also good are Bao Luo (271 Fu Min Lu, by Chang Le Lu, +862154037239) and 1221 (1221 Yan'An Xi Lu, by Pan Yu Lu, +862162132441).

For something with a bit of a kick try a Sichuanese meal at Darling Harbour (either 19-20/F, Paramount Hotel, 1728 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Huashan Lu, +862162480418; or 6/F, 755 Huai Hai Zhong Lu, by Ruijin Er Lu, +862164453868).

People 6 (150 Yue Yang Lu, by Yong Jia Lu, +862164660505) and People 7 (805 Ju Lu Lu, by Fu Min Lu, +862154040707) serve up a great fushion of Chinese, Japanese and continental food which, together with the décor, perfectly reflect the cultural mix of modern Shanghai.

If Chinese food is not your thing there are still plenty of options. Japanese at Shintori (803 Ju Lu Lu, by Fu Min Lu, +862154045252), Thai at Simply Thai (5C, Dong Ping Lu, btwn Hengshan Lu & Yue Yang Lu, +862164459551) or Indian at Indian Kitchen (572 Yong Jia Lu, btwn Yue Yang Lu & Wulumuqi Nan Lu, +862164731517) all offer good Asian alternatives.

Also amongst the best in the city are Da Marco’s (103 Dong Zhu An Bang Lu, between Zhen Ning Lu and Jiangsu Lu, +862162104495) for Italian food or Wagas (Rm LG12A, CITIC Square, 1168 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Shaanxi Bei Lu, +862152925228) for snacks and sandwiches.

An unmissable venue is M on the Bund (7/F, 20 Guangdong Road, +862163509988), whose balcony offers a tea or dinner-time view of the Bund and Lujiazui.

There are few better places to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a good cocktail in comfortable surroundings than Face (Bldg 4, Ruijin Guest House, 118 Ruijin Er Lu, by Yong Jia Lu, +862164664328). In the Xintiandi development - Shanghai’s take on a trendy food and drink quarter - try out the very German Paulaner Brauhaus (House 19-20, North Block Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, by Ma Dang Lu, +862163203935) or very American Kabbs (Unit 1, House 5, North Block Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, by Ma Dang Lu, +862133070798).

The Long Bar (2/F, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, +862162798268) is a conveniently placed pub. Nearby Malones (255 Tong Ren Lu, by Nanjing Xi Lu, +862162472400) is relaxed during the day and early evening, filling up and getting louder as the clock passes 10pm.

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