Michelin Guide Shanghai 2026 — What I Recommend as a Local Guide
Rachel from Nomfluence recently published her Michelin Guide Shanghai 2026 roundup, and with her kind permission, I wanted to share a few thoughts of my own here.
For the full list of Michelin-starred restaurants and Bib Gourmands in Shanghai, do visit Rachel’s original post here: Michelin Guide Shanghai 2026: Starred Restaurants & Bib Gourmands
Her list is a great reference, it’s something I look forward to annually for any changes, new ones and delisted ones, and with no surprise, it includes several restaurants that my own guests consistently love booking — including Tai-an Table
Tai an Table 泰安门 (The only three stars in Shanghai),
Fu He Hui (福和慧) 2-star Chinese vegetarian restaurant
荣府宴 (House of Rong) Taizhou Cuisine from Zhejiang
And here is a list of delisted or demoted restaurants due to closure/failure to maintain their service standard :(
Ultraviolet (closed)
Yongfu elite
Hakkasan
Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop
Canton Disco (closed)
Epices & Foie Gras (reopening soon)
Villa Le Bec (reopening soon)
Beyond Michelin: What I Actually Recommend
At the same time, some of my own favourite places to recommend are not always defined by Michelin. My personal go-to spots for guests often include
龙凤荟 (Loong Fung House / Longfenghui),
楼上/楼上荟馆, （Loushan Hot Pot)
小桃园, (Xiao Tao Yuan)
朱家角安麓 (Anh Lu)
Mona,
Sue Dim Sum (苏小柳）
柴门头啖汤 (Sichaun)
By Bay Hot Pot or Haidilao Da Pai Dang Hot Pot
Xibo
Bastard
And many more local cuisines from all parts of China.
These are places that have consistently worked well with my guests—different styles, different moods, but always memorable in the right context.
In fact, one of my guests shared this after their trip:
“The restaurants you selected were delicious (we realized that even more when we tried to pick one ourselves).”
Another guest mentioned how much they appreciated the balance:
“A fantastic mix of restaurants… whether trendy spots or authentic local flavors, the recommendations were spot on.”
And this is something I hear quite often—it's not just about finding good food, but finding the right places for each person.
How I Approach Dining in Shanghai
Dining in Shanghai isn’t about chasing stars—it’s about getting the right experience.
That’s why I always start with:
who you are
what you enjoy
how you want your time in the city to feel
Some guests want something refined and polished. Others want something local, casual, or a bit more unexpected.
As one guest put it:
“She showed me… time-loved restaurants, hole-in-the-walls and hipster hangouts… the Shanghai that aligns with your interests.”
That’s really the goal—helping you experience the city in a way that feels personal, not just recommended.
So if you are curious about Michelin’s official picks, Rachel’s article is the one to read. Also, you can now book selected and curated restaurants directly from the Nomfluence website, free of charge.
And if you want a more personal, guest-tested perspective on where to eat in Shanghai, I am always happy to share my recommendations too.