The Best Brunches Around Shanghai

There’s no better way to spend the weekend, than brunching it up in Shanghai!

In Shanghai, Sunday means only one thing: sleeping late and having brunch. Whether it’s at home or out, brunch is the Shanghai expat tradition we all cherish as sacred and is the perfect way to celebrate your best friends birthday or spend time with family who are in town. So, why not introduce family and friends to our beloved local “custom” and treat them to one of the best brunches in the city.

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel – A Premium Brunch Experience

You may not be able to afford a staycation at this place on an English teacher's salary, but you can still feel like high society by dining in one of the swankiest and most elegant Shanghai-style hotels in the city. Brunch starts at 11:00 a.m. with bubbly and oysters at the hotel’s Long Bar and then shifts to the signature Grand Brasserie Restaurant for a buffet that friends will remember all year long. Reservations are recommended. It's not cheap at RMB888 per person, but for the atmosphere and the food, it’s totally worth it!

El Patio – Affordable, Classy, Laid-back Spanish Brunch

El Patio is that place most of us forget about, which in a way makes it better, because every time you go back you remember how cool and yet, relaxed and casual it is, both indoors and out. Now that Shanghai’s weather is finally cooperating for al fresco dining, El Patio could be the perfect brunch for someone who is not too fussy. For a paltry RMB178 per person, you can enjoy two great tapas and a dessert, as well as fun and refreshing cocktails: perfect for a chill Sunday with your best friend.

The Westin – Shanghai’s Brunch Gold Standard

This may not be the absolute last word in exclusivity or opulence, but brunch at the Westin Hotel’s Stage Restaurant never disappoints. As one of the classic brunches in the city, it’s a comfortable and relaxing experience; exactly how brunch should be. And with a huge selection of buffet items from around the world, including Western and Asian dishes and the all-important dessert bar, there are plenty of choices to please even the pickiest eaters. Plus, RMB218 per person plus 15 percent service charge (or RMB598 with unlimited champagne) is a reasonable price to pay for such a nice treat.

Ming Yuan Dim Sum at The Banyan Tree Hotel – Them’s Some Good Dim Sum

Shameless tagline aside, if your friends prefer something a little more Chinese while in China, the up-scale dim sum brunch at Ming Yuan in the Banyan Tree Hotel is the hot new spot you need to try. Finally bringing some shine to the North Bund, Banyan Tree’s dim sum brunch/lunch will surely impress. And thanks to its location along the Hongkou waterfront, the view from the rooftop TOPS bar will provide the perfect backdrop for photos to commemorate any occasion. Just be sure to make a reservation.

So, there you have it! The top brunches around the city. Now all you need to do is get a group of friends or family to celebrate with, dress sharp and make a reservation. Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy!

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