Top Ten Romantic Hot Spots in Shanghai

Description:

Easy to walk by without noticing it, Whisk is tucked off Huaihai Lu down an unmarked alley. A casual dining space in cool greens and whites, the décor is also chocolate focused, with quotes about chocolate on the walls and huge jars of chocolate buttons. For those without a sweet tooth, there is a selection of risottos and paninis with ingredients such as prosciutto and artichoke, but the food is found lacking and drab, and the real reason to go is for desert. For the chocolate lover - chocolate shots, cupcakes and cookies are just the tip of the iceberg. Service is efficient and prices are reasonable. This is the most romantic desert place in town, or the perfect ladies out treat.

Description:

Hangzhou is home to scenic West Lake, a mirror-perfect pool of water surrounded by weeping willows, beautiful stone arch bridges and botanical gardens. What makes the lake so memorable, however, are the people. Arrive at the lake around 6:00am and you will meet such an array of kindly elderly people that you'll want to relocate to the city permanently. These happy individuals descend on the lake every morning for tai chi, dancing, aerobics, sword play and more. In addition, meet locals having their morning tea at many of the lake-side cafes as they play checkers, cards or just chat about old times. Aside from West Lake, Hangzhou has vast silk markets, rolling scenic hills for hiking and a beautiful temple full of practicing monks and mountain-side rock carvings. Plan to spend the entire day here but do not be surprised if you end up spending more than just one.

Our Local Expert Says:

An expat secret and a great place to take a date.

Description:

Live jazz nightly is the hallmark of this local institution, Shanghai's longest running and still the best venue for live jazz and blues. The bands are skilled, the tunes are tight, and the informal, darkly atmospheric club often attracts standing-room-only crowds on weekends. 7pm to 2am. Live music plays from 9:30pm to midnight during the week and from 10:15pm to 1:30am on Friday and Saturday.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best place to be seen in Shanghai

Description:

With superb Continental cuisine, an excellent wine selection and royalty service, the fashionable M on the Bund sets the standard for other haute cuisine restaurants in Shanghai. As the place to see and be seen, the much-touted eatery attracts its fair share of Shanghai's movers and shakers. Contemporary, airy and stylish decor complements sweeping views of the Bund. The food reaches equally high heights. Diners are recommended to try the Salt Crusted Leg of Lamb and the Crispy Suckling Pig. They should also leave room for dessert-the sinfully delicious Pavlova is rightfully legendary.

Description:

Supposedly the highest hotel in the world, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai occupies the top 33 floors of the 87-floor Jin Mao Building. The dramatic height creates a wonderful panorama of the neighboring Pu Xi District and Huang Pu River. The chic and modern atmosphere, the floor-to-ceiling windows in the guest bedrooms, the Hyatt's five-star attention to detail and fine dining options all make this hotel one of the best Shanghai has to offer.

Description:

Furnished in a bright contemporary style, this cafe is resplendent in turquoise and red quilted silk bar stools and banquettes. Drop in Friday to kick-start your weekend with free jazz. Perfect for a laid-back night.

Description:

Centrally located and with the best Mexican food in town, this recently opened restaurant has become an instant classic with the Shanghai expatriate community. Especially well done are the nachos and margaritas, though all of the food is delicious. The staff are amazingly friendly and helpful, and the bartenders know a great deal about the multitude of tequilas on the menu (over 25 varieties!). For the expat who has been craving Mexican food, this place is a god-sent. With happy hour specials, a reasonably priced menu and a friendly, trendy atmosphere, this place is sure to stay a top expat eatery.

Description:

Located on the ground floor of Building 4 of the Ruijin Guest House, the posh and opulent Face Bar attracts Shanghai's beautiful people. The huge wooden faces lining the walls of this atmospheric establishment give the bar its name. Take a seat at the antique Chinese tables, or recline on the opium beds and sample the numerous, decadent alcoholic creations. For the teetotaler, the non-alcoholic lemonades are homemade and delicious. The wine list changes every few months. Happy hour is from 5:30pm until 7:30pm.

Description:

A justifiably popular Japanese restaurant that buzzes of an evening; by contrast the décor is calm and muted in shades of navy, grey and mustard. Attention to detail such as towels in nifty little lacquered boxes and beautifully laid out plates are let down a little by disposable chopsticks and napkins. Dishes and drinks have cutesy names such as Sake-2-me and Moto-roll-ah or Pink Kimono. The service is tentative and a little slow, also dishes may not arrive at the same time as one's dining partner. However, the quality of the food more than balances this out. The lunch deals are particularly good value.

Our Local Expert Says:

After undergoing a facelift in Spring 2008, Bar Rouge remains one of the hottest bars on the Bund.

Description:

This newly open space at Bund 18 provides a less frenzied atmosphere than Bar Rouge to unwind, relax, and nosh on some tapas with your fanciful cocktails. Sunday to Wednesday 2pm to 12:30am; Thursday to Saturday 2pm to late.