Gaode Maps, also known as Amap, released its 2025 food insights report for Shanghai on Dec 24, turning something as subjective as "good food" into a set of measurable coordinates.

Based on real consumer behavior, including the Top 100 restaurants, district distribution, and category preferences, the report reveals not just where people eat in Shanghai, but how the city eats.

Huangpu district alone accounts for 29 of the Top 100 restaurants. Shanghai also ranks No 1 nationwide in terms of international cuisine, while coffee has firmly become the city's most popular daily indulgence.

 

Why Huangpu leads the dining map

With 29 restaurants on the Top 100 list, Huangpu district dominates Shanghai's dining map. This certainly comes as no coincidence.

As the city's historical and cultural center, Huangpu naturally brings together multiple layers of dining culture. Traditional local eateries and street food sit alongside Michelin-starred restaurants and global brands. Small, no-frills neighborhood spots serve local patrons, while landmark restaurants often attract a large number of visitors.

People's Square, Xintiandi, East Nanjing Road, and the Bund form a tightly connected cluster of major shopping areas. In practical terms, this means that within a 15-minute walk, diners can easily reach a Top 100 restaurant. For consumers, this translates into lower risk and higher certainty, whether it is a spontaneous meal, a business lunch, or a festive gathering.

 

International cuisine as a daily presence

According to the report, Shanghai ranks first nationwide in the number of international dining options, reflecting the city's long-standing openness.

For decades, Shanghai has been the entry point for global dining brands into China. From early Western restaurants to today's ramen shops, bakeries, bistros, and fusion kitchens, nearly every major global food culture has found a foothold here.

More importantly, these cuisines do not remain static. International food in Shanghai evolves through subtle localization, from adjusting flavors and incorporating local ingredients to adapting to local dining habits. The result is not imitation, but integration, reinforcing Shanghai's position as a true international dining hub rather than a collection of novelty concepts.

 

Coffee and the rhythm of everyday life

Shanghai ranks first nationwide both in the number of coffee shops and in average daily navigation visits.

Once seen as a lifestyle symbol, coffee has become a daily necessity in the city. Morning takeaways at metro stations, midday office refuels, afternoon meetups at specialty cafes, and even late-night cocktail coffees all reflect how deeply coffee is embedded in Shanghai's rhythm.

This evolution mirrors Shanghai's balance between efficiency and leisure. Fast-paced workdays coexist with walkable neighborhoods, where cafes double as informal community living rooms, places to pause, connect, and recharge.

 

A year-end dining guide in Huangpu

If there is one district that best embodies Shanghai's global yet local food culture, it is Huangpu. During the year-end festive season, it offers a simple proposition: skip the airfare and eat your way around the world.

Schindler's Tankstelle

Well known among Shanghai's German community, Schindler's Tankstelle is widely regarded as one of the city's most authentic German restaurants.

Its menu reads like a culinary map of Germany, with regional origins clearly marked and a strong emphasis on meat dishes. The signature crispy pork knuckle is prepared through a meticulous process of marinating, beer-boiling, and roasting, resulting in crackling skin and tender meat.

The experience is completed with imported German beers. For those who prefer not to drink alcohol, the restaurant also offers Erdinger Alkoholfrei, a non-alcoholic wheat beer from Germany with a history of more than 130 years.

Address: 1F, No 168 Jiujiang Road

Hours: Daily from 11 am to midnight

 

FuXing Bakery

For a festive dessert that is elegant yet not overly sweet, FuXing Bakery's Baumkuchen is a seasonal favorite. Shaped like a tree trunk and sliced to reveal ring-like layers, it symbolizes time and continuity and is ideal for the New Year.

During the day, the bakery offers a warm, sunlit setting perfect for brunch. By night, it transforms into a cozy bistro, where light meals and drinks create a relaxed urban evening atmosphere.

Address: Room F102, INS Complex, No 109 Yandang Road

Hours: Daily from 10 am to midnight

 

MQA Bistro & Bar

For those seeking the ultimate setting, MQA Bistro and Bar delivers. Seasonal decorations, special New Year set menus, and interactive promotions, including a lucky draw for a whole turkey with qualifying purchases, make dining here feel like part of the celebration.

From pizza to coffee and mulled wine, the menu covers a wide range of occasions, from casual meetups to small celebrations.

Address: Room L105, 1F, Uni Elite, No 299 East Jianguo Road

Hours: Daily from 11 am to midnight

 

Source: Official WeChat account of Huangpu district