Shanghai will roll out Global Taste in Shanghai 2026, a year-long, citywide program designed to weave international cuisine into the rhythm of urban life through seasonal themes and curated experiences.

With nearly 10,000 international restaurants representing 43 countries and regions, global dining has become an integral part of daily life for both residents and visitors in the city.

Building on this foundation, the program channels Shanghai's culinary diversity into a structured, year-round calendar of food-centered activities.

What is Global Taste in Shanghai?

Rather than a single festival, Global Taste in Shanghai is conceived as a year-round program built around a "4+12+1" structure, ensuring sustained engagement across the year.

The "4" refers to four seasonal flavor themes — Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Fusion — introduced every quarter. The "12" highlights monthly spotlights on individual countries or regions. The "1" centers on a Spring Festival-focused program that serves as a cultural and emotional anchor.

How the year is structured

- A year shaped by seasons and flavors

From January to March, Shanghai opens with a European flavors season, timed around major holidays such as Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. Activities are designed for both visitors and residents, with Italian, Spanish, and French cuisines featured in sequence.

From April to June, attention shifts to cuisines inspired by the Americas. Aligned with major city events such as the Shanghai Shopping Festival and the Shanghai International Film Festival, this phase emphasizes food as a form of travel, activating night-time dining and outdoor consumption through selected themes drawn from Mexican, Brazilian, and Caribbean cooking.

From July to September, Asian flavors take center stage. Linked to large-scale summer programs like the Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season, this phase focuses on family travel, young consumers, and inbound visitors, with monthly themes dedicated to Chinese, Southeast Asian, and South Asian cuisines.

From October to December, the program moves into a "flavor without borders" phase. Global food resources connected to the China International Import Expo are combined with city events such as the Shanghai Fashion Week and the Shanghai Marathon, with a focus on baking and desserts, wine and dining culture, as well as spices and culinary ingredients.

- A two-stage Spring Festival focus

From Feb 14 to 23, the emphasis is on festive international dining. Restaurants offering global cuisines, particularly those located in shopping complexes and dining streets, will present curated seasonal menus designed for holiday gatherings.

From Feb 24 to March 3, the focus shifts toward a food-themed carnival atmosphere. Aimed at post-holiday reunions and social activities, this stage combines international dining with cultural and sports programs, linking food experiences with popular attractions and major shopping areas.

Connecting food with travel and urban experiences

International dining themes from the program will be incorporated into one-day and multi-day travel products developed by travel agencies and online platforms. In total, 186 travel routes featuring international dining experiences have already been developed, including routes that incorporate Spanish and Italian restaurants.

Hotels will play a key role in linking accommodation with global cuisine. Many well-known international restaurants are located within hotel properties, such as the Italian restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, the Mediterranean restaurant at Pudong Shangri-La, and the Thai restaurant at The Sukhothai Shanghai. These hotels will align seasonal and holiday-themed menus with the program throughout the year, including combined stay-and-dine offerings during the Spring Festival period.

At the neighborhood level, participating food venues will be connected with nearby museums, performance spaces, and digital cultural venues within a three-kilometer radius, encouraging diners to combine meals with cultural exploration.

Participation and incentives

Participation will be supported through both online and offline channels. A monthly dining guide will be released in line with each theme, highlighting recommended restaurants, chefs, and signature dishes, along with easy-to-use maps.

A points-based reward system will allow diners to redeem exclusive benefits, including access to tourist attractions, cultural performances, sporting events, and exhibitions.

Source: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government