The Shanghai Scoop: Food & Drink News (February 2025)

The Shanghai Scoop is a column dedicated to the latest food and drink news happening in Shanghai.

It's been a while since I published one of these. A lot has happened since, particularly on the topic of closures. That said, goodbye 2024, here's to 2025, which is already showing promise as a brighter year for F&B in Shanghai.

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Coming Soon

Aster by Joshua Paris - May 2025

The new restaurant to watch is Aster by Joshua Paris, set to open this May in Jing’an. Joshua Paris, formerly the Head Chef of Michelin three-starred Ultraviolet, is now channeling his creativity into this personal venture. Named after the resilient daisy-like flower commonly found along English roadsides and gardens, Aster reflects his passion for innovation.

Rendering of Aster, image provided.

The seasonal menu will highlight local producers, showcasing peak vegetables and fruits, with dishes and seasonal cocktails crafted around these fresh ingredients. While the menu is still in development, it will balance light, clean flavors with bold, elegant touches, all using high-quality products.

Rendering of Aster, image provided.

The restaurant’s design features high ceilings, a full glass facade, a raised private dining area, a bar, and a total seating capacity of 48.

Sunday's Modern Diner - March 2025

Chef Chris Zhu (formerly Blaz) is opening Sunday’s Modern Diner on Xinzha Lu in Jing’an this March. The concept, as its name states, will be a diner, drawing from classic comfort fare with Japanese and Asian twists.

Bar OJ - February 2025

Image courtesy of Bar O.J.

Bar industry veteran Yifu Jiang (蒋一甫) and partners have opened Bar OJ at 80 Shaanxi Nan Lu. The name, short for "orange juice," sets the tone for this cozy, living room-style bar — think chill, homey, and zero pretense. Designed to be sleek and social, Bar O.J. aims to foster a convivial at-ease atmosphere, said Yifu.

Signature cocktails are priced between ¥98 and ¥118. The menu itself is captivating, featuring seriously cute cartoon graphics highlighting each drink’s primary flavor profile. Expect bold, unconventional ingredients and flavors with beef, fish sauce, ash oil, shrimp paste, and even a cocktail that tastes like pizza.

Bar O.J. is currently in soft opening until Feb 22. After that it'll be properly open to the public.

Now Open

1929 by Guillaume Galliot

French Tradition, Asian Subtlety

Image courtesy of 1929 by GG

1929 by Guillaume Galliot (1929 by GG) is a new fine French restaurant within Shanghai’s historic Jinbei Building, part of the Jinjiang Hotel, and once the iconic Cathay Mansion.

Images courtesy of 1929 by GG

A collaboration between the onefifteen brand and Michelin-starred chef Guillaume Galliot, the restaurant blends French tradition with subtle Asian influences, reflecting Galliot’s two decades of experience across France, Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Beijing.

Guillaume Galliot

Marco Morandini

Images courtesy of 1929 by GG.

Head Chef Marco Morandini, Galliot’s protégé, runs the kitchen. The menus sees dishes like classic French pâté en croûte and bouillabaisse alongside creative twists like Singapore-inspired laksa with king crab.

Pâté en Croûte

Blue Lobster with Shaoxing Wine

As for the space, it’s stunning, as the design marries the building’s historic charm with modern French elegance. The main dining area features lofty arched walls, teak floors, and vintage wooden armchairs. There’s also a chef’s table for eight overlooking the open kitchen a bar lounge, and a second-floor bar salon.

Images courtesy of 1929 by GG

Nebula

Spanish Fine Dining

Image courtesy of Nebula

The newly launched Spanish fine dining restaurant, Nebula, is now open at CPARK in Changning.

It is helmed by Executive Chef Jonatan Rubio, who brings 15 years of culinary expertise, and was most recently stationed at Michelin-starred IKARO in Spain and the Grande Table-recommended KRIOLLO in Ecuador. His culinary style is influenced by diverse cuisines, including Japanese, Italian, French, and Nepalese, resulting in a menu that blends Spanish traditions with Ecuadorian flavors and Asian techniques. The set menu is priced at ¥1,288 per person.

Jonatan Rubio, image courtesy of Nebula

As for the restaurant’s design, it embraces a futuristic theme, dominated by black tones and orb-shaped lights that evoke the imagery of galaxies and nebulae. The space includes an eight-seat chef’s table, six dining tables, and two private rooms accommodating up to eight guests each. The wine list features 240 labels, with a focus on Spanish wines — 80 selections from 21 regions.

Image courtesy of Nebula

VIVANT by Johnny Pham

French Fine Dining with Asian Nuances

Image courtesy of VIVANT

VIVANT by Johnny Pham opened in November last year at the historic Far Eastern Hotel near People’s Square, marking the culmination of Chef Johnny Pham’s long-awaited vision.

Johnny Pham

Backed by the Holiland Group (EHB, Jelloooo Bistro), this fine dining restaurant blends Pham’s French upbringing with his Asian heritage. Previously Chef de Cuisine at Taian Table and TRB Beijing, Pham brings his Michelin-starred expertise to his first independent venture.

Images courtesy of VIVANT

The set menu, ¥1,888 per person plus 10% service charge, fuses French and Asian flavors, featuring dishes like bouillabaisse with fish maw, pigeon with huangjiu, and even a pho-inspired course honoring his Vietnamese roots.

Matto by Mammamia!

"Crazy" Italian Bar in Jing'an

Image courtesy of Matto

From the team behind Neapolitan pizzeria Mammamia! comes Matto, a new Italian cocktail and wine bar on Yanping Lu in Jing’an. It is located in the former Little Catch space, perched on the second floor above Revolucion Cocktail.

Image courtesy of Matto

For snacks, Matto offers an extensive selection of salumeria — basically the A-to-Z of Italian cold cuts available in Shanghai — plus focaccia-style pizzas, among others. Straightforward Italian cocktails and bites.

Cocktails at Matto, image courtesy of Matto

FYI, "matto" means "crazy" or "mad" in Italian. It’s a playful and fitting name for a bar, and certainly hints at the vibe it’s going for.

Jellooo Bistro

All-Day Dining with a Nordic Touch

Jellooo Bistro opened in late December in Xintiandi, brought to life by Holiland Group, the company behind Michelin one-star EHB. The space is as charming as its jellyfish logo, bathed in soft cream tones. It has a two-level dining area with the second floor overlooking a skylit atrium. Despite its size, the space feels intimate, thanks to arched supports that create cozy, sectioned-off areas.

Images courtesy of Jellooo

The all-day dining menu, curated by chef-partner Esben Holmboe Bang, highlights his Nordic roots in addition to a wide range of options. From smorrebrod and truffled pasta to fried fish fingers, steaks, seafood rice, and even Nordic waffles.

BizyBoy

Pastrami Sandwiches & Pasta

The people behind Basdban has opened BizyBoy, a cafe located next door to their popular bakery on Yuyuan Lu. BizyBoy is now in soft opening, slinging pastrami sandwiches, fresh made pasta, and dessert. The space, which takes after Basdban's futuristic look, also has a very spacious dog-friendly terrace.

FENRIR & REAPER

Heavy Metal Bars

FENRIR, image provided.

Rising from the ashes of Shanghai's (once) "one and only metal bar" Inferno comes two metal bars, FENRIR and REAPER. More havens for headbangers, misfits, and anyone who loves their drinks strong and their music loud.

For fun-loving metalheads, there's FENRIR, housed in a basement location on Panyu Lu in Changning. Named after the mythical Norse wolf destined to "swallow the world," this dark, energetic den was brought to life by Lloyd Huang, former bartender at Inferno. There's even a live stage. Think live metal performances, cheap Asahi, hookah, and a whole lot of mayhem and mischief.

Inferno founder Martin Aamodt opened REAPER last October, located opposite Shankang Li in Jing'an.

Around Town

Ferra Bar

Community Drinks

Image by Mattias Isaksson, courtesy of Ferra Bar.

Co-sharing spaces seem to be gaining traction, and Ferra Bar on Xiangyang Lu is a prime example. Run by Brewlosophy co-owners Jerry Liu and Ogi Simovic, it shares its space with Bird Hut, a casual Cantonese barbecue spot.

Images by Mattias Isaksson, courtesy of Ferra Bar.

When Bird Hut wraps up around 8pm, Ferra takes over from 9pm until late, Wednesday through Sunday. The drink menu is simple and wallet-friendly, featuring a Brewlosophy IPA (¥38), small-batch cider (¥42), highballs (¥42-¥48), and house kombucha (¥28).

Coquille Seafood Bistro

Makeover & Menu Upgrade

Image courtesy of Coquille

Coquille Seafood Bistro has a fresh new look and menu following recent renovations. Gone are the rustic French country vibes — now replaced with mustard yellow walls, paneled mirrors, and romantic table settings for a level-up in refined elegance.

Image courtesy of Coquille

The menu has been elevated to match, with a new “luxury sharing” section of lavish seafood platters, alongside other seafood-centric dishes by Executive Chef Hung. The Beef Wellington, a Coquille signature, remains untouched.

Sound Bites

Kanpachi - Long Bean, Wasabi Leaf, Buddha's Hand
Image courtesy of Taian Table.

Michelin three-star Taian Table just launched Menu 49, their first new menu of the year.

On the pastry and dessert front, Lady M, the iconic mille crepe cake brand, has made a comeback in Shanghai after exiting the China market in September 2022, opening a new location at Grand Gateway. Another location is slated to open at IFC. Also at IFC is La Boulangerie Robuchon.

LEGOLAND Shanghai is due to open in Jinshan district this summer.

Naan sandwiches at KLAY.

Modern Indian restaurant KLAY now has naanwiches for delivery and lunch.

A restaurant called Trattoria del Bistecca 1565 has taken over the former Roodoodoo space in IFC.

Burger place Grinder, previously on Wuding Lu, has reopened at MIX320 in Changning.

Closures

A couple more closures have occured since the big round up of restaurant and bar closures. These restaurant are now closed:

Bib Gourmand awarded Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop (正斗粥面专家) at Qiantian Taikoo Li posted a closing notice citing their end of lease and plans to reopen. Last day of operations Feb 13.

• Charbon by Paul Pairet
• Co. Cheese
• 8 Pints (Yanping Lu)
• La Siesta
• Roma - Following a firestorm of complaints on Red Book from unpaid staff salaries as well as unpaid suppliers.
• Ochiyo - Moving to IM Shanghai, opening March.
• Sleep No More - Not F&B related, but that's ending in March.
• Secret Flavor (Printemps)
• Big Bagel (Yongkang Lu)
• Rue de Yongkang
• Cages (Huangpu)
• Madina
• Mad Dragon
• Lotus Land (Tianzifang) - Closed in November (missed this one), but will be reopening in end June in Xuhui.
• Sura Korean Restaurant (Jiaozhou Lu)
• I Love Shanghai
• System