Whether you are a coffee person or one with a sweet tooth, Shanghai has something for expats who want to sit in a comfortable chair and converse or read while enjoying a muffin, pastry, or the latest java blends. The city has numerous specialty shops as well as traditional restaurants that employ pastry chefs.
If you shop in the late afternoon or early evenings, you will usually find discounts from 10% to 50% in bakeries, because the bread and cakes are perishable. One of our favorite places is the bakery at the Pudong Shangri-la (33 FuCheng Road, Pudong District) – their incredible croissants and muffins sell for just 5 RMB each after 6 pm.
Some other recommendations include:
- Abendbrot Bakery
The first traditional German bakery in Shanghai – very, very good but a bit pricey. Their bakery is at 111 HuaXuGong Rd. Phone: 59762188. - Bakerzin
This Singaporean bakery serves western desserts. The menu is delicately designed and attractive. So are the desserts. The cream cake, chocolate cake, Tiramisu and raspberry cream are recommended. They are at 5F, Raffles City, No. 268, Middle Xizang Road, Huangpu District - Bauernstube
Full of German countryside style and flavor. The almond croissant is especially delicious among its various kinds of bread. They are located on the second floor of the Shanghai Sheraton Hongqiao Hotel: No. 5, South Zunyi Road, Changning District (the intersection with Xingyi Road) - Cabler
These are special bakeries – buy their discount card because you will return again and again. Mango mousse, mango cheese, chocolate banana mousse, tiramisu and maple sugar pudding are worth trying. See them at No. 422, Dagu Road, Jing’an District (near North Chengdu Road) or at their new store near the Gubei Carrefour. - Cheeze & Fizz
This is an authentic French cheese eatery. Here you can taste various handmade cheeses before buying them. While having cheeses, you can also enjoy the mellow wine, champagne and whiskey from France, Italy, America and South Africa. See them at Unit 101, No. 119, Madang Road, Luwan District (North Block of Xintiandi) - Delifrance
The Delifrance chain is well known around Europe and Asia for its fresh sandwiches, light snacks, and delicious desserts. The European café ambiance is evident in the outdoor patio, the colorful art on the walls, and the scattering of chairs and sofas throughout. Located at 381 Huaihai Zhong Lu, Room 125, 1/F Central Plaza, Shanghai. - Grand Hyatt Bakery
This bakery inside a five-star hotel only sells takeaway cakes and desserts. The delicious cakes here are made of quality material. Tiramisu and cheese cake are recommended. Located in the Jin Mao Tower at 1F, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, No. 88, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area - Häagen-Dazs
Häagen-Dazs is famous for its ice cream, including rum ice cream, tea ice cream, walnut ice cream, Monte Carlo, Deep Forest and ice cream hot pot. All of its branches have comfortable environment. The branch at the Riverside Garden has outdoor seats, which serves good place to see the Huangpu River and the Bund.
Riverside Garden Branch: inside Riverside Garden, West Lujiazui Road, Pudong New Area
Ganghui Branch: 157-160, the inside street of Ganghui Plaza, No. 1, Hongqiao Road, Xuhui District
Raffles City Branch: Room 119, Raffles City, No. 268, Middle Xizang Road, Huangpu District
Jiuguang Branch: 2F, Jiuguang City Plaza, No. 1618, West Nanjing Road, Jing’an District. - House of Flour
Try their blueberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and tiramisu. You can find them at 105, 1F, Shanghai Legend, No. 635, Bibo Road, Pudong New Area (beside Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park Metro Station) - Ichido
At this Japanese bakery, you might try the garlic bread, sandwiches, puffs, milk bean curd and the seasonal tea bean curd.
Nandan Branch: 1-2, Room 02, 1F, No. 363, Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui District (beside Ascendas Plaza)
Pacific Branch: B2F, Pacific Department Store, No. 333, Middle Huaihai Road, Luwan District (near Madang Road)
Changning Branch: B2F, Paris Spring Department Store, No. 823, Changning Road, Changning District (near Dingxi Road)
Super Brand Mall Branch: 2F, Super Brand Mall, No. 168, West Lujiazui Road, Pudong (near West Yincheng Road) - Le Marais
This small shop sells handmade chocolates that are all made by the shop owner. If you like chocolate, do not miss its black chocolate and chocolate cake. Located at 214, No. 300, Longhui Road, Pudong. - Lillian Cake Shop
This shop is famous for its sweet custard tart, cheese cake, cheese custard tart and the milk tea.
Hongkou General Shop: inside Paris Spring Department Store, No. 1688, North Sichuan Road, Hongkou District
Anshan Branch: No. 40, Anshan Road, Yangpu District (near Benxi Road)
West Nanjing Road Branch: No. 988, West Nanjing Road, Jing’an District (near North Maoming Road) - Man’s Sweet
You will find authentic Hong Kong sweets at this bakery. The various sweets look dainty and taste clear. Mango pancake, civet durian pancake, sesame and walnut syrup, and chilled sago cream with mango and pomelo (Yang Zhi Gan Lu) are highly recommended.
Jing’an Tempe Branch: No. 72, Wanhangdu Road, Jing’an District (near West Beijing Road)
Super Brand Mall Branch: 5F, Super Brand Mall, No. 168, West Lujiazui Road. - Paris Baguette
This chain of bakeries has various kinds of delicate and delicious bread and desserts. Garlic bread, puff, sandwich, chocolate cake, cheese cake, red bean bread are recommended.
Thumb Plaza Branch: No. 35, Zendai Thumb Plaza, Lane 199, Fangdian Road, Pudong New Area (near Middle Yanggao Road)
Wujiaochang Branch: 1F, Wanda Commercial Plaza, Wujiaochang, No. 660, Handan Road, Yangpu District
Linping Branch: Unit 33, 1F, Ruihong Plaza, No. 123, Linping Road, Hongkou Distrcit (near Ruihong Road) - Ruby
This is an old Chinese bakery in Shanghai. The milk cake here is terrific and the chestnut cake is also good, all at low prices.
Changshou Branch: No. 449, South Wuning Road, Jing’an District (near Changshou Road)
Ruijin Branch: No. 151, Ruijin 1st Road, Luwan District (near Changle Road)
Shimen Branch: No. 366, Shimen 1st Road, Jing’an District (near Wujiang Road)
Hankou Branch: No. 613, Hankou Road, Huangpu District (near Middle Zhejiang Road) - Yamazaki
At this Japanese bakery, try the Queen Toast and the red bean toast, blueberry bread, sandwiches, potato with bacon, and chocolate muffins. Please note that the fresh bread and desserts are marked by colorful labels.
Jiuguang Branch: B1F, Jiuguang City Plaza, No. 1618, West Nanjing Road, Jing’an District
Pacific Branch: B2F, Pacific Department Store, No. 333, Middle Huaihai Road, Luwan District (near Madang Road)
Wanda Plaza Branch: Wanda Commercial Plaza, No. 660, Handan Road, Yangpu District (near Songhu Road)
