Listings:

Paulaner is the most successful German restaurant chain in Shanghai and boasts three grandiose outlets on both sides of the Huangpu, including one in Xintiandi (although that one's mainly for tourists). All your standard German dishes are available herein

Paulaner is the most successful German restaurant chain in Shanghai and boasts three grandiose outlets on both sides of the Huangpu, including one in Xintiandi (although that one's mainly for tourists). All your standard German dishes are available herein

Possibly the only Russian restaurant in the city, the Flying Elephant has been bringing Shanghailanders borscht for many a year. Decor is simple, but the experience is made truly authentic by the live Russian band performing nightly. This crew of musical misfits (combined with a little vodka) gets the blood pumping around 9pm when the real fun starts.

The Banana Leaf is a Guangzhou-based chain who specialize in spectacle, with a helping of sweetened and localized Southeast Asian food. It's a big show, with Jungle Book decor, singing waiters, an Indian dude making roti, a monstrous open kitchen, and a very corporate presence. Heavy on the theme, which can be fun if you're not bothered about authenticity in your food. Extremely popular with...

Rhumerie Bounty is a surprisingly classy pirate-themed rum bar. They focus on taking Havana Club to new heights by macerating it with various fruits for several weeks to come up with a sweet, sipping rum flavored by things like ginger, melon, pineapple/vanilla, and lychee. Decent selection of other rums as well, including Clement 6 and 10-year, and Zacapa.

Rhumerie Bounty is a pirate-themed rum bar. They focus on taking Havana Club to new heights by macerating it with various fruits for several weeks to come up with a sweet, sipping rum flavored by things like ginger, melon, pineapple/vanilla, and lychee. Decent selection of other rums as well, including Clement 6 and 10-year, and Zacapa. Very popular with a young, student French crowd.

Chinese and Western buffet, wedding-like atmosphere, pink and purple lights, and a rotating perch at a table inside the middle ball of the Pearl Tower. Food's passable, not more, but that's not the point anyway. Dinner runs 280rmb per person, without drinks, and reservations are suggested for a window seat.

The Banana Leaf is a Guangzhou-based chain who specialize in spectacle, with a helping of sweetened and localized Southeast Asian food. It's a big show, with Jungle Book decor, singing waiters, an Indian dude making roti, a monstrous open kitchen, and a very corporate presence. Heavy on the theme, which can be fun if you're not bothered about authenticity in your food. Extremely popular with...

The Banana Leaf is a Guangzhou-based chain who specialize in spectacle, with a helping of sweetened and localized Southeast Asian food. It's a big show, with Jungle Book decor, singing waiters, an Indian dude making roti, a monstrous open kitchen, and a very corporate presence. Heavy on the theme, which can be fun if you're not bothered about authenticity in your food. Extremely popular with...

Cate La Maid is a waffle-and-tea-and-coffee shop with waitresses dressed up as French maids, catering to nerds from a hidden location on the fourth floor of an electronics mall.