Shanghai has far too many good breakfasts for one list. These are simply a few distinctive spots that the SmartShanghai team knows, likes or thinks are worth getting out of bed for. Got a favorite we missed? Put it in the comments.
The Press
Breakfast at The Press is as much about the setting as the food. It's inside the former headquarters of Shen Bao, one of China's most important and longest-running newspapers, with the original high ceilings and plenty of newspaper history still around. Breakfast is served until 10:30am, featuring straightforward Western fare like eggs, toast and coffee. Outside breakfast hours, the restaurant also offers set lunches and other dishes throughout the day. There aren't many better places to enjoy a meal with a bit of old Shanghai atmosphere.
Xiao Taoyuan 小桃园
Xiao Taoyuan is a reliable stop for a classic Shanghai breakfast, serving the city's familiar "four kings" of breakfast. Soy milk (豆浆), youtiao (油条), shaobing (烧饼), and cifan (粢饭团). With around 20 locations across Shanghai, the chain is mostly found in residential neighborhoods, making it an easy option for a quick morning meal. The setting is simple and practical rather than nostalgic, with traditional breakfast staples served alongside other local snacks and noodles. A good choice when you want a taste of everyday Shanghai breakfast without hunting down a street stall.
Dong Tai Xiang 东泰祥
We once called Dong Tai Xiang the king of Shanghai's shengjian bao, and we're sticking with it. With 11 locations across Shanghai, it remains one of the go-to spots for this local breakfast staple. Their signature pan-fried buns hit a particularly good middle ground: slightly fluffy, slightly chewy, with a properly crisp bottom and hot pork broth inside. The Chongqing Bei Lu branch is open 24/7 and busy enough that fresh batches keep coming out of the pan. Add scallion oil noodles or sesame-paste wontons if four buns don't count as breakfast.
Wang Jia Sha 王家沙
Open since 1945, Wang Jia Sha is old-school Shanghai breakfast without the retro makeover. With five locations across the city, it remains a familiar stop for locals craving traditional snacks. Downstairs, people queue at the takeaway counters for shengjian, sticky rice, pastries and other classics; upstairs is a wonderfully dated sit-down dining room that still feels a bit like a state-run canteen. It's cheap, busy and decidedly unfancy — which is exactly the point.
Fahua Tangbao 法华汤包
Hidden in a residential lane in Changning, Fahua Tangbao has been making Shanghai-style soup dumplings for over two decades. There's no trendy renovation or social media gimmick here, just a small neighborhood shop that has built its reputation through word of mouth. The place is often packed during breakfast hours, with locals lining up for freshly steamed xiaolongbao and other Shanghai staples. The signature soup dumplings come with thin, delicate wrappers, plenty of hot broth, and the slightly sweet flavor profile typical of Shanghai-style dumplings. Alongside the classic pork version, there are more modern fillings like crab roe and truffle-infused options, but the old-school soup dumpling experience is still the main draw. A good stop when you want a simple Shanghai breakfast and don't mind waiting with the crowd.
Pancake House 煎饼小屋
This corner jianbing shop near Yongkang Lu has been a neighborhood staple for over 20 years, serving up classic Shandong-style breakfast from a small street-side counter. It's not unusual to see a mix of locals and foreigners lining up here in the morning, drawn by the crispy jianbing, affordable prices, and the simple street food experience. The basic version starts at just 8rmb, which feels increasingly rare in central Shanghai. The shop's signature move is pairing a freshly made jianbing with coffee from one of the nearby cafes, a very Shanghai kind of breakfast combination. Expect generous portions, plenty of crunch from the fried cracker, and a no-frills taste of northern Chinese breakfast culture right in central Shanghai.
