[Update, 12 October 2026: Unfortunately this place is already closed.] The best kebab Shanghai ever had is long gone:Anadolu on Hengshan Lu, near the bowling alley that's also gone. Since then, Habibi on Changle Lu, across from Supreme, has been my go-to, along with the "Taiwan Schwarma" spot in Reel Mall's basement, which is not really a kebab, but is a good sandwich.
About a month ago, a friend told me about a new kebab spot near Jing'an Temple with "mad dips." I checked it out and have returned about nine times since. It's called Usta Dönerci, on Yuyuan Lu, on the same block as the famous BK, next to a parking attendant who yells a lot. Later I discovered this döner is from the same people behind long-running Turkish restaurant Pasha on Nanchang Lu, which also makes a solid kebab. This feels like their attempt at building a döner chain, and so far, it's working.
Usta Dönerci gets a lot right. It's that rare combination of cheap, good, and relatively healthy. They don't put fries inside the kebab. You can order them on the side, but they're not the default, thankfully. The meat is lean with a bit of char, and they keep things simple: chicken, beef, or a mix, served in a wrap, a sandwich, or a bowl. There are plenty of sauces and dips to explore, and if you ask nicely they'll probably throw some hummus on for free – the staff are super chill. The sandwich was a little too bready, so the wrap is the move. They also deal in lamb burgers, salads, and rice pudding.
This place is cheap. We're talking 30-something rmb for a main and combos in the 40s. There's no seating beyond a few benches on the sidewalk, which somehow turns into an international crossroads of people who already love kebabs and people discovering them for the first time. On a recent visit, I watched a guy finish one and immediately walk back for a second, while an auntie stood watching for about fifteen minutes before finally ordering one herself.
If you're also looking for good döner in Shanghai, this is definitely one to peep. Now all they need is a garbage can.
