Shanghai isn’t just China’s most international city — it’s also one of its most vegan-friendly. From a century-old Buddhist kitchen to a Michelin-starred tasting menu that turns vegetables into art, the city has something for every plant-based traveler.
Here are 5 vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Shanghai:
香椿故事 has not been open for long, but it’s already ranked #1 on Dianping’s vegetarian list in the Jing’an area — a neighborhood known for having some of the strictest, highest-quality vegetarian standards in Shanghai.
What makes them special: Their space blends Eastern minimalist aesthetics with comfortable seating and private rooms. But the real star is the food — bold, flavorful, and far from the bland “rabbit food” stereotype.
What to order:
The vibe: Quiet, elegant, suitable for both casual dinners and business entertaining.
Address: Yuyuan Road No.155, Jing’an Fuhui Building, 3rd Floor
庆春朴门 started in Hangzhou (near Lingyin Temple) and has become a phenomenon in Shanghai. The Qiantan Taikoo Li location is a Michelin Bib Gourmand — great food at fair prices .
What makes them special: The space is designed like a Zen garden — wood elements, green plants, and a peaceful atmosphere that feels like an escape from the city’s chaos . The entire menu is 100% plant-based, with no garlic or onion (Buddhist-style).
What to order:
The vibe: Zen-like, tranquil, perfect for a slow meal after shopping at Taikoo Li.
Address: Qiantan Taikoo Li, L4, W-L4-01
Godly opened in 1922 and is arguably Shanghai’s most famous vegan restaurant. This is a century-old “China Time-Honored Brand” (中华老字号) that has been serving Buddhist-style vegetarian food for generations .
What makes them special: Their legendary vegan “crab” roe (素蟹粉) has been wowing customers for over 100 years. It looks like crab, tastes like crab, and contains zero crab — made primarily from potato and carrot. The Nanjing West Road location is their flagship store, housed in a standalone building.
What to order:
The vibe: Old-school Shanghai. Simple, no-fuss, full of elderly locals who’ve been coming for decades.
Price: ~¥60-77 per person (a la carte)
Address: Nanjing West Road No.445
福和慧 is not just Shanghai’s best vegan restaurant — it’s one of the best restaurants in Asia. It holds two Michelin stars (and has for years), Black Pearl 2 Diamonds, and has been ranked on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
What makes them special: They don’t do faux meat. No mock duck, no imitation shrimp. Instead, they celebrate the vegetable itself — coaxing out flavors you didn’t know vegetables had. The owner and chef are both Shanghainese, and the entire experience is built around seasonal tasting menus.
The restaurant is entirely private rooms — no loud open dining area. Each room is elegantly designed with simple, zen-like decor.
What to expect (tasting menu, ~¥800-1000+ per person):
The vibe: Silent, meditative, all-private-rooms fine dining. This is for special occasions.
Price: ~¥800-1000+ per person (tasting menu only; tea pairing +¥280)
Address: No. 1037, Yuyuan Road
Vegan 灌汤包 (soup dumplings) are real, and this humble shop makes them.
What makes them special: Located in a quiet part of Yangpu, 舞蔬尚饺 is a small, family-run spot where all the staff are vegetarian. They make their dumplings by hand — filling, pleating, steaming — with what they call “craftsman’s spirit” (匠心精神).
What to order:
The vibe: Warm, personal, family-run. The owner is described as “kind-hearted and multi-talented” — she even arranges the flowers herself.
Price: ~¥40-80 per person
Address: Guo’an Road No. 177
Fu He Hui accepts credit cards. For the others, use Alipay or WeChat Pay (link your foreign card before you go). Cash also works everywhere.
Godly is on Nanjing West Road — a major shopping street — and about 10 minutes from People’s Square. Qingchun Pumen is inside Qiantan Taikoo Li mall, a popular shopping destination in Pudong. Fu He Hui is near Jing’an Temple and the quiet streets of the former French Concession. Dancing Dumplings is farthest from tourist areas — it’s for the dedicated vegan soup dumpling hunter.
Only for Fu He Hui.
Fu He Hui has English-speaking staff who explain each dish. Qingchun Pumen has English menus on their ordering system. For Xiangchun Story, Godly, and Dancing Dumplings, use a translation APP or point at pictures on your phone.
Vegan/vegetarian 素食 sù shí
Egg 蛋 dàn
Milk 奶 nǎi
Fish 鱼 yú
Meat 肉 ròu
I want…/I need… 我要… wǒ yào…
I don’t eat… 我不吃…wǒ bù chī…
Planning a plant-based trip to China? We’ve also written a guide to vegan restaurants in Beijing.
And if you want to explore Shanghai on two wheels — with someone who knows where to find the best vegan snacks — join our Shanghai Bike Adventure. We’ll take care of the research. You just show up hungry. 😉
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