Shanghai is one of China’s most attractive cities, known for its edgy, modern skyline, art and fashion scene, and rich history. Whether you’re visiting The Bund, the French Concession, or exploring contemporary culture, Shanghai has an incredible range of vegan-friendly dining options. From Buddhist buffets and Western fusion, to upmarket restaurants, eating plant-based is made easy in the city – for locals, expats, and travellers alike, all rooted in long-standing Chinese spiritual and culinary traditions. Our Youth Board member, Marielle Williamson, shares her top recommendations for places to eat in Shanghai.
Green Friday
Green Friday is both an elegant and homely restaurant offering a variety of options, from smoothies and burgers, to traditional Chinese baked goods. The eatery has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a mini mart. Green Friday hosts a monthly earth-friendly market featuring local food and grocery sellers, and often organises cooking classes and city-wide social events for people following a plant-based diet. Green Friday is what the Chinese call ‘pure vegan’ (zhāi cài 斋菜), abstaining not only from animal products, but from garlic and onion as well. I highly recommend the pizza, the pineapple cakes, and the chocolate gelato.
LN Fortunate Coffee
Located in the French Concession, LN serves Sino-American and Indonesian cuisine in several dishes and desserts, and has a friendly atmosphere and outdoor patio. I recommend the tempeh stir-fry, jackfruit rendang, and fried oyster mushrooms, all of which have protein add-ons. For dessert, try the bubble waffle or the passionfruit cheesecake. LN also hosts buffets and special events for holidays and gatherings in the city. The staff are so friendly – they even provided me with links to the different plant-based products they use, as well as recipes from some of their chefs.
QingChun Pumen 清春普门 (translates to Fresh Spring Universal Gate)
QingChun Pumen is a must-visit restaurant in Shanghai. Elegant and easily accessible, its small plates are affordable and the atmosphere unique: upon entering, you are greeted by an indoor market-like scene, showcasing high-quality ingredients and fresh cooking. QingChun’s menu is traditional Chinese cuisine, with dishes such as soup dumplings, braised tofu, and truffle stir-fried rice. Plates are dim-sum style, and every table is served house-made beetroot-and-vanilla moon cakes. I often go with friends and we order several different small dishes for no more than 100 rmb each (14 USD). I would recommend going early, as they do not take reservations and there can be a queue. Nonetheless, the area around the restaurant is beautiful to explore, and close to a metro station.
Ru if vegan 如素 (translates to As if vegan)
This is the first vegan restaurant I went to in China, and it immediately opened my eyes to the vast range of plant-based food that abounds in Chinese culture. Ru if Vegan specialises in traditional Buddhist plant-based dishes (with an element of Western fusion), and is also ‘pure vegan’, meaning free of onions and garlic along with animal-based products. The eatery is known for its teas and pizzas, but also serves a multitude of sweet and savoury dishes. These include mock meats, soups, salads, moon cakes, and much more. Staff members are extremely friendly, and the ambience is calming and welcoming.
Note: the restaurant is located on the third floor of the building.
Su Mangxiang 素满香 (translates to Abundant Vegetarian Fragrance)
Su Mangxiang is an affordable buffet chain serving a variety of plant-based dishes (some are vegetarian, though I believe they are on track to becoming fully vegan soon). With several locations across the city, this is your go-to place for casual dining that features everyday Chinese cuisine. Some popular dishes include sushi rolls (fresh vegetables, pickled radish, avocado), a soup/hot-pot bar, and stir-fried noodles. There are also many different traditional tofu dishes, and unlimited fruit.
Yangege 焱格格 (translates to Lady of the Flame)
Yangege is a vegan hot-pot restaurant just like any other (non-vegan) in China. Here, you get a traditional cultural experience, and will often enjoy lunch alongside large groups of Bhuddists from the nearby temple. Help yourself to the large array of vegetables, mushrooms, mock meats, and tofu, along with the restaurant’s signature hot-pot broth base. I like their tofu skewers (though watch out for the violently pungent black stinky tofu), as well as their dumplings, which are delicious dipped into the hot broth.
Duli 度粒 (translates to Measuring the little details/Focusing on the small things)
Duli is Shanghai’s first fully plant-based bistro, merging Western and Asian flavours. The restaurant is known for its innovative dishes, casual and sophisticated ambience (it’s pet-friendly!), and sustainable commitments. Notable dishes include Mapo Tofu Hummus, and Xinjiang-spiced mushroom kebabs with seitan. Duli also serves wonton soups, kimchi noodles, mushroom risottos, and Char Siu – a mushroom-based take on Chinese pork belly. I have only been here once, as it is slightly more expensive than other options, but the dishes are filling and satisfying, no matter if you follow a plant-based or a mixed diet.
These restaurants provide just a small glimpse of what Shanghai has to offer. Whether you’re craving traditional Buddhist cuisine or modern Chinese fusion, the plant-based scene here is continously growing. So if you’re looking to balance rich culinary history with global plant-based flavours, Shanghai is the place to visit!
For more plant-based travel recommendations, check out our guides to Rio, Prague, Paris, Berlin, Budapest, London, Madrid, New York, Cape Town, Chiang Mai and Amsterdam.
Marielle Williamson
Youth Board Member
