Shanghai - Post Report Question and Answers
What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Food delivery options are amazing. Sherpa and Elema (are you hungry?) are two very popular options. You can get stuff delivered for literally pennies on top of the price of the food itself. If you want to hit up a Brazilian steakhouse, ramen bar, beer hall, or Vietnamese place, you can probably find all of those things in a single mall. One odd thing is most meat is generally very bony, if there's any meat at all. Meat is more of a flavoring in China. And surprisingly for a city literally named "City on the Water" the fish choices are really poor. - Nov 2020
Sherpas and Nosh deliveries are convenient. Delivery fees are low. - Apr 2017
All...anything can be delivered, even groceries, which is great. Sherpas is popular but you will probably find your own places. - Oct 2016
Lots of fast food and decent restaurants. Street food can sometimes be had for as low as 4RMB (6RMB=US$1). However, generally expect to pay 15-25RMB on the low side. The high goes exceptionally high. You aren't thinking high enough. - Dec 2014
If you want food at any possible price point, Shanghai is your town. The tiny local places will only set you back 20 RMB at the most, and you can also splurge at fancy steakhouses or cocktail bars if that's your thing. There are plenty of fast food chains from multiple countries (as well as Chinese fast food options), but why would you eat fast food when you can get some of the most delicious Chinese cuisine for less than US$5? Current events tip: McDonald's has a very limited menu right now due to their meat supplier violating a whole lot of public health codes. Take your business elsewhere if you want a burger. - Aug 2014
Any and all fast food is here, except Taco Bell. There are several fast food chains, such as Carl's Jr., which I had not even tried in the US. There is every imaginable range of restaurants - you can spend 50 cents on a meal or US$200. It's up to you. - Aug 2011
All of 'em are there, and new ones opening all the time. However, one major thing missing in Shanghai is a Taco Bell. A few years ago, there was a concept Taco Bell tester restaurant on Nanjibeingng Road, but it closed down in late 2006. - Dec 2010
Thousands of them, ranging from roadside to 5-star. Pick what you like. - Jul 2010
KFC is ubiquitous. McDonald's are everywhere, too. Lots of great local and Japanese chains, too. Literally tens of thousands of restaurants of every type imaginable. Within quick walking distance of my house alone probably a hundred or so restaurants with probably 30 different nationalities. - Feb 2009
Just about everything in terms of fast food. Shanghai is also quickly becoming a gourmand's paradise, as many world renowned chefs are opening restaurants here. - Jun 2008
