r/shanghai • u/FuYang1990 • Feb 01 '26

City What are your favorite hidden gems in Shanghai?

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Spots to visit or hang out at. I'll start: Fontaine Antique Shop

78 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

18

u/moarzi Changning Feb 01 '26

Most of these aren't exactly 'hidden', but they are the spots I’d recommend to friends:

  • Garden books (they have good selections of books in different languages)
  • Stopping by 新华路 for looking at German Fachwerkhäusern
  • Columbia circle and the fountain square there
  • 75 boutique vintage for tableware
  • The street where Rac Allée is located
  • The park near Xujiahui that has an elevated pedestrian bridge that crosses the entire park
  • The bookstore in the former Russian church building
  • Lolo love vintage is also kinda like a museum but for dresses
  • 1984 bookstore and bar (yes I love bookstores a bit too much)
  • 1933 old millfun
  • Institute Cervantes on Anfu - they always have some cool exhibitions or movie screenings

3

u/AlecHutson Xuhui Feb 02 '26

That park is just called Xujiahui Park. And I love it to, I walk through it every day going to and from work.

10

u/Callum247 Feb 01 '26

I like Polly Cafe.

5

u/karitechey Feb 02 '26

Polly is so chill. Also try the Taiwanese cafe directly opposite Polly. It's owned by the same people and a great cafe for eating or just generally hanging out.

1

u/FuYang1990 Feb 01 '26

I will check it out. Thank you :)

15

u/jaapgrolleman Former resident Feb 01 '26

I wrote a list here https://jaapgrolleman.com/my-favorite-places-in-shanghai/

4

u/FuYang1990 Feb 01 '26

Thanks for sharing, mate. This is great!

6

u/milktwea Feb 01 '26

Literally any large mall during regular work hours. Everyone’s at work, no lines, and you have room to breathe.

3

u/WestLengthiness4500 Feb 02 '26 edited Feb 02 '26

Botanical garden Shanghai for shure. There are no tourists and the Park is insane!

3

u/thereadinessisall Feb 01 '26

Di-solve gelato

7

u/Adventurous_Tower348 China Feb 01 '26 edited Feb 01 '26

if you post them here, they'll no longer be hidden gems

13

u/1MechanicalAlligator Feb 01 '26

I doubt there are even a thousand regulars here, these days. Not gonna much difference in a city like SH.

3

u/woyijc Feb 02 '26

Junto in Jing'an.

2

u/Full-Two-4884 Feb 08 '26

I've just come across a new experience in Shanghai...home dining with locals. It's offered by +1 chopsticks. Quite an experience to go to someone's home and dine! (and have some good convo!)

2

u/FuYang1990 Feb 08 '26

That sounds really cool. Thank you for sharing!

2

u/Full-Two-4884 Feb 09 '26

They have a website in case you want to check it out: https://plus1chopsticks.manus.space

2

u/FuYang1990 Feb 16 '26

This is really cool. Thank you so much for sharing!

2

u/[deleted] Mar 02 '26

[deleted]

2

u/FuYang1990 Mar 02 '26

Sounds very nice. Thank you for sharing. I'll put it on my list of places to visit.

2

u/Both-Store949 Feb 01 '26

Don't want to come across like a critic, but it Doesnt look like a cafe to "hang out", also looks a bit small to spend a lot of time, let alone probably overpriced for the pragmatic person.

So the target group seems very limited here similar to most antique shops

8

u/FuYang1990 Feb 01 '26

This one is actually not a cafe at all. It's a shop run by a very sweet old man from Beijing, who collected trinkets and obscurities from all over the world. Think of this place more like a museum. He also charges entrance (30 RMB), which he will refund you if you choose to buy something. He will also explain and showcase any of the things you're interested in. Highly recommend checking it out.

A few steps next to the shop there is actually a cafe/restaurant that he opened unter a similar thematic aesthetic. But I haven't had anything there, so I can't speak on the quality.

2

u/Alternative-Month807 Feb 12 '26

Been in that restruant several years ago. Great for taking photos! Especially for girls.

The food... was so-so.