Best Brunches
Brunching in Shanghai is a serious weekend pastime, the perfect way to catch up with friends and reward yourself with deliciousness.
But what brunch do you crave? This city serves it all. Free-flow Champagne with a perfect Bund view, hipster hangouts, and enough menu choices to satisfy almost every hankering – from classic eggs Benny to steamed xiajiao shrimp dumplings, and chocolate fountains galore.
Fiesta Brunch: Maya
Huevos, huevos, huevos … farm-grown free range eggs are what Maya’s weekend brunch is all about. These happy eggs come in à la carte brunch plates with a gourmet Mexican twist.
Sit back and munch on Pan de Maiz Huevos Benedictos (poached runny eggs over chorizo, served with a corn muffin and red pepper hollandaise sauce) or Huevos Con Carne (two eggs with grilled steak and chimchurri sauce). Everything on Maya’s brunch menu is an affordable RMB 50 or less, but bottomless sangria (RMB 125) or margaritas (RMB 150) can also make for a boozier Mexican feast.
Every weekend, 11am-5pm. RMB 85-100 per person (including one drink). Maya, 2F Shanghai Grand Plaza, 568 Julu Lu, near Shanxi Nan Lu. Tel: 6289 8889
Guests to Impress: Le Bistrot, Le Royal Meridien
It’s the beginning to a beautiful Sunday. Le Royal Meridien’s La Vie en Rose themed brunch strikes a sleek, party-filled atmosphere – making it a perfect spot to entertain guests over a long, leisurely brunching session.
The Mumm bubbly is free flowing. Magicians try their best tricks, pretty in pink nurses serve tableside therapeutic cocktails, and DJs get things bumping. This hotel brunch also has one of the most impressive spreads in town – caviar, foie gras, fresh seafood, dim sum, an eggs Benedict station, terrace barbecue, and we must not forget its absolutely mouthwatering chocolate and dessert bar.
The little ones also have a special play area, where they can watch movies with a tub of popcorn, and grab a snack from their own mini food station.
Every Sunday, Noon-3pm. RMB 418 (+15%) with Mumm champagne, RMB 518 (+15%) with Mumm Rose Champagne. Le Royal Meridien, 789 Nanjing Dong Lu. Tel: 3318 9999 x 7007
Brunch in Style: Issimo, Jia Hotel
Like your brunching sessions with a touch of style and class? Issimo’s ‘Sundissimo’ brunch should be at the top of your list. The venue has a sexy, rustic ambience with its hip décor, classy leather seating, and open kitchen that’s complete with a wood fire oven.
On Sundays, the restaurant created by celebrity chef Salavatore Cuomo offers traditional Italian family-style dining with a four-course brunch set menu. Choose one antipasto (like pate de foie gras with red onion compete, for example), two pastas, and one main (such as breaded Milanese veal). Brunch is finished off with a selection of desserts and coffee, and for an extra RMB 138, you can make Sundissimo even more intoxicating with its free flow prosecco/mimosa/bellini deal.
Every Sunday, Noon-3pm. RMB 198. Jia Hotel, 2F, 931 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Taixing Lu. Tel: 6287 9009
Continental Brunch: Cristal
A stone’s throw away from the once thriving Wujiang Lu food street, Cristal offers a decent number of choices for each course on its weekend set menu. Its fine continental brunch menu arrives with picture-perfect presentation and includes roasted venison, Atlantic salmon and a generous Cristal Deluxe breakfast platter. You won’t regret their choco attack dessert platter either, which is rich and indulgent enough to put you in a serious, yet wonderful, chocolate coma.
We also love Cristal for all its sunshine potential – a stunning skylight overhead and a spacious outdoor terrace with views of Nanjing Xi Lu make for a gorgeous weekend afternoon.
Every weekend, 11am-3pm. RMB 168 (three courses), RMB 198 (four courses), or add RMB 188 for unlimited Pommery champagne. Cristal, 4F, 269 Wujiang Lu, near Taixing Lu. Tel: 6136 1388
